Travel industry summit 2017

TRAVEL TRAVEL INDUSTRY INDUSTRY 2017

BUFFALO NIAGARA

SUMMIT

MIKE SHRIVER

Dear Friends in Tourism, Welcome to the 2017 Buffalo Niagara Travel Industry Summit! This opportunity to bring together some of the leading forces in the tourism industry could not be better-timed.

Buffalo has experienced an unprecedented rebirth in recent years with over $1 billion in new destination investment, including a redeveloped waterfront, restored architectural gems, a thriving arts scene and boom in new hotels, restaurants, breweries, distilleries and other amenities. Visit Buffalo Niagara has maximized this resurgence by generating a record amount of earned media, launching the new Unexpected Buffalo marketing campaign and promoting this transformation to meeting and sports events planners across the country.

This summit provides our local industry partners and government officials with an unprecedented opportunity to gain a global tourism perspective from some of the top minds in the field. Your insights and feedback will help us continue to position and promote the New Buffalo to its full potential in the years to come.

Thanks for your participation in the summit and we look forward to working with you to tell the story of our resurgent destination!

Sincerely,

Patrick J. Kaler

Jonathan A. Dandes

President and CEO Visit Buffalo Niagara

Chair Visit Buffalo Niagara Board of Directors

BUZZING ABOUT

Buffalo is undergoing a once-in-a-lifetime transformation, but don’t take our word for it.

Here are some testimonials from the nearly 150 travel media who have visited in the last four years, building buzz about our resurgent destination in outlets around the globe.

Buffalo, New York is on the

cusp of something big,

from its booming city center to its buzzing West Side.

New York State’s secondlargest city is trading in its image of post-industrial collapse for one of

creative revival as architectural gems –

Largely ignored by travelers while the city was experiencing an economic downturn a few years ago, Buffalo has bounced back with a vengeance. It offers visitors

world-class architecture and art, an exciting craft brew industry, a lovely bustling waterfront and a restaurant scene that would make any foodie salivate.

And did I mention that folks are fabulously friendly in this affordable metropolis?

including impressive early career works by Frank Lloyd Wright – are restored and former industrial complexes and public buildings are turned into hotels, restaurants, breweries and art centers.

BOOM TIME FOR BUFFALO.

NEW YORK’S SECOND-LARGEST CITY HAS SPRUNG BACK TO LIFE, WITH RETRO-COOL RESTAURANTS AND WATERING HOLES DOWNTOWN THAT RECALL ITS INDUSTRIAL GLORY DAYS.

BUFFALO SHOULD LEARN TO BOAST.

It’s exciting to visit a post-industrial city where you can tour the abandoned grain elevators of Silo City or explore the waterfront on water bikes.

It’s refreshing to eat somewhere where trail-blazing eateries are helping to revitalize patches of the city, where hungry citizens are grateful for every new thing to eat, and where businesses are genuinely pleased to serve you.

THE SCOTTISH

Buffalo has been undergoing a rebirth over the past few decades, resulting in vibrant neighborhoods, a buzzing food and drink scene, and a reputation as a

worthwhile destination for art and culture lovers.

#Buffalo’s not Austin yet (thank goodness),

but it finally knows how great it could be.

JASON COCHRANE, EDITOR

Crazy about American architecture?

This is where to see commercial, residential and institutional buildings by America’s most revered trio of architects – H.H. Richardson, Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright.

MEDIA RELATIONS: BUILDING THE BUZZ

THINK YOU KNOW YOUR EXPECTATIONS ARE ABOUT TO GET A SERIOUS UPGRADE.

It’s a new day in Buffalo. We’ve restored our historic architecture, built new hotels, opened innovative restaurants and craft breweries, and revitalized our waterfront.

There’s been over $1 billion in new investment, and it shows. Tour some of the greatest architecture in the United States. Kayak through the concrete canyon of Elevator Alley. Go rock climbing on the silos at RiverWorks. Take in a concert at Canalside.

Enjoy miles of bike trails at Wilkeson Pointe and the Outer Harbor. Discover some of the most vibrant public art in the world. And when you’re done, chill with a cold one from one of Buffalo’s 25 craft breweries.

Buffalo is fun, welcoming and endlessly surprising.

Come and meet the unexpected Buffalo in person.

RIVERWORKS URBAN ADVENTURE COURSE

Brian Hayden » hayden@visitbuffaloniagara.com 403 Main Street, Suite 630 / Buffalo, NY USA 14203 / 716-852-0511

UnexpectedBUffalo.com

Visit Buffalo Niagara has facilitated much of the recent press about Buffalo through an aggressive media relations campaign. By attending a variety of media marketplaces, hosting nearly 40 press visits annually and pitching targeted writers on new developments here, VBN has helped generate Buffalo buzz. Here are some of the pieces we use to start conversations with journalists:

TOP BUFFALO STORIES THE GREAT, URBAN OUTDOORS Buffalo is preserving its industrial heritage – one of the world’s largest collections of grain elevators – and turning it into a mecca of outdoor recreation. Urban explorers can zip line, rock climb, kayak and water bike within the concrete canyon of Elevator Alley that towers over the Buffalo River.

WINGING IT Experience Buffalo’s signature culinary creation like you never have before with the new Buffalo Wing Trail, set to launch in the spring of 2018.

After sampling the destination’s most iconic wing spots, sink your teeth into Buffalo’s other culinary classics, including beef on weck sandwiches, charcoal broiled hot dogs and sponge candy.

BUILT TO LAST The Buffalo Architecture Center will open in June of 2018 – the city’s first exhibit space dedicated to telling the story of Buffalo’s remarkable architectural legacy. The center’s opening caps off a generation of work restoring, redeveloping and reimagining Buffalo’s world-renowned architecture.

403 Main Street, Suite 630 § Buffalo, New York 14203 § 716 .852 . 0511 § 888 . 228. 3369 § 716.852.0131

fax

RIVERWORKS

THEN

NOW

A CITY TRANSFORMED BUFFALO, NY – Buffalo is undergoing a once-in-a-lifetime transformation, as its proud history and incredible architectural legacy weave their way into every aspect of the visitor experience. Visitors sleep in hotels that were former mansions and an insane asylum, tour the largest home ever designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in its restored grandeur, rock climb and drink craft beer among the ruins of grain silos and enjoy live performances in reclaimed movie palaces, churches and historic social clubs.

