UPDATE: Tourism and Development Should Be Downtown
Here’s a new cause that I hope to recruit people to. Lets make it an election issue. Petition is below
http://www.petitiononline.com/wincore/
A bid is out (see previous post) to relocate the Tourism Board and the Windsor Essex Development Commission. There is a rumour that there is a push to locate this by the Airport when it is painfully obvious that these agencies belong Downtown Windsor.
Sure the County is an integral part of both organizations, but a downtown location would put these organizations adjacent to the largest concentration of the elements that they are promoting or trying to recruit
Positions
- Tourism and Development should be located Downtown where Visibility is higher, adjacent to border, near all news outlets
- The Windsor Airport is not an appropriate location
- Any Tourism or WEDC board member who is also on the Airport board needs to declare a conflict of interest
- Downtown Tourism location puts it next to Casino, Arena, Riverfront, U.S. Border, Arts, Museums, Symphony, Hospitality, Convention Center
- Locating WEDC downtown puts it next to Financial center, Majority of vacant Office space, U.S. Border, University/ College, Creative Class residents
Now of course the other BIA’s are equally as important as Downtown but you have to ask, locating this by the Airport doesn’t just keep it out of downtown, it keeps these organizations away from all of the BIA’s
What is tourism without Willistead Manor, all the heritage buildings in located in Sandwich. Away from the Tunnel and The Bridge.
What is Tourism away from Via Italia. Away from the Symphony, the Art Gallery, the Convention center, the Arena. How many restaurants are bounded by Walker Road, Huron Line, Erie street and Riverside Drive. Thats Tourism.
Now of course there are an amazing amount of important tourism sites in the county that are no less special. The only difference is the fact that the largest concentration of these are in the Downtown Core.
As for Development, what is the Development Commission without our Educational Institutions? Why would you not want to locate near both of these institutions. Institutions that are already making downtown campus’ expansion a priority.
Now if these boards locate in the core and are adjacent to downtown, that is still infinitely better than being out by the airport where you involve some vacant industrial land. Windsor is not going to attract development and tourism with vacant industrial land, it will do it by telling our story. The story of who we are, who we want to be and that story starts and ends in core.
Tourism and Economic Development needs to be in the heart of the city where those we are trying to attract can feel our pulse.
Post Feedback
No argument Mark. Even the management from the development and Tourism offices are on board with you.
Think about this: How many people are going to go out of their way to visit the airport to get information about local winerys? How many birders are going to stop in to the airport to get directions and maps? Does anyone think that the back and forth commuters to T.O. or possibly Calgary care about stopping in? Naw they don’t care one bit. They just want to get to work and then get back home again. How much visbility will these offfices get if they are parked at the airport. None. Nada. Zip. At least no more than they would get with a simple satellite bill board. This exercise is all about making the airport to look viable. Unfortunately it doesn’t do the offices in question any good just as the WFCU Center doesn’t do the downtown core any good. Lets not talk about all of the community rinks that were abandoned to make that happen. The bottom line for anybody who needs to think about it:
TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT HAVE TO BE DOWNTOWN!
Thank you M.O.M. this isn’t about me, its about doing the right thing.
There is a flawed criteria in the tendering process that calls for I think 40-60 on site parking spaces. That makes no sense in a downtown that has an abundance of city owned parking garage spaces.
Downtown locations should not require on site parking although there are several sites that can accomodate that unreasonable requirement. I’ve been to umpteen meetings at the current tourism office and parking was never a problem.
I think at least one candidate is already raising this an election issue, hopefully they push it into the media’s eye.
I have already written the WEDC about this issue, and hopefully others will too.
I can tell you right now that these two bodies have no intention of moving to the airport and are planning accordingly.
How can u be so sure m.o.m.
I find it concerning that this tender has been hardly publicized and that it’s timing does not allow for proper debate.
Where, oh where is the chamber of commerce in all this? Or are they too busy planning their next breakfast/luncheon? You’d think they would want to be in the same bldg.
Inside track. Question is how autonomous are they? We’ll see.
In actuality I don’t agree that the tourism board has to be in downtown Windsor. The arguements for it beibng at an airport are pretty valid since a majority of “tourists” are using this transportation.
For that matter it can also be in the bus terminal, or it can be located in any tourist destination.
