Pictures from New York Event

Here are some pictures from my New York experience. My personal highlight was seeing Angela Lansbury in "A Little Night Music" at the Walter Kerr Theatre. But they didn't allow pictures!

I couldn't visit New York without seeing the Statue of Liberty.

The Cape Breton Island Nava Scotia's Masterpiece.

Linda Kennedy of Point of View Suites, a Cape Breton masterpiece!

Last but not least, Dan Coffin of the Celtic Heart of North America Association in Times Square.

New York Clipper Event

On June 3, a 14 member delegation, put together by invitation from ECBC and made up of representatives from the tourism and seafood industries, flew to New York as part of Clipper Around the World Race 09/10 to attend a trade show and gala dinner with representatives of the New York tourism, trade and media industries, which took place at the Roosevelt Hotel.
During the show, many questions were asked about the Island, from the size of Cape Breton and Nova Scotia to the length of the Cabot Trail. When would the best time to come to Cape Breton, languages spoken, population, ethnic makeup, weather, most requested sites to see, our music and festivals, what was so special about the island that made it so popular.
During the gala members of the delegation were seated at guests' tables to answer any questions that might come up during the evening concerning Cape Breton. As the evening went on you could feel the amount of interest in our island rising. In between courses guests viewed visual presentations of Cape Breton's majestic coastline and mountains, its rivers and ocean, its outdoor activities and wildlife, it's culture and music, it's festivals, mouthwatering cuisine and spectacular scenic travel ways and most important it's people. The visuals showcased the island's beauty to those in attendance and the experiences that await them when they come. By the end of the presentation, guests were definitely impressed by what they saw and came away understanding why Cape Breton Island has been receiving such rave reviews.
Speakers for the evening program included ECBC's Shelly Kehoe, Director General Commercial Development of Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, who gave an overview of Cape Breton Island, Senator Michael MacDonald and Consul General Daniel Sullivan who both spoke on Cape Breton Island. DCBA's CEO Mary Tulle gave a Cape Breton tourism message on the exciting happenings in Cape Breton Tourism and why the island is the number one island travel destination in North America. Tulle offered a personal invitation to all those in attendance to visit and see what the excitement is about. Tempest Restaurant Chef Michael Howell gave an introduction of the menu and Wine Pairing for the amazing 6 Course meal made up of Nova Scotia wines and cuisine, featuring mainly Cape Breton lobster. Glen Graham and Troy MacGillivray provided entertainment and guests were invited to join a square set to every ones enjoyment. Gift bags with a music CD and information were presented at the end of the evening.
During our time in New York the Cape Breton delegates worked hard to make contacts for the industry and created ties and increase awareness of Cape Breton, with Cathy MacKenzie and Mary Tulle visiting the sets of Regis and Kelly and the Today show, and Terry Burns of Golf Cape Breton who very skillfully got the Cape Breton Clipper logo televised to thousands of TV sports viewers at a baseball game.
During a scheduled sail on the Cape Breton Island clipper our delegates networked with their New York colleagues, while I focused on the everyday tourist who came out to see the clippers at dockside. The interest in the sailing race and where the yachts were from soon turned into discussions about where Cape Breton Island is and what happens there and how far away it is. From the large number of people I spoke to during the course of the afternoon, many relayed the impression that they were genuinely interested in visiting Cape Breton and interested in receiving more information on traveling to the island. During a conversation with one young yachtsman from the California, he said he was amazed at the amount of support shown to the Cape Breton yacht crew at every port by delegates from Cape Breton, and the friendliness extended to all the crew by Cape Bretoners. At the end of the day we all came away with a feeling of a job well done and hopefully we will see many of the people we spoke to travelling through Cape Breton in the near future.
Members from the Cape Breton delegation included DCBA CEO Mary Tulle and myself from VIC Services, Dan Coffin of Celtic Heart of North America, Linda Kennedy, Beggars Banquet Louisbourg, Bernadette MacNeil Sydney's Port Corporation, Germaine LeMoine Parks Canada, Terry Burns and Ian McNeil of Golf Cape Breton, Fortress of Louisbourg Volunteer Association's Michelle Lahey and David Cann and entertainers Glen Graham and Troy MacGillivray and the organizing representatives Shelly Kehoe and Cathy MacKenzie Tourism Development Officer, of Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation.

