Anastasia Belashov, Niagara Falls Tourism
NIAGARA FALLS – Niagara Falls Tourism is set to tackle an aggressive sales plan over the next year including the engagement of global emerging markets such as China, India, Brazil, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Germany and the continuation of their efforts in Japan and Korea.
To spearhead these key sales initiatives will be the two newest members of the Niagara Falls Tourism travel trade sales team, Jennifer McGregor and Anastasia Belashov.
McGregor, manager of domestic & international travel trade, carries with her more than 20 years of travel trade sales & marketing industry experience.
Speaking fluently in English, French and Spanish, McGregor sales management industry portfolio includes the Art Gallery of Ontario, Niagara Parks Commission, Peace Bridge Duty Free and previously as well, a former role with Niagara Falls Tourism.
“I’m happy to be back in Niagara, this is where I belong,” said McGregor. “I have such passion and enthusiasm about selling this beautiful area and proud to call Niagara my home.”
Belashov, manager of international travel trade Asian-Pacific, will focus on key emerging markets such as China and India while continuing to nurture the relationships that already exist in such countries Japan and Korea.
Belashov brings with her a great wealth of knowledge in the international travel trade sector.
Studying in Japan, Belashov received her master’s degree in Asian-Pacific Studies.
Jennifer McGregor, Niagara Falls Tourism
Speaking fluently in English, Japanese, Russian and Hebrew, Belashov is certain to further tap into the Asian-Pacific markets quickly and naturally.
Most recently, Belashov has been promoting Niagara’s wine region through her previous group tour & FIT sales manager role with Chateau des Charmes Winery.
When asked about Niagara, Belashov: “I am a relatively newcomer to Canada and I’ve been living in Niagara Falls for the past 5 years. It’s a beautiful place to live and the most amazing destination to visit. My goal is to make the world (Asia in my case) see Niagara through my eyes, and become aware of this fantastic region with so many attractions to visit and thousands things to experience.”
Under construction – those are the two works that best describe the whirlwind of changes that have been taking place at Niagara Falls Tourism since the fall of 2011 and there aren’t plans to slow down any time soon.
Led by the passionate directive of newly appointed Director of Business Development, Vittoria Wikston, Niagara Falls Tourism has plans to showcase and position Niagara Falls on a global scale through the implementation of 12 key sales objectives for 2012.
Niagara Falls Tourism will promote member organizations during targeted sales calls alongside the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC) and Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) as well as key industry tradeshows such as Rendez-vous Canada, Bienvenue Quebec, American Bus Association and FOCUS Canada Showcases.
(Submitted by Niagara Falls Tourism)
Do the Drummond Commission’s deficit-slashing recommendations go to far?
Here are the results of last week’s reader survey:
QUESTION: What should the provincial government do with Casino Niagara?
Update it and make it more attractive – 55 votes – 27%;
Close it. One casino is enough – 51 votes – 25%;
Leave it alone. We need the jobs – votes 51 – 25%;
I have better things to worry about – 26 votes – 13%;
I’m opposed to casino gambling – 20 votes – 10%.
Greater Fort Erie Chamber of Commerce offers high school bursaries
FORT ERIE – In keeping with its mandate to provide business opportunity and representation in the area of education, The Greater Fort Erie Chamber of Commerce is offering money to local Grade 12 students who plan to attend college or university this fall.
Four bursary awards of $500 each are up for grabs to local students who wish to pursue a post-secondary education but require financial assistance to meet their education costs.
Students are asked to fill out an application form and submit documentation to verify their financial need.
“Today’s students are tomorrow’s entrepreneurs, and the Greater Fort Erie Chamber of Commerce is pleased to provide some financial relief as they attempt to further their education,” said Karen Audet, operations manager.
“We’re hopeful that the recipients of our bursaries, on completing their academic careers, become responsible ambassadors of civic and social pride in the business community.”
To be eligible for a bursary, applicants must be a resident of the Greater Fort Erie area who attend a local high school within the Niagara region.
All information collected will be kept in the strictest confidence and viewed only by the Greater Fort Erie Chamber of Commerce bursary selection committee.
Application forms can be picked up at the Chamber office, 660 Garrison Road, Unit 1, or can be downloaded from the Chamber’s website at www.forteriechamber.com.
Deadline for submitting the application is 4 p.m. on Friday, April 13.
Award recipients will be announced in June and presented at a special brunch ceremony in the summer.
For more information, contact the Chamber at 905-871-3803.
(Submitted by the Greater Fort Erie Chamber of Commerce)
Region seeks feedback on proposed economic development model
NIAGARA – Niagara Region wants to know what the community thinks of the proposed new model for Regional economic development.
Under the new model, responsibility for the Regional economic development function would shift from the arms-length Niagara Economic Development Corporation to Niagara Region.
Activities would be undertaken by a small team of staff and contracted individuals with expertise in specific economic sectors.
Niagara Economic Development will be accountable to Regional council through the chief administrative officer.
“The new model is designed to bring a new, focused approach to the goal of creating jobs,” said Gary Burroughs, regional chairman. “We believe the new model will improve our ability to support existing small and medium-sized businesses as well as attract new investment to the Region.”
The new model would bring new expertise and emphasis on specific economic sectors with potential for job creation and growth. It also addresses the need for increased collaboration among all economic development stakeholders, and would allow Niagara to better respond to economic trends and emerging opportunities.
Under the model, accountability for regional economic development would ultimately rest with regional council, which oversees all regional operations.
Niagara Economic Development would be guided by a volunteer advisory board composed of representatives from stakeholder groups, including businesses, education, municipal partners and other community leaders. It will work together with community partners to support the three major components of economic development:
- Attract investment from outside Niagara
- Retain and expand existing businesses
- Support start-up of new business
Residents are invited to learn more about the new model and provide feedback by visiting http://www.niagararegion.ca/government/economic-development.aspx.
(Submitted by Niagara Region)
Fleet Canada sponsors aviation industry forum in British Columbia
FORT ERIE – Fleet Canada Inc. has announced its sponsorship of the de Havilland All Operators Forum being hosted by Viking Air of Sidney, B.C. from April 17 -19.
Fleet Canada is proud to be a major supplier to Viking Air on the highly successful Twin Otter program. A large number of de Havilland aircraft will be on display at the Victoria International Airport (YYJ) along side the newest Series 400 Twin Otters, fresh off the production line.
Glenn Stansfield, President and C.E.O. of Fleet Canada summed up the importance of the Forum: “The Twin Otter is a true iconic aircraft and is known as being tough and efficient in the harshest climates around the world. We at Fleet Canada are proud of our association with Viking Air and look forward to spending time with those who also love and rely on these aircraft.”
Fleet Canada Inc. opened in 2006 as a private, employee-owned company and began producing parts for Viking Air on the Twin Otter program in 2007. This allowed Fleet to continue its association with this storied brand. Fleet has been producing parts for a variety of de Havilland Aircraft since the 1960’s.
For more information of the on the de Havilland All Operators Forum and the new Series 400 Twin Otters please go to www.vikingair.ca. For those planning to attend the Forum please take the time and drop by the Fleet Canada booth at the Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney, B.C.
(Submitted by Fleet Canada Inc.)
