An Evening
of Fun and 'Storytelling' for Agents and Media
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Front Row (L-R): Chris Bruce, Director of Marketing,
Chinook Country Tourist Association; Vince Chew,
Marketing, Parks Canada; Cindy Guay, Marketing Director,
Travel Alberta; Paul Hawes, Manager, Trade Development
for the Americas, Travel Alberta; Annie Frew, Manager,
The Americas, Banff Lake Louise Tourism. Back Row (L-R):
John Gravel, Sales Manager - Eastern Canada, Anderson
Vacations; Alicia Kuzio, Tourism Coordinator, West
Edmonton Mall; Nelka Bergmaverova, Calgary Stampede;
Christie Makowichuk, Manager, Leisure Programs, The
Americas, Travel Alberta; Judi Best, Managing Director,
Travel Alberta |
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Last night at the Courthouse, a recently renovated downtown jazz club,
Travel Alberta representatives presented “The Story of a Lifetime” to
local travel agents and select media.
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Paul Hawes, Manager, Trade Development for the Americas,
Travel Alberta |
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Paul Hawes, Manager, Trade Development for the Americas, introduced a
video which highlighted some of the famous ‘stories’ the province of
Alberta has played a part in telling.
Many acclaimed Hollywood movies from past to present, including
Legends of the Fall, Shanghai Noon, Brokeback Mountain and even Doctor
Zhivago were filmed in Alberta. Actors like Cuba Gooding Jr., Alec
Baldwin, and Owen Wilson, on video, mentioned some of their favourite
things about visiting the province.
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John Gravel, Sales Manager - Eastern Canada, Anderson
Vacations, on stage with a Second City player. |
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Some of the best stories are told with humour, and guests were treated
to a live performance from the world-famous Second City improv troupe.
Interacting with the amused audience and even some Travel Alberta
delegates, the players improvised mini-skits, all with a central theme –
the home of the Rocky Mountains.Those attending the night’s events
took a pictorial souvenir of Alberta home with them. A fake ‘magazine
cover’ with Alberta-themed headlines and a headshot was produced for
guests. A digital photography booth was set up and guests took photos,
posing with books – so important for ‘storytelling’ – and a digitized
backdrop of the Rocky Mountains filled in behind them.
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Annie Frew, Manager, The Americas, Banff Lake Louise
Tourism; Vince Chew, Marketing, Parks Canada; Nelka
Bergmaverova, Calgary Stampede |
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Mr. Hawes concluded the evening with a bit of business, discussing the
unique way that Alberta fam trips are conducted. “You’re a visitor and a
guest when you come to Alberta. We take care of everything for you – all
you need to do is arrange your transportation to and from the province.”
To enthusiastic cheers and applause, he added, “We don’t do the
‘typical’ fam trip. You’re not going to do 20 hotels a day with a 6 a.m.
wake-up time. You are going to see our province the way your client sees
it.”
“Alberta is just a short flight away from Ontario, and we have what
your clients are looking for. Despite what you may think, we do have
rooms available, even during the Calgary Stampede and the Edmonton Grand
Prix. Thank you for your passion in supporting Alberta.”
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