Visit Buffalo Niagara 2012 annual report

2 0 1 2

T H E

Y E A R

I N

R E V I E W

Dear Tourism Advocate, Looking back at 2012, it was an exceptional year for tourism and Visit Buffalo Niagara (VBN). We conducted research that gave us, for the first time, a comprehensive look at who is visiting our region. This intelligence has guided our marketing plans, helping us craft better messages and target those people most likely to visit. Graph #1 below shows how many visitors our region receives from the U.S. and Canada (note: it does not include our international visitors).

We are now receiving significant assistance from New York State in our efforts. Governor Cuomo is a believer in tourism as an economic engine for the state and is reinvigorating I Love NY in a way that is helping Western New York. And in his bold Billion for Buffalo plan, he has recognized that there is a perception gap between what people think our region is (snow and chicken wings) and what it really is – a deep and rich cultural and heritage tourism destination. If the plan unfolds as recommended, New York will invest more than $1 million in WNY tourism promotion. That part of the plan is being developed by VBN, Niagara USA, New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation and the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation (NTCC).

The WNY Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) also added $195,000 of state resources to a marketing fund created by VBN and NTCC to improve our marketing to our most valuable audience, Canadians (see page 6).

The leadership provided by the REDC, and its co-chair Howard Zemsky in particular, cannot be overstated.

One of the more notable new efforts in 2012 was our digital lead generation campaign this spring, which brought more than 4,000 new leisure visitor parties here, who spent more than $3 million in the region. The campaign cost was $100,000 and we delivered a 30 to 1 ROI. I am hopeful that this test program sets the stage for a higher level of funding support for Visit Buffalo Niagara in the future, since one of our current challenges is that our budget spending power has declined significantly over the past decade (see graph #2). I am confident, with smart research, well executed plans and proven ROI, that this is a challenge we will overcome.

Thank you for your continued support.

KC KRATT

DOTTIE GALLAGHER-COHEN President & CEO gallaghercohen@visitbuffaloniagara.com • 716-961-0200

AND CANADIAN VISITATION B TOU.S. THE BUFFALO NIAGARA REGION CANADIAN DAY TRIPS IN THE BUFFALO NIAGARA REGION

1,900,000 13.0%

C

4,000,000

CANADIAN OVERNIGHT TRIPS IN THE BUFFALO NIAGARA REGION

1,200,000 U.S. DOMESTIC 8.2% OVERNIGHT TRIPS TO THE BUFFALO DMA

U.S. DOMESTIC DAY TRIPS TO THE BUFFALO DMA

2,500,000 17.1%

Buying Power $3,960,000

3,500,000 3,000,000

VBN Budget & Buying Power $3,300,000

2,500,000 2,000,000

2,800,000 19.2%

VBN HAS 17% LESS BUYING POWER IN 2012 THAN 2000

VBN BUDGET/BUYING POWER

1,500,000 1,000,000

U.S. DOMESTIC DAY TRIPS TO NIAGARA FALLS, NY

3,400,000 23.3%

VBN Budget $2,947,658

500,000 U.S. DOMESTIC OVERNIGHT TRIPS TO NIAGARA FALLS, NY

2,800,000 19.2%

0

2000

2012

Adjustment of 2000 budget to 2012 inflation using the Consumer Price Index

ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING YEAR FOR ERIE COUNTY HOTELS In 2012, Erie County hotel revenues jumped 6 percent, the average rate charged by hotels rose just over 3 percent and monthly occupancy rates exceeded the national average for much of the year.

