by Jerry W. Bird One of our proudest moments as publishers was the week we hosted the Air and Marine Tourism Conference, a follow up to Air Highway Days held earlier. Co- Chairs for the event at Vancouver's Simon Fraser University's Waterfront Campus were Jerry Lloyd, President of the BC Aviation Council and James Delgado (profile below), author, sea adventurer and Director of the Vancouver Marine Museum. Our Air & Marine Tourism Conference Speakers. The two day program led off with Rick Antonson, President and CEO of Tourism Vancouver, Rod Harris, President and CEO of Tourism BC and key executives from Vancouver International Airport, Vancouver Ports Corporation, BC Ferries, Transport Canada, Hong Kong Tourism and many otherss. The following speakers topics are as timely today as they were that week. Keeping BC in Tourism Spotlight Rod J. Harris: Executive Director, Tourism British Columbia. Following graduation from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Commerce and MBA, he refined his consumer marketing skills at several major corporations, including Colgate Palmolive and MacLaren Advertising. In 1977, Rod returned to British Columbia as Marketing Director with B.C. Packers Ltd., after which he established and successfully operated his own food processing business from 1983 to 1987. Rod joined the John Labatt Corporation in 1987, where he served as Vice-President and General Manager with Rideout Beverages, the company's Winery Division. He has been employed with the province since the late 1980's in several management positions, most recently as Assistant Deputy Minister for the Tourism Division of the Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture. Following the establishment of Tourism British Columbia as a Special Operating Agency, he was appointed to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer in May 1996. Rod has contributed to various professional organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce and the American Marketing Association. Tourism BC Information...........BC Nature-Ecology BC Municipalities........ ...............BC Hotels Vancouver as a Maritime City James P. Delgado Executive Director, Vancouver Maritime Museum. Born in San Jose, California on January 11, 1958; son of Robert Daniel and Marilyn Pearl Delgado, both of San Jose. Graduated magna cum laude in American History, San Francisco State University, 1981. Received a Master's degree in Maritime History and Underwater Research, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, 1985. Author of fifteen books and numerous articles in professional and popular journals. Major works include: Alcatraz Island (1985); Shipwrecks at the Golden Gate (1989); To California By Sea: A Maritime History of the California Gold Rush (1990); National Parks of America (1990); Pearl Harbor Recalled: New Images of the Day of Infamy (1991); Great American Ships (1991); Dauntless St. Roch: The Mounties' Arctic Schooner (1992); Beaver: First Steamer on the West Coast (1993); and most recently, Ghost Fleet: The Sunken Ships of Bikini Atoll (1996). Recently completed editing the British Museum Encyclopedia of Underwater and Maritime Archaeology (1997). (continued- click or scroll) Intermodal Transportation and positioning of regional gateways Mark Duncan At the time of the conference, as Regional Director General: Pacific Region, Transport Canada. Mr. Duncan was responsible for federal regulatory functions of the Air, Marine and Surface modes of transportation in British Columbia. From 1987 to 1995, he oversaw the operation of 26 airports in BC and the transfer of these airports to local entities. Mr. Duncan was born in Victoria and grew up in the Interior of BC. He attended Military College and flew for 6 years with the Canadian Armed Forces. With a degree in mechanical engineering from the Royal Military College, he also has a Masters in Public Administration from Carleton. He joined Transport Canada Services and Security Branch in Ottawa in 1975 and was Deputy Airport General Manager for Toronto's Lester B. Pearson Airport International Airport and Project Manager for the proposal call stages of the private sector financed third terminal project in Toronto. He has served on the Simon Fraser Co-op Student Advisory Council and is involved in the Vancouver Board of Trade and numerous transportation organizations. Creative Hotel and Tour Packaging by Kevin Walker I grew up cleaning swimming pools and making beds, as far back as I can recall, it was part of my upbringing. I remember a time 18 years ago, when my father, grandfather and myself were all sharing desks at the same hotel. The significance of his, is that family hoteliers today seem to be somewhat of a dying breed, as hotels are