Promoters to put their best digital foot forward
gregg.chamberlain@eap.on.ca
impressive.
Market “branding” was a topic that most
Science and Technology,” he said, “more
Build a website and they will come. Or
“Probably 60 per cent of our business now
of the guest speakers hammered on during
people visit those places on an annual basis
make friends with the world through
comes from people checking our website.”
this year’s annual general meeting of the
than attend the Vancouver Canucks, the
Facebook and Twitter and watch the
Ottawa Tourism has a two-prong approach
Prescott-Russell Tourism Association
Calgary Flames, the Toronto Maple Leafs, or
tourism spinoff dollars roll in.
now in its current digital marketing strategy.
(PRTA). That and target focus for
the Montréal Canadiens games.”
That is the thinking of a special rural
It has set up its own Facebook page and is
promotional campaigns.
Buckley observed one potential
subcommittee of the Ottawa Tourism group.
looking at establishing itself on Twitter and
“Branding is something that is very
recreational tourism market waiting for the
Peter Blais, one of the representatives for
other social network sites. Blais noted that
important,” said Sylvain Lauzon, executive
combined efforts of Ottawa Tourism and
the Prescott-Russell Tourism Association
the PRTA is also looking at following suit by
vice-president for Calypso Park. “It really
Prescott-Russell to tap.
(PRTA) on the subcommittee, explained
the end of the year.
does make a difference.”
“One thing I noticed travelling through
that Internet websites and maintaining a
“What we’ve got to do is organize it (social
Lauzon noted that from the start when
the area is all the dedicated infrastructure
digital presence on the many social
network pages) in such a way that tourism
Québec-based Valcartier Vacation Village
(trails) for cycling,” he said. “We think there
networking sites that exist now may be a
operators feed us content,” he said. “It has to
launched the Ontario-extension of its
is a real opportunity here.”
key part of any future marketing strategy
be a ‘living’ application.”
successful recreational water park
If Ottawa and Prescott-Russell can connect
for the tourism industry.
The other arm of Ottawa Tourism’s digital
development, the company’s strategy
the urban and rural trailways into one
“Absolutely,” he said. “We think it’s a
marketing plan this year is to hire a
focused on creating a specific theme for
gigantic recreational cycling route, Buckley
step forward for people in the small business
professional blogger to go travelling around
Calypso Park that presented a family-fun
sees huge potential for tapping the “Golden
section of tourism.”
the region, exploring all the activities and
image it could present to its main target
Triangle” market of cyclists from Montréal
Blais noted that Ottawa Tourism has
special events that go on around the Ottawa
market: Ottawa.
and Toronto and places in between. He noted
taken a further step of creating its own
area and the neighbouring rural counties,
“For us, the Ottawa market is a priority,”
that VIA Rail has reinstated baggage cars on
digital app for downloading into
and then writing about them and posting
Lauzon said, adding that Montréal is the
its train routes between Ottawa and those
smartphones, Blackberries, Palm Pilots, and
pictures on a weblog (blog) that has a high
other chief marketing focus for Calypso,
two cities. “And these baggage cars can
other personal digital assistant (PDA)
electronic readership.
with upper New York state “also important
become ‘bike’ cars for cyclists.”
devices that will provide fast access to the
“We may see this in place by July or
to us” as it becomes a very strong third
agency’s own site and links.
August,” Blais said. “It’s going to be someone
market focus.
EVENTS
“It seems the (tourism) marketplace has
who informs themselves about what there is.
The success of Calypso’s strategy, Lauzon
become very mobile with the smartphone,”
These people (professional bloggers) have a
noted, shows in the greater-than-projected
Community Breakfast
Blais said.
good idea of what piques people’s interest.”
visitor numbers during the first year of
A breakfast in aid of the Intégra Services
He noted that his own Bourget Spa Centre
operation. This, he added, is encouraging
“Mark of Success”
for Children and Adults will be organized
operation depends more now on digital
Creating a unique image that sticks in the
as the company plans for the next phase of
by the Knights of Columbus Council # 9952
marketing. The spa centre’s website went
minds of visitors is a major part of a successful
its Limoges water park development, which
May 15 at St-Alphonse-de-Liguori Church,
up three years ago and the results have been
tourism development campaign.
involves expansion of the campaground
470 Main St., Hawkesbury, from 8:30 a.m.
area to encourage and accommodate longer
to 12:30 p.m. Parking is available at École
stays for visitors.
