FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 19, 2014 Contact: Phil Pantano Pantano & Associates, L.L.C. 716-601-4128
Seneca Gaming Corporation, Visit Buffalo Niagara Announce Marketing Partnership: A collaboration to promote region’s attractions to outer markets BUFFALO, N.Y. – As interested job seekers gathered to learn more about career opportunities at one of downtown Buffalo’s most popular attractions, leaders from Seneca Gaming Corporation, Visit Buffalo Niagara, the Seneca Nation of Indians and the City of Buffalo announced an effort aimed at letting interested travelers know about all that Buffalo and Western New York have to offer. Seneca Gaming Corporation and Visit Buffalo Niagara have entered into a marketing partnership in which the gaming corporation will allocate marketing resources for both promoting the city’s tourism attractions and co-branding opportunities with Visit Buffalo Niagara. The marketing plan unveiled today includes a series of print, digital, email, on-site, social media, tradeshow/event, television, direct marketing, mobile and web initiatives aimed at increasing awareness in target markets in the northeast United States and Canada. “The opening of Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino and the many developments taking shape in the Inner Harbor area have marked a new day for Buffalo,” said Seneca Nation of Indians President Barry E. Snyder, Sr. “Tourism is a central building block for a new Buffalo, and we want everyone to know what we already know – Buffalo is a great place to be.” Under terms of the plan, Seneca Gaming Corporation is committing marketing resources valued at more than $3 million to the effort. The plan focuses on reaching markets such as Toronto, Hamilton, Erie and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as well as Cleveland and Youngstown, Ohio. “We’re excited to enter into this agreement, which will greatly advance our efforts to promote the Buffalo Niagara region as a premier visitor destination,” said
Patrick J. Kaler, president and CEO, Visit Buffalo Niagara. “There’s more potential than ever before to ‘wow’ visitors and introduce them to a resurgent region; with the help and support of the Seneca Gaming Corporation, we can move Buffalo Niagara’s reputation forward together in the next several years.” The partnership announcement comes less than a year after the $130 million Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino opened and brings together Erie County’s tourism agency with the operator of some of the area’s most popular entertainment destinations. Tourism in the Greater Niagara region was a $2.2 billion industry in 2012 and 70 percent of that spending was in Erie County. In Erie County, the $1.6 billion in traveler spending generated $191 million in tax revenue alone, providing $506 in tax savings to every household in Erie County. The three Seneca casino properties – Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino - attract more than 15 million annual visitors, many from Pennsylvania, Ohio, other parts of New York, and southern Ontario. Seneca Gaming Corporation and Visit Buffalo Niagara will collaborate annually on a marketing plan to jointly promote the City’s attractions and events along with Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino. The effort comes at a time when Buffalo continues to experience a resurgence, with several high-profile development projects taking shape in the Inner Harbor area and throughout the downtown core. “As one of the biggest and growing employers in Buffalo, the tourism industry continues to play a significant role in boosting our economy,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown. “This new partnership between the City of Buffalo, Seneca Gaming Corporation and Visit Buffalo Niagara builds on the great momentum that’s underway as Buffalo experiences its largest economic investment in fifty years. It also supports our shared mission to promote Buffalo as a great place to live, work and play, ensuring that tourism in Buffalo thrives, creates jobs, and generates new economic opportunities. Buffalo offers a wide variety of activities for visitors of all ages to explore and this new partnership represents a wonderful opportunity to showcase and enhance our city’s strengths.” As the partnership was being announced, Seneca Gaming Corporation was in the midst of holding a Career Fair for candidates interested in working at its three locations. The event was presented jointly by President Snyder, Mayor Brown and Seneca Gaming Corporation. The company is one of the area’s largest private sector employers, with approximately 4,000 workers currently at its three casino properties and an annual payroll of more than $133 million. Approximately 500 people currently work at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino.
“We all know what an economic driver tourism and gaming can be,” said Brad John, chairman of the Seneca Gaming Corporation board of directors. “As this new partnership focuses on attracting more people to Buffalo and Western New York, we want to continue to provide our visitors the best possible guest experience and provide job opportunities for local residents who want to be part of the momentum taking place in our region.” Seneca Gaming Corporation was recently selected as one of Western New York’s “Healthiest Employers” and was chosen last year as one of the region’s “Most Admired Companies” by Buffalo Business First. The company operates world-class facilities offering more than 6,400 slot machines, 140 table games, 1,000 hotel rooms, a championship golf course and other related amenities. For more information, visit www.SenecaCasinos.com. Visit Buffalo Niagara sells and markets the region’s assets and attractions to visitors outside of the Buffalo Niagara region as a convention, tourism and leisure destination for the economic benefits of the community. For more information, go to www.visitbuffaloniagara.com. - 30 -