November 2011 Business Newsletter - Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Business News Update
C I T Y O F N I A G A R A F A L L S • B U S I N E S S
D E V E L O P M E N T
Tourism News • November 2011
Scotiabank Convention Centre
key anchor for tourism sector
Meeting & exhibition centre gaining momentum seven months after opening
The latest, and perhaps most critical addition
to Niagara’s large number of venues
and attractions, the Scotiabank Convention
Centre in Niagara Falls (SCCN) is helping
to bring more visitors, investment and employment
opportunities to Niagara.
The new state-of-the-art meeting, convention
and entertainment centre officially
opened its doors on April 8, 2011, just two
years after construction was started on the
$105-million facility. To mark this significant
event, the SCCN hosted an opening weekend
full of celebratory events that included
free admission to the centre’s first event,
the Greater Niagara Region Home and
Garden Show. The three-day event attracted
thousands of visitors who were eager to
experience Niagara’s newest attraction.
Seven months after its grand opening,
tourism industry stakeholders, government
officials, and community leaders continue
to hail the new facility as the start of a “new
era for Niagara,” noting that the SCCN is
putting Niagara on the map for the national
and international meetings, conference and
exhibitions industry.
Mayor Jim Diodati calls the new facility
“another piece of the puzzle”
to attracting people to Niagara.
“This is the way to turn seasonal
employment into year-round
opportunities,” he said noting
the significant wave of tourism
product development that has
been realized in Niagara Falls
over the past ten years.
“The Convention Centre
plays a major role in the further diversification
of our tourism experience. Targeting
the year-round convention, conference
and event markets will help fill hotel rooms
and local attractions outside of the tradi-
Seven months after opening, the Scotiabank Convention Centre is helping to bring new
jobs, visitors and investment to Niagara Falls.
tional tourism season,” said Serge Felicetti,
Business Development Director for the City
of Niagara Falls.
Construction of the 288,000 sq. ft.
convention facility started on
May 1, 2009 and progressed onschedule
and on-budget towards
the April 2011 opening date.
The SCCN is located on Stanley
Avenue in Niagara Falls, ON, a
mere 500 yards from the iconic
Niagara Falls. The Centre was
built by Bondfield Construction
and is a partnership among the
city, provincial and federal governments as
well as tourism operators in the Fallsview
and Victoria Avenue areas.
www.fallsconventions.com
Inside this issue
2 Convention Centre attracting diverse
events
3 Willodell Golf Course renovations
3 New investment opportunities focus of
China visit
4 City, Niagara Parks Commission reach
deal on Visitor Transportation System
4 GO Transit connects Niagara to GTA
5 Hotel renovations signal continued
investor confidence in Niagara Falls
5 War of 1812 Bicentennial Update
Business News Update
November 2011 • City of Niagara Falls Business Business Development News is published News by the City of Niagara Falls Community Services Department, Business Development
1
4310 Queen Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada L2E 6X5
Tel: (905) 356-7521 ext. 5000 • Fax: (905) 357-9293 www.niagarafalls.ca • bdd@niagarafalls.ca

Convention Centre attracting diverse events
Since opening its doors in April 2011, the Scotiabank Convention Centre has been attracting new visitors and investment to Niagara
Falls. The 288,000 sq. ft. facility has hosted a diverse range of events that include home and garden shows, cheerleading competitions,
bridal shows, industry trade shows, a food and wine expo, September 11 memorial services, and childrens’ performers.
1 2 3
4 5 6
1 - Celebrity Chef Anna Olson conducts a live cooking demonstration during the Greater Niagara Region Home & Garden Show;
2 - Vendors fill the exhibit hall at the Greater Niagara Region Home & Garden Show; 3 - Cheerleading teams register for the 2011
Cheer Evolution Competition; 4 - Niagara Food & Wine Expo; 5 - September 11 Memorial Service; 6 - The Backyardigans Search for
the Extra-Ordinary Aliens
Convention Centre a catalyst to economic growth and investment
• $93 million in new local expenditures annually (2/3 of these
expenditures will be outside the accommodation sector).