Tourism in Richmond County

The Visitor Center in St. Peter’s has been open for 2 weeks and already we are seeing visitors from all over the world. A couple from Virginia were totally impressed by the Fortress of Louisbourg. They said they had visited Williamsburg in Virginia and by far Louisbourg surpassed it. The presentation by the Fortress was spectacular. That seems to be a consensus with most of the visitors who have stopped at the VIC after visiting the Fortress; totally amazed. Even the rain weather some experienced didn’t seem to dampen their opinion.
St. Peter’s again has historic walking tours taking place at 10:30am and 2pm daily starting at the St. Peter’s Look-off on Denys Street. Visitors wishing to experience the history of the St. Peter’s Canal and get some great photo ops will really enjoy the first portion of the tour. The tour guides will then lead visitors back into history with a stop at the Nicholas Denys Museum where they will find out about the life and times of the founding father of St. Peter’s.
Visitors to Richmond will be happy to hear that The Wallace MacAskill Museum will be open for visitors starting on July 1st, and antique buffs will be happy to hear that Chestnut Hill Antiques in St. Peter’s is open for another season.
Of course there are lots of great things planned for the summer. Visitors can dust of their dancing shoes and head for the United Church Hall in St. Peters for an old time square dance starting at 6:30pm on Mondays. If you feel a little rusty, not to worry, there will be a half hour instruction given before the dance begins. Wednesday and Thursday evening visitors will be able to take in one of the very popular Summer Ceilidhs at the Bras d’Or Lakes Inn starting at 7pm. The Wednesday night Ceilidh is an adult ceilidh, for 19years and older, the Thursday night Ceilidh is family night, adults $8.00 children $5.00. The ever popular Kitchen Racket will run on Sunday afternoons at the Bras d’Or Lakes Inn from 2-5pm, bring your own instrument and join in the fun. There is no admission fee, food and beverages will be available.
All summer long the Dundee Resort will be offering live music at the MacRae’s Dining room from Sunday-Thursday at 6pm and at Chanter’s Pub on Friday and Saturday nights. Check at Dundee Golf Club for some great golf specials.
Visitors who are looking for some great shopping experiences must check out MacIsaac Kilt Makers, Mac’s Celtic Shop, Glad Tidings the Christmas Shoppe and Lynn’s Flowers and Gifts as well as the small gift boutique at the Bras d’Or Lakes Inn in St. Peter’s. On Isle Madame a must stop is at the gift boutique at Centre La Picasse.
All surf lovers will be happy to hear that the surf program at Point Micheau under the direction of Michelle Richards will begin on July 1st, come into the VIC for information on the program or check a copy of Richmond Reflections for details. Great news for beach goers this summer, there will be a lifeguard on duty at Point Micheau Beach.
The Destination Richmond Tourism Cooperative has hired two local student musicians to perform this summer as part of Music on the Heritage Coast program. The musicians are available to entertain at functions throughout Richmond such as restaurants, festivals and events, and historic sites; at no cost to the operator. Members are now able to book lively entertainment that will definitely add to the visitor’s experience.
This is a great new tourism feature, developed by Destination Richmond Tourism Cooperative, which accomplishes some very important goals. First to add to the Richmond’s tourism product and enhances the visitors experience. The program will give visitors a chance to interact with locals and entertainers at tourism events, providing an authentic cultural and musical experience, while providing employment for our young artists and developing their performance skills and stage presence.
If you are a member of DRTC and would like to book a musician for a special event or appearance and showcase our local talent and culture, please contact Charlene Marshall at 1-902-226-3983 or by email at cmarshall@richmondcounty.ca.
At Destination Richmond’s Annual General Meeting, the tourism cooperative made it even easier to become a part of our tourism industry. The Cooperative introduced a new membership fee. For all those who hold a prior membership with the association the fee is now $25.00 per year, which entitles the member to all the benefits that existed with the previous membership amount. If you have not been a member of Destination Richmond Tourism Cooperative before but you would like to join, there is a one time only share cost of $100.00 plus your $25.00 membership fee. If you wish to renew your membership or become a new member for 2010-11 and be part of this exciting program, please contact Charlene at 902-226-3983 or by email at cmarshall@richmondcounty.ca
Until next week, have fun.

Welcome to the Spotlight

Welcome to my new blog spotlighting the very best in Cape Breton tourism news and reviews.