The Premier, Minister of Tourism, Greg Deighan and Minister of the Provincial Treasury, Pat Mella joined Mr. Dave McGrath of Meetings PEI to announce the Employee Convention Hosting Opportunities program (ECHO) outside the provincial buildings today.
The program has been put in place in response to government's commitment to explore new means of generating economic growth. Meetings PEI (formerly the Convention Bureau of PEI) and Tourism PEI have developed this exciting new initiative, the vision of which is to enable and assist employees within the public service in hosting meetings, conventions or events on Prince Edward Island.
The meetings business is lucrative, with great potential for growth. Meetings PEI reports that in 1999 meetings and conventions meant $22.2 million for the Island economy.
The Premier noted, I am personally very encouraged by this program and the opportunities it provides both employees of government and the Island as a whole." He added, The economic spin-offs created by these meetings being held on Prince Edward Island benefit all Islanders. When we entice people to our Island, we encourage prosperity and we increase our exposure as a great place to meet, time and time again."
In February of 2000 Jo-Ann Thomsen was hired as ECHO's Program Manager. Jo-Ann's role is to work with public servants, encouraging them to invite meetings to PEI and assist with the organization of these meetings by utilizing the many resources for support.
The ECHO program was created with a mandate to identify public service employees travelling to meetings off Island, explore possibilities to have the meetings held in PEI in the future, and encourage and enable employees to invite groups back to PEI and assist in organizing meetings.
Public service employees are able to take advantage of opportunities to enhance current skills and develop new skills at the same time," stated Minister Mella. Once we get the chance to host a meeting here, the educational opportunities and professional development provided by these groups give other people a chance to take part in seminars and hear some very high-profile speakers and specialists in their fields."
Many people that come to the Island for a meeting will take advantage of the chance to tag on a few days prior to, or immediately after their meeting to enjoy the other aspects of Prince Edward Island. Minister Deighan noted, What makes a difference here on Prince Edward Island is that many people opt to tie in a family vacation while they meet here, taking advantage of the many activities we have to offer." He added, Any time we have an increase in the number of meetings on Prince Edward Island, we are going to have an increase in tourism. The two go hand in hand."
Dave McGrath, Chair of the Board for Meetings PEI noted, The ECHO partnership is an innovative arrangement that furthers both the economic objectives of the province and the mandate of Meetings PEI. By combining resources to achieve common goals, we are able to offer meeting planning services to the public sector which previously were not available."
Jo-Ann Thomsen can be reached at Tourism PEI and will assist with the organization of meetings by utilizing the many resources available through Meetings PEI and Tourism PEI. A Convention Hosting Manual has been completed and Jo-Ann is involved in presentations to increase awareness and promote the program.
For more information contact, Jo-Ann Thomsen, Program Manager for ECHO at (902) 368-4237.