MEDIA RELEASE: NIAGARA 1812 LEGACY COUNCIL WINS BI-NATIONAL BEACON AWARD

BUFFALO, N.Y. (May 5, 2014)–  The Niagara 1812 Legacy Council has be honoured with the Bi-National Beacon Award at today’s Travel & Tourism Beacon Awards presented by Visit Buffalo Niagara (VBN). The awards ceremony took place earlier today at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center and is in conjunction with National Travel & Tourism Week, which runs from May 3 to 11. This is the fourth annual Beacon Awards presented by VBN which pays tribute to superior service throughout the industry, from volunteer docents to hotel general managers. VBN recognized those who help make tourism a $1.5 billion industry in Erie County.

“We are honoured and thrilled to receive this award that recognizes the Legacy Council’s leadership in marketing and coordinating the bicentennial commemorations since 2008,” says Legacy Council CEO, Brian Merrett. “There has been numerous War of 1812 events to date and we look forward to the final year of activities in Western New York and Niagara this year, as we enter the third century of peace amongst Nations.”

“We would like to thank Visit Buffalo Niagara, for this award and for their outstanding contribution to the Legacy Council the past three years,” says Merrett. “They have been a wonderful partner and have greatly assisted in raising awareness about the
bicentennial.”

The Legacy Council will once again host two performances of The Honouring by Kaha:Wi Dance Theatre (Toronto, ON) at Old Fort Niagara this year, June 28 and 29th. Through successful fundraising, the LC is also pleased to support the restoration of the U.S.S. Trippe in WNY, as a legacy project.

This year also marks the 200th anniversaries of the Battles of Chippawa, Lundy’s Lane and Cook’s Mills, as well as the Siege of Fort Erie. For a complete list of the Niagara 1814 Campaign events, visit www.discover1812.com.

The Niagara 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council is a bi-national not-for-profit organization established to commemorate the War of 1812 and celebrate the 200 years of peace between Canada and the United States.