A palpable energy winds its way through the city’s streets and neighborhoods, as locals who have summoned the collective will to revitalize their city are finally seeing their efforts paying off after decades of work. This resurgence is part of a broader transformation in Buffalo’s economy – the largest solar panel manufacturing plant in the Western Hemisphere, for example, has opened on the site of a former steel mill. Here are “then and now” examples of Buffalo’s new developments – and the unexpected experiences awaiting visitors in 2018.

RIVERWORKS THEN: The Grange League Federation (GLF) operated an extensive grain milling and storage facility on Buffalo’s waterfront; Buffalo has one of the largest collections of grain elevators, which were invented here, in the world because of its position at the confluence of Lake Erie, the Niagara River and the Erie Canal.

NOW: The former GLF property has been redeveloped into the RiverWorks entertainment complex.

An urban adventure course will open soon at RiverWorks, including a zip line that launches from the top of grain silos. A rock climbing wall, beer garden carved out of silo ruins and the world’s first brewery inside a grain elevator opened there in the summer of 2017. RiverWorks has played a key role in the Buffalo waterfront’s emergence as a hub for outdoor recreation, as visitors can also rent kayaks and water bikes from the property and navigate through the towering concrete canyons of Elevator Alley. buffaloriverworks.com – MORE –

www.VisitBuffaloNiagara.com

GRAYCLIFF ESTATE

THEN

NOW

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S GRAYCLIFF ESTATE THEN: Designed as a summer home in the early 1930s by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the lakeside Graycliff Estate nearly met the wrecking ball when it was put up for sale in the 1990s.

NOW: The not-for-profit Graycliff Conservancy purchased the property 20 years ago and expects to complete its multi-million dollar restoration by next summer. The Graycliff Estate is one of a half-dozen Wright designs open for tours in Buffalo, including the spectacular Martin House Complex, which has undergone its own 20-year, $50 million restoration that is also nearing completion. experiencegraycliff.org

BUFFALO ARCHITECTURE CENTER THEN: The Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, built in the late 19th century by acclaimed architect Henry Hobson Richardson and set on grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The building sat abandoned for over 30 years.

NOW: The redeveloped property and National Historic Landmark, now known as the Richardson Olmsted Campus, will welcome the Buffalo Architecture Center in June of 2018. The center will be the city’s first exhibit space dedicated to telling the story of its incredible architectural legacy – a legacy being renewed, restored and reimagined. Hotel Henry, an 88-room property, also opened within the Richardson Olmsted Campus in 2017 and is conveniently located next to the city’s vibrant museum district. buffaloarchitecturecenter.wordpress.com/

LARKINVILLE’S SWAN STREET DINER THEN: Once home to the Larkin Soap Company, one of Buffalo’s largest employers, this sprawling warehouse district southeast of downtown Buffalo became a forgotten and underutilized corner of the city in recent decades.

NOW: The revitalized area is filled with popular events and new hangouts, including weekly food truck rodeos, several breweries and distilleries – and – coming in the fall of 2017 – the Swan Street Diner, fully restored from the 1930s. The diner joins Hydraulic Hearth, The Filling Station, and the soon-to-open Dobustsu Japanese restaurant in making this emerging Buffalo neighborhood a dining hotspot. larkinsquare.com

BUFFALO WING TRAIL THEN: The city’s Anchor Bar first created the now world-famous Buffalo Wing, fried up and tossed in hot sauce, in 1964.

NOW: Visitors will have a chance to experience the region’s signature culinary creation on a new “Buffalo Wing Trail,” set to launch in the spring of 2018. The trail will connect the “Delicious Dozen” wing restaurants across the Buffalo region that each have a unique story to tell and serve their own variation on the Buffalo classic. visitbuffaloniagara.com/flavor/wings/

CURTISS HOTEL THEN: The Harlow C. Curtiss Building was an ornate early 20th century downtown office building that was abandoned by the 1990s.

NOW: The Curtiss Hotel, a 68-room boutique hotel featuring an all-weather urban hot springs, rooftop patio, revolving bar and other high-end amenities, opened in the summer of 2017 in downtown Buffalo. curtisshotel.com

FROM STEEL TO SOLAR THEN: Republic Steel, once one of the city’s largest employers, operated a sprawling plant along the Buffalo River, just upstream from present-day RiverWorks. It closed by the mid-1980s.

NOW: Tesla,the largest solar panel manufacturing plant in the Western Hemisphere, has opened on the site of the former steel mill. tesla.com/blog/tesla-and-solarcity ### FOR MORE INFO

» Brian Hayden » hayden@visitbuffaloniagara.com » 716-218-2922

MEET THE

UNEXPECTED He’s tall dark and furry. And he loves to introduce visitors to his hometown.

Visit Buffalo Niagara launched the Unexpected Buffalo marketing campaign in early 2017 following feedback from focus groups, clients and visiting travel writers.

Those groups were so often surprised with our city’s offerings that VBN launched a campaign focused on everything unexpected about our destination.

The Unexpected Buffalo campaign also personifies our city through the playful, approachable image of a buffalo, a symbol of our destination’s strength and resilience.

The campaign has been deployed in key visitor markets within a half-day’s drive of Buffalo, as well as in trade publications, Visit Buffalo Niagara’s visitor guide and other collateral.

You never know where the Unexpected Buffalo might appear next!

 YOGA AT CANALSIDE

 COLORED MUSICIANS CLUB & MUSEUM

 GARDEN WALK BUFFALO

 THE BOARDWALK AT CANALSIDE

 KAYAKING IN THE BUFFALO RIVER

 MARTIN HOUSE COMPLEX

 NIAGARA FALLS STATE PARK

 ICE BIKES OF BUFFALO

 NEW HOTEL DEVELOPMENT

 MEETING FACILITIES

 AMATEUR SPORTS

LEISURE & TRADE ADVERTISING

MEET THE

UNEXPECTED

THE MARTIN HOUSE The largest residence ever built

by Frank Lloyd Wright

ERIC FRICK

QUEBEC MAINE

Lake Superior

H E’S TALL, DARK AND FURRY. And he loves introducing visitors to his

hometown. So join him for a tour of Frank Lloyd

Wright’s landmark Martin House. Or on a walk through a treasure trove of modern art at the Albright-Knox.

