|
|
|
Finger Lakes Visitors Connection Staff
2005
 |
Valerie Knoblauch, President
Valerie was hired as the first director of tourism for Ontario County in 1984. Her previous experience included tour guide responsibilities and public relations manager at Gold Seal Vineyards in Hammondsport. Valerie has a degree in English Education from State University College at Oswego and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. Valerie also holds the CTP designation from the National Tour Association. |
She has taught on the adjunct faculty at Finger Lakes Community College and the Rochester Institute of Technology Hotel and Food School. Additionally, she has experience on the Board of Directors of New York State Travel and Vacation Association and the Travel Industry Association of America. Valerie has authored several articles on travel and tourism issues, and has published the Ontario County Pictorial History Book. She is a common speaker at the national level on strategic planning, destination management, and marketing.
You may contact Valerie if you have further question on
these topics:
Government and Board Relations and Management
Financial/Audit
House
Management/Hospitality Events
NYS Matching Funds
Product Development
Industry Awards and Recognition
New York
Wine & Culinary Center
5 and 20 Museums Linear Exhibit Program - 2006
And for representation at: NYSPA
email Valerie at:
Valerie@visitfingerlakes.com
or call her at (585) 394-3915 x 301 |
 |
Pat Charland, Vice President Marketing
Hired in January of 2002, she has a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Administration from Roberts Wesleyan College and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from SUNY at Brockport. Pat's responsibilities include marketing Ontario County as a premier leisure and meetings destination; facilitating industry outreach with a goal of promoting a positive image for the Visitors Connection and monitoring the success of program results in visitorship, economic vitality, and customer satisfaction.
|
You may contact Pat if you have further questions on
these topics:
Itinerary Development
Package Development
Table Tents
Travel Writers
Agritourism
Biking and Hiking – promotion and distribution
Internet Sales Cards
Marketing Day (s)
Brochure Distribution and Inventory
Research and Marketing Reports
FLTA – Regional PR Task Force
Public Relations – Ontario County
AAA Self Fams
I Love NY and FLTA Updates
Public Relations – External
Feature story and Newsletter Development
FLVC Displays
Upgrades and Exposure
Advertising Program
And for representation at these
meetings:
Canandaigua Chamber
Geneva Chamber
NYSTVA
email Pat at:
pat@visitfingerlakes.com
or
call her at (585) 394-3915 x 307 |
 |
Sue Schmidt, CMP, Director of
Sales
Sue joined the staff in October, 2005. She has a degree
in Travel & Tourism and brings 25 years of industry
experience ranging from hotel sales and management
experience to meeting planning. Most recently Sue was with
the Canandaigua Inn on the Lake as Director of Sales &
Marketing, where she was responsible for group sales, room
sales and soliciting meetings and corporate business. Sue’s
focus will be directed toward seeking new contacts with
corporations, associations, travel agencies and motorcoach
operators. |
She will also strive to upgrade our collateral,
internet presence and other sales tools for these markets.
You may contact Sue if you have further questions on these topics:
Meetings Website and Marketing Plan
Groups Website and Marketing Plan
Ski and Golf Program
Winter Marketing
New York Wine & Culinary Center
Meeting Planners International
Hoteliers Group
Itinerary Development
Package Development
Hot New York Deals
And for representation at these
meetings:
Canandaigua Chamber
Geneva Chamber
GRVA VIC
email Sue at: sue@visitfingerlakes.com
or
call her at (585) 394-3915 x 309 |
 |
Meg Colombo, Project Coordinator
Meg was hired in August of 2004. She has experience working for several small businesses – ranging from publishing to arts to catering. She attended Rochester Institute of Technology's School of American Craftsmen. Meg's responsibilities include project coordination and facilitation. She also plays a major role in communications design, website development and maintenance, special event coordination, and trade show display.
You may contact Meg with questions about: |
FLVC Industry Micro- Site
Website Re-design
Website
Updates and Links
Nature’s Health Club
Fingerlakestrails.com
Printing and Duplication of Projects
Image
Requests
House Management/Hospitality Events
Design Support Services
Special Projects as assigned
And for representation at:
Victor Round Table
Ontario County Broadband
email Meg at: meg@visitfingerlakes.com
Or call her at:
(585) 394-3915 x 303 |
 |
Susan Gelder, Information Services
Sue has been with the tourism agency since 1984. She has served as assistant to the president, and more recently took on a part time role of information coordination. She ensures accuracy in the facility listings on the various printed and electronic publications by managing the various tourism databases for Ontario County tourism and our marketing partners. She also helps respond to visitor inquiries.
You may contact
Susan with
questions about: |
Brochure
Inventory and Distribution Management
Consumer Inquiries/Database
Business Database
I Love NY Website Updates
5 and 20 Website Updates
Frontline Notebook
Site Visits
Email Susan at: susan@visitfingerlakes.com
or call her at (585) 394-3915 x 300 |
 |
Peggy Boggan, Visitor Services
Peggy is a frontline person who has been with the tourism agency on a part time basis since 1996. She handles the consumer inquiries and assists in the collection of database information for the various websites that we manage. Peggy carries the primary responsibility for the collection of information and promotion of events in Ontario County. Peggy also assists with special events sponsored by Finger Lakes Visitors Connection.
You may contact Peggy with questions
about:
2006
Events Database and Update Management
Brochure
Inventory and Distribution Management
Consumer Inquiries/Database
Business Database
I Love NY Website Updates
5 and 20 Website Updates
Frontline Notebook
Site Visits
Email Peggy at: peggy@visitfingerlakes.com
or call her at (585) 394-3915 x 306
|
|
|
Joey Norsen, Marketing Research Assistant
Joey started interning at our offices in 2001 and returned
every summer through 2004. After graduating from Houghton
College in 2005, Joey was hired as part time and is
responsible for current marketing data collection and
research information, as well as coordinating marketing
programs, meetings and special events.
You may contact Joey with questions
about:
Public Relations Report
Marketing Dashboard
Statistics
Monthly Touring Tips
Monthly Industry Newsletter
Brochure
Inventory and Distribution Management
Consumer Inquiries/Database
Business Database
Updates
Frontline Notebook
Site Visits
Email Joey at: specialprojects@visitfingerlakes.com
or call her at (585) 394-3915 x 304
|
|
|
|
 |
Tourism Fact
Scientists at Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, "birthed" five of the east's most popular apple varieties: Cortland, Empire, Macoun, Jonagold. The Northern Spy was reputedly discovered in Bloomfield and then perfected at the NYS Experiment Station. |
Featured Program
Need to know how to market your tourism related business more effectively? Come to Marketing Day on November 17th at the Inn on the Lake. A look ahead to 2005 will set the stage for successful tourism promotion. |
Featured Partner
It's holiday time and a great time to tour the Canandaigua Wine Trail. To get their newest trail map brochure, give us a call at 877-FUN-IN-NY. |
Trivia
During the time of building of Belhurst Castle, an old woodworker’s tradition was to carve your fellow workers. So, yes, we do have faces in the wood – there are 2 on the main staircase, 2 on the great hall fireplace, 2 in the castle lounge, 2 in the music room and 1 under the porte cochere |
|
