CTC's Go Media, a key event for destinations and media.

The GoMedia Canada marketplace, this year taking place in Whistler, B.C., is the must attend event of the year for destination public relations and media relations professionals who want to put their destinations' attractions in front of key media professionals from Canada and the world. It is also the best event for travel media interested in Canada (this year with special emphasis on the Vancouver - Whistler 2010 Games). Given the state of the global economy and the tourism industry in particular (see for example Travolution's article: Tour operators face uncertain future as balance sheets fail) many organizations may want to forgo the event this year, but they should nevertheless consider attending because travel will recover and those who are able to navigate well this current storm will be in a better position for substantial growth going forward. I have never attended GoMedia Canada, and was planning to attend this year. Unfortunately, according to an email I received from GoMedia they received and "overwhelming number of applications this year" from Canadian Media and so my application was turned down. I wonder how many Spanish language Canadian media are attending though? (probably none). Needless to say, I was very disappointed (read mad). However, given the state of the economy, I will now save the trip and the opportunity costs, which I can now put into a new project.

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Jaime Horwitz MBA

The Canadá en Español Network

www.canadaenespanol.ca

Spring is coming. deMexicoaCanada.ca is out of the gate promoting 20 trips from Mexico to Canada

deMéxicoaCanada.ca, the travel product site of the Canadá en Español Network is promoting 20 group and fit trips from Mexico to Canada for the Spring and Summer Season. Abiega Operadora de Viajes is Canadá en Español's client/partner/tour operator in Mexico responsible for fullfilment. Packages this year run the gamut of experiences, from a Fly and Drive in Vancouver Island to Exploring the Rockies to the staple Ontario and Quebec circuits. Trips are concentrated in the four big provinces with a presence in the Mexican market, i.e. British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, which begs the question, where are the rest of the Canadian provinces when it comes to the Mexican market? While the 2009 season may be softer than last year's due to the global economic downturn, Canadá en Español expects decent results based on traffic and inquiry levels to deMexicoaCanada.ca. The Easter Holiday should give more of an indication of what the summer may bring. The Mexican peso has appreciated in the last few weeks which should also help.

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Jaime Horwitz MBA

Joyeux St-Patrick a vous tous! Happy St. Paddy's Day everyone!

Canada in Style a quiet but elegant affair at the beautiful St. Lawrence Hall in Toronto

I was invited to attend the Canada in Style event organized by the CTC and the Provincial Marketing Organizations earlier this evening at the wonderful St. Lawrence Hall (which curiously in twenty years of living in Toronto I had never seen).
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I only had an hour to be there but it was enough to meet some of the media relations professionals from some of the provinces. The event was an opportunity for media to meet with the provinces and talk about what may be in store for Canadian Tourism this year. I was glad to hear that the Yukon is still looking at continuing to promote the territory in Mexico and may invite Mexican Media again next summer.

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Loved the mini-bison burgers from Manitoba and the oysters from Prince Edward Island. I must say, however, that spoiled by many tourism conferences I left wanting more, more style, more show, something. It was very quiet and subdued, but then again maybe that was the point.

When I received the invitation (from Miguel, Emily and Ann at Siren Communications) I was asked "What does Canadian Style mean to you?" (in fifty words or less). I think there's a contest running. This was my answer, what do you think?
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Enjoying a Cohiba cigar, snifter of Spanish brandy sitting in a Muskoka chair overlooking a lake surrounded by the sounds of silence and friendly conversation.

High Tea by the window at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Dinner at La Pinsoniere’s restaurant overlooking the St. Lawrence river

Jaime
www.canadaenespanol.ca

Publicitas (APR) now exclusive media Rep in Canada for the Canadá en Español Network

I am very excited and pleased that the Canadá en Español Network will now be represented in Canada by Publicitas APR Canada. Publicitas APR leads in sales by representing some of the most recognized media in North America. Their sales team of 13 professionnals has extensive advertising experience. Their customer approach is both strategic and consultative. As such, their expertise lies in building programs tailored to their advertisers budgets and requirements. Canadá en Español is a leading niche network of digital properties that focuses on promoting Canada to Spanish speaking people around the world since 1999. The network includes 19 consumer websites, 1 blog and 1 social networking site. In addition to digital advertising Canadá en Español offers Web 2.0 services such as blogging, guerrilla video production, YouTube or YouTube like video distribution, Social Media marketing in Spanish and consulting services.

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Jaime Horwitz MBA

Seeing Canada One Day at a Time

The ultimate road trip for a dying Canadian in "One Week to Live" should inspire all Canadians to get out and see Canada. Instead of heading to Southern destinations for the annual March or Spring Break, take that special road trip you have been avoiding. See Toronto Star Review on One Week to Live.

With March Break just around the corner, one can quickly see spring start to bloom in many parts of Canada-- Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Brithish Columbia, however a March Break week may be a bit too short to travel across country, so best to see March Break in Ontario....there is more than enough to see.

After all, as the German tourists in the Movie said, Canada is the most beautiful Country in the world.........who can disagree? Get out and taste the Maple Syrup this March Break.