Tourism Insider

A Review of Q2 2019   |   VIEW E-MAIL IN A BROWSER
Issue 45
Greetings!

Patrick KalerSummer in Buffalo – is there anything better? If you’ve ever found yourself gushing to your out-of-town friends about how awesome Buffalo summers can be, only to be met by reluctant glares and shady side-eye, we know the feeling. But for the locals, the insiders, the masters of all things #InTheBUF, we know all the killer places and hidden gems to spend our time when things heat up and the sun is shining. Now, it’s time to show others how to spend summertime in the Queen City.

InTheBUFVisit Buffalo Niagara and partners are running a summer long promotion, The Ultimate Staycation #InTheBUF Upload your most prized “summer in Buffalo” photos to Instagram and use #InTheBUF and you’ll be entered to win what may be the biggest Buffalo grand prize ever, worth more than $5,000.

Some of the gifts are $716 in gift cards to Walden Galleria stores, a Ted’s Hot Dogs “Golden Keychain” that provides lifetime discounts to the restaurant, a free walking tour for you and 9 of your closest friends from Explore Buffalo, free ice cream every day for two months from Churn Soft Serve, and even two cases of Chiavetta’s chicken marinade for your annual backyard BBQ.

Since it was launched at the end of May, we’ve received over 4,000 beautiful photos of summer #InTheBUF. The promotion ends August 2 and we hope to see you #InTheBuf soon.

Sincerely and with great thanks,
Patrick Kaler signature
Patrick J. Kaler
President & CEO

MEETINGS & AMATEUR SPORTS

Sports Commission Speaker Series

Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission hosts inaugural speaker series event

On April 12, the Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission hosted its first speaker series event at the Montante Cultural Center at Canisius College. Taking advantage of influencers here during the Frozen Four championship hockey games at Key Bank Arena, speakers included Kristin Fasbender, NCAA Associate Director of Championships and Alliances; Rich Ensor, Commissioner of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and John Buccigross, Commentator for ESPN. Over 70 community members were in attendance to learn how organizers select a host city for an event of this magnitude. Topics included the comprehensive bidding process, necessary financial commitments, facility logistics, transportation needs, volunteers, communication plans and other finer details. The event was sponsored by Bond Schoeneck & King and Canisius College. Stay tuned for the next event!

FAM tour

Buffalo shines for meeting and tour planners

Sixteen meeting and tour planners were in Buffalo June 14-16 for a whirlwind familiarization (FAM) tour with the goal of booking future business in Erie County. Upon arrival, guests were welcomed at The Hyatt Regency Buffalo Sun Garden for an opening reception. The following morning began with breakfast and marketplace at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, with exhibits from 20 Erie County hotels and attractions. After a quick break, dinner at the Barton House on the Frank Lloyd Wright Martin House Complex and roof top visit to the Curtiss Hotel Martin House left guests from around the country excited to learn more about the destination. Also highlighted were the Chippewa entertainment district, Hatches and Hops axe throwing, Grand Lady cruising, tours of the African American Heritage Corridor, and a visit to Niagara Falls.

All in all, a great FAM that has already produced future, new business for Erie County.


Bring It Home

Bring It HomeIf you’d like to join the growing number of community members who have brought an organizational meeting or amateur athletic event to Buffalo, consider becoming a Bring it Home Ambassador. Since its inception, the Bring it Home program has inspired local community members to ‘show off’ the resurgence happening in Buffalo. No matter how large or small the group, VBN assists in collaborating with hospitality partners to make sure the convention, meeting or amateur sporting event is a success.

If you or someone you know belongs to an organization that convenes a meeting or convention, consider bringing it home. Call Mike Even, Vice President of Sales at 716-852.0511 ext. 276 to get the process started.



COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Buffalo 101

Buffalo 101

Visit Buffalo Niagara launched Buffalo 101, a series of short – less than 60 seconds – videos that feature someone from the community talking about the things they love about Buffalo. These quick-hitting, focused clips are heartfelt and spontaneous and attempt to get potential visitors to see Buffalo through the eyes of the people who live here and know the city’s secrets.

Recent 101s have featured outdoor enthusiasts Christian Edie and Kevin Cullen paddling through Elevator Alley, chefs Steve and Ellen Gedra talking about Buffalo’s exciting food scene and city planner Chris Hawley getting poetic about the beauty of a Buffalo sunset. One of the most watched clips features Jeff Ware, founder of Resurgence Brewery, talking about the emergence of the new Buffalo and how much fun it is to show the city off to visiting friends. Take a look.


Media coverage is humming along

The buzz about Buffalo continues to build from VBN’s robust and proactive media relations initiative. Men’s Journal published a two-page story on Buffalo’s transformation to its 1 million subscribers titled “The Great Buffalo Revival.” Forbes included Buffalo on its list of the “Top 10 American Cities for Family-Friendly Travel.” Matador Network featured Buffalo on its roundup of the top destinations to travel to this August. And that’s just the last few weeks of coverage! The most recent media hits may be found here.

With hundreds of pitches sent to travel media in the first half of 2019, and nearly 20 journalists and social media influencers hosted on press visits year to date, VBN looks to keep building on the buzz about Buffalo for years to come.


INDUSTRY RELATIONS

2019 Beacon Awards

Tourism Matters


Tourism in Erie County is a more than $1.8 billion industry, spent across a diverse range of sectors. With nearly 33,000 people employed in tourism-related jobs, Visit Buffalo Niagara joins the country each year in celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week, the first full week in May.

In addition to lighting the town red (the color of hospitality) and running a promotional billboard ad campaign, 300 pieces of sponge candy were delivered to flight crews and airport employees; VBN partners and volunteers toured the Buffalo River aboard the Harbor Queen and we initiated a “be a tourist in your own hometown” promotion as a way of encouraging locals to get out and experience some of the county’s newest exhibits and attractions. The highlight of the week was the 9th annual Beacon Awards luncheon, where contributions of 13 hospitality and tourism professionals were recognized. The complete list of nominees and winners may be found here.

Next year’s National Travel and Tourism Week will be celebrated May 3-9.


Here’s a look at the pulse of tourism for May 2019
Follow us on   Facebook    Twitter    YouTube    Pinterest    Instagram    Blog