• Create 85 person years of on-site employment annually
(35 full-time, 100 part-time and seasonal jobs).
• Create 1,030 new person years of spin-off employment
locally.
• Contribute to $100 million in incremental private sector
capital projects around the facility.
• The Convention Centre will increase city-wide occupancy
levels 5% on a year round basis.
• Generate 514,000 additional visits each year, of which, 45%
will be new visitors to Niagara.
• Generate 173,00 new room night stays adding $22.6 million
of new room revenue annually. Over 70% of this new demand
will occur outside of the peak months of June, July and
August.
SCCN Upcoming Events:
• October 2011 - The Backyardigans’
Quest for the Extra Ordinary Alien
• November 2011 - Winter Festival of
Lights Concert Series
• December 2011 - Canadian Pool &
Spa Conference & Expo
• February 2012 - Ontario Fruit &
Vegetable Convention
• July 2012 - Niagara Motorcycle Show
SCCN Quick Links
Are you looking to book a meeting, convention or special event? Wondering what
employment opportunities are available? Does your business have a service to offer or
product to supply? Follow the quick links above, or visit www.fallsconventions.com to
learn about the new opportunities and offerings at the Scotiabank Convention Centre.
Event Bookings
Careers
Services & Suppliers
www.fallsconventions.com/booking.html
www.fallsconventions.com/careers.html
www.fallsconventions.com/facility-services-suppliers.html
November 2011 • City of Niagara Falls Business Development News 2

EXPLORING GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES
New investment
opportunities focus
of China visit
TOURISM INVESTMENT
Mayor Diodati addresses convention
delegates during China trade mission.
Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati recently
accepted an invitation from the Canadian
Chinese Business Association to travel to
China and speak about investment and
tourist opportunities in Niagara Falls. The
week-long trip in early September took
Mayor Diodati to the cities of Beijing,
Guangzhou, and Xiamen, China, where
he met with business leaders interested
in learning about Niagara Falls.
Mr. Diodati was also active as an
honoured guest at two large-scale trade
shows in China. In Guangzhou the mayor
addressed more than one thousand
delegates gathered to discuss and learn
about trade opportunities. During his
remarks, the mayor promoted Niagara
Falls’ competitive business advantages
and invited them to visit and invest in
Niagara Falls. His remarks were warmly
and enthusiastically received.
According to Mayor Diodati the trip
was a very positive experience. “Our
Chinese hosts were very welcoming and
we are so excited about the opportunities
that await for our city. The Chinese
are very interested in Niagara Falls,” said
Diodati.
The mayor was also joined by a two
person delegation from the City of
Niagara Falls that consisted of Chief
Administrative Officer, Ken Todd and
Business Development Director, Serge
Felicetti. Together, the team met with
various investors to discuss the positive
benefits of investing in Niagara Falls.
The exploratory trade mission
was paid for by the Chinese Business
Association.
A newly renovated clubhouse and patio lounge are part of a $4 million investment by
the new owners of Willodell Golf and Country Club.
Willodell Golf and Country Club
completes $4 million renovation
The 2011 golf season was a time for celebration
at one of Niagara's premier golf
courses. Willodell Golf and Country Club,
located at 10325 Willodell Rd. in Niagara
Falls, has competed a $4 million renovation
following its change in ownership in late
2010. New owners Domenic Gurreri, Frank
Fazzari and Frank Rocchett have moved
quickly on their commitment to create a
facility that's not only great for golf, but
a place where all Niagarans can come to
celebrate life's special events.
On April 17, 2011 more than 350 people
celebrated the completion of a total renovation
to the golf course's clubhouse facility.
Willodell now includes a full-service dining
room, bar area, outdoor barbeque, snack
bar and on-course beverage cart service.
On September 23, 2011 the golf and country
club officially marked the opening of the
new Patio Lounge, adding yet another upgrade
to the facility.
The course was originally established
in 1964 on the location of the Dell family
farm and named Willodell Golf and
Country Club. In recent years it had
become known as The Links of Niagara.
However, the new owners, in an effort
re-capture and build upon the course's rich
history decided to bring back the original
name of Willodell Golf and Country Club.