SMITH TRAVEL RESEARCH ERIE COUNTY HOTEL REPORT OCCUPANCY

AVERAGE RATE

HOTEL REVENUES

2012

66.4%

$93.92

$209,550,115

2011

66.1%

$90.96

$197,823,142

2010

64.7%

$87.45

$185,541,315

MONTHLY OCCUPANCY PERCENTAGE, 2012 90% 80%

71.2

70% 60%

63.6 57.4

50% 40%

86.7

83.0 79.1

44.6

61.8

63.3 61.8 55.3

71.3

70.0 70.3 63.5

49.4

67.8

63.4

67.2 60.7

64.4

51.2

56.5

49.1

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

ERIE COUNTY

NATIONAL AVERAGE

JUST THE FACTS: 2012 AT A GLANCE

VBN CONVENTION, SPORTS & GROUP TOUR SALES

$129 million Future economic impact

427

Sales leads

Hotel room nights booked

BUFFALO NIAGARA CONVENTION CENTER

250,000 People attended events at the Convention Center

red

161,152

771

Conventions, meetings, amateur athletic events or group tours booked

Record breaking figures are in

217

Events hosted

244

30,500

Nights the Center was occupied

2012 ANNUAL BUSINESS REVIEW

Some of our greatest successes came on the marketing front, as VBN generated non-local media coverage with a total media value of $2 million (our best year ever) and increased the number of unique web visitors to visitbuffaloniagara.com to 811,585 (up 37 percent over 2011). VBN’s sales team also produced solid results in 2012, securing 161,152 future hotel room nights; booking 427 conventions, meetings, amateur athletic events and group tours; and generating 771 sales leads. These efforts will result in $129 million in future economic impact.

Hotel room nights utilized due to events at the Center

3 BUFFALO NIAGARA SPORTS COMMISSION

$2 MILLION

Media value of out-of-town media coverage

Amateur sporting events

VBN MARKETING

86 Out-of-town

112 Local media

media hits

hits

BUFFALO NIAGARA FILM COMMISSION

41 Projects completed

125

71,193 Hotel room nights

51 Completed location scouts

811,585 Unique visits to visitbuffaloniagara.com, up 37% from 2011

275

Production days with Film Commission involvement

WWW.VISITBUFFALONIAGARA.COM

82,634 Attendance

New Airport Visitor Center Takes Flight

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VBN opened a new Buffalo Niagara Visitor Center on the secure side of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport in July. The center positions VBN to promote our region to the 5 million passengers who fly in and out of the airport each year. It also fits squarely into VBN’s Canadian marketing strategy, providing access and exposure to the vast number of Canadian travelers who use the airport.

In addition to providing free tourist information, the visitor center sells unique Buffalo-related items, from apparel to DVDs to handmade artisan goods, many of which are also available via VBN’s new web store, buffaloniagarashop.com.

All proceeds from merchandise sales go back into promoting the region.

AIRPORT VISITOR CENTER HAD

36,849

WALK-IN VISITORS AND

$98,000

IN MERCHANDISE SALES IN 6 MONTHS

First Niagara Bank provided a generous $100,000 sponsorship to defray the costs of the center, the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation issued a grant for technology and BHNT Architects and LPCiminelli contributed their services for the build-out.

PLAYING WITH THE BIG BOYS:

Buffalo Niagara becomes a top 20 U.S. destination for overseas visitors For the first time ever, the Buffalo Niagara region was one of the top 20 U.S. destinations for overseas visitors. In May, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI) released its “Overseas Visitation Estimates for U.S. States, Cities, and Census Regions” report for 2011. The report estimates that the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metro statistical area received 335,000 visitors from outside the U.S., Canada and Mexico in 2011, making it the 20th ranked metro area in the U.S. The top five incoming markets for overseas visitors to the region are:

1. INDIA

2. CHINA

3. GERMANY

4. ITALY

5. AUSTRALIA

NORTHTOWN CENTER PUTS THEIR COMPETITION ON ICE Sled Hockey Central 2012 ANNUAL BUSINESS REVIEW

From Feb. 23 to 25, the top two sled hockey teams in the world faced-off against each other at the Northtown Center at Amherst, as the American and Canadian national teams took to the ice. Then, from Nov. 9 to 11, the Northtown Center hosted the NHL Sled Hockey Classic, featuring 14 sled hockey teams sponsored by NHL teams.

