Visit Buffalo Niagara Annual Business Review 2010

2010 ANNUAL BUSINESS REVIEW

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2010 Annual Business Review

www.Visitbuffaloniagara.com

2010 was a year of record-breaking numbers for Buffalo Niagara. The CVB sales department booked a record of more than 150,000 room nights for future business and our website traffic at www.visitbuffaloniagara.com increased by nearly 50 percent over 2009.

The Smith Travel chart below shows that we have recovered from 2009’s economic downturn, setting new all-time records in Erie County for hotel demand and total hotel revenue. And if the economy holds, the future for Western New York tourism looks very bright.

KC KRATT

A 2010 CVB research project revealed that when cultural tourists are informed about Western New York’s art, architecture and history attractions, they are 90% more likely to visit. And with renovations to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center and many downtown hotels, combined with real investments at important tourism assets, there has never been a better time to market our region and capitalize on the opportunity for tourism.

As you can see from pages 12 to 15, we’ve begun in earnest our effort to engage you and other members of the community in our efforts. I would encourage you to sign up to receive our Tourism Insider email newsletter and see how you might be able to help us grow the region’s economy through tourism.

Dottie Gallagher-Cohen President & CEO gallaghercohen@visitbuffaloniagara.com

Tourism by the numbers

2010 was a record-breaking year for Erie County hotels Demand for local hotel rooms increased by 7 percent in 2010, breaking the record set in 2008. It was also a record-breaking year for Erie County hotel revenues, which were up 6 percent year over year. The average rate charged by hotels was up slightly over 2009 but still falls short of the average rate realized in 2008, largely due to the addition of more than 750 hotel rooms in Erie County since then.

Erie County Hotel/Motels (Total Room Nights Reported: 894,020)

Conventions/Meetings/ Amateur Sports (Group)

17%

Leisure (Non-Group)

32%

Smith Travel Research Erie County Hotel Report

Average Room nights Hotel Occupancy Rate sold Revenues

2010

64.7%

$87.45

2,200,686 $192,456,023

2009

63.3%

$87.09

2,055,390

$181,443,399

2008

68.7%

$89.62

2,118,786

$191,157,208

Corporate Transient

44%

Group Tour

7%

NOTE: The survey results compiled above were based on a sample of 894,020 room nights reported by participating properties, which accounts for approximately 41 percent of the total room nights consumed in Erie County during 2010.

Records are Made to be Broken

CVB continued to raise the bar in 2010

CVB CONVENTION, SPORTS & GROUP TOUR SALES

$82 million in future visitor spending

300,000 People attended events at the Convention Center

401 Conventions, meetings

150, 439

705 New sales leads

Hotel room nights booked

or special events booked

ALL TIME

108

Events hosted

197

Nights the Center was occupied

14,000

Hotel room nights utilized due to events at the Center

Note: The Convention Center was closed for renovations from June to September.

Unique visits to visitbuffaloniagara.com

up

48% FROM 2009

AMATEUR SPORTING EVENTS

CVB MARKETING

Publicity value of out-oftown media coverage

BUFFALO NIAGARA FILM COMMISSION

74 Total projects shot

128

* Includes 329,687 tickts sold for the World Juniors, as reported by the Buffalo Sabres, and data reported by event rights holders for the Empire State Games.

$514,751

57 Completed location scouts

78

3

Local print media hits

25

Out-of-town print media hits

369

Production days with Film Commission involvement

www.Visitbuffaloniagara.com

86,330 Hotel room nights

495,439

RECORD

BUFFALO NIAGARA CONVENTION CENTER

BUFFALO NIAGARA SPORTS COMMISSION

* 435,967 Attendance

red italic

2010 ANNUAL BUSINESS REVIEW

In the middle of a rough U.S. economy, the CVB sales team is breaking records. In 2010, the CVB set new high marks for booking hotel room nights (150,439); booking conventions, meetings or events (401); and generating new sales leads (705). These bookings will result in another record – more than $82 million in expenditures by out-of-town visitors. On the marketing front, unique visitors to the CVB’s website, www.visitbuffaloniagara.com, jumped 48 percent in 2010 to 495,439.

Record breaking figures are in

MAR K E TING

Branding BUFFALO for visitors

The CVB brought the community together to begin articulating a new brand for Buffalo

Ad agency execs, government officials, community leaders, educational institutions, visitor attractions, business people…the CVB brought these stakeholders (and more!) together at several points throughout 2010 to shape and identify a new brand platform, visual identity and tagline for Buffalo. The CVB is rolling out the new brand in 2011.

