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,
5
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
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2011 promises to be an exciting year for the CVB and the Buffalo Niagara region. Look for the following highlights: 2O1 1—2O
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}T he CVB will unveil Buffalo’s new brand platform
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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
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e art, archi
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IAL BU FFA
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}T he CVB will introduce the Travel & Tourism
Beacon Awards, to recognize superior service throughout our industry
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UNIQU 1 OF 3
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www.VisitBuffaloNiagara.com |
1 OF 3 UNIQUE COVERS
www.VisitB uffalo
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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
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}B uffalo Niagara will welcome preservationists from across the
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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
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WWW.VISITBUFFALONIAGARA.COM
SUITE 200 BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14203 716.852.0511