USA Hockey Streak Continues Amherst Youth Hockey and the Northtown Center at Amherst have hosted a USA Hockey Youth event every year since 2006. From March 28 to April 1, they added another feather to their caps by becoming the first host location to house all four age levels (12 and under, 14 and under, 16 and under and 18 and under) of USA Hockey’s Tier I National Championships at the same time. Forty-eight teams from across the country, from as far away as Alaska and Texas, came to town to compete, occupying approximately 6,000 hotel room nights and creating an estimated economic impact of $2.15 million.

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BUFFALO BISONS

SEEING STARS

Imagine training for weeks and making plans to travel hundreds of miles to compete in a half marathon that would begin at Ralph Wilson Stadium, loop through Orchard Park and end at the stadium’s 50 yard line. Then imagine that the race is suddenly canceled eight days before it is to be run, with no refunds. That’s what happened when an out-of-town race promoter backed out of a race in June. Rather than let hundreds of racers be disappointed, the Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission teamed up with Eclipse Multi-Sport, the Buffalo Bills and the Town of Orchard Park to quickly create the 50 Yard Finish – a very similar, but different, race that ran at the same time as the canceled race. The 50 Yard Finish was put together within a week and it debuted to rave reviews, prompting plans for it to become an annual event.

TOM BURNS

SPRINTING TO CREATE A HALF MARATHON

WWW.VISITBUFFALONIAGARA.COM

What a year it was for the Buffalo Bisons! Congratulations to the team for celebrating their 25th season at Coca-Cola Field and then hosting the Triple-A All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. VBN was excited to hear about the team’s new affiliation with the Toronto Blue Jays, which will open additional doors for Canadian marketing.

LOVE THY

VBN CONTINUED TO LOOK STYLIN’ AND PROFILIN’:

RESEARCHING CANADIAN SHOPPERS IN BUFFALO NIAGARA Over the winter of 2012, Visit Buffalo Niagara and the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation (NTCC) engaged Longwoods International, a world leader in tourism marketing research, to conduct a study on Buffalo Niagara as a shopping destination for Canadians. In addition to the two agencies, funding for the study was provided by The Buffalo News, Eastern Hills Mall, the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls and the Seneca Niagara Casino.

Here are some of the highlights from the findings:

DEMOGRAPHICS Skews slightly FEMALE YOUNGER – 50% are 25 to 44 years old

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Employed FULL-TIME, with KIDS AT HOME WELL EDUCATED – 85% have received some

post-secondary education

Significant ASIAN market, which is in line with the Greater Toronto Area’s population ABOVE AVERAGE INCOME

BEHAVIORS 3.1 MILLION shopping trips annually

» 1.9 million day trips » 1.2 million overnight trips

Spend $933 MILLION annually 2/3 of day trip visitors planned their visit within 2 to 3 weeks of departure Buffalo has a unique perceptual leg up on our competitors (Toronto, Hamilton, Montreal) for being thought of as a FUN PLACE TO SHOP

» Being a fun place to shop is one of the most important drivers of destination interest and one that BUFFALO DELIVERS WELL ON

UNTAPPED OPPORTUNITY – More than 40% of all shopping trips feature nothing other than shopping.

RESEARCH IN MOTION:

Putting Data into Action As a result of our Canadian research, VBN and the NTCC applied and won a $195,000 New York State Regional Economic Development Council grant to create a Canadian marketing program. The funds will be part of a $600,000 program to entice Canadians to do more while they’re here and visit more often.

VBN also rolled out a Buffalo Loves Canada visitor readiness and appreciation campaign that will reinforce the notion that it’s fun to visit and shop in Western New York.

HAND-IN-HAND:

VBN teams up with NTCC on Major Initiatives While VBN and the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation (NTCC) have a long history of working together, 2012 was a year of expanded collaboration. On top of the Canadian research and marketing campaign mentioned on this page, the two organizations have teamed up to define the allocation of funds for tourism out of New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Billion for Buffalo program.

NEIGHBOR:

NORTH OF THE BORDER IN 2012

VBN Director of Tourism Sales Leah Mueller announces the start of the OMCA Conference and Marketplace.

