69´«Ã½

The Tourism Research Centre in the School of Business at 69´«Ã½has released encouraging research on visitors who come to Prince Edward Island to participate in a meeting or conference - further supporting investment in this market.

In 2009, PEI hosted 200 meetings and conventions that contributed almost $19.5 million to PEI's economy. The events were classified into three categories: regional (attendees primarily from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick); national (attendees primarily from provinces outside the Maritimes); and international (attendees primarily from outside Canada). Residents of PEI were excluded from the survey.

Although 99 per cent of regional attendees had visited PEI previously, 33 per cent of national, and 64 per cent of international attendees were on their first visit to PEI.

'One of the most exciting things confirmed in this study was the fact that business travellers are bringing other people with them when they come to PEI,' said Jo-Ann Thomsen, Director of MC & IT Sales, PEI Convention Partnership. 'Overall, the average party size was 2.5 people. About 35 per cent of these business travellers came to PEI on their own, but 31 per cent came with another adult who was not attending the event, 26 per cent travelled as a group of three or more adults, and eight per cent brought their family to PEI.'

While the study shows that meetings and conventions provide an opportunity to bring new visitors to the province, it also reveals benefits to local accommodations operators, retailers, restaurant owners, and others who provide goods and services to this market.

'It is worth noting that it is not only the hotel hosting the conference that sees a boost in occupancy rates,' stated Dr. Sean Hennessey, Faculty Director of the Tourism Research Centre. 'Almost 30 per cent of travel parties chose to stay at an accommodation other than the host hotel.'

Travellers also reported that they, or someone in their travel party, took part in many activities either on their own or as part of the event. The most popular activities were shopping for local crafts/souvenirs/antiques (57%), participating in sightseeing/driving tours (53%), going to a bar/pub/lounge/nightclub (44%), and going to a lobster dinner (41%).

Visitors spent an average of $1,126 per travel party in PEI, or $120.56 per person per night, with almost half of this going towards accommodation expenses, 21 per cent to restaurants, and 13 per cent towards shopping expenditures. This level of spending is much higher than the average party spending of $855.91 and the per person per night spending of $72.26 for all overnight pleasure visitors as reported in the July 2007 to June 2008 PEI Exit Survey.

'We are extremely pleased with the results of this survey, and believe meetings and conventions are helping attract new visitors to the Island,' said Ms. Thomsen. 'It is also very encouraging that delegates expressed a strong intention to revisit and recommend PEI to others.'

The data was collected from May through December 2009 with the assistance of the PEI Convention Partnership and Tourism PEI. For a copy of the report or more information, visit the Tourism Research Centre website at , call (902) 566-6096 or email trc@upei.ca.

Teams from the Webster Centre and the Department of Athletics competed along with corporate teams at the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion event at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre on Friday, June 25.

Coordinated by the Canadian Paraplegic Association on PEI (CPA-PEI), the event is part of a national Rick Hansen Foundation initiative to support community projects that impact the quality of life of people living with spinal cord injury. While it was the third annual Wheels in Motion event on PEI, this year marked the first time it was held on the 69´«Ã½campus.

Erin Peterson, Adaptive Technology Assistant at 69´«Ã½and a local CPA-PEI board member said, 'Knowing that the event was at UPEI, we encouraged as many ‘home' teams to participate. We had tremendous support from the Webster Centre with a total of five teams, made up of EAP students and Accessibility Services staff.'

In the weeks leading up to the event, Webster Centre teams raised almost $900 over-and-above the team entry fee by hosting several outdoor coffee houses that featured hot and cold beverages and home-baked goods.

The culmination of their fundraising efforts was the event itself, where teams turned in their proceeds and entry fees, and participated in a friendly, relay-style race that included some of the obstacles that people with spinal cord injury face every day.Abdulaziz Aldossary, an EAP student, takes a shot for his team.Erin Peterson wheels for the Accessibility Services team.

The Centre for Health and Biotech Management Research, Three Oaks Innovations Inc., and the PEI BioAlliance will present Dan Darnley, Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Officer at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Dr. Jonathon O'Brien, Chair, Intellectual Property Practice Group at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn on Thursday, July 8, as the second installment of the Innovation PEI Premier's Speaker Series.