Going Viral CVB video received 150,000 views in 2 months

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On Nov. 1, the CVB posted its Buffalo: This Place Matters video on YouTube. Filmed in partnership with First + Main Media, the video was initially created to help drive attendance to the 2011 National PreserBuffalo: This Place Matters video vation Conference in Buffalo. But once the public caught a peek at the video’s stunning time lapse photography of Buffalo’s architecture and sweeping aerial shots of the city’s downtown, waterfront, parkways and parks, it took on a much larger life of its own. By the end of TH December, it had 150,000 views on YouTube and, at a certain point, it was YOUTUBE TRAVEL & EVENTS YouTube’s 12th most viewed Travel & VIDEO OF Events video of the week. The CVB also THE WEEK teamed up with First + Main to create Buffalo: You’re Looking Good, a fun, upbeat girlfriends’ getaway video. In 2011, look for a monthly series of short videos from the CVB and First + Main.

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MOST VIEWED

Let’s Be Friends CVB is an industry leader in social media In April, the CVB debuted a new Facebook fan page and, thanks in large part to a series of wellexecuted contests and promotions, amassed 10,000 fans within six months. The CVB also managed the fan page The 716, allowing us to reach another 50,000 fans.

The CVB was active on Twitter throughout the year and we operated “Twisitor Centers” FANS IN during the NCAA MONTHS Men’s Basketball Tournament and World Juniors, to provide real-time visitor information and updates.

10,000 6

BUFFALO NIAGARA CON V E NTION C E NT E R

$7 Million

2010 ANNUAL BUSINESS REVIEW

CONVENTION CENTER facelift

The Convention Center received a $7 million renovation in 2010. When coupled with the

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more than 1600 new or renovated hotel rooms that surround the center, Buffalo has never had

STRONGER CONVENTION

a stronger convention and meeting product to sell.

PRODUCT TO SELL

Erie County Executive Chris Collins and CVB President & CEO Dottie Gallagher-Cohen take ceremonial swings at the Convention Center’s old marquee (above).

The renovated Convention Center (top).

Renovation highlights INCLUDE:

} A new main entrance and electronic marquee } Painting of the ceiling } Resurfaced main exhibit floor } New wall coverings

} R enovated concession areas with new equipment } N ew lighting with flexible features } Addition of sound baffles and acoustical treatments

} R edesigned kitchen with new equipment, allowing for a more efficient operation } A new chef’s tasting room

The Convention Center also unveiled a new logo to match the fresh, updated look of the building. The new visual identity reflects the street grid of Niagara Square, as well as the BNCC’s new tag line, Be at the Center of Attention.

www.Visitbuffaloniagara.com

BUFFALO HAS NEVER HAD A

CON V E NTIONS , S P ORTS & GROU P TOUR SAL E S

A Huge Year for Amateur Sports In 2010, Buffalo Niagara got caught up in March Madness, revived the Empire State Games and welcomed the World Juniors hockey tournament.

March 19 and 21 ATTENDANCE:

12,000

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMPACT:

$5 million

July 21 to 25

Dec. 26, 2010 to Jan. 6, 2011

ATTENDANCE:

21,000 (6,000 athletes / 15,000 spectators)*

ATTENDANCE:

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMPACT:

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMPACT:

$10 million*

329,687

(tickets sold)*

$100 million*

BUFFALO NIAGARA SPORTS COMMISSION INVOLVEMENT 6

} Served on the Local Organizing Committee, which met for a full year to prepare for the tournament } Trained and coordinated roughly 125 volunteers who were stationed in front of HSBC Arena and up Washington St. and Main St. to assit visitors } Met with local restaurants, bars and hotels to help them plan for a potential spike in business } Operated a visitor information tent near HSBC Arena, the Visitor Center in the Market Arcade, and information tables at each downtown hotel

} Served on the Local Organizing Committee , which raised more than $500,000 in cash and inkind and helped revive the games after they were cancelled in 2009 }D elivered and set-up signage for shuttles, parking, sports, visitors and directions at all ESG venues }O perated a pair of visitor information booths }P rovided various services for VIPs : ONE GOAL WE HAVERT AIN YOU. TO ENTE

alo, World Juniors Welcome to Buff

fans!