Meet & Greet:

Busloads of Business:

Coming Face to Face with Canadian Media

In June, VBN Director of Tourism Sales Leah Mueller represented Buffalo at a media marketplace in Toronto set up by I Love New York.

In October, for the first time ever, the Ontario Motor Coach Association (OMCA) held its annual Conference and Marketplace outside of Canada.

The location: Buffalo.

Some 600 delegates, including tour operators, tour suppliers, coach operators and coach suppliers from all over North America, came to town, resulting in an immediate estimated economic impact of $884,304 for the region. However, the conference’s longterm benefits for Buffalo could be much greater, as Canadian tour operators were exposed to Buffalo’s attractions, lodging and hospitality.

Then on Oct. 2, VBN Communications Manager Peter Burakowski attended Discover America Day Canada in Toronto, where he had meetings with a dozen travel writers from across Canada.

SHOWING OFF OUR SHOPPING VBN sponsored the National Women’s Show in Toronto to promote shopping in Buffalo and exhibited at the show with partners from the Elmwood Village, Hertel Avenue and the Walden Galleria. Close to 1,000 attendees entered VBN’s Win the Ultimate Shopping Weekend contest.

Natalie Tronolone (left) and Sarah Graf (center) of the Walden Galleria join VBN Visitor Center Manager Denise Drews at the National Women’s Show in Toronto.

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WWW.VISITBUFFALONIAGARA.COM

Buffalo invaded Toronto on March 7, when VBN set up a Marketplace and Reception at the George R. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art. The event featured VBN staff members and representatives from 22 local tourism partners, ranging from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery to the Mansion on Delaware Avenue to Vidler’s 5&10, who met with 30 members of the Toronto media and more than 20 group tour planners.

OMCA comes to Buffalo

2012 ANNUAL BUSINESS REVIEW

VBN staff and tourism partners meet with members of the Ontario travel media and group tour operators.

STAYING

VBN’S DIGITAL PRESENCE WEBSITE VISITORS 1,000,000

811,585

750,000

UNIQUE WEBSITE VISITORS

594,153 438,839

500,000

250,000

VBN’s Website Sees Heavy Traffic

0

2010

2011

TOP 5 COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN FOR NON-U.S. WEBSITE VISITORS

8

MOST VISITED CONTENT

33%

b

c

SHOPPING

340,831 pageviews

of all website visitors are from Canada

CANADA

2012

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

d

241,957

pageviews UNITED KINGDOM

e GERMANY

FAMILY FUN

OVER 2011

150,082 pageviews

INDIA

There’s an app for that

VISITOR INFO ON-THE-GO MOBILE VISITS

iPAD APP DOWNLOADS

31,073

1,459

Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2012

811,585

UNIQUE VISITORS IN 2012

UP 37%

AUSTRALIA

f

VisitBuffaloNiagara.com welcomed 811,585 unique visitors in 2012, a 37 percent jump over 2011 and an 85 percent jump over 2010.

Bookings of hotels and attractions through our online booking service, ARES, totaled $139,138 in package sales.

June 15-Dec. 31, 2012

In June, VBN debuted a free iPad/ iPhone app version of its Buffalo Niagara Visitor Guide, which enhanced the print version of the guide with embedded videos, audio files, photo galleries and a chicken wing recipe. Available through the iTunes store, it was downloaded 1,459 times.

CONNECTED:

CONTINUED TO GROW IN 2012 Passing the Test:

VBN executed a trial digital marketing plan that used online ads to identify people interested in visiting the region and then encouraged them to subscribe to our email newsletters, resulting in 50,000 new subscribers. Texas A&M University Professor Jim Petrick then conducted a conversion study to see how many of these people visited after receiving information from VBN. The results were impressive.

Over a six month time period, the campaign delivered 4,150 new visitor parties and $3,164,375 in new spending on a $100,000 investment – an ROI of more than 30 to 1.