Darnley establishes and directs Millennium's intellectual property strategy and is an expert in Intellectual Property (IP) protection and the surrounding issues of IP portfolio management. He has over 20 years of IP law and licensing experience and is a member of the Managing Directors Committee for the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

An attorney who specializes in life science and chemical patent procurement and enforcement, O'Brien counsels a wide range of domestic and international clients regarding licensing and world-wide patent procurement strategies, providing opinions regarding non-infringement and the validity of patents.

Darnley and O'Brien will discuss the legal issues related to licensing university technology from the perspective of a large corporation and its legal counsel. Both bring vital knowledge and advice on the topic of IP protection and will highlight why university projects may or may not be licensed, describing the required IP preparation necessary for inventors to receive maximum value from the invention in terms of an IP license or acquisition arrangement. The combined experience of these experts provides an important perspective and unique opportunity for researchers to engage in one-on-one discussions, as they will also be available for private meetings.

• Presentation, 10:00 - 11:30 am, Room 237, Kelley Memorial Building
• Networking Luncheon, 11:30 am -12:30 pm, Faculty Lounge, Main Building
• Private Meetings, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, Room 234, Kelley Memorial Building

To register for the event and book a private meeting, .

About the Innovation PEI Premier's Speaker Series at UPEI

Dr. Juergen Krause, associate professor at UPEI's School of Business and Director for the Centre for Health and Biotech Management Research, has been selected to organize and promote the Innovation PEI Premier's Speaker Series.

The series, aimed at enhancing knowledge in bioscience and other technologies and forging international relationships for Island companies, will feature presentations in the upcoming weeks by experts with experience in the areas of intellectual property, licensing technology, and research and development. For more information, visit .

The first class of Bachelor of Education (BEd) (Kindergarten) students are attending a week-long orientation on the 69´«Ã½campus to help them adjust to the university environment. In September 2010, educators who have been hired as kindergarten teachers will begin a part-time BEd program as part of the move to the new K-12 public school system.

The orientation week was kicked off by remarks from 69´«Ã½President Wade MacLauchlan, Assistant Deputy Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Linda Lowther, and Dean of Education Dr. Tim Goddard. The week features sessions on work/life balance, effective practices for university study, and an overview of the courses students will take this fall.

Goddard said, '69´«Ã½has a long tradition of innovative programming to meet the real needs of people on PEI. We therefore made the commitment to adapt our BEd degree and introduce kindergarten-specific examples to that curriculum, and are committed to helping students, through this week's orientation, adapt to university life.'

'Now that the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission has endorsed our BEd (Kindergarten) and our orientation is under way,' adds Goddard, 'we are full steam ahead on delivering a top-quality program that will provide kindergarten teachers with a full BEd, recognizing the many years of experience held by kindergarten teachers on PEI, and the value of the Early Childhood Education diploma they hold.'

The BEd (Kindergarten) program is offered on a limited term as a result of policy changes enacted by the provincial government last year. Offered over a six-year period, the program allows for two cohorts of learners to enter the program while maintaining their employment status as kindergarten teachers in the new K-12 system. Normally, the 20-course program will be completed in four calendar years with one course in the fall term, one in winter term, one in spring, and two in the summer session.

The 69´«Ã½ (UPEI), in partnership with the City of Charlottetown and Province of Prince Edward Island, is hosting an athletics training camp festival from July 7-18 for several international teams competing at the 2010 IAAF World Junior Athletics Championships in Moncton, New Brunswick later this month.

'We are very excited to host five countries as they prepare for the world junior athletics championships,' said 69´«Ã½athletics director Ron Annear. 'The legacies left by the 2009 Canada Games at 69´«Ã½Alumni Canada Games Place, Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, CARI facility, artificial turf field, fitness centre and residences enable 69´«Ã½and the City of Charlottetown to be a competitive, state-of-the-art event and training camp destination on the world stage.'

69´«Ã½worked with the 2010 Championships' organizing committee to promote 69´«Ã½Alumni Canada Games Place, built for the 2009 Canada Games, as a training camp location to participating teams. Prior to hosting the athletics competition and closing ceremony as part of the 2009 Canada Games, the athletics facility was host to the 2009 Canadian Junior Track & Field Championships.

The Charlottetown training camp includes teams from Germany, Great Britain, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Ukraine. In addition to using the modern sport facilities at UPEI, the approximate 300 athletes, coaches and team staff will stay at the University's residences.