Lake

WISCONSIN

ntario Lake O

at the Anchor Bar. You can explore the Cave of the

MICHIGAN

Winds at Niagara Falls and celebrate a century of Unexpected Buffalo for you – genuine, welcoming,

Lake Erie

and wonderfully surprising.

MILWAUKEE

INDIANA ILLINOIS

INDIANAPOLIS

BUFFALO

CT NEW YORK CITY

DETROIT

UNEXPECTEDBUFFALO.COM

NH MA

NIAGARA FALLS

music at the Colored Musicians Club. That’s the

CHICAGO

NEW YORK STATE

TORONTO

He’ll even (reluctantly) split an order of Buffalo wings Huron

Lake Michigan

VT

CANADA

PENNSYLVANIA

NJ

SPONSORED BY SENECA GAMING CORPORATION OHIO MD

COLUMBUS

ESSENTIALLYDE AMERICA

RI

THINK YOU KNOW

CANALSIDE

ERIC FRICK

YOUR EXPECTATIONS ARE ABOUT TO GET A SERIOUS UPGRADE. It’s a new day here in Buffalo. We’ve restored our historic architecture, built new hotels, opened innovative restaurants and craft breweries, and revitalized our waterfront. There’s been over $1 BILLION IN NEW INVESTMENT, and it shows. Buffalo is fun, welcoming and endlessly surprising. To find out more, visit our website.

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNEREVIEW

ERIC FRICK

ERIC FRICK

BETTER YET, COME AND MEET THE UNEXPECTED BUFFALO IN PERSON.

KAYAKING THE WATERFRONT

OPEN-AIR AUTOBUS

One of the world’s largest collections of grain elevators creates an only-in-Buffalo landscape sure to leave an impression.

Visitors can gawk upward at these marvels as they kayak and paddleboard along the Buffalo River through the man-made canyon that is “ELEVATOR ALLEY.”

In a city rich with history, architecture, culture and cuisine, there’s a lot of surprises to explore. Explore the city on foot, wheels and water, from bicycle, walking and boat tours to OPEN-AIR BUSES and Segways.

UnexpectedBUffalo.com

SPONSORED BY SENECA GAMING CORPORATION

MEET THE

UNEXPECTED

H

E’S TALL, DARK AND FURRY. And he loves introducing meeting

participants to his hometown and the

Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.

He’ll help you explore the restaurants and attractions at Canalside, Buffalo’s waterfront district. He’ll even split an order of Buffalo wings at the Anchor Bar or join you for a cold craft brew at one of Buffalo’s 24 breweries. A little extra time on your hands? He’ll shuttle your group to

Niagara Falls State Park where you can soak in one of the wonders of the world.

That’s the UNEXPECTED BUFFALO for you – genuine, welcoming,

ERIC FRICK

and wonderfully surprising.

MEETINGSINBUFFALO.COM BUSINESS FIRST

H

E’S TALL, DARK AND FURRY.

And he loves introducing athletes, teams and their fans to his hometown.

He’ll help you explore the restaurants and attractions at CANALSIDE, Buffalo’s

new waterfront district. He’ll even split an order of Buffalo wings at the

ANCHOR BAR or join you for a cold beer at one of Buffalo’s 25 CRAFT BREWERIES. And before the game clock runs out, explore one of the wonders of the world with him at nearby NIAGARA

FALLS STATE PARK. The MVP of your next event will be the UNEXPECTED BUFFALO – genuine, welcoming, and wonderfully surprising.

ERIC FRICK

MEET THE

UNEXPECTED BUFFALOSPORTSCOMMISSION.COM CONNECT SPORTS

BUFFALO BY THE NUMBERS GROWTH IN ERIE COUNTY ATTRACTIONS NEW INVESTMENT IN BUFFALO

TOTAL ATTRACTION INVESTMENT

RICHARDSON COMPLEX

$2,150,400,000 INDIVIDUAL ATTRACTION INVESTMENT

MEDICAL CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION: $1 BILLION CANALSIDE AND THE WATERFRONT: $300 MILLION HARBORCENTER HOTEL AND ICE RINKS: $200 MILLION NEW ERA FIELD RENOVATIONS: $130 MILLION LARKIN DISTRICT RENOVATIONS: $100 MILLION REUSE OF THE RICHARDSON OLMSTED CAMPUS: $76 MILLION UPCOMING EXPANSION OF THE BUFFALO NIAGARA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: $65 MILLION FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT MARTIN HOUSE COMPLEX RESTORATION: $50 MILLION HOTEL AT THE LAFAYETTE: $42 MILLION NEW BURCHFIELD PENNEY ART CENTER: $33 MILLION NEW EXHIBITS AT THE BUFFALO ZOO: $30 MILLION REOPENING OF MAIN STREET TO TRAFFIC: $21 MILLION NEW EXPLORE AND MORE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: $20 MILLION CURTISS HOTEL REDEVELOPMENT: $20 MILLION RIVERWORKS: $18 MILLION LOUIS SULLIVAN’S GUARANTY BUILDING RESTORATION: $12 MILLION RESTORATION OF SHEA’S PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: $10 MILLION GRAYCLIFF RESTORATION: $9.7 MILLION BUFFALO TRANSPORTATION PIERCE-ARROW MUSEUM EXPANSION: $7.5 MILLION BOTANICAL GARDENS RESTORATION: $3.5 MILLION EXPANSION OF THE THEODORE ROOSEVELT INAUGURAL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE: $2.7 MILLION

BUFFALO BY THE NUMBERS GROWTH IN ERIE COUNTY HOTEL ROOM INVENTORY

GROWTH IN ERIE COUNTY HOTEL TAX COLLECTION

GROWTH IN ERIE COUNTY HOTEL TAX COLLECTION HOTEL2000 ROOMS vs. 2015

10,071

TH IN OUNTY ROOM TORY s. 2015

$10.5M

ACCOMMODATIONS TAX COLLECTED

7,742

$5.5M

HOTEL ROOMS

ACCOMMODATIONS TAX COLLECTED

$3.4M

$2.9M

Percentage of Accommodations Tax used for VBN Funding, 2000 vs. 2015

2000

VISIT BUFFALO NIAGARA OPERATING BUDGET

52.72%

32.38%

2000

2016

2016

By the end of 2017, the total number of hotel rooms available in Erie County is projected to be approximately 10,500.