DIGITAL CAMPAIGN DELIVERS

$3,164,375 IN INCREMENTAL VISITOR SPENDING

Staying at the forefront of social media trends

MORE THAN

130,000 FACEBOOK FANS

FROM PUSSY WILLOWS TO PRESIDENTS:

FIVE NEW VIDEOS DEBUTED

VBN continued its popular, lighthearted BuffaloForRealTV online video series in 2012 by producing videos about the Sportsmen’s Tavern, our local food scene, Buffalo’s presidential connections, Dyngus Day and the National Garden Festival. See all of VBN’s videos at youtube.com/buffalocvb.

BuffaloForRealTV episode “Ready Teddy”

9

WWW.VISITBUFFALONIAGARA.COM

VBN introduced Pinterest and Instagram accounts in 2012, while growing its Facebook pages for Visit Buffalo Niagara to 57,167 fans, the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center to 1,326, the Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission to 194, the National Garden Festival to 3,662, The 716 to 70,450 and Shopping in Buffalo to 4,406; and its Twitter accounts for Visit Buffalo Niagara to 5,167 followers and the National Garden Festival to 82 followers. VBN also created a “Tweet Team” of influential local social media users to help drive attention to tourism partners and events.

2012 ANNUAL BUSINESS REVIEW

Digital Media Marketing Trial Delivers

Very Pinteresting:

JOE CASCIO

BUFFALO DELIVERS FOR LETTER CARRIERS

10

Buffalo hosted the 108th National Convention of the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association in August.

The convention featured 3,000 attendees from all 50 states, generating $6.96 million in estimated economic impact.

Major 2012 Conventions Arranged by estimated economic impact NAME

DATE

ATTENDEES

National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMPACT

$6,963,663

Aug. 7-19

3,000

New York State United Teachers (NYSUT)

$4,461,386

April 26-29

2,800

New York State Board of Law Examiners

$2,765,248

July 24-25

3,000

NYS Association for the Education of Young Children $2,412,608

April 18-22

2,000

NYS Volunteer Firemen’s Parade & Drill Team Captains Association

$2,374,395

Aug. 17-19

2,000

New York State Board of Law Examiners

$1,972,043

Feb. 26

1,800

American Association of Airport Executives

$1,064,360

April 13-19

800

Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners

$1,022,135

June 24-29

400

NYS Middle School Association

$1,020,077

Oct. 18-20

2,000

Buffalo Niagara Dental Meeting

$942,373

Oct. 3-5

2,000

Civil Service Employees Association

$839,663

June 1-3

750

Delaware North Companies

$541,242

Nov. 11-16

350

United University Professions

$444,174

Oct. 11-13

400

Sweet Adelines-Region 16

$286,174

Sept. 27-30

500

National Association of Student Personnel Administrators

$191,199

June 10-12

250

RICH WALL

Shining a Light on Tourism Visit Buffalo Niagara held its second annual Travel & Tourism Beacon Awards Luncheon at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center on May 10. The event recognized superior service throughout the industry, from volunteer docents to hotel general managers.

Approximately 400 guests were in attendance.

The following additional awards were presented: LODGING EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Michael Hicks Comfort Suites-Downtown

LODGING MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Kevin Hudson Hyatt Regency Buffalo

LODGING G.M. OF THE YEAR

Shelly Cieslak Fairfield Inn & Suites

TOURISM EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Eric Guzdek Northtown Center at Amherst

VBN Board Chair Dennis Murphy and President and CEO Dottie Gallagher-Cohen (right) present the Tourism Volunteer of the Year award to Linda Adams.

TOURISM VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Linda Adams Darwin Martin House Complex

TOURISM EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Drew Cerza National Buffalo Wing Festival

2012 ANNUAL BUSINESS REVIEW

The luncheon featured the induction of the late Meet the Press moderator and consummate Buffalo booster Tim Russert into the Buffalo Ambassador Hall of Fame as the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award winner for his work on behalf of Buffalo. The award, which will hereafter be known as the Tim Russert Award, was accepted by Tim’s son Luke Russert in a videotaped address to the audience.