} Produced a Dining and Transportation Guide, in conjunction with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, and a hockey fan guide map } Assisted the Buffalo Sabres and The Buffalo News in their creation of an Official Fan Guide } Placed visitor materials at tables in non-tournament hotels

} Created a webpage with tournament visitor information } Operated a Twitter “Twisitor Center,” allowing staff to tweet real-time restaurant and transportation updates to guests

}C reated a World Juniors visitor webpage, which included hotel rates and availabilities, special deals from local restaurants and attractions, a calendar of events, a map of Buffalo’s top attractions, parking tips and transportation information

} Staffed a visitor table at the Hockey Towne USA Fan Fest

e wn Buffalo dining, nightlif and a map of downto s2011 For visitor information gara.com/worldjunior go to visitbuffalonia and entertainment, your mobile phone. or scan this tag with ra.com / visitbuffaloniaga 1 800 BUFFALO

} Distributed information outside HSBC Arena during the busiest days of the tournament

IIHF HOCKEWORLD JUNIOR

Y CHAMPION DINING & TR ANSPORTATIO SHIP N GUIDE

} Held a set of meetings and issued a series of industry e-newsletters, to prepare downtown hotels and restaurants for the potential fans * Includes data reported by event rights holders

VISITBUFFALON

IAGARA.COM nfta.c om

CON V E NTIONS , S P ORTS & GROU P TOUR SAL E S

A YOUTH HOCKEY MACHINE

Amherst Youth Hockey continues its streak of hosting USA Hockey youth events from April 7 to 11, as Amherst Youth Hockey

$ 1 million ESTIMATED

ECONOMIC IMPACT

(AYH) hosted USA Hockey’s Youth 12 & Under and 14 & Under National

Championship Tournament. Both tournaments took place at the Northtown Center at Amherst. Twelve

2010 ANNUAL BUSINESS REVIEW

Hundreds of budding hockey stars came to town

of the top teams from across the country, from as far away as Alaska and Los Angeles, competed in each age category. Players and their families occupied 2,500 hotel room nights and the tournament had an

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estimated economic impact of $1 million. of $1.2 million and $600,000, respectively. Look for additional tournaments in 2011 and 2012.

An Even Stronger Sports Competitor The CVB established a non-profit sports commission In February, the CVB announced the creation of a new 501c3 subsidiary, the Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission (BNSC), which will lead the effort to bid on and host amateur athletics in Erie County. The establishment of a Sports Commission was recommended in the CVB’s five-year strategic plan that was completed in 2008.

Featuring a volunteer advisory council of leaders from the local amateur and professional sports community (see listing on page 13), headed by Chairman Jon Dandes of Rich Baseball Operations, the BNSC will allow Western New York to further take advantage of our region’s world-class sports facilities to bring events to Buffalo.

www.Visitbuffaloniagara.com

AYH also hosted USA Hockey events in 2008 and 2009, with estimated economic impacts

major 2010 conventions Arranged by estimated economic impact

NAME

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Church of God and Saints of Christ UB Dental NYS Board of Law Examiners Multiple District 20 Lions Club of New York State and Bermuda North American Association for Environmental Education Creative Problem Solving Institute Catholic Daughters of the Americas Mount Zion Church of God Holiness American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works United House of Prayer NYS Board of Law Examiners NYS Council on Leadership & Student Activities Empire State Missionary Baptist Church NYS Financial Aid Administrators American Association of Airport Executives Correctional Peace Officers Foundation Canon Law Society of America American Bonanza Society

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMPACT

$1,628,000 $1,628,000 $1,465,200 $1,221,000

DATE ATTENDEES

Apr. 9-23 Nov. 1-5 July 26-28 May 12-16

2,000 2,000 1,800 1,500

$976,800

Sept. 26-Oct. 3

1,000

$814,000 $814,000 $814,000 $814,000

June 20-24 July 16-23 May 11-17 June 5-12

1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000

$814,000 $814,000 $610,500

July 19-26 Feb. 22-24 Nov. 20-23

1,000 1,000 7500

$569,800 $508,750 $488,400 $488,400 $488,400 $407,000

Apr. 3-10 Oct. 18-23 Apr. 23-29 June 19-30 Oct. 7-17 Sept. 19-26

700 625 600 600 600 500

Buffalo, on camera In 2010, the Buffalo Niagara Film Commission brought 74 projects to Western New York, resulting in 369 production days of work. Highlights included the filming of Queen City, starring Vivica A. Fox; filming for Henry’s Crime, starring Keanu Reeves; PRODUCTION DAYS a National Geographic television taping at the Niagara Gorge; ABC’s Good Morning America at Niagara Falls; Crush, a short film shown during JetBlue flights; and a six-hour live broadcast of Syfy’s Ghost Hunters at the Central Terminal on Halloween.