more and more becoming corporate entities." In addition to the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, Walker is owner and General Manager of Pride of Victoria Cruises. Launched in 1983, the company operates two 45-passenger whale watching and dinner cruise boats that sail to the Gulf Island and San Juan Islands. "It's how we strategized to advance our interests at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, and was a real opportunity in the early 1980s," he added. "At the time, it wasn't really in vogue for a hotel to participate in a consortium of 4 different companies involved in soft adventure. (continued) The Airport as a Shopping Centre Jack Marriott Past President of ICI Division Vancouver Real Estate Board, and Canada's youngest shopping center manager (1972), Marriott provides portfolios for businesses worldwide. His view of gateway airports is comparable to that of the retail market. "Both have anchors", said Marriott, "Airports have carriers, and shopping centers have major retailers -- an upgrading is needed. Combining shopping center concepts of sensible pricing and selection will put Canadian airports in the worldwide arena. Currently Vancouver International has retail sales in excess of $1,000 per square foot, per year -- a growing economic area that leaves other shopping centers in the dark. International hubs such as Chicago's O'Hare Airport, are undergoing renovations to include more shops, a concept Heathrow in London, England, has used for many years. Airports and retail outlets live in a parallel. Vancouver and other Canadian centers, need to upgrade their standards to suit the international traveler. (return home) BC Ferries' Past President speaks out Frank A. Rhodes Frank Rhodes' career in the public service spans over 30 years with service in five Ministries and two Crown Corporations. He was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the British Columbia Ferry Corporation in June of 1990. Mr. Rhodes currently serves as a Board member of the International Marine Transit Association, the Public Sector Employers' Council, the International Maritime Center, and Vancouver Board of Trade . Growing a World Class Airport Martin Copeland: Vancouver International Airport Authority, Manager, Market Development. Martin Copeland is Manager, Market Development at YVR, responsible for air service and passenger and air cargo development. He has over 20 years experience in the Canadian airline industry, initially with Air Canada and then Canadian Airlines International. Mr. Copeland's career history also includes a lectureship at McGill University in Montreal and a post as Economist with the Canadian Department of Transportation. Born in New Westminster, BC, Mr. Copeland has enjoyed extensive international air travel for the purpose of airline negotiations. BC-Alaska Cruise Sector Sails Ahead William Kelly A trained journalist and veteran travel writer, William Kelly is an expert on cruising. His company, Ocean Cruise Guides, has published a series of guidebooks which are distributed worldwide. Current titles include Alaska By Cruise Ship, Caribbean By Cruise Ship and The Complete Cruise Handbook, used by travel agents and cruise passengers as a reference source and indispensable guide when cruising. ). Hong Kong, Apec and its ties to Canada Francis Ng Francis Ng is the Vancouver Consultant of Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) since 1996. Mr. Ng looks after HKTDC's interests in BC and Alberta. Between 1990 and 1996, he was with the British Columbia Trade Development Corporation, responsible for the promotion of B.C.'s external trade in North Asia covering Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Japan & Korea. In addition to HKTDC, Mr. Ng also represent YVR Airport Services Ltd, a subsidiary of the Vancouver International Airport and B.C. International Power Group Inc., a consortium with ABB, West coast Energy and BC trade for the development of airports and energy projects in China. Before Mr. Ng moved to Canada in 1986, he was the Deputy Executive Director of HKTDC and had stationed in Frankfurt, Stockholm, Vienna, and New York as the Hong Kong Representative, In 1984, he was awarded by the U.S. Federal Administration for the leadership program on the "Challenge to International Trade." Mr. Ng was previously involved in manufacturing in B.C, and worked for the International Trade Center of United Nations on international trade development and the Guangdong Province, PRC. Mr. Ng was born and educated in Hong Kong. Mr. Ng graduated from the University of Hong Kong and the Graduate School of Business Administration, Harvard University. Austria a top destination Dr. Michael Krainer Director North America, Austria