Sault Ste. Marie, ON (October 5, 2016) – Following a competitive bid process, Sault Ste. Marie was selected to host the 2017 North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association annual conference. Taking place July 17 to 22 at Quattro Hotel & Conference Centre, the event is expected to attract 400 visitors. This annual meeting involves game wardens and conservation officers from across the continent. It also acts as a fundraiser for the Fallen Officers Memorial at the North American Game Warden Museum, which is located in the International Peace Garden on the U.S./Canada border between Manitoba and North Dakota.
At Quattro Hotel & Conference Centre during a familiarization tour in August, Jennifer King-Callon, Manager of Meetings & Conventions for Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, is flanked by Scott Haney from the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association and Justin Punchard, a representative from the Ontario Conservation Officers Association.
This local opportunity was secured by Tourism Sault Ste. Marie. In August, its staff hosted representatives from the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association. During the familiarization tour, the Tourism Sault Ste. Marie team showcased local accommodation facilities, conference venues and various attractions. The goal was to demonstrate that the community has the amenities and other attributes required to be a prime host for the 2017 annual conference. Mission: accomplished.
“Given the outdoor recreation opportunities and local amenities, our team was able to make the case that our community was the perfect place to host the 2017 North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association annual conference,” said Ian McMillan, Executive Director of Tourism Sault Ste. Marie. “We look forward to hosting the visiting delegates this summer and, in the meantime, will continue to look at other event leads for our city.”
Tourism Sault Ste. Marie works to draw visitors by securing major conferences, sports tournaments and special events, selling vacation packages, marketing area attractions and festivals, developing tourism products and infrastructure, and attracting cruise ships, motor coach tours and other group excursions. Between 2010 and 2015, this activity generated 197,231 visitor days, $28.8 million of direct visitor spending, and millions more in indirect economic activity. For more information, visitwww.saulttourism.com. Also online: www.naweoa.org,www.peacegarden.com and www.gamewardenmuseum.org.