TOURISM INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

Garden Walk Buffalo

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BUFFALO AMBASSADORS OF THE YEAR

National Preservation Conference Local Organizing Committee George Arthur Sarah Gelman Carney Maura Cohen Liz Dann

MAKING HEADLINES

Holly Donaldson Cindy & Paul Gorski Geri Kozlowski Henry McCartney

Ever wonder how major media stories about Buffalo show up in outlets like the Globe & Mail, the Toronto Sun, the New York Post, the Christian Science Monitor, FoxNews.com, Bloomberg.com and USAToday.com? It often has something to do with VBN. Throughout the year, VBN pitches stories to regional, national and Canadian media, assists them with inquiries and hosts writers to tour our tourism assets.

TOTAL MEDIA VALUE OF NON-LOCAL 2012 COVERAGE

$2 MILLION (A NEW RECORD!)

Blythe Merrill Kerry Mitchell Mary Roberts Bernie Tolbert

Steve Weiss Tom & Louise Yots

WWW.VISITBUFFALONIAGARA.COM

Catherine Schweitzer, Co-Chair Robert Skerker, Co-Chair

LOOKING FORWARD:

A National Conference about Local Business In 2013, Buffalo will have the country thinking local, as we welcome the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE)’s 11th annual Business Conference. BALLE is a fast growing network of North American local entrepreneurs, local business alliances and local economy funders. The conference will bring more than 600 attendees to town from June 12 to 14, ESTIMATED ECONOMIC resulting in IMPACT an estimated economic impact of $717,250.

WHAT’S AHEAD IN 2013 2013 is shaping up to be another exciting year! Look for VBN to:  Release a benchmarking study comparing

the practices of VBN to peer CVBs

 Roll out a $600,000 Canadian

marketing plan

 Expand its Buffalo Loves Canada visitor

readiness program

$717,250

WIRED UP:

In 2012, the Buffalo Niagara Film Commission assisted in 41 completed projects in Western New York, resulting in 275 production days of work and $6.1 million in direct spending. The most visible of the projects was the ABC News Special “World’s Greatest Stunts” featuring Nik Wallenda’s crossing of Niagara Falls on a high wire, which was seen by more than 100 million people throughout the world. More than 100 Western New Yorkers were hired to facilitate the broadcast and dozens of local vendors provided everything from the harness to catering to power generators to construction equipment.

BUFFALO NIAGARA FILM OFFICE

Other TV highlights included NBC’s “Biggest Loser,” MTV’s “Catfish,” The Food Channel’s “Restaurant Impossible” and VH1’s “Mob Wives.”

Principal photography was also shot for several feature films, including “Battle Dogs,” starring Dennis Haysbert, Ernie Hudson and Wes Studi, which employed more than 300 extras and crew over the course of 20 days in September and October. The commission also assisted with the films “Return to the Class of Nukem High” by legendary director Lloyd Kaufman, “Model Hunger,” “Buffalo Boys” and “Give and Take.”

SHERRY BURNS

12

WALLENDA STUNT LED FILM COMMISSION PROJECTS

Left: Nik Wallenda crosses Niagara Falls. Right: Actors Dennis Haysbert, Ariana Richards (background), Kate Vernon and Wes Studi appear in a “Battle Dogs” scene shot at the Buffalo Central Terminal.

Tourism Insider Readership Jumps 59 Percent

2012 ANNUAL BUSINESS REVIEW

VBN’s monthly Tourism Insider email newsletter is one of the best resources for keeping up-to-date about Buffalo’s tourism economy and it’s a key part of VBN’s Buffalo Ambassador program. In 2012, VBN actively attracted new newsletter readers, expanding our list by 59 percent to 2,380 subscribers.

The newsletter is emailed monthly and it’s filled with useful visitation statistics; links to travel stories about Buffalo; lists of upcoming meetings, conventions and amateur sporting events; information about volunteer opportunities; and the latest news about hotels and attractions in our region. Sign up for the newsletter at BuffaloAmbassador.com!