Situated on 180 acres of pristine Niagara
countryside, Willodell offers a challenging
test of golf, no matter one's skills. The
semi-private facility includes a driving
range, short-game range, putting greens,
and chipping and bunker practice areas.
Willodell's new ownership partners also
own the Baymont Inn & Suites, 5324 Ferry
Street in Niagara Falls.
www.willodellgolfclub.com
New Entertainment Centre proposed
Falls Management Company (FMC), which
operates Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino
Niagara, recently commissioned Deloitte to
conduct a detailed analysis on the feasibility
of a new 7,000 seat Entertainment
Centre in Niagara Falls. Deloitte concluded
that not only is the project viable, it would
result in significant economic benefits for
the Niagara region, including creating jobs,
and boosting tourism length of stays and
revenues for both business and government.
According to the Deloitte study, a new
Entertainment Centre could attract 1.15
million new annual visitors to Niagara. The
direct and indirect economic impact of its
construction is estimated at $311 million,
with 2,370 construction jobs being created.
Once operational the Entertainment Centre
would create 2,370 direct and 480 indirect
jobs and is expected to help boost hotel
room occupancy by 7% annually, providing
224,000 additional room nights year-round.
The Entertainment Centre is forecast to
generate more than $115.3 million annually
in new revenue for various levels of government.
The City of Niagara Falls would
receive $2.67 million annually in property
tax revenue from the centre.
In addition to the Deloitte research,
independent polling has shown that entertainment
is a key driver to motivate U.S.
visitors to cross the border, who’s visits have
declined significantly over the past several
years.
November 2011 • City of Niagara Falls Business Development News 3

VISITOR TRANSPORATION SYSTEM
City, Niagara Parks Commission reach deal on
new Visitor Transportation System
Canadian manufacturer Nova Bus was selected through an RFP process to be the preferred supplier of 20 articulated buses
and seven standard buses for Niagara Falls’ new Visitor Transportation System.
The City of Niagara Falls and The Niagara
Parks Commission (NPC) recently announced
the approval of a 10-year agreement
to develop an integrated Visitor
Transportation System (VTS) that will
improve transportation and attract more
visitors to the area.
The key objective of the VTS is to provide
a seamless connection between tourist
areas and attractions within the City
and the Parks, while providing visitors with
a convenient way to experience the destination.
The $50 million rubber tire bus
system will be funded by the Government
of Canada and the Province of Ontario $25
million respectively.
“This is an exciting day for Niagara
Falls,” stated Niagara Falls Mayor Jim
Diodati. “We will finally be able to offer
the visitor a transportation experience that
guests to our City deserve. We offer our
great thanks to the Province of Ontario
and Government of Canada for their significant
investments and their confidence
in the world’s most famous address. Our
tourism industry has stood solidly behind
this project and we are grateful for their
outstanding support.”
“From this point forward, we will be
proud to invite visitors onto a seamless,
efficient transportation system that will
enhance their experience of Niagara Falls,
while at the same time, helping to eliminate
congestion and pollution,” Diodati stated.
“The VTS will extend the boundaries of the
tourist area to service many attractions,
restaurants, accommodations, and shopping
districts for our guests. I call it a giant
win for the destination!”
With a final agreement now in place,
the funding and eventual realization of this
most important tourism initiative will now
proceed.
The Visitor Transportation System will
include three routes. Two of which will run
throughout the tourism districts within
the city and be known as the Red and Blue
Lines. Both of these lines will be owned,
operated and maintained by the City of
Niagara Falls. The Red and Blue Lines will
connect with the third Line, known as
the Green Line which the Niagara Parks
Commission will manage, operate, and
maintain. The Green Line will run seasonally
according to NPC schedule. The City
will run the Red and Blue lines into the NPC
hubs throughout the year, but schedule and
frequency will be seasonally adjusted.
Retail tickets will be sold for $10.00
per person and will be valid for 48hrs/
two consecutive days. Ticket kiosks will
be established along routes, with potential
for other outlets being introduced by the
City or NPC. Kiosks will also be installed
at the VIA/GO Station on Bridge Street
in Niagara Falls and at Union Station in
Toronto.