Percentage of accommodations tax used for VBN funding, 2000 vs. 2016.

For 2017, approximately $10.7 million in Erie County hotel occupancy taxes are expected to be assessed.

PERCENTAGE OF ERIE COUNTY ACCOMMODATIONS TAX USED FOR VISIT BUFFALO NIAGARA FUNDING

$12M $10M

$7.4M

$7.8M

$7.5M

NTS

E SESSM

X AS NS TA

DATIO

O OMM S ACC GROS

$8M

$8.5M

$9.7M

$9.9M

$10.3M

$10.5M

$8.8M

$7.9M

$6.6M

$6M

$5.8M $5.5M

$5.0M

$5.5M

$5.8M

$5.0M RED & GREEN BUDGET

$4M $2.9M

$2.6M

$2.6M

$3.1M

$2.9M

$2M 0

VISIT BUFFALO NIAGARA OPERATING BUDGET

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

$2.6M $1.4M

$1.4M

$1.5M

2005

2006

2007

$2.6M

$3.0M

$3.2M

$3.3M

VISIT BUFFALO NIAGARA

2008

2009

2010

2011

$3.3M

$3.2M

$3.3M

$3.4M

GRANT ALLOCATION

2012

2013

2014

2015

53.41 53.26 53.12 53.34 52.96 23.88 21.94 20.21 33.14 34.60 37.89 37.98 37.24 33.84 32.57 31.79

2016

32.38

BUFFALO BY THE NUMBERS Tourism in Erie County is a more than

$1.7 BILLION INDUSTRY,

spent across a diverse range of sectors.

VISIT BUFFALO NIAGARA WORKS TO GROW VISITOR SPENDING.

$311

By bringing conventions, amateur athletic events and group tours to Western New York, Visit Buffalo Niagara generated more than $164 MILLION in economic impact in 2016.

MILLION

37.75 TO $1

$614

For every $1 invested, Visit Buffalo Niagara

MILLION

RETURNED $37.75 TO THE COMMUNITY.

IN FOOD & BEVERAGE

...and, a greater investment equals a greater return.

MILLION

HOW WE STACK UP AGAINST THE COMPETITION An investment in destination marketing will help more potential visitors choose Buffalo Niagara over other communities. The bigger the marketing budget, the better we can compete with other similar-sized cities.

14.8 MILLION

$

11.8 MILLION

$ $

$

9.5

$324

MILLION

IN RETAIL & SERVICE

$17

MILLION

IN SECOND HOMES

Tourism provides

DESTINATION MARKETING BUDGETS:

9

IN RECREATION

$235

IN TRANSPORTATION

$

MILLION

IN LODGING

$

MILLION

$172

TAX RELIEF

to every Erie County household.

$207, 790,734

was generated in sales taxes paid by visitors in 2015, reducing the tax burden on every household in Erie County by over $500.

548

$

MILLION

IN ANNUAL TAX RELIEF

4.1

MILLION

PER HOUSEHOLD

CITY & COUNTY POPULATION

BUFFALO 258,959

ERIE CO. NEW YORK

919,866

MILWAUKEE 599,164

CINCINNATI 297,517

PITTSBURGH 305,841

CLEVELAND 390,113

MILWAUKEE CO. HAMILTON CO. ALLEGHENY CO. CUYAHOGA CO. WISCONSIN

956,023

OHIO

804,520

PENNSYLVANIA

1,200,000

OHIO

1,260,000

Households are defined as all persons who occupy a housing unit as their usual place of residence. According to the US Census 2010-2014, there were 381,783 households in Erie County. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36029.html

TRAVEL TALK: NATIONAL TOURISM INDUSTRY LEADERS CATHLEEN DOMANICO

VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL TRADE DEVELOPMENT | BRAND USA Cathy is Vice President, Global Trade Development for Brand USA, the public-private partnership responsible for launching the United States’ first ever nationally coordinated tourism marketing effort. In this role, Cathy manages international global service accounts and creates new trade partnerships.

Cathy joined Brand USA in March 2016 and brought experience in marketing strategy, international sales, and event management. Since joining Brand USA, Cathy has expanded the global trade team to position Brand USA and further enhance our ability to provide our partners with the best resources and insight across our key markets.

Prior to working with Brand USA Cathy was the Vice President, Tourism for Choose Chicago for eleven years where she managed domestic and international programs. Cathy was responsible for developing Choose Chicago’s strategic sales and marketing plans unique to each country.

In that role, Cathy and her team also oversaw airline and tour operator destination trainings, managed trade and consumer promotions, familiarization tours, and sales missions.

Before Choose Chicago, Cathy was the VP of Marketing and Business Development with Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago, where she was responsible for developing the marketing strategy and managing operations of all earned revenue functions at the Museum.

Cathy has a Masters of Arts degree from Northern Illinois University in Communications and Journalism.

JOHN H. GRAHAM

PRESIDENT & CEO | AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES

John H. Graham IV, FASAE, CAE became the President and Chief Executive Officer of ASAE August 1, 2003. ASAE is more than 32,000 association executives and industry partners representing 10,000 organizations. Our members manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies, and voluntary organizations across the United States and in 50 countries around the globe, as well as provide products and services to the association community.

Before ASAE, he served the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in Alexandria, Virginia for 24 years, the last thirteen as Chief Executive Officer.

Prior to becoming CEO, John served the ADA in numerous capacities including Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Affiliate,

National Director of Affiliate Development, Associate Executive Vice President for Operations and Deputy Executive Vice President. Before joining the American Diabetes Association, John served the Boy Scouts of America for nine years. He has a bachelor’s degree from Franklin & Marshall College and serves on the Association Committee of 100, US Chamber of Commerce; Chairman of the Mobile Giving Foundation Board of Directors; and Vice President of the National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America.

TRAVEL TALK: NATIONAL TOURISM INDUSTRY LEADERS MICHAEL JACOBSON

DIRECTOR, INDUSTRY RELATIONS AND POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION Michael Jacobson is the director of grassroots and political action committee for the U.S. Travel Association. He manages the Power of Travel Coalition, the travel industry’s grassroots network of 500,000 travel employees who advocate to protect and promote travel to and within the United States.