369

Students from New York University’s Tisch Graduate Film Program traveled to Western New York to shoot a short film, titled “Crush,” which is being shown on select JetBlue flights around the country.

S P E CIAL E V E NTS

LEVERAGING OUR NATURAL ASSETS

Since its inception a decade and a half ago, Garden Walk Buffalo has evolved into one of Buffalo’s finest events, drawing more than 45,000 visitors and The National Garden Festival’s Front Yard Garden selling out Buffalo’s hotels during the last weekend Competition transformed an East Side block and attracted significant media attention. in July. The walk, which features some 350 gardens, has also attracted coverage in dozens of national publications. A CVB survey in 2010 showed that Garden Walk Buffalo attracted visitors from 36 states.

36 STATES

Garden Walk Buffalo is the largest event of its kind in the U.S.

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www.Visitbuffaloniagara.com

Recognizing the power that Garden Walk visitors from Buffalo has as a tourism magnet and gamechanger for Buffalo’s image, the CVB upped the ante in 2010 by spearheading the creation of the National Garden Festival. Billed as a ”five-week-long garden party,” the festival included 17 garden walks, a neighborhood-transforming Front Yard Garden Competition, nationally-recognized speakers, workshops, mid-week open gardens, bus tours and more. The second annual festival will run from June 24 to July 31, 2011.

2010 ANNUAL BUSINESS REVIEW

New National Garden Festival attracts out-oftowners

M E D IA R E LATIONS

THE ANATOMY OF A MEDIA STORY Some of the CVB’s greatest successes in recent years have been in media relations. Here’s an example of how the CVB gets Buffalo in the news:

BUILDING ON SUCCESS

In July 2009, the CVB invited Stacey Hirvela of Martha Stewart Living Radio to Buffalo for a media familiarization (FAM) tour, resulting in a glowing blog post about Garden Walk Buffalo.

In fall 2009, Country Gardens Editor James Baggett reached out to the CVB after seeing Hirvela’s Martha Stewart Living Radio blog.

Gardening by the Block in Buffalo

In January 2011, Country Gardens, which has a circulation of 525,000, published a two-page story about the Front Yard Garden Competition, for a publicity value of $338,195.

CVB sent Baggett photos and a media release about the Front Yard Garden Competition.

Jim Bush.

see • Find out more and before and after images of all the gardens at l.com. nationalgardenfestiva

3, 5, Brian Hayden; 4,

For city’s annual garden walk. festival culminating in the goodGarden Competition, 19 this ambitious Front Yard ed over four days, with size front yards were relandscap after as plantings. Even better, new paved areas as well residents could take free complete, was n the competitio their new landscaping. training on how to maintain with makeovers different? As Why are the Buffalo most design, context is the everything else in garden perous houses are in a once-pros Jr. significant element. The facing Martin Luther King, East Side neighborhood Law Frederick by city the for the Park, one of six designed s upper middle class in Olmsted. Built for Buffalo’ are large, Victorian, and pairs m 19th century, the homes d, late progra deteriorate tive have An innova values here imposing. But housing designers the neighborhood was bisected professional garden starting in the ’60s when which and why North Parade Avenue, with families to design by an expressway. That’s for this MLK Park, was chosen faces the still-beautiful plant their front yards. the homes adorn would that project s massive beautification These what instant garden makeover with the handsome front gardens they deserve.

Have you ever wondered who attention to a part of the Or whether the owners makeovers have been drawing look like months later? ations really love their new tourists. receive these magical transform It’s easy to be skeptical city that rarely attracts not unlike a big indoor garden claim?

“It was a learning experience gardens as much as they us are and cofounder of landscape when most of says Joseph Han, chief designer houses and the show,” of about a quickly designed years after who took on two works in progress be the English Gardener, still calling our gardens to do it,” he an instant makeover can them. “We had four days obsessive cultivation. But done empty lot between s and garden show gimmick when it’s all the landscape companie of the much more than a reality of local says. Han, like in Buffalo, by a group these makeovers, is a member like it was last summer garden centers that donated ers as part of a five-week landscapers and homeown Country Gardens Early 28

In July 2010, the CVB hosted Baggett at the Darwin D. Martin House’s Gardener’s Cottage and took him around to visit Garden Walk Buffalo, the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, the National Garden Festival’s Front Yard Garden Competition, the Roycroft Campus and more.