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LET’S TALK

2012 VISIT BUFFALO NIAGARA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Cindy Abbott-Letro

Law Offices of Francis A. Letro

Kerry C. Mitchell

Consulate General of Canada

Donald K. Boswell

WNY Public Broadcasting Association

Dennis P. Murphy

InnVest Lodging Services, Inc.

Steve Boyd

O’Brien Boyd, P.C.

Minesh Patel

Adam’s Mark Hotel

Louis P. Ciminelli

LPCiminelli, Inc.

Gary D. Praetzel, Ph.D. Niagara University

Jonathan A. Dandes

Rich Baseball Operations

Mary F. Roberts Martin House Restoration Corporation

Dottie Gallagher-Cohen Visit Buffalo Niagara C. Douglas Hartmayer NFTA Randall Kramer

MusicalFare Theatre

Susan M. LoTempio Lynn Marinelli

Erie County Legislature

John J. Mills

Erie County Legislature

Andrew J. Rudnick

Buffalo Niagara Partnership

James T. Sandoro

Buffalo Transportation / Pierce-Arrow Museum

Paul Snyder, III

Snyder Corporation

Toni L. Vazquez Maria Whyte

Erie County Legislature

WWW.VISITBUFFALONIAGARA.COM

Did you know that VBN President & CEO Dottie Gallagher-Cohen is available to speak to your group or business? To schedule a presentation about tourism in Buffalo Niagara, contact Judy Smith at 716-218-2938 or smith@visitbuffaloniagara.com.

2012 COMMITTEES OF VISIT BUFFALO NIAGARA AND THE BUFFALO NIAGARA CONVENTION CENTER MANAGEMENT CORPORATION Executive Committee CHAIR: Dennis P. Murphy InnVest Lodging Services, Inc.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Jonathan A. Dandes CHAIR-ELECT

Rich Baseball Operations

Donald K. Boswell WNY Public Broadcasting VICE-CHAIR Association Dottie Gallagher-Cohen Visit Buffalo Niagara PRESIDENT

Andrew J. Rudnick TREASURER

Buffalo Niagara Partnership

Mary F. Roberts Martin House Restoration SECRETARY Corporation Maria Whyte

County of Erie

Gary D. Praetzel

Niagara University

COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR

Budget/Finance/Audit Committee CHAIR: Andrew J. Rudnick Buffalo Niagara Partnership STAFF: David Marzo

Chief Financial Officer

Lynn Marinelli

Erie County Legislature

Buffalo Niagara Convention Center

Paul Murphy

Buffalo Niagara Convention Center

Mary F. Roberts Martin House Restoration Corporation

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Tom Beiter

Dottie Gallagher-Cohen Visit Buffalo Niagara

Sales Committee STAFF: Mike Even

VP of Sales

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

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Dottie Gallagher-Cohen Visit Buffalo Niagara Barb Hughes

AAA

Phil Alterio

Buffalo Niagara Marriott

Thomas Keane

Hart Hotels

Melissa Burke

Buffalo Niagara Convention Center

Bruce Kolesnick

University at Buffalo

Karen Miranda

Embassy Suites

Dave Carroll

Hart Hotels

Minesh Patel

Adam’s Mark

Jay Dellavecchia

Hyatt Regency Buffalo

Bonnie Phillips

Martin’s Fantasy Island

John Dubreville

Hale Northeastern

Matt Spencer

Comfort Suites

Ann Dugan

Buffalo Lodging

Julie Williams

Hyatt Regency Buffalo

Marketing Committee CHAIR: Drew Cerza

Just Wing It Productions

Susan M. LoTempio

STAFF: Ed Healy

VP of Marketing

Nick Magnini

WUTV

Andy Major

Buffalo Bills

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Justin Azzarella

Evergreen Association of WNY

Art Page

Steve Boyd

O’Brien Boyd, P.C.

