By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Western New York would become a Mecca for amateur sports and African American tourism under a new five-year strategic plan unveiled Thursday by the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors.
The Buffalo Niagara region might not be attracting the big corporate convention business. But officials at the CVB said they can target some niche markets that are already working for them.
Amateur sporting events have become one of the biggest local tourism draws. Richard Geiger is president of the CVB. He said the CVB is establishing an amateur sports foundation to pull in even more of the lucrative market.
He said they also will work to capitalize on other tourism business where they already have gained momentum. Top areas highlighted in the plan include African American, architectural and cultural tourism.
Volunteers are being asked to help by participating in the revamped ambassador program and a new concierge program. Jennifer Parker is chair of the CVB board. She said people need to start spreading the word about what a great region this is for tourism.
But Erie County Executive Chris Collins said they should be spreading that message in a language visitors can understand.
He said signage at airports and other public places, and menus at restaurants should say we want your business - in a variety of international languages.
"It's basic marketing, but it's marketing we have not been doing," said Collins.
The CVB plan also targets so-called "green meetings" convention business and the business of companies that are looking for convention bargains in tough economic times.
Click the audio player above to hear Joyce Kryszak's story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.