First Club meeting of 2019: Welcome new member Mardrick Rogers. Program: Gordon Orr - CEO, Tourism Windsor/Essex Pelee Island.
 
Our Club started the new year off with a fun-filled meeting. We welcomed new member Mardrick Rogers, sponsored by Past DG Dr. Rick Caron. Present to help with the induction ceremony was Assistant District Governor Aruna Koushik.
 
Member Colin McKillop presented the interesting environmental fact about signal trees, important heritage trees that are bended,  traditionally pointing the way (thanks Richard Wyma for these facts!). 
 
Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, explained the vision and current campaigns the organization is involved in. He touched on the "Best of Windsor Essex Awards", gave some insight into various new tourism programs including Barrel Trail, Coffee Trail, Epic Winners and We Heart Local. The Ontario Tourism Innovation Lab is also an interesting new project that helps "find, foster and support new, early stage and start-up tourism experiences, product ideas and collaborative partnerships".  Three winners were announced as recipients of the first-ever Spark grant. Each winner received a $3,000 grant to help promote their business as tourism destinations to visitors. He also mentioned the new local itinerary builder Utrip, which provides visitors the opportunity to build itineraries based on their travel patterns. 
 
Maureen Lucas urged everyone to sign-up for the Grand Finale Luncheon which is being held this upcoming Monday, January 14th from 11:30 - 1:30 at St. Clair Centre for the Arts. This event replaces the Monday meeting on that day. Please sign up now at https://rotary1918.com/page/centennial-grand-finale-luncheon
 
Assistant Governor Aruna Koushik spoke about the upcoming District Conference, happening on May 10-12, 2019. Sign up now via the District Website at: http://rotary6400.org/?page_id=3251 
 
Lastly, James Rice, President of our Rotaract Club, urged members to enter their raffle for a chance to win a pair tickets to the Wings vs. Leafs in Detroit on February 1st. Tickets can also be purchased at their pinning ceremony, happening at 7:00pm on Saturday, January 12th at The Safety Village. 
 

Click here for more pictures from this meeting.