In this role, Jacobson spearheaded the Vote Travel campaign in 2012, which included dozens of in-district, campaign-style events as part of a nationwide bus tour. Jacobson also led the strategic grassroots advocacy efforts that supported the successful reauthorization of Brand USA in 2014.

become one of the largest travel industry PACs. Jacobson has more than seven years of experience in grassroots advocacy and nonprofit fundraising.

Jacobson is also active in his community, working with organizations such as the American Cancer Society.

He holds a degree from Seton Hall University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Additionally, he oversees U.S. Travel’s Political Action Committee, which has quickly grown to

AL KIDD

PRESIDENT & CEO | NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SPORTS COMMISSIONS

Al Kidd was appointed President & CEO in April 2017.

A graduate of Euclid High School near Cleveland, Kidd attended Bowling Green State University with majors in math and physical education.

He taught in Ohio and in Utah before entering the advertising world. His career eventually led him to San Diego, with several positions in advertising and venture capital investing. In 2003, Kidd helped with the financial turnaround of the San Diego Hall of Champions sports museum. As president of

the San Diego Sports Commission, he led a merger effort to consolidate a number of nonprofit sports organizations.

Most recently, he was with BoldPointe Partners, a private equity firm specializing in middle market companies.

TRAVEL TALK: NATIONAL TOURISM INDUSTRY LEADERS RONALD MELTON

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICE/CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF VENUE MANAGERS The International Association of Venue Managers has named Ronald Melton as the organization’s new Chief Operations Officer/Chief Financial Officer.

Melton will be joining the staff mid-November.

He will oversee all operational and financial areas of the organization and will assist the President and CEO in overall management for the association.

Melton brings over 25 years of experience in the industry, most recently as COO and Interim CEO of Visit Baltimore where he managed the administrative, information technology, research, human resources, membership, accounting, finance and visitor services operations of Visit Baltimore.

Melton attended both Colorado State University and the University of Texas at Dallas where he studied Business Administration with an

emphasis in Accounting.

His professional career also includes positions with Travel Portland, Conference Meeting & Assistance Corporation, Continental Parts Company and the Dallas Convention Center where he served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

While with Visit Baltimore Melton was active with various professional and local organizations including serving on Boards of Directors for the National Academy Foundation School and the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance.

CATHERINE PRATHER

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT | NATIONAL TOUR ASSOCIATION Catherine Prather joined the National Tour Association team in 1994 and currently serves as executive vice president. In this role, Catherine focuses on strategic continuity to ensure NTA’s long-term growth and viability.

As executive vice president, Catherine’s areas of oversight include strategic development, membership growth, leadership and volunteer relations, research and education, international strategy, crisis management and special-market initiatives.

She guides the NTA team in developing programming designed to enhance member value and engagement.

On a daily basis, Catherine draws connections and seeks collaboration among the association’s staff experts, NTA members and industry counterparts.

Catherine is working toward NTA’s Certified Tour Professional designation, and she actively supports Tourism Cares, NTA’s official philanthropy.

A native of Georgetown, Kentucky, Catherine is a graduate of Transylvania University with a bachelor’s degree in English.

TRAVEL TALK: NATIONAL TOURISM INDUSTRY LEADERS PATRICIA ROJAS-UNGÁR

VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS | U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION Patricia Rojas-Ungár serves as vice president of public affairs for the U.S. Travel Association.

Rojas-Ungár uses more than fifteen years of legislative and advocacy experience to lead the development of U.S. Travel’s policy and communications agenda, and represents the travel community before the Executive Branch and U.S. Congress.

Prior to joining the U.S. Travel Association in 2008, Rojas-Ungár worked as a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for Senator Joseph I. Lieberman (ID-CT). She provided analysis and counsel to Chairman Lieberman on a variety of homeland security matters with primary expertise in border and transportation security, immigration, counterterrorism and disaster recovery and mitigation.

Rojas-Ungár also brings valuable knowledge of the U.S. House of Representatives to U.S. Travel, having worked for nearly five years in the office of Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (D, CA-34) and over a year for former Representative Ken Bentsen (D, TX-25).

Rojas-Ungár is an alumna of the National Democratic Institute’s Political Leadership Program and the Stennis Center for Public Service Emerging Congressional Staff Leadership Program. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Houston.

HARRY SCHMIDT, PhD

PRESIDENT & CEO RELIGIOUS CONVENTION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION Dr. Schmidt is President of Christian Life College, and also a 1972 graduate, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology. He has supplemented his education at Olivet Nazarene University and King’s Seminary, and received his Doctorate from Logos University.

Dr. Schmidt began his ministry in 1972 as Senior Pastor/Founder of Gateway Church in Momence, IL, and in 1983 became Associate Pastor at Christian Life Church and Executive Vice President of Christian Life College in Mt. Prospect, IL. He is the Founder of the Ascension Convention and Chairman of Mission Possible Foundation.

In the last twenty years Mission Possible has launched 400 new churches, six regional children’s homes and rehabilitation centers across countries of the former Soviet Union. Thousands of “street children” have been cared for.

Dr. Schmidt directed the formation of the International Education Fellowship (I.E.F.).

This organization has established educational learning sites in countries around the world.

Dr. Schmidt is frequently requested as a special speaker and presenter. He has been honored by being a guest of the White House during the presidency of Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan. He has also been the recipient of various honors and awards.

TRAVEL TALK: NATIONAL TOURISM INDUSTRY LEADERS

NINA WINSTON

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL STRATEGY & MEMBERSHIP DESTINATIONS INTERNATIONAL Nina Winston is Executive Vice President of Global Strategy & Membership for Destinations International.

She leads the team responsible for strategically growing and sustaining Destination International’s global member base and creating a robust, engaged and energetic member community.

Winston brings a wide range of experience to her new role, having served over the past 20 years as a results-oriented leader and innovator in destination marketing, strategic partnerships and nonprofit leadership.

Prior to Destinations International, Winston worked at Choose Chicago, where she served as vice president of strategic partnerships. In this

position, she led a redesign of the membership and strategic partnership divisions, building strong connections with public and private sector stakeholders across the industry.

At Choose Chicago, Winston also developed successful event-specific sponsorship programs for key high-profile events. These included U.S. Travel Association’s IPW, PCMA’s Convening Leaders and the James Beard Foundation Awards.