FOLLOW-UP

6

6, Peter Burakowski; 7,

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yard of one of the 19 front 1. The proud owners new landscapes along makeovers admire the Parade Avenue.

Buffalo’s historic North donate their time 2. Professional landscapers competition. and materials for the this is the first such 3. Organizers believe the United in competition civic-minded garden work to complete States. 4. Local landscapers in just four days. the green-hearted makeoversalmost all of the in 5. Walkways are replaced boast new front yards yards 6. Stately homes 7. Volunteers for along North Parade Avenue.

Competition prove that the Front Yard Garden of Good Neighbors.”

“City the is really Buffalo

& Visitors Bureau: 1, 2,

4

FAM TOUR

STORY • The Front Yard Garden Competition was organized Buffalo and sponsored by the cy, the Olmsted Parks Conservan & Western New York Nursery , the New Landscape Association & York State Certified Nursery ls, the Landscape Professiona Buffalo Niagara Convention the & Visitors Bureau, and Festival National Buffalo Garden . committee organizing

Buffalo Niagra Convention

2

OF 2010 OUT-OF-TOWN MEDIA COVERAGE

Garden Competition Sponsors

3

1

PUBLICITY VALUE

By Elizabeth Licata

Breaking Ground

Photos courtesy of the

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ATTRACTING THE MEDIA

$ 514,751

Parade only the residents of North now Han which brought not our community, which is & Landscape Association.

Avenue closer together, but Western New York Nursery greeted new than expected—and rushing communities. We have admits the project cost more a feat linked to adjoining friends. We are gaining of blistering July heat was and reunited with old friends d through to finish over four days this diminishe —all t that hasn’t sharing the experience of endurance for his crew—bu people knowledge and a garden.” the residents, but the as the natural beauty of the afterglow. “Not only really something as simple s were inscribed on a plaque about this,” he says. “It These heartfelt sentiment who contributed feel great of the National Buffalo together.” and presented to the organizers brought the neighborhood y picnic. The words were Gaines lives in a house Garden Festival at a celebratorscreaming we’ve grown to Down the block, Arfredah from the widow of a the joyful purchased by anied husband her unaccomp and their she r was among the guests of quick makeovers. But expect from the recipients Buffalo mayor. Nelson Rockefelle d residence. The aptly named much longer. entertained in the century-ol g company gave Gaines a dignity will resonate , see Resources on page 102.

Beyond the Basics landscapin plants as well as an unusual For more information garden that includes native variety hardy succulents—a 7 container feature: framed the often used for “green” roofs. differing opinions about Although the residents had knew they preferred, they all types of plants and shrubs and weedy front walkways. they wanted to fix their cracked replaced, resulting in a were walkways the all Almost including precast concrete, rainbow of stone types, Block, Holland stone, Brussels sandstone, limestone, and slate—in reds, grays, blues, bluestone, flagstone, and also A Buffalo garden center browns in intricate patterns. street. planters up and down the placed large, lush curbside the residents of from come project this The last words on d thank you for the rejuvenate s, North Parade Avenue: “We y; the elimination of boundarie pride in our communit Country Gardens Early 29

Spring 2011

Spring 2011

Some CVB media FAM tours pay dividends long after the writer visits Buffalo. A three-page story about Buffalo by Kathy Baruffi appeared in the November 2010 issue of Amtrak’s Arrive magazine, carrying a publicity value of $114,091. The CVB held a media FAM for Baruffi in October 2008, which also yielded a May 2009 story in USA Today.

THE YEAR IN PICTURES

Buffalo Niagara was well represented at the Empire State Society of Association Executives Conference & Exposition in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. in June. Front row: Cheryl Zanghi, CVB; Melissa Burke, Buffalo Niagara Convention Center; Teresa Costello, Holiday Inn Grand Island; and Phillip Alterio, Buffalo Niagara Marriott. Back row: John Dubreville, Hale Northeastern; Edwin Shelp, Millennium Hotel Buffalo; Erin McGee, Embassy Suites; Rene Ganje, Adam’s Mark Hotel; Linda D’Agostino, CVB; and Lauren Solak, Hyatt Regency Buffalo.