Homards chauds et froids SOUPER HOMARD Fesse de boeuf et buffet à volonté Le samedi 28 mai 2011 COLLÈGE D’ALFRED À 18 h 30
Paul VI. For information, call Daniel
Calypo’s market branding strategy fits
Léveillée at 613-632-8469.
in well with the efforts of Ottawa Tourism
Beans, Macaroni And Meat
to create more concrete images in the minds
The Plantagenet Lions Club and the St-
of potential visitors that will encourage them
Paul Project will host a beans and macaroni
to consider Eastern Ontario in general and
meat supper May 13 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
the National Capital Region (NCR) in
at the Plantagenet community centre.
particular for their next vacation destination.
Ami de la jeunesse
Adults $10, children (under 12) $5. Tickets,
Building a strong tourism sector as part of
Serge Lalonde (613-673-5186).
the regional economy, noted Noel Buckley,
Bazaar
Billets vendus à l’avance seulement. Appelez Michel au 613 679-2534. 80 $ par personne
Ottawa Tourism president, demands more
A bazaar will be held May 21 and 22
than just building hotels and restaurants.
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Larocque Park,
“Development isn’t only bricks-and-
Alfred, to raise money for the Alfred Canada
mortar,” Buckley said. “It’s also ‘soft
Day Committee. Spaces for the giant garage
development’, with events and programs.”
sale can be rented at $15 each. (Bring your
Acting on recommendations in a recent
tables and chairs.) First come, first served.
report, the provincial tourism ministry
If you have items to donate, bring them to
decided to create 13 primary “tourism
the Canada Day table. Contact Committee
regional organizations” (TRO) in Ontario.
President Geneviève Chatelain at 819-962-
Ottawa and Prescott-Russell were
8411
or
613-632-4117
or
amalgamated into TRO 10 and since then
feteducanadaalfred@live.ca.
Ottawa Tourism has made an effort to
Focus On Fitness
involve the PRTA in its strategic planning
The Canadian Mental Health
for the rural tourism sector of the region.
Association’s Oasis centre at 21 Nelson St.,
Buckley noted that Ottawa Tourism’s own
Hawkesbury, offers Focus on Fitness
studies indicate that arts, culture, and
AVIS/NOTICE Hockey mineur de Hawkesbury Inscription 2011-2012
programs, including visits to the gym at
heritage are bigger economic drivers for the
Club 352, Nintendo Wii, a walking club,
NCR than even major-league organized
presentations and healthy lunches. For
sports.
information, call Danika at 613-632-4924,
“The War Museum, the National Gallery,
extension 407.
the Museum of Civilization, the Museum of
lundi le 16 mai, 2011 de 18 h 30 à 20 h jeudi le 26 mai, 2011 18 h 30 à 20 h au Complex Sportif Bob Hartley Pour les frais, consultez notre site web: www.hawkesburyminorhockeyassociation.ca Dépôt de 100 $ est requis, ainsi qu’une série de chèques postdatés pour la balance. Aucun comptant. Après le 1 juin 2011, un frais de retard de 50 $ sera ajouté. *** Hawkesbury minor hockey Registration 2011-2012
Volunteers Needed
The Hawkesbury Meals On Wheels
program seeks two volunteers to deliver
CINÉMA
meals to elderly, handicapped and
convalescing people between 11:30 a.m.
and 12:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Call
Isabelle Lalonde at 613-632-0939 for more
information.
LAURENTIAN
Grenville (Qc) 819-242-3131
Faith Lifts Offered
CINEMA
Do you need a Faith Lift? Join the
ROY DUPUIS ALL MOVIE STARTING MAY 13
Riceville-Pendleton United Church for an
En français
L’INSTINCT DE LA MORT
inspirational worship service this Sunday.
For more information visit www.riceville-
pendletonunitedchurch.ca or call Margaret
613 524-5285 or Ray 613 673-2125.
Caregivers Workshops
AMI-Québec is offering a series of
Monday May 16, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday May 26, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
English-language telephone workshops to
FRI. & SAT. AT 7:30 SUN. & WEEKDAY AT 7:00 SUNDAY MATINEE AT 1:30
caregivers with family loved ones who are
dealing with mental illness. For information,
call
1- 866-396-2433
or
visit
At the Bob Hartley Sports Complex
www.careringvoice.com.
Help Victims
For list of fees, please visit our web site: www.hawkesburyminorhockeyassociation.ca $100 deposit required, with post dated checks for the balance. No cash accepted!
Do you have a strong desire to help
those in need? Join The VCARS Volunteer
Crisis Response Team. Prescott Russell
Victim Services is dedicated to assist police
www.cinemaclock.com Quebec Grenville FRI. & SAT. AT 7:15 SUN. & WEEKDAY AT 7:00 SUNDAY MATINEE AT 1:30
services in meeting the immediate short-
term needs of victims. For information,
A $50 late fee will be added after June 1, 2011.
contact the office at 1-877-632-7530 or by e-
mail at coordo@svsprescottrussell.ca.
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