Canadian manufacturer Nova Bus has
been selected as the preferred supplier
of 20 articulated business and 7 standard
buses. The decision was made following
an extensive RFP process.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
GO Transit connects Niagara to GTA
GO Transit once again offered weekend
rail service between Toronto and Niagara
Falls during the summer tourism season.
Weekend train trips ran Fridays, Saturdays
and Sundays between the Victoria Day
weekend in May and Thanksgiving weekend
in October.
The popular Niagara-Toronto tourism
service, just finishing its third season,
is helping Niagara communities build a
case to bring daily commuter rail service
between Niagara Falls and Toronto’s Union
Station. City of Niagara Falls officials continue
to work with GO Transit in an effort
to make daily commuter train service to
Toronto a year-round occurrence.
Daily GO Bus service between Niagara
Falls and Toronto, introduced in 2010, continues
to be a popular choice for commuters
interested in a more environmentallyfriendly
way to travel between Niagara and
the Greater Toronto Area.
www.gotransit.com
GO Transit (GO Train and GO Bus) are
proving to be popular transporation links
between Niagara Falls and Toronto.
November 2011 • City of Niagara Falls Business Development News 4

HOTEL & ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotel renovations and expansions signal
continued investor confidence in Niagara Falls
1
New developments including the opening
of the Scotiabank Convention Centre,
the 15-year lease extension for Casino
Niagara, and the proposed 7,000-
seat Entertainment Centre continue to
strengthen investor confidence in Niagara
Falls as a premier tourism destination.
Nowhere is this confidence more apparent
than in the area’s accommodation sector
where brand name hotels continue to
undergo renovations and expansions.
Fallsview Inn to become a Wyndham Hotel
The expansion of the former Fallsview
Inn at 6170 Stanley Ave. continues. The
existing 5-storey hotel is currently undergoing
a $7.5 million expansion that once
completed, will see the addition of 4 more
storeys, resulting in a 9-storey, 152-suite
property. The new hotel will operate under
the Wyndham brand.
Marriott Gateway on the Falls
Canadian Niagara Hotels has invested
$15 million to renovate the 32-storey,
407-room, Marriott Gateway on the Falls
so that it can capture new business expected
from the newly opened Scotiabank
Convention Centre. The Marriott Gateway
(formerly Sheraton Fallsview) is located at
6755 Fallsview Blvd.
Radisson Hotel & Suites Fallsview
The 15-storey, 232-room Radisson Hotel
& Suites Fallsview at 6733 Fallsview Blvd.
celebrated the completion of a multimillion
dollar renovation earlier this year.
The natural beauty of the Niagara region
served as the inspiration for the hotel’s
new design, which included a redesigned
lobby area and completely refurbished
rooms and suites featuring brand new
furniture, bedding and window treatments,
and 37” flat panel TVs.
2
3
1 - $7.5 million renovation is underway at the
Fallsview Inn, 6170 Stanley Ave.
2 - $15 million renovation to the Marriott
Gateway on the Falls, 6755 Fallsview Ave.
3 - Radisson Hotel & Suites Fallsview, 6377
Fallsview Blvd. completed extensive
renovations in early 2011.
SPECIAL EVENTS
War of 1812 Bicentennial update
As celebrations for the bicentennial of
the war of 1812 draw near, promotional
efforts aimed at creating awareness of
the celebrations are increasing. Several
events commemorating the anniversary
are being planned in and around Niagara
Falls between 2012 and 2014. The grand
opening of the new Niagara Falls History
Museum on Lundy’s Lane will be one
of the Signature 2012 Canadian events.
The museum will host a permanent 1812
Exhibit showing what the city of Niagara
Falls went through during the War of
1812. Local media production company
DA Media Group has developed a highimpact
‘trailer’ video to help celebrate
the July 2012 opening of the new History
Museum. The 30-second trailer video can
be viewed online at www.niagarafalls.ca/
living/museums
DA Media Group of Niagara Falls has
created an innovative 30-second video
promoting the July 2012 opening of the
new Niagara Falls History Museum.
November 2011 • City of Niagara Falls Business Development News 5