2010 ANNUAL BUSINESS REVIEW

The 2010 Empire State Games (ESG) generated excess revenue, which was reinvested in the community by the ESG Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in December. LOC Chair Ralph Galanti (right) presented three checks to Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission Chair Jon Dandes, totaling $110,000. The funds will provide seed money to host the ESG in the future and fund student scholarships and no-interest start-up loans for amateur sporting events.

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The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) held its 39th Annual Conference at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center in September. Here, CVB Director of Services Cheryl Zanghi, at the podium, is flanked by Kathy Konst, commissioner of the Erie County Department of Environment, Planning and Economic Development, and Brian Day, director of the NAAEE.

CVB Vice President of Sales Mike Even joins the Town of Tonawanda Aquettes in announcing United States Synchronized Swimming’s 2010 eSynchro Age Group Championships. Held June 25 to July 3 at the Tonawanda Aquatic and Fitness Center, it was the world’s largest synchronized swimming competition.

Actress Vivica A. Fox traveled to Buffalo in 2010 to shoot scenes for the upcoming motion picture “Queen City”, written and directed by Buffalo native Peter McGennis

www.Visitbuffaloniagara.com

CVB V.P. of Sales Mike Even, President & CEO Dottie Gallagher-Cohen and V.P. of Marketing Ed Healy attended the 2010 National Preservation Conference in Austin, Texas to build attendance for the 2011 conference in Buffalo.

2010 BUFFALO NIAGARA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU board of directors Vic Carucci

NFL.com

Dennis P. Murphy

Drew Cerza

Just Wing It Productions

Gary D. Praetzel, Ph.D. Niagara University

Jonathan A. Dandes

Rich Baseball Operations

Minesh Patel

Adam’s Mark Hotel

Mary F. Roberts

Martin House Restoration Corporation

Andrew J. Rudnick

Buffalo Niagara Partnership

James T. Sandoro

Buffalo Transportation / Pierce-Arrow Museum

Holly A. Sinnott

Planning Works International, LLC

Mark Stadler

BAVServices, Inc.

Dottie Gallagher-Cohen Buffalo Niagara CVB C. Douglas Hartmayer

NFTA

Kathy Konst

County of Erie

Florine Luhr

Advancing Arts & Culture

Lynn Marinelli

Erie County Legislature

Michael Marsch Hyatt Regency Buffalo John J. Mills

Erie County Legislature

Mark Mortensen

Buffalo Museum of Science

InnVest Lodging Services, Inc.

Patrick W. Welch, Ph.D. Daemen College

2010 Committees of the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau and Buffalo Niagara Convention Center Management Corporation Executive Committee Chair – Gary Praetzel

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Niagara University

Sales Committee Chair – Dennis Murphy InnVest Lodging Services

Committee Members

Staff – Mike Even

Dottie Gallagher Cohen BNCVB

Committee Members

Holly Sinnott

Vice Chair (Planning Works International)

Dottie Gallagher-Cohen BNCVB

Andrew Rudnick

Treasurer (Buffalo Niagara Partnership)

Phil Alterio

Buffalo Niagara Marriott

Mary Roberts

Secretary (Martin House Restoration Corporation)

Melissa Burke

Buffalo Niagara Convention Center

Dave Carroll

Hart Hotels

Jonathan Dandes

Past Chair (Rich Baseball Operations)

Jay Delavecchia

Hyatt Regency

John Dubreville

Hale Northeastern

Kathy Konst

County Representative (County of Erie)

Ann Dugan

Buffalo Lodging

Barb Hughes

AAA

Thomas Keane

Hart Hotels

Bruce Kolesnick

University at Buffalo

Karen Miranda

Embassy Suites

Minesh Patel

Adam’s Mark

Bonnie Phillips

Martin’s Fantasy Island

Matt Spencer

Comfort Suites

Julie Williams

Hyatt Regency

Budget/Finance/Audit Committee Chair – Andrew Rudnick Buffalo Niagara Partnership Staff – David Marzo

