Tourism officials put out welcome mat - Business First of Buffalo:

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The blue print targeta myriad initiatives tolure tourists, from capturint more minority-based conventions and gatheringd to having local volunteers take a more actived approach in selling the region’ s assets. The plan, created by a volunteer committeer comprised of local tourism and hospitality industry was created at the urgingt of Erie County ExecutiveChris Collins. It dovetaild one of Collins’ 10 economic turnarounx engines he pinpointed inhis “State of the address last month. “We are usin tourism as a way to move Buffalkofurther ahead,” said Jennifer Parker, BNCVB chairperson. Tourism and hospitality is a $1.
4 billiobn annual industry that employs morethan 20,000 people in Erie officials say. Parker said through the various initiatives she hopez those numbers couldbe increased. “We want to turn contacts into she said. “You hear more and more aboutg the importanceof tourism.” The Buffalo Niagar region’s assets include Niagara Fallsa and architectural landmarks such as the and . “Buffalop is being branded as a city rich in architecturedand history,” Parker said. The first phase of that effort will includse a targeted advertising campaign in Southermn Ontario that seeks to attracrtCanadian visitors.
Canadians routinely travel to the region forsportinyg events, shopping and to catch flights at the Buffali Niagara International Airport. “Our goal is to bring visitorws here, make sure they have a good time and then go back home and tell peopled what a great experience they had inBuffalol and, ultimately, come back again,” said Richardx Geiger, BNCVB president and CEO. • Creating a “Convention Concierg Program” that will train volunteers and hospitalit industry workers to better promote local attractionsand • Reinstituting the “Buffalo Ambassadors” program where locao residents work with the BNCVvB to bring in everything from major conventionsw to family reunions.
• Establishing an Amateur Sports Foundatiomn that will help land more athletidc competitionand events. The foundation will help bringg the groups to the regiojn and may also assistin fund-raising or sponsorship efforts. Davird Hart, president of , has agreede to serve as the foundation’s The foundation will be an adjunct ofthe BNCVB. This year the BNCVB is hostingh more than 70 amateur athletic events that are expected to briny in morethan 51,000 people and have an estimated $18 milliojn economic impact. • Consider other sites for visitor’s welcoming and information centers.
The agency has a center in the Market Arcade compled in downtown Buffalo and the Walden Galleriqain Cheektowaga.