The Bicentenial 2012 to 2014 Peace Gardens Initiaitive
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At the 2006 Binational Tourism Summit, a special session was held to discuss plans for the upcoming Bicentennial of the War of 1812 to 1814 in cross-border regions.  Concurrently, several other communities and organizations were having similar discussions regarding how best to prepare and the types of events or legacy projects people were interested in delivering between 2012 and 2014.

Subsequently, in the cross-border Niagara Region, a Bicentennial Committee has been struck to oversee and provide guidance to this process to ensure we can maximize the potential of such an important North American event.

The Binational Tourism Alliance is pleased to be a member of this working group, and will provide updates through our website, Annual Summit and special email communications to our members and stakeholders.

                


War of 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council Members

War of 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council- Approved Vision, Mission and Related Measurements

VISION:

The 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council has a vision of bi-national cooperation, cultural appreciation and economic development in the bi-national Niagara Region resulting from the celebrations of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

MISSION:

The members of the Legacy Council will act as Ambassadors for the celebration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 in bi-national Niagara, and leverage these celebrations for the benefit of the cross-border region, by:

-       Building bi-national community awareness of the importance of this event to US/Canada relations

-       Promoting and facilitating the coordination of activities that will commemorate, celebrate and correctly interpret the War of 1812 history and the 200 years of peace and friendship that have followed

-       Engaging public and private sector leaders in the planning and staging of events and activities

-       Encouraging inclusiveness through the widest possible range of participating individuals, communities, organizations, businesses and cultural disciplines

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Legacy Council will assist and direct staff with the identification and obtaining of resources to:

  -  Communicate with their respective circles of influence (business, social, personal) regarding the purpose and events 
      planned during the 1,000 day bicentennial period.

  -  Encourage the involvement of organizations, groups, businesses and individuals in these bicentennial celebrations.

  -  Facilitate and foster bicentennial-based activities that fulfill one or more of the following objectives:

i)             Provide authentic educational experiences

ii)            Focus on legacy building

iii)           Be distinctive to Niagara and coordinated with broader activities in Canada, the United States and abroad

iv)           Foster community, tourism and economic development potential

GOALS/OBJECTIVES:

Legacy Council success will be determined by the achievement of the following measurable goals over the next eight years (2008 to 2015).  Specific targets and timelines will be determined in the business plan to be written.

-       Attainment of new international profile for binational Niagara during the celebration period (international political/dignitary visits, international conferences, PBS documentary, international media coverage, etc.)

-       Attainment of national/international corporate sponsorship for celebratory events

-       Demonstrated binational community involvement in the development and delivery of events

-       Collaborative and complimentary marketing and promotion of the events over the three year period

-       New and permanent national and international capital infrastructure legacy projects/programs directly resulting from, the celebration

-       Increased tourism volumes, especially international visitor participation, as a direct result of the Bicentennial programming

-       Community and visitor recognition of the roles of those involved in the three year conflict:  British, American and Native Peoples

-       Community and visitor recognition of the peace and special relationship that has been a direct result of that three year conflict

-       Renewed North American and International interest in the binational Niagara Region and it’s assets

-       New binational business, tourism, cultural, academic and community partnerships and institutions developed as a direct result of these celebrations

INITIATIVES:

The Legacy Council, collectively and through the four committees struck and staff hired, will undertake the following to fulfill the mission and goals outlined:

-       Create a binational forum/structure to communicate the importance of this celebration

-       Build an inventory of technical support and other resources to support the efforts of local groups and organizations

-       Gather and maintain contact lists of potential funding sources and partnering opportunities

-       Develop strategically significant new marketing, promotional, product, infrastructure and destination development initiatives related to the Council mission