TRAVEL TALK: LOCAL GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRY LEADERS

BRIAN HIGGINS | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 26TH DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

Brian Higgins is a member of the United States House of Representatives serving New York’s 26th congressional district, which includes portions of Erie and Niagara Counties.

Widely accepted as the principal architect of waterfront development in Buffalo and Western New York, Brian led the fight for a quarter-billion dollar federal relicensing settlement from the New York Power Authority that continues to finance the transformation of Buffalo’s long-neglected Inner and Outer Harbor waterfront areas. In our nation’s capital, Brian is an advocate for policies important to both our regional, as well as our national, economy. Brian is an avowed supporter of increased funding for biomedical research – an area creating jobs throughout the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus – and remains a strong voice for robust infrastructure investment, for “nation building here at home.”

In the 115th Congress, Brian serves as Vice-Ranking Member on the House Committee on Ways and Means, where he also serves as a Member of the Subcommittees on Health and Trade, and as a member of the House Committee on the Budget.

Brian is a Co-Chair of the Northern Border Caucus, from which he advocates for federal policies that recognize the unique needs of northern border communities – efforts which serve to strengthen economic and security ties with our Canadian

neighbors. Brian also serves as one of four Co-Chairs of the bipartisan House Cancer Caucus, and as a Co-Chair of the Revitalizing Older Cities Caucus. Additionally, Brian is a member of the Great Lakes Task Force, the House Manufacturing Caucus, and the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition.

Brian has traveled extensively through some of the most volatile regions in the world. In so doing, he has met with world leaders to promote peace in Northern Ireland, the Middle East, South Asia and Africa, including Darfur, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Prior to his election to the House, Brian made his career serving in state and local elective office, as well as and in education. Brian served as an instructor in the History and Economics departments at SUNY Buffalo State College, where he taught a course of his own design entitled, “The Economic History of Buffalo & Western New York.”

A graduate of Buffalo State College, Brian also earned an advanced degree in Public Policy and Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

TRAVEL TALK: LOCAL GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRY LEADERS

KATHLEEN C. HOCHUL | LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul was elected in 2014. Prior to her role as a statewide official, she was elected at both the Federal and local level – she was a Member of Con-gress in New York’s 26th Congressional District, served as Erie County Clerk, and began her career in public office on her local town board.

The Lieutenant Governor chairs Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils, which have reinvented economic development by empowering local leaders in business and aca-demia. This strategy has brought more jobs than ever before to New York State.

As the highest ranking female elected official in New York State, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul is committed to inspiring a new generation of women to enter public service or aspire to leadership within their chosen field through the #NYWomenLead initiative. The Lieutenant Gover-nor spearheads the administration’s key efforts to advance equality, championing campaigns for fair wages, paid family leave,

Enough is Enough to combat sexual assault on college campuses, and eliminating the wage gap. In 2016, she was elected chair of New York State’s Women’s Suf-frage Centennial Commission.

The Lieutenant Governor is dedicated to her role as the Governor’s eyes and ears on the ground.

She makes a point of traveling to all 62 counties every year she’s in office, traveling enough miles to circle the globe over 3 times.

TRAVEL TALK: LOCAL GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRY LEADERS

MARK C. POLONCARZ | ERIE COUNTY EXECUTIVE Mark grew up with his parents and two brothers in the blue-collar steel town of Lackawanna.

His parents, Charles, a retired steelworker from Bethlehem Steel Corp., and Janice, a nurse from Mercy Hospital, taught him the value of hard work, being frugal and community from a young age.

Mark is a graduate of Lackawanna Senior High School, the State University of New York at Buffalo and the University of Toledo’s College of Law. Mark C. Poloncarz was sworn in as Erie County’s eighth County Executive on January 1, 2012.

Since then Mr. Poloncarz has worked to change the culture of Erie County government and return it to its core mission: providing the programs and services that residents and taxpayers demand in an efficient and effective way.

Mark has led the way to balanced county budgets in each year he’s been in office and has cut county taxes to levels not seen since the mid- 90’s, and as a result Erie’s county tax rate is now among the lowest in New York State. At the same time, Erie County’s credit rating has risen significantly under his watch while the county has continued to perform millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements each year; invest in county parks, libraries, and arts organizations; and provide funding for summer youth programming, among many other achievements. Mark also led the Erie County team in securing a new ten-year lease with the Buffalo Bills during his first year as County Executive.

Mark’s Initiatives for a Smart Economy, released in June 2013, and his Initiatives 2.0 version released in June 2017 provide evolving blueprints for comprehensive, innovative economic development across Erie County, with county departments acting either as the lead agency or working with community partners to effect change. Together the two plans encompass over 130 target areas for economic development, with the first Initiatives mostly complete and the second well underway. Included among these is a feasibility study for a new downtown Convention Center, identified as a necessity if Erie County is to host larger conventions and conferences.

Mark’s leadership has brought new life to the long-dormant Bethlehem Steel site in Lackawanna, has reinforced pay equity between genders as the rule in Erie County, and has created new protections for seniors and veterans. As County Executive, Mark has been at the forefront of protecting and enhancing our unique natural assets and has steadily expanded the amount of acres in our county Parks system, along with working to create a cleaner Lake Erie through improvements in wastewater treatment and the passage of a law banning microbead-containing products in the county.

TRAVEL TALK: LOCAL GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRY LEADERS

BYRON W. BROWN | MAYOR, CITY OF BUFFALO The Honorable Byron W. Brown, the 58th Mayor of the city of Buffalo, continues to lead Buffalo’s remarkable revival and significant progress, which has resulted in over $6.1 billion in new economic development activity and the projected creation of over 12,000 new jobs. Under his leadership over the past twelve years, he has directed major projects in every section of the City, improving and strengthening every neighborhood in Buffalo.

programs like Say Yes, his youth employment initiative and summer reading challenge, that are contributing to higher graduation rates and increased college enrollment.

Since taking office in 2006, Mayor Brown has stabilized and grown the local economy, with a conservative fiscal plan, focused on job creation, smart growth and responsible development.

He lifted the wage freeze, hired the most diverse workforce in the City’s history, delivered 12 balanced budgets, reduced property taxes and achieved Buffalo’s highest credit ratings. There has been a 35% drop in crime since 2005 and more than 15,000 illegal guns have been confiscated.