In this age of internet and computing, making a tourism board physically visible has no real purpose, unless there is a study that proves tourism increases with physical sights like the Ontario Tourism stops.
That being said, we can only relate to this decision being a political one and nothing else.
The tourism board has no cash, no budget, and is told where to locate.
Debating the tourism boards location is futile and will not produce any significant edge on tourism.
What we do have to consider is why they don’t support local tourism initiatives, yet spend huge amounts of time on Red Bull. Chris himself spent a lot of time last year and will spend a lot of time this year dedicated to Red Bull tourism that will only be open for less than one week.
Add in all the time and money spent by the city on Red Bull and it closes out the local talent, of whom will still be here when Red Bull has moved on.
So if they want to move it to the airport or another location, then fine, however, let the powers that be justify with numbers why it is beneficial to the city and Essex County, other than political terms.
Rent is cheaper outside of Windsor.
Your thoughts about tourists coming in by air is quite baffling to say the least
First off the Economic Development means attracting talent to this area. If you want to attract talent you need to promote your community. No one with any talent will move here because of the Costco Badlands. They’ll move here because of our Riverfront Park, Symphony, cultural identity.
But you are right, visibility is an issue and having it properly located in a prominent downtown location vs buries in the back of a Hotel is tremendous.
Tourism isn’t just point of arrival, there is no greater cluster of Tourism draws than in the core. From Walkerville to Sandwich to Downtown. Arts and Culture, Casino, arena and Convention. The Riverfront Park, Art Gallery, Museums. New Train Station in Walkerville
Arrival by Bus, Train and Car will always trump arrivals by air which are mostly windsorites on return air fares.
Having tourism located next to almost every major media outlet is important too. Do you know how many times I get last minute interviewed simply because I’m across the street from the A Channel!!!
In London Ontario, these offices would not even be permitted outside of the downtown. THEY GET IT!!!
Economic Development is tied to our educational institutions, why not be near there
My comment about tourists arriving via the airport was more tongue in cheek than a visual fact.
My notion is the airport needs cash and what better way than to politically force it to make money.
Also is the mandate of the new Tourism board to greet tourists or to advertise the area?
The function is key and not visual perception.
Tourism booths deal with people which is a good thing.
Tourism boards promote the destinations and work to attract.
kdduck, I don’t believe there are too many “tourists” coming to Windsor via the airport.
According to the commision the vast majority of “tourists” come via car. With the majority coming through the tunnel as they are from Michigan.
I agree with Dave. Tourists are not arriving in Windsor by air. Definitely by car, maybe by train but not by air.
I disagree with kdduck about the validity of tourism booths. As a very experienced traveller, my first destination in a new place be it Boise, Idaho or Paris, France is the tourist office. They have free maps, people with knowledge about the community, schedules of local events (concerts, shows, exhibitions) and often discounts for hotels, events, restaurants, etc.
Whether Tourism Windsor Essex is providing that stuff is a good question but a different one to where they should be located. Locating HQ at the airport is neither here nor there as long as there is at least a satellite near where the tourists are which is Downtown.
After reading these complaint-posts for days about the location of the tourism and WEEDC offices - and seeing how much of a following-influence these bloggers have on poor Windsorites - I finally have to agree with the kkduck and Margaret, that the location of the tourism office is neither here nor there. No one knows where they’re located now, and they are basically unseen. Their sign (located right across the street from the bus depot) goes unnoticed 99% of the time. And let’s not kid ourselves - the only reason people from Michigan cross the border is to visit the casino. They not interested in what our county can offer, when they have an abundance of outdoor entertainment across their state. If tourists are coming in by car, they are going to be - more often than not - from Canada. That being said, wouldn’t it make more sense to locate the tourism office at the most trafficked, 401 exit ramp service station, on the *outskirts* of the city?
And let’s not forget the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation (no longer the WEDC, but the WEEDC). While their purpose is that of any economic corporation (attraction, retention), I’m not sure of their real point of being located downtown at all, even having a satellite office. The WEEDC works with larger companies, either bringing them in or helping them expand. Companies that are established in Windsor could not care less where the WEEDC is located. Companies that are coming in are not going to reprimand the WEEDC for not being located downtown, especially when these larger companies are looking for larger buildings to locate their business, which will NOT be in the heart of downtown.