The 2010 IAAF World Junior Athletics Championships takes place July 19 - 25 in Moncton and will see over 1,400 athletes representing 170 member federations competing in 44 medal events. The World Junior Athletics Championships take place every two years as part of the International Association of Athletics Federation's (IAAF) World Athletics Series. For more information on the championships, visit .

The Prince Edward Island premiere of the film "Poor No More" along with a question/answer period with executive producer David Langille will take place on July 14 at 7 pm at AVC Lecture Theatre A, UPEI. Sponsored by CUPE and other anti-poverty groups including PEI Working Group for a Livable Income, Poverty Bites, and McKillop Centre for Social Justice, the film offers solutions to Canada's working poor.

'Poor No More' is hosted by TV and film star Mary Walsh and offers an engaging look at Canadians stuck in low paying jobs with no security and no future.

The film takes three Canadians to a world where people do not have to beg, where housing is affordable and university education is free. They ask themselves: if other countries can do this, why don't we? Walsh then takes us on a journey to Ireland and Sweden to see how these countries have tackled poverty while strengthening their economies. The film offers hope to those who have to work two jobs a day and to those who cannot even find work.

About David Langille

Executive Producer David Langille is interested both as an academic and an activist in how social movements can shape public policy. Founding director of the Centre for Social Justice, he is now teaching at York University and co-chairing the Ontario Coalition for Social Justice.

For more information on the film, .

It was announced today that head coach Carly Clarke has added Danielle MacDonald, Marie-Christine Parent, and Amy Gough to the 69´«Ã½women's basketball roster for the upcoming 2010-11 season.

MacDonald, a 5'4' guard from Memorial High School in Sydney, Cape Breton is sure to create havoc on the defensive end. A feisty and energetic player, she is a great ‘on ball' defender who isn't afraid to be physical-she took 32 charges in 33 games for Memorial while averaging 12.8 points per game this season. 'Danielle is a high-energy and very competitive player. I expect her to have a positive influence on the entire team both in practice and on game day,' stated coach Clarke.

MacDonald added, 'I am very excited to be attending 69´«Ã½and playing with the Panthers this season. I have toured the 69´«Ã½campus-the facilities are first-rate, the school has an excellent reputation, and the community is very friendly, very much like home. As I leave Cape Breton Island, it will be reassuring to be moving to another Island.'

A 5'9' guard from CEGEP de Sherbrooke in Quebec, Parent adds another strong outside shooter to the line-up, who is also hoped to bring composure to the floor for the otherwise young Panther squad. Parent averaged 9 points in 32 minutes per game for the Sherbrooke Volontaires this season. 'Coming from a college conference, ‘M.C.' has a high level of experience that will be invaluable to our first-year players coming right out of high school,' said Clarke.

Gough is a 5'10' wing player from Bishop's College High School, St. John's, Newfoundland, and is a strong athlete with the ability to run the floor and get to the rim. Clarke added, 'Amy will bring some much-needed size, strength and athleticism at the wing position. Her ability should create numerous scoring opportunities for herself and teammates.' Gough was a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Canada Games contingent that finished sixth last summer at the 2009 Canada Games.

MacDonald will enter the Faculty of Arts, while Gough and Parent will begin study in the Faculty of Science this September.

69´«Ã½has announced the winners of its recent online contest, ‘Win with UPEI', that handed out $10,000-originally slated to purchase advertising-in bursaries, as well as other prizes.

The Faculty of Education received 2,519 votes out of 10,495 total votes, and received the largest proportion of bursary dollars-$2,402. Veterinary Medicine was a close second, receiving $2,382. The remainder of the $10,000 was divvied amongst the Faculties of Science, Nursing, Arts, and Business as well as University 100 and the Department of Athletics.

The ‘Win with UPEI' contest website asked visitors to vote on their favourite student project, with faculties receiving a percentage of bursary dollars based on the percentage of votes cast. A second component allowed anyone with a connection to the university to enter a story, photo or video online for a chance to win prizes.

In the second part of the contest, 69´«Ã½student Nan Zhao won ‘Best Entry' for her story called My Sweet Moments with UPEI. Judged by a panel of four, her submission recounted her first moments on the 69´«Ã½campus and how excited she was to be a part of the campus community after moving to PEI from China.

