<!--Rick Forgione--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Rick Forgione</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:rick.forgione@niagara-gazette.com">rick.forgione@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>
Over 160 local tourism leaders will meet with state legislators to discuss a variety of issues and initiatives during today’s Niagara Falls Legislative Reception.
The reception, organized by the state’s Hospitality and Tourism Association, Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp., the Niagara Falls Hotel/Motel Association and the Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce, is being held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Antonio’s Restaurant at the Quality Inn, 7708 Niagara Falls Blvd.
The purpose is to advance the hospitality industry’s local and statewide legislative agendas, said Daniel C. Murphy, president of the state Hospitality and Tourism Association.
“When it comes to the legislative process, if you are not at the table you might be on the menu,” he said. “Tourism professionals need to take an active role in discussing important issues with their local legislators, before those issues turn into difficult situations.”
The major issue concerning Niagara Falls on this morning’s agenda is a request for state leaders to continue investing in the tourism sector amongst cuts in state spending.
Frank Strangio, owner of the Quality Inn and president of the Falls Hotel/Motel Association, said the annual reception provides the opportunity to meet with state officials face-to-face and brainstorm ways to make the tourism industry prosper.
“This year, more than ever, we’re expecting a down year and we’re looking at ways we can come together and address that,” he said.
Other local issues on today’s agenda include:
• Efforts to secure funding for the new state-of-the-art visitor center downtown.
• The new terminal at the Niagara Falls International Airport
• The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which is scheduled to take effect June 1 and will require all travelers between the U.S. and Canada to have a valid passport.
• State funding for “I Love NY” and for tourism matching grants.