Mayor Brown has also increased the investment in education by more than $61 million, funding

Mayor Brown’s career in public service is marked with many historic achievements; he was elected the first African-American Mayor of Buffalo.

He has won dozens of awards for his public service, including national recognition for his role in Say Yes Buffalo, and breaking new ground with BPD21C, a first of its kind police scholarship program that resulted in the hiring of the next generation of police officers, who reflect the demographics of the community they serve.

TRAVEL TALK: LOCAL GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRY LEADERS JOSEPH LORIGO | ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATOR Joseph Lorigo serves as Majority Leader of the Erie County Legislature, representing the 10th District, including Aurora, Colden, Elma, Holland, Marilla, Wales, West Seneca and the Village of East Aurora.

He is Chairman of the Finance and Management Committee and Economic Development Committee, and serves as Vice Chair of Energy & Environment.

He is a Board Member for the Erie County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), Albright-Knox Art Gallery Board of Directors, and the Cornell Cooperative Ext. Board of Directors.

Legislator Lorigo is an attorney with the Law Office of Ralph C. Lorigo. He has worked previously in the Erie County Attorney’s Office and New York State Attorney General’s Office, as well as the West Seneca Town Court as warrant clerk.

An alumni of St. Francis High School, he attended Canisius College and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of the Arts degree in psychology.

Legislator Lorigo earned both his law degree and master’s in Business Administration from the University at Buffalo.

While attending UB, he was a recipient of the Robert J. Connelly Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy.

Legislator Lorigo is involved in several professional organizations, including the Erie County Bar Association and UB Law Alumni Association.

Additionally, his philanthropic involvement includes the Charles Burchfield Nature & Arts Center, Erie County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and was the attorney coach of the St. Francis High School Mock Trial Team for several years.

JONATHAN A. DANDES | PRESIDENT, RICH BASEBALL OPERATIONS Jonathan A. Dandes was appointed President of Rich Baseball Operations on October 1, 2001.

He joined Rich Products Corporation in June, 1986 as product manager and was soon appointed director of restaurant operations. He was named vice president/general manager of Stadium Services, Inc. in 1988, and Executive Vice President of the Rich Entertainment Group in 1996.

Rich Baseball Operations is comprised of Rich Products’ subsidiary companies including: Buffalo Bison Baseball, Northwest Arkansas Naturals Baseball, West Virginia Black Bears Baseball, and Palm Beach National Golf & Country Club in Lake Worth, FL, and Canalside Buffalo.

Dandes is Chair of Visit Buffalo Niagara, the Buffalo Zoological Society (Buffalo Zoo), the Erie County Medical Center Foundation and the Buffalo Public Schools Foundation. He also serves as Vice Chair of Upstate New York Transplant Services. He is Past Chair of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, the Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission and the Erie County Jewish Family Services. Dandes was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Erie County Medical

Center Corporation by Governor Andrew Cuomo in March of 2015 and is currently Chair-Elect.

He is currently an adjunct Professor at Niagara University in the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management and teaches in the University’s Sports Management Program.

Dandes is an alumnus of the University at Buffalo and a past president of its Alumni Board. He has served as president of the New York State Restaurant Association and is a member of La Chaine des Rotisseurs, Les Amis du Vin, National Association of Concessionaires, and Stadium Managers Association.

In 2003, he graduated from the Harvard Business School Management Development Program.

Dandes is a also certified as a Foodservice Management Professional (1994), as designated by the National Restaurant Association.

TRAVEL TALK: LOCAL GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRY LEADERS DONALD FOSTE

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES | DELAWARE NORTH Based out of Delaware North’s global headquarters in Buffalo NY, Donald provides leadership, training and support for subsidiary- and property-level sales professionals, as well as supports and guide subsidiary sales strategies and goals to ensure alignment with corporate objectives. His primary areas of focus are: National and international sales enterprise accounts: Directly oversees and manages the relationships with top business-to-business customers contracted for multiple properties.

Sales team development: Develop high-performing sales teams to meet the aggressive goals of the organization.

travel operations to develop strategies that support revenue goals.

In addition to his sales team responsibilities, Donald oversees the Amherst, NY sales and reservation center and the business-to-business sales team located in Fresno, CA. Donald came to Delaware North’s parks and resorts business in 2012, with over 15 years of senior level Hospitality experience, as director of travel-industry sales and marketing. He represents Delaware North on the U.S. Travel Association’s board of directors and the International Pow Wow’s planning committee.

Sales strategy: Work with subsidiary leadership in sports, gaming, restaurants, parks and resorts, and

PATRICK J. KALER | PRESIDENT & CEO, VISIT BUFFALO NIAGARA Patrick Kaler has more than 20 years’ experience in the travel and tourism industry. He joined Visit Buffalo Niagara in January of 2014 as President and CEO. Before moving to Buffalo, he served for three years as President and CEO of Visit Loudoun and previously oversaw Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board’s international offices in Australia, China, Europe, Japan and Latin America, managing major international and domestic travel trade and airline sales and marketing initiatives. Kaler has also served as Executive Director for the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority/Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority/Lake Tahoe Gaming Alliance, Great Lakes of North America and the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Prior to those positions, he was the General Manager with Keeshin Destination Chicago and Director of Sales and Marketing at the Champaign-Urbana Convention and Visitors Bureau. He has also served as adjunct faculty, lecturer and speaker at the University of Illinois, UCLA and Lake Tahoe Community College; as well as numerous tourism conferences.

Kaler holds a Master of Science degree in Tourism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration from Western Illinois University. Currently, he serves on the U.S. Travel Association’s Board of Directors, as well as Vice Chairman of U.S. Travel Association’s Destinations Council Board. Kaler was recently elected Vice-Chair of the New York State Travel Industry Association and Secretary of the New York State Destination Marketing Organization. He also serves on the board of directors of Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House, the Eric Wood Foundation, City of Buffalo Arts Commission, Olmsted Parks Conservancy Long-Range Planning Committee, and is a 2014 graduate of Leadership Buffalo.