National Tourism Office. Born in Graze, Austria, Work done from 1979 to present: Deputy works manager of the "Ziegelwerk G. Krater GmbH". Law studies at the Graze Karl Frailness University. Practical at the Legal Service of the EC Commissions in Brussels. Marketing Officer at the Austrian Trade Delegation for the Central West in Chicago. Marketing Manager and Deputy Director of the Austrian National Tourist Office in Chicago. Director for the Austrian National Tourist Office's branch for Berlin and the new federal states. Deputy coordinator for Germany of the Austrian National Tourist Office. Director of the Austrian National Tourist Office's Paris branch and general manager of "3615-Autriche". Director , North America Vancouver's Port Corporation Evangeline Englezos Evangeline Englezos joined the Vancouver Port Corporation in 1995 where she is responsible for Marketing Communications pertaining to all the Port's business sectors including cruise. Her involvement in the cruise sector has included developing advertising and sales promotion programs, organizing trade shows and events as well as the development of the Port's web site. Evangeline has also served as a Director for the Cruise Industry Association of BC. Prior to joining the Vancouver Port Corporation, Evangeline held various marketing positions in Calgary and Vancouver with Northern Telecom, one of Canada's largest telecommunications companies. Evangeline holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Marketing from the University of Calgary. Calgary's airport looks to the future Ernie Caron Ernie Caron has served as President & CEO since February 1, 1992. He currently serves as a Director on the Board of the Canadian Airports' Council of Canada (CAC), the Airports Council International (ACI)- North America and is a member of the ACI/ World and Pacific Organization. He has had a distinguished management career in the airline industry and is a graduate of the Banff School of Advanced Management. In total he has 30 years of senior management experience with Pacific Western Airlines (PWA), Canadian Airlines International (CAI) and served as CAI Vice President, Airports-North America; vice-president, Properties & Facilities; vice-president, Customer Service; vice-president, Eastern Region and has held several other management portfolios. As an advocate of total quality service, Ernie assisted in the implementation of a company wide program for Canadian . Airlines and has initiated a similarly successful program at the Calgary Airport Authority. He was a major player in the negotiations for Canadian Airline's state-of the-art "Terminal 3" based in Toronto. Ernie is actively involved in Calgary's community. In 1996, Ernie was the honored recipient of the "White Hatter of the Year '95 Award for Excellence in Service" from the Calgary Convention and Visitor's Bureau. He serves on the President's Advisory Council, Calgary Economic Development Authority as a Director of Calgary Convention and Visitors' Bureau, the Presidents' Council, Calgary Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Committee for Calgary's World Fair (2005). Recently, he was asked to serve as a Director of the Alberta Racing Corporation. He accepts numerous requests to speak and makes presentations to various provincial and national organizations and is always pleased to demonstrate the importance of Calgary's International Airport as an economic generator for the City of Calgary and the Province of Alberta. His enthusiasm for life, people and the mandate of The Calgary Airport Authority is magnetic. Ernie is married to Ellen and they are the proud parents of four children who are married and have presented the Caron's with nine grandchildren. Positive on aviation and education Garry N. Chaloner In addition to a key role with Air Highways, the late Garry Chaloner worked closely with Abbotsford International, North America's largest Air Show. If you had much to do with Broadcast Radio in Western Canada during the past 25 years, chances are you would have known of Garry Chaloner. And if you were in education, you may have heard of Garry's motivational seminars and Corporate Career Training for Vancouver School Board, Kwantlen College, and Fraser Valley University. Key management positions with All Canada Radio and Television Network led to his role as Executive Producer for Air Canada productions and Canadian Airlines' in-flight media. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Garry's earlier career involved commercial printing, and trade shows. He partnered with Jerry Bird on documentaries, including the Alaska Highway's 50th Anniversary. To prove the Chaloner legacy lives on, we met a young man named Perry last year, who was enthusiastic about a professional sales course he is teaching at local colleges. Guess who's formula Perry is using and who his mentor was? Yes, Garry Chaloner is still with us as a daily inspiration. His wife Marina and daughter live in Abbotsford, BC; his son Neil and family are also BC Lower Mainland residents. Banking on Canada's Airports Frank Reiter "Canada is one of the 3M nations; Mounties, mountains, and moose," says Frank from the Bank. "Though historically known for rubber tire trade, Canada is fast becoming a preferred tourism destination." As Vice President of the Business Development Bank of Canada, Frank Reiter is banking on tourism, with a newly announced $500 million Tourism Investment Fund. Using innovative financing to create and develop small business, the bank provides the capital means to build new resorts and health spas, attracting the international jet set. BDBC is the only Canadian firm that combines financing with management consultancy. As a Crown Corporation, it has one shareholder, the federal government, and is unique in its approach to growth, paying special attention to the knowledge, export, and tourism industries. "Enhancing, and improving quality is the only way to improve growth and profit for air carriers", Reiter concluded. James Delgado (continued) Professional career commenced with part-time work at the New Almaden Museum, 1974-1975, and the Roberto Adobe, 1976-1977, both in San Jose. Joined the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, as assistant to the Regional Historian for the Western Region (Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, California, Arizona), 1978-1979. In 1979, joined the staff of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, as the first chief historian for the park, serving until 1986. In 1986, helped establish the U.S. federal maritime preservation program, the National Maritime Initiative. Appointed Maritime Historian of the National Park Service, Washington, in 1987, serving until early 1991. Served as an instructor, Department of Humanities, San Francisco State University, 1983-1984, 1986-1987, and as an instructor at the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, 1984, 1986-1987. Recently appointed as an instructor, Department of Classics, University of British Columbia. Public and professional service began when appointed San Jose Youth Commission liaison to the San Jose Historical Landmarks Commission, 1974-1975, Commissioner, San Jose Historical Landmarks Commission, 1976-1977, Member, Mayor's Blue-Ribbon Commission for a San Francisco Historical Museum, 1982, Founding Board Member, National Maritime Alliance, 1990-1992, Trustee, Council of American Maritime Museums, 1992-1994; and continues as one of two representatives from Canada to the International Committee of Monuments and Sites Committee on the International Underwater Heritage, and also serves the Executive Board of the International Congress of Maritime Museums. Trained as a underwater archaeologist, Mr. Delgado has led or participated in several shipwreck archaeological expeditions and projects in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Marshall Islands. He has worked on shipwrecks including the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, the brig Somers in Mexico, the California Gold Rush steamship Tennessee, Gold Rush sailing ships in the Sacramento River, the brig Isabella at the mouth of the Columbia River, Oregon, the polar exploration ship Maude in the Canadian Arctic, and the sunken fleet of the 1946 atomic bomb tests at Bikini. He has also served as project historian for the USS Monitor shipwreck project. As a consulting historian and archaeologist, Mr. Delgado also participated in several major excavations in downtown San Francisco, including the excavation of buried ships and waterfront structures from the California Gold Rush. Mr. Delgado has spoken at conferences, meetings and as an invited speaker throughout the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Mexico, and Australia, as well as the former Trust Territories in Micronesia. He has appeared in several television documentaries and programs on a variety of subjects for PBS, ABC-TV, FOX-TV, The Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, National Geographic and various local and regional networks and stations. Member of the Archaeological Institute of America, Arctic Institute of North America, Society for Historical Archaeology, California Historical Society, Canadian Nautical Research Society, and the U.S. Naval Institute. A fellow of the Explorers Club. Recreations: Scuba diving, photography, and hiking. Vancouver Maritime Museum: 1905 Ogden Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V6J 1A3.   TOP OF PAGE