CFO

Committee Members

Dottie Gallagher-Cohen BNCVB Lynn Marinelli

Erie County Legislature

Mark Mortenson

Buffalo Museum of Science

Paul Murphy

Buffalo Niagara Convention Center

Mary Roberts

Martin House Restoration Corporation

VP of Sales

2010 Committees (continued) Marketing Committee

Convention Center Operations Committee

Chair – Patrick Welch

Daemen College

Chair – Mark Stadler

BAVServices

Staff – Ed Healy

VP of Marketing

Staff – Paul Murphy

Facility Director

Committee Members

Committee Members

Dottie Gallagher-Cohen BNCVB

Vic Carucci

NFL.com

John Mills

Erie County Legislature

Drew Cerza

Just Wing it Productions

Rudi Rainer

Super 8 Hotel

Tony Conte

Shea’s Performing Arts Center

Doug Hartmayer

NFTA

Jim Sandoro

Pierce Arrow/Buffalo Transportation Museum

Nick Magnini

WUTV

Andy Major

Buffalo Bills

Co-Chairs – Florine Luhr Advancing Arts & Culture

Art Page

University at Buffalo

Mark Mortenson

Buffalo Museum of Science

Rudi Rainer

Super 8 Hotel

Staff – Judy Smith

Director of Administration

Jim Sandoro

Pierce Arrow/Buffalo Transportation Museum

Committee Members

Visitor Center Committee

Dottie Gallagher-Cohen BNCVB Louis Ciminelli

LPCiminelli, Inc.

Kathy Konst

County of Erie

Doug Hartmayer

NFTA

Rudi Rainer

Super 8 Hotel

2010 ANNUAL BUSINESS REVIEW

Dottie Gallagher-Cohen BNCVB

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2010 buffalo niagara SPORTS COMMISSION ADVISORY COUNCIL Ed Kilgore Channel 2 News Brian Kiszewski Monsignor Martin Athletic Association Tom Koller Buffalo State College John Lambert University at Buffalo Ed Lindsey Amateur Softball Association John Maddock Canisius College Bill Maher Canisius College Lynn Marinelli Erie County Tom Marks Gr8 Lakes Fishing Adventures Ed McLaughlin Niagara University John Murphy Channel 4 News Sister Maria Pares Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart Jack Quinn Erie Community College Ron Raccuia AdPro Team Sports Edward Rath Erie County Donald Reed University at Buffalo Jeff Russo Channel 7 News Bob Schell Amherst Youth Hockey Timm Slade Section VI

www.Visitbuffaloniagara.com

Gordon Anthony Canisius College Chris Aronica Aronica & Associates Adam Benigni Channel 2 News Brad Boyle Erie Community College Russ Brandon Buffalo Bills Mike Buczkowski Buffalo Bisons Vic Carucci NFL.com Brian Cavanaugh D’Youville College Jon Dandes Rich Baseball Operations Sherry Frost Clarence Soccer Ralph Galanti Erie Community College (retired) Mike Gentile Professor, Niagara University Kathleen Gregoire Skating Club of

Western New York Sue Gonzalez Special Events, City of Buffalo Jim Hanley Hanley Fishing Charters Doug Hartmayer NFTA Jim Hornung County of Erie Perry Jenkins University at Buffalo Peter Jerebko Erie Community College

