Season’s Greetings from your Ohio Tourism Team! Can you believe we are about to wrap up 2011 and welcome a New Year? Where did the year go? Well, my answer to that question is -- Upwards! This was a year where our industry rose to the occasion, leveraged resources, maximized opportunities, and continued a nice pace of growth overall. While the official numbers will not be in until early 2012, it is safe to say that the health of our industry has improved in 2011.
Here at the office, your Ohio Tourism Team is hard at work wrapping up the last few projects of the year (including a successful Washington D.C. Media Mission and launch of the Scene in Ohio microsite), and beginning implementation of our 2012 programming. Somehow, the team even made time to come up with a few more tricks up their sleeves, which we will be talking about early in the New Year, as the world turns its eyes to Ohio for some major international events including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and the World Choir Games. We will continue to commemorate our heritage with Ohio’s Civil War 150 and the beginning of the War of 1812 Bicentennial. And, we will welcome new attractions like the Greater Cleveland Aquarium (opening late January), and so many more new things to experience all around our state in 2012!
Bottom Line: Together, we have accomplished so much in 2011, yet we have even more to look forward to in 2012!
As is my tradition for the December column, I want to leave you all with a little seasonal note sharing some of my thoughts:
‘Twas the middle of December, near the end of the year,
Amir raced to his office just bursting with cheer!
The team wondered out loud what caused his spirits to lift,
As he shouted from his office: “Because it’s a GIFT!”
For it’s a gift we’ve been given, from our stakeholders here,
The honor to sell Ohio is what fills me with such cheer!
An important mission we have, one that is fun, but not funny,
To grow Ohio’s economy by attracting more visitors spending money!
The best part of this gift is that it’s one we must share,
Through partnerships with our Industry both here and there!
With 439,000 jobs and $25 billion in direct spending,
A $38 billion industry is growing due to the collaborative message we are sending!
We sell experiences, fun, and memories, each and every day,
And people make travel decisions often due to what we say!
With passion, partnership, and the people we bring,
“Too Much Fun for Just One Day!” our brand ambassadors will sing!
So let’s gather and celebrate our victories with cheer,
And let the momentum carry us forth into an even more successful New Year!
And as we wrap up 2011, our spirits will continue to lift,
Because in 2012, we will keep sharing this GIFT!
On behalf of your Ohio Tourism Team (Amir, Pat, Joy, Eric, Tammy, Roger, Andy, Aimee, and Joe): THANK YOU for your partnership and continued support!
Happy Holidays to You and Your Loved Ones!
Safe Travels,
Amir
P.S. A special congratulations to Debbie Stamper of the Clinton County CVB for recently being elected as the new Board President of the Ohio Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus! Thank you also to Greg Eyerman of the Fairfield County CVB for a successful tenure as President.
You are too much fun for just one Tourism Director! Thanks, Amir for all you do for the Ohio tourism industry!
Posted by: Mary S. | December 06, 2011 at 04:41 PM