Express_2011_05_13

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.

Made with FlippingBook Annual report