The building managers of the tourism and WEEDC’s current location are hard at work trying to keep the offices where they are. But what about the welfare of the staff? You come down so hard on them saying they should do this and that for this city/county. If you’ve ever visited either the tourism office or the WEEDC, you will know that the building is in poor quality. Sure you can buy fancy furniture to liven up the place, but when it comes down to the health of the staff, this building does not suit anyone’s purposes and no one should be located in that building until the ventilation is replaced. You want the tourism and WEEDC to do so much for you, but you can’t even give them the satisfaction of working in a healthy office. If it were you, would *you* want to work in those conditions? Taking a couple days off every other week from poor quality air? By not allowing them to move, you’re also stifling growth of the organization - the organization that you so much want to help promote your city/county, and yet won’t let them have the resources to do so. Times are changing, challenges and obstacles are getting bigger, and you want them to stay right where they are, no area for growth or help with these obstacles. How is anything supposed to get accomplished that way?
I don’t believe their requests are unreasonable. They want a decent place to work, with parking for clients and staff. Do you get that downtown? No. Do you get that at the University? Definitely not.
I digress to my previous statement that I agree with Margaret that the location is neither here nor there, and I believe that they should be located on the edge of the city limits.
“knowmore”, I suggest you reread our postings - nowhere will you be able to find where we suggested they stay where they are. No matter how much you want to make it about health and welfare, you’re not going to get this argument out of us.
“They want a decent place to work, with parking for clients and staff. Do you get that downtown? No” You’re kidding, right? Have you ever actually been downtown?
but i love how you didn’t even touch on any of the *other* comments i made.
Can’t resist answering questions
Their sign (located right across the street from the bus depot) goes unnoticed 99% of the time.
Its not a sign that gets a tourism office noticed, its the interactivity on the street level. Its interactivity with the media and its interactivity with the tourism attractions. If signs worked by themselves, no business would locate on a mainstreet or prime location, they’d only put up a billboard and locate elsewhere
“And let’s not kid ourselves - the only reason people from Michigan cross the border is to visit the casino. They not interested in what our county can offer, when they have an abundance of outdoor entertainment across their state. If tourists are coming in by car, they are going to be - more often than not - from Canada.”
I’ve sat on the tourism board for 2 years and actually heard the statistics about where from and why tourists come. Your info is incorrect.
Too much data to get into.
So since your premise is rejected, so is your 401 location. My premise was not only should the tourism/WEDC office be located by the largest cluster of attractions but also by the largest cluster of media outlets and the most logical college and university campus’ location
“While their purpose is that of any economic corporation (attraction, retention), I’m not sure of their real point of being located downtown at all, even having a satellite office. …….especially when these larger companies are looking for larger buildings to locate their business, which will NOT be in the heart of downtown.”
Get ready for this one
Number one thing city’s expert Monocle Magazine would do if it were a Mayor is
Having had the opportunity to benchmark the best, here’s what Monocle would do as a mayor.
1) Bring light industry back to the centre
Creative economies are all fine and good but they have to make things too. Cities that depend on big brands to keep their economies humming should create conditions that encourage more ateliers and workshops in the city center. Stockholm might want to think about this to keep H&M competitive.
Investigate how much work and thought goes into Monocle’s best cities research. You’ll find them a leading authority on the subject
” but you can’t even give them the satisfaction of working in a healthy office. If it were you, would *you* want to work in those conditions? “Taking a couple days off every other week from poor quality air?
if the working conditions are hazardous, they should be contacting the provincial workplace authorities. No one said what bldg or what size it shoud be, only that the bldg should be in the core
“I digress to my previous statement that I agree with Margaret that the location is neither here nor there, and I believe that they should be located on the edge of the city limits.”
And for the many reasons listed, I believe otherwise. Too bad few others do
well i’m glad someone at least had the decency to bring up facts instead of belittling
If we go with what Dave said, “According to the commision the vast majority of “tourists” come via car. With the majority coming through the tunnel as they are from Michigan.”
What role does that Ontario Travel booth on Goyeau play? I’ve never heard it mentioned but isn’t that a natural? Does it really matter where the 9-5ers hang their hats? Shouldn’t they have a storefront thingy in every downtown in Essex County? Maybe they do, I dunno?
Where an office is and where they are visible are two different things, aren’t they?
Best!