It was another successful year in Niagara Falls, Canada for the Mayors Annual State of the City Address. On Friday, March 6, over 500 attendees gathered at the beautiful 288, 000 sq. ft. Scotiabank Convention Centre, in Niagara Falls, Canada with a packed house of local business leaders and members of the Niagara community.

With it being Hornblower Niagara Cruises second year in attendance we really wanted the Niagara Community and industry partners to be familiar with Canada’s famous boat tour. This year Hornblower Niagara Cruises along with the Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce and Niagara Falls Review sponsored the event.

Each member did not leave empty handed as Hornblower Niagara Cruises provided attendees with two complimentary passes of their choice to a daytime or evening cruise, followed by promotional material from ourselves and the city of Niagara Falls placed on the tables.

The event kicked off with pianist Frank Krahn, followed by registration with the Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce team. The 500-person seated event welcomed business partners such as the Niagara Falls city council members, Leadership Niagara and even 40 representatives who are chamber of commcer partners across the river in Buffalo, New York. Opening remarks were made by Dolores Fabiano, Executive Director for the Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce. Following opening remarks, our General Manager, Mory DiMaurizio and Niagara Falls Review Publisher, Mike Cressman drew two lucky names from the draw of business cards for two amazing prizes. Our friends at Niagara Falls Review awarded $5,000 in free advertising to one lucky business. We were proud to give away a free evening cruise for 50 people with 1 complimentary beverage ticket per person. As the ‘oohs’ and the ‘awws’ were heard in the audience only one lucky winner was announced to receive our prize.

After a delicious lunch and scrumptious dessert, the event kicked off with the Mayors speech with highlighted many important projects and previous events that happened in the city of Niagara Falls and the Niagara Region such as the building of a state-of-the-art University, the announcement of the Pan Am Toronto 2015 Games coming to Niagara Falls in June 2015, the ongoing effort to bring the GoTrain as a permanent stop to the city as well as the opening of newer franchises and businesses in the community. During the Mayors speech, a surprised guest, Tourism Minister, Michael Couteu was recognized in the room was invited to accept a plaque along with a grand welcome from attendees.

 

There was much talk about the Niagara Falls New Years Eve 2015 Bash that welcomed country celebrity superstar, Keith Urban, Jonas Brother, Nick Jonas, Lights and Canada’s own Shawn Mendes. The event was Canada’s most watched television event on December 31, 2014.  Not only did the event draw more attention to Niagara Falls, but it also put Niagara Falls on the map for many star-studded celebrities including; Comedian, Kevin James, Singer, John Legend, Comedian, Steve Martin and Martin Short, Singer, Jennifer Hudson and musical band, Train.  The event also had much talk about the hopes of welcoming the Go Train and making Niagara Falls a pit stop on its route permanently.  Niagara Falls is hopeful that the Go Train will makes its home in the city. 

Thank you for all those who attended th event and helped welcome Hornblower Niagara Cruises to the community. We can’t wait for our second successful 2015 season.