2010 BRANDING INITIATIVE PARTICIPANTS COMMUNITY & AGENCY LEADERSHIP George Arthur

Nash House

Doug Bean

Eric Mower and Associates

Peggy Beardsley

Buffalo Place

Steve Bell

Eric Mower and Associates

Robert Bennett State Board of Regents Donald Boswell

WNED

Joe Brennan

University of Buffalo

Byron Brown

City of Buffalo Mayor

John Cimperman

Cenergy Communications

Chris Collins

Erie County Executive

Anthony Conte Shea’s Performing Arts Center

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Peter Cutler

City of Buffalo Mayor’s office

Jonathan Dandes

Rich Baseball

Lynne Dixon

Erie County

James Gillan

Paragon

Robert Gioia

Oishei Foundation

Brian Grunert

White Bicycle

Doug Hartmayer

NFTA

Marc Honan

Buffalo Bills

Jenna Kavanaugh

Buffalo Niagara Enterprise

Kathy Konst

Erie County

Mary Ann Kresse

Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens

Tom Kucharski

Buffalo Niagara Enterprise

Joe Lojacono

Valmark Associates

Florine Luhr

Advancing Arts & Culture

Grant Loomis

Erie County Executive Office

Andy Major

Buffalo Bills

Marybeth Marble SKM Group Tod Martin

The Martin Group

Sue Meany SKM Group Newell Nussbaumer

Buffalo Rising

Gary Praetzel

Niagara University

Molly Quackenbush

Theodore Roosevelt Site

Jack Quinn

Erie Community College

Kathleen Rooney

Travers Collins

Andrew Rudnick

Buffalo Niagara Partnership

Paula Sandy

Buffalo Niagara Partnership

Michael Schmand

Buffalo Place

Catherine Schweitzer Baird Foundation Lisa Strock

The Martin Group

Bob Travers

Travers Collins

Howard Zemsky

Taurus Capital Partners

AD AGENCY CREATIVE TEAM Leo Abbott

Paragon

Jillian Benedict

The Martin Group

Jillian Fiorella

Eric Mower and Associates

Matt Hames

Eric Mower and Associates

Brian LeFauve SKM Group Mike Mathis SKM Group Courtney Quattrini

Travers Collins

Ken Trabert

Cenergy

Joe Sweeney

Travers Collins

Bill Zulewski

Travers Collins

PROMOTIONS TEAM Pete Benzino

Coca Cola Bottling Co.

Ann Brooker

Buffalo News

Drew Cerza

Just Wing It Productions

Brian Dickman Leg Up Marketing Therese Hickok

Uniland

Marta Hiczewski

The Magellan Group

Matt Lasota

Buffalo Bisons

Dana Marciniak

New Era Cap

Ann McCarthy

Wegmans

Karen Merkel

National Fuel

Carl Montante, Jr

Uniland

Jim Wannemacher

New Era Cap

Bryan Wittman

Disney

2010 CVB STAFF Melissa Barrie

Information Specialist

Charles Giglia

Director of Sports Sales

Kathy Benzel

Information Technology/ Online Content Manager

Pete Harvey

Director of Sports Development

Peter Burakowski

Communications Manager

Ed Healy

Vice President of Marketing

Michelle Butlak

Accounting and Benefits Manager

Jay Josker Sport Services Manager Administrative Assistant

Matt Carlucci Sales Manager

Tracy Martell

Administrative Assistant

Giovanni Centurione

Information Specialist

David Marzo

Chief Financial Officer

Tim Clark

Director, Buffalo Niagara Film Commission

Leah Mueller

Tourism Sales Director

Judy Smith

Director of Administration

Karen Cox Sales & Services Manager

Matt Steinberg

Director of Creative Services

Linda D’Agostino Director of Sales & Government Relations

Lori White

National Sales Manager

Dionne Williamson

Multicultural Sales Manager

Denise Drews

Visitor Center Manager

Michael Even Vice President of Sales & Services Karen Fashana

Allison Wilton Graphic Designer Cheryl Zanghi

Director of Services

Marketing Manager

2010 ANNUAL BUSINESS REVIEW

Heather Keller

Dottie Gallagher-Cohen President & CEO

15

2011 promises to be an exciting year for the CVB and the Buffalo Niagara region.

Look for the following highlights: 2O1 1—2O

IC 12 O F F

FFA IAL BU

AGA LO N I

}T he CVB will unveil Buffalo’s new brand platform

STO RA VI

IDE RS GU

2O1 1—2O1 2 O F F I C I A L B U F F A L O N I A G A R A V I S T O R S G U I D E

2O1 1—2O

Explo

wher re a place

e art, archi

tecture and

nature come

together

like old frien

IAL BU FFA

LO N I AGA

RA VI STO

Explore

a place wher

e art, archi

tecture and

nature come

together

like old frien

ds.

}T he CVB will introduce the Travel & Tourism

Beacon Awards, to recognize superior service throughout our industry

uffalo www.VisitB

Niaga ra.co

m |

UNIQU 1 OF 3

RS E COVE

www.VisitBuffaloNiagara.com |

1 OF 3 UNIQUE COVERS

www.VisitB uffalo

RS GU IDE

Explore a place where art, architecture and nature come together like old friends.

}T he CVB will debut a new website, complete with online packaging

12 O F F IC

ds.

Niaga ra.co

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}B uffalo Niagara will welcome preservationists from across the

1 OF 3 UNIQU

E COVE RS

U.S. and Canada for the National Preservation Conference, Oct. 19 to 22, 2011

}S ept. 24, 2011 will bring the inaugural running of the Nickel City Triathlon, which

will be a part of the USA Triathlon Elite Race Series in 2011, 2012 and 2013

www.Visitbuffaloniagara.com

What’s Ahead in 2011

617 MAIN STREET

16

WWW.VISITBUFFALONIAGARA.COM

SUITE 200 BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14203 716.852.0511