Q: You came to the Toledo area just 4 months ago after holding similar positions in Cleveland and Milwaukee for many years. Do you see any similarities with those cities?
Nolan: Both Milwaukee and Cleveland were evolving from historical bases of employment and revenue growth from the industrial and manufacturing sectors. Like Toledo, the “new” industry that can assist in complementing these sectors is tourism. Like Milwaukee and Cleveland, Toledo is investing in its downtown entertainment venues. This will help increase business for both the convention industry and leisure travel. An active and dynamic downtown is the aorta to a region. If the “heart” of a city rocks, the benefits flow to the entire region.
Q: What do you see as the greater Toledo area’s greatest potential?
Nolan: Toledo has a long history of providing world class attractions like the Toledo Zoo and the Toledo Museum of Art. We also have great natural resources such as Lake Erie and the Maumee River and an outstanding Metroparks system. With our new Lucas County Arena, the SeaGate Convention Centre and Fifth Third Field we have the perfect trifecta that creates great connectivity and a wonderful opportunity to grow our downtown entertainment district. Toledo’s proximity to major population hubs is also a huge help in capturing regional and national conventions. Our customers will be thrilled to find excellent cultural, visual and performing arts at venues such as the Valentine Theatre, the Stranahan Theatre, the Peristyle and a host of other significant arts options that allow us to compete at the highest level. Also, and most important, the leadership in Greater Toledo believes in collaboration. When private and public sector leaders commit to work together to make our region better, we have tremendous potential.
Q: What is your agency’s vision for the future and what needs to be done now to improve this region’s situation?
Nolan: We plan to advance the benefits of a prospering tourism industry for stakeholders and residents. The greater Toledo area can be THE destination of choice between New York and Chicago. Ultimately, we want visitors to spend more time and money in our region and we want our own residents to passionately promote our City. We want cash registers ringing for small business owners and also for the corporations that have and will invest in our City. This industry can create new jobs, bring new hotels, attractions and restaurants to this community. We can improve entertainment options and fun for all Toledoans. We can improve our situation by investing in a branding process to help us promote and market Greater Toledo with consensus. We must find answers for developing Fort Industry Square and the Seagate Hotel and advance the vision for entertainment options downtown. Downtown residential housing, complemented with massive increases in convention delegates at SeaGate Centre, will serve as the foundation for short term and long term success. The CVB also wishes to advance additional marketing and financial support for the Arts community. The issue of diversity has a long way to go, and the CVB would like to play a role in providing more opportunity for minority owned businesses. We also need to focus on attracting more of the massive economic engine in the minority meetings market. Reliable, safe and clean transportation options must be secured with our taxi companies and TARTA 24/7.
Q: I understand you are changing the name of the Greater Toledo Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Why so? What is the new name?
Nolan: The new name of the GTCVB is Destination Toledo, Inc. The timing is right to advance our purpose and identity to a higher level. As we improve the conditions and response to the ever growing tourism economy for greater Toledo, we need to create a “buzz” and a contemporary message. We are the “destination marketing” organization and our evolving brand needs to better articulate what we do. The GTCVB name is confusing to many. So, no matter the consumer choice for a leisure visit or for bringing a convention to Toledo, the destination is Toledo. Thus, we are now Destination Toledo, Inc.
Q: What is the economic impact of travel and tourism in this region?
Nolan: It is huge and getting bigger every day. Revenue for tourism in Northwest Ohio is nearly $5 billion dollars and 63,000 individuals are employed in our industry. The stakes are high and we plan to maximize our potential to insure these numbers grow quickly and with precision. Permanent Link
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