‘Exciting time’ for convention industry in Niagara Falls
Scotiabank Convention Centre has lured a top hospitality executive from Toronto.
The region’s largest meetings and events facility has announced the appointment of Judy Mahoney as vice-president of sales and marketing.
She will report directly to president and general manager Noel Buckley.
“Having held several senior positions in the hospitality industry, including at the largest convention hotel in the country, Judy brings with her an enviable track record of success” said Buckley.
“Her strategic approach to building new partnerships and relationships, coupled with 20plus years’ experience, makes her an excellent addition to our team.”
Mahoney steps into her new role after serving as director of sales and marketing at Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.
Throughout her career, she has been an accomplished professional, driving the success of a number of leading hotel brands in the Greater Toronto Area.
“This is an exciting time for the meetings and conventions industry in Niagara Falls, and the Scotiabank Convention Centre plays a very important role in attracting these kinds of events to the destination,” said Mahoney.
“With a strong team and a solid foundation in place, I look forward to continuing the momentum and taking this one-of-akind facility to the next level.”
Wayne Thomson, chairman of the convention centre board, said landing Mahoney follows a great year for the facility.
“The first time we’ve had a surplus at the convention centre. This year is going to be even better,” he said.
The convention centre opened in 2011.
“There was about three huge, big meeting rooms that were unfinished from the original construction. We’ve gone ahead and we’re just finishing them off now, and we’re spending $1.2 million to finish them off, and we’ve already got them rented for next year, which is going to return almost that kind of money that we put into them.”
Thomson said one of his objectives was to bring Buckley back to Niagara Falls from his job in Ottawa.
“He was there for eight years, he was here with Niagara Falls Tourism, really knows the business, knows the contacts … and that’s what you’ve got to do, you’ve got to have the key contacts, and you’ve got to know the people in the business.”
Buckley was president of Niagara Falls Tourism between 1995 and 2005, and spent 7½ years as president and chief executive officer of Ottawa Tourism before becoming president and GM of Scotiabank Convention Centre in 2015.
“I have seen the resume for the top sales position, and I’ve talked with Noel Buckley about it, and he was so excited over the fact that he could attract (Mahoney) to come here to be our top salesperson, with her background, her experience, and her success that she’s had in Toronto,” said Thomson.
“Having that key element, the connection with Toronto, is so important for us.”
He said things are going “extremely well” at the convention centre, with several tourism-related agencies now having offices there, which has provided for some synergies.
“It’s working out exceptionally well, and I certainly give Noel Buckley a lot of credit, and I believe that (Mahoney) has made the decision to come here because she probably knows Niagara Falls and what is happening — the transformation that’s taking place, and also she knows Noel Buckley, and was excited about the opportunity to work with him.”