Rudi Rainer

Joseph Brennan

University at Buffalo

Anthony Conte

Shea’s Performing Arts Center

James T. Sandoro Buffalo Transportation/ Pierce-Arrow Museum

Dottie Gallagher-Cohen Visit Buffalo Niagara C. Douglas Hartmayer

NFTA

Super 8 Hotel

Margie Stehlik Martin House Restoration Corporation

Convention Center Operations Committee CHAIR: Louis P. Ciminelli

LPCiminelli, Inc.

John J. Mills

Erie County Legislature

STAFF: Paul Murphy

Facility Director

Rudi Rainer

Super 8 Hotel

Jeff Zack

County of Erie

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Dottie Gallagher-Cohen Visit Buffalo Niagara

2012 BUFFALO NIAGARA SPORTS COMMISSION ADVISORY COUNCIL Peter Jerebko Ed Kilgore Brian Kiszewski Tom Koeller John Lambert Ed Lindsey John Maddock Bill Maher Lynn Marinelli Tom Marks John Murphy Sister Maria Pares Ron Raccuia Edward Rath Donald Reed Jeff Russo Bob Schell Timm Slade

Erie Community College Channel 2 News Monsignor Martin Athletic Association Buffalo State College University at Buffalo Amateur Softball Association Canisius College Canisius College Erie County Gr8 Lakes Fishing Adventures Buffalo Bills Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart AdPro Team Sports Erie County University at Buffalo Channel 7 News Amherst Youth Hockey Section VI

2012 VISIT BUFFALO NIAGARA STAFF Pete Harvey Director of Sports Development Ed Healy Vice President of Marketing Jay Josker Sport Services Manager Heather Keller Administrative Assistant Cindy Sterner-Kincaide Director, Buffalo Ambassador Program Tracy Martell Convention Services Manager David Marzo Chief Financial Officer Leah Mueller Tourism Sales Director Mary Jane Poleto Airport Visitor Center Manager Judy Smith Director of Administration Matt Steinberg Director of Creative Services Rich Wall Operations Manager/ Production Services, Buffalo Niagara Film Commission Lori White National Sales Manager Dionne Williamson National Sales Manager

2012 BUFFALO NIAGARA CONVENTION CENTER STAFF Melissa Bean Convention & Event Service Manager Tom Beiter Controller Melissa Burke Senior Director of Sales and Marketing Angelo Canna, Jr. Food & Beverage Manager Lorna Cullen Executive Assistant Michelle Helles Convention Sales Manager Susan Kimmins Sales & Catering Manager Craig Landseadel Sous Chef MaryAnn Martin Accounting & Benefits Manager Samuel Mendez Assistant Operations Manager

Leslie Millender Paul Murphy Terry O’Brien Keith Pitman Bonnie Pritchard Kenneth Sandford Raymond Thom Raymond Williams Danielle Winiarski

Lobby Receptionist Facility Director Operations Manager Electrician Receptionist/ Administrative Assistant Chief Engineer Executive Chef Timekeeper/Security Convention & Event Service Manager

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Melissa Barrie Information Specialist Kathy Benzel Information Technology/

Online Content Manager Peter Burakowski Communications Manager Michele Butlak Accounting and

Benefits Manager Giovanni Centurione Information Specialist Tim Clark Director, Buffalo Niagara

Film Commission Karen Cox Convention Services Manager Linda D’Agostino Director of Sales &

Government Relations Denise Drews Downtown Visitor Center Manager Michael Even Vice President of Sales & Services Karen Fashana Marketing & Co-op

Advertising Manager Dottie Gallagher-Cohen President & CEO Charles Giglia Director of Sports Sales

2012 ANNUAL BUSINESS REVIEW

Tom Ahern Buffalo Sabres 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 Cleveland Browns Brian Cavanaugh D’Youville College Jonathan A. Dandes Rich Baseball Operations Therese Forton-Barnes Events to a T Sherry Frost Clarence Soccer Ralph Galanti Erie Community College (retired) Mike Gentile Niagara University Kathleen Gregoire Skating Club of Western New York Jim Hanley Hanley Fishing Charters C. Douglas Hartmayer NFTA Perry Jenkins University at Buffalo

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