TRAVEL TALK: LOCAL GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRY LEADERS THOMAS LONG

GENERAL MANAGER | THE WESTIN BUFFALO A native of South Buffalo, Tom Long returned to his hometown in 2015 to become general manager at The Westin Buffalo. In his role, he is responsible for all aspects of the hotel including operational goals, superior guest service and product quality.

Long has over 20 years of hospitality experience, and prior to joining The Westin Buffalo, he spent the previous 10 years at New York’s famed Waldorf-Astoria. He most recently served as resident manager at the Waldorf, a role in which he was responsible for the overall operations of the historic hotel including rooms, property operations and food and beverages. His hotel management career has also included stops at Hilton properties in Atlanta, Chicago, McLean, Va.,

Austin, Texas, as well as the iconic Fontainebleau Resort in Miami.

Long has received numerous accolades throughout his career for service and financial performance. He has also led numerous task force assignments including new hotel openings, conversions and the creation of the Hilton property management system OnQ. Long holds a Bachelor of Science in hospitality management from Florida International University.

MARY F. ROBERTS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S MARTIN HOUSE Mary Roberts is executive director of the Martin House Restoration Corporation, an organization that is dedicated to restoring, preserving and interpreting Frank Lloyd Wright’s greatest early-career residential work – the Darwin D. Martin House, a National Historic Landmark and New York State Historic site. The Martin estate is a complex of six prairie-style buildings that occupies a 1.5 acre site in the historic Parkside neighborhood of Buffalo, NY. Built in 1903-06, the estate is a one-of-a-kind composition consisting of the main Martin House, the secondary Barton House, a carriage house with chauffeur’s quarters and stables, a glassroofed conservatory linked to the main house by a 100-foot pergola, and a gardener’s cottage.

The buildings, surrounding landscape, extensive

art glass, furnishings and decorative elements were all designed by Wright as an integrated, organic work of genius.

Nearing completion of a comprehensive multi-year $50 million dollar restoration effort, the Martin House is widely viewed as a model of excellence in historic preservation and sustainable economic development.

The project serves as a lynchpin for architectural tourism in a city of American architectural masterpieces. Ms. Roberts leads a dedicated board, staff and 400 active volunteers in service to Wright’s organic principals and the continuing dialogue on the importance of architecture and design in contemporary lives.

TRAVEL TALK: LOCAL GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRY LEADERS JANNE SIRÉN, PhD

PEGGY PIERCE ELFVIN DIRECTOR | ALBRIGHT-KNOX ART GALLERY Dr. Janne Sirén began his appointment as Albright-Knox Art Gallery Director in April 2013. Prior to this, he served as director of Finland’s Helsinki Art Museum—one of the largest cultural institutions in the Nordic region—overseeing an active program of exhibitions, acquisitions, and museum development. Dr. Sirén spent the entirety of his collegiate career in the United States, receiving his PhD from the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University in 2001.

Dr. Sirén served as director of the Tampere Art Museum in southern Finland from 2004 to 2007. He also worked in the Department of Art History at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

(2000- 2004), teaching courses in modern and contemporary art, aesthetics, museology, and critical theory.

At the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Dr. Sirén has initiated and co-organized several major exhibitions each attracting tens of thousands of visitors, including Monet and the Impressionist Revolution, 1860– 1910 and Picasso: The Artist and His Models.

HUSEYIN TARAN

GENERAL MANAGER | BUFFALO MARRIOTT HARBORCENTER Huseyin Taran is the General Manager of Buffalo Marriott HARBORCENTER. He is an accomplished hospitality industry professional with 16 years of hotel experience. He was born and raised in Turkey, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management. After graduating from university, Huseyin traveled to the United States as a hospitality intern. After his internship, he excelled in his hospitality career and held several titles, including Director of Rooms at Hilton Fort Lauderdale Airport hotel and Director of Operations at Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort Spa.

Prior moving to Buffalo, he was the General Manager at Greensboro Marriott Downtown hotel where he made significant improvements to overall guest satisfaction and employee satisfaction scores. After spending a year in Buffalo, he thinks that the city of Buffalo is an underestimated city with tons of hidden jewels. He strongly believes that in the new era of hospitality, hoteliers should look for innovative ways to “serve the unexpected” to our guests to make their stays much more memorable.

TRAVEL TALK: LOCAL GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRY LEADERS WILLIAM R. VANECEK

DIRECTOR OF AVIATION | BUFFALO NIAGARA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT William Vanecek oversees all aspects of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) and the Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG).

BUF provides service to approximately 5 million passengers annually. IAG is a joint use smallhub commercial service airport that serves approximately 200,000 passengers annually.

Mr. Vanecek has held his current position since joining the Authority in 1998.

Before joining the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority as aviation director, Mr. Vanecek worked for AMR Corporation and previously worked for Price Waterhouse.

Mr. Vanecek recently completed his term as the Chairman of Airports Council International-North America which represents local, regional and

state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. Approximately 380 aviation-related businesses are also members of ACI-NA, providing goods and services to airports. He also serves on the World Board of Airports Council International which represents airports worldwide.

Mr. Vanecek is a past president of the New York Aviation Management Association.

Mr. Vanecek holds a BS in Accounting and Finance from State University of New York at Buffalo and a MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington.

LESLIE ZEMSKY

DIRECTOR OF FUN LARKIN SQUARE PARTNER IN LARKIN DEVELOPMENT GROUP ARTIST Larkin Development Group The Larkin Development Group has been renovating a series of Warehouse Buildings which were once part of the Larkin Soap Company. Renovations over the past decade include more than a million square feet of office space. More than a half mile of street scape renovations and a public gathering space for events called Larkin Square. The company continues to develop Larkinville via new projects along Seneca Street, including the Hydraulic Hearth Restaurant & Brewery, Larkin Links mini golf and the soon to open Swan Street Diner.

Larkin Square As “Director of Fun” in Larkin Square, Leslie oversees events attracting more than 130,000 people to Larkin Square each season. Popular events

include Food Truck Tuesdays, Live at Larkin Wednesdays, and the Larkin Square Author Series. Leslie’s art is used on the marketing materials. Leslie oversees the Public Art in Larkinville, including Larkin Links and Buffalo’s Smallest art gallery.

Community work Member of the Board Visit Buffalo Niagara (VBN) Member of the College Council Buffalo State College (SUNY) Member of the Board, First Niagara Foundation

VisitBuffaloNiagara.com