'I enjoy [sic] every single moment staying at 69´«Ã½because it is so graceful, friendly and warm, just like a big family that welcomes people from all backgrounds and interests,' she wrote. Zhao was thrilled to find out she had won the $1,000 prize.

Rita Stanley won $1,000 for having the ‘Most Referred Entry' while Heather MacSwain's entry was selected in a random draw for $500. Both women are 69´«Ã½employees. Other random draws took place for a stuffed toy version of the 69´«Ã½Panther Mascot, Pride.

Glenda Clements, Director of Integrated Communications, said, '69´«Ã½is proud of our students, faculty and staff and their local, national and international community involvement. It's fitting that a personal university like 69´«Ã½would encourage conversation and storytelling while providing an opportunity to support the further good work of community members.'

'This contest was the best idea,' added Tim Goddard, Dean of Education. 'It certainly encouraged friendly competition among the faculties and we engaged everyone to tell their good news. While it hasn't been finalized, the bursary dollars coming to the Faculty of Education will assist students interested in pursuing community projects at home and around the world.'

For complete results, visit .

UPEI's website saw a 50% increase in hits on Tuesday, July 13 after receiving about a minute and a half of dedicated airtime from Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa during a live broadcast of the Live! with Regis and Kelly show from the Charlottetown waterfront.

The internationally-syndicated talk show is typically broadcast from the Disney-ABC studios in New York, but was on location on PEI for four episodes.

During the start of Tuesday's show, during what is called the 'host chat', Kelly Ripa hoisted her 69´«Ã½coffee mug and said the province had a great university, while Philbin jokingly commented on how the '69´«Ã½Panther' stuffed toy he received kept him 'up all night'. The duo added that, this week, the Atlantic Veterinary College was hosting their award-winning summer vet camp, and that Ripa was thinking about sending her kids next year.

The comments came as a result of small gift packages and personalized letters to Ripa and Philbin hand-delivered to their hotel earlier in the week.

Increased visits to upei.ca, inquiries to AVC concerning vet camp, and emails congratulating 69´«Ã½on the positive exposure all highlight the boost in awareness that 69´«Ã½received via inclusion on the show.

To see the host chat for Tuesday, July 13 featuring UPEI, .

UPEI's Tourism Research Centre (TRC) recently released research results suggesting that 91 per cent of visitors to PEI tend to visit a historic site, museum, or art gallery when travelling. Overall, respondents felt that PEI attractions were interesting, informative, and a worthwhile venture on their holiday.

The survey was completed by 3,201 people, 2,807 of whom had previously visited PEI. Two thirds of these visitors had visited one or more of PEI's historic sites, museums, or galleries during at least one of their trips to PEI during the past five years.

'This report contains a wide variety of valuable information about visitor attitudes towards PEI's historic sites, museums, and galleries,' said Harry Holman, Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries for the Province of PEI. 'The timing of this research is excellent as the Department of Tourism and Culture will be placing increased emphasis on cultural tourism beginning in 2011.'

About one-third of respondents to the survey were ‘high interest' visitors to historic sites, museums and art galleries. Another 44 per cent were ‘moderate interest' visitors, meaning visiting these types of attraction was likely not the main reason to travel to a destination, but the availability of them play an important secondary role when travelling.

The most popular sites were Green Gables National Historic Site, site of Lucy Maud Montgomery's Cavendish home, Confederation Centre Gallery and Museum, and the Lucy Maud Montgomery birthplace.

When asked to rate the attractions, respondents scored the Public Archives of PEI highest, followed by Orwell Corner Historic Village, Province House National Historic Site, and Greenwich Interpretation Centre. They gave high evaluations of customer service, maintenance of the property, and authenticity of the sites, and an overall rating of 5.8 out of 7.

'Many sites that are not commonly visited received very good ratings by visitors,' said Holman. 'There is a wonderful opportunity to expand promotion for these venues to reach even more of our visitors and elevate their PEI experience. We are particularly pleased that so many visitors share Islanders' appreciation of historic buildings and cultural landscapes.'

'It was satisfying to learn that many visitors to PEI are interested in historic buildings,' said Dr. Sean Hennessey, faculty director of the TRC. 'Almost 80 per cent of survey respondents strolled around Charlottetown to look at the buildings and 62 per cent did so in the North Cape Coastal Drive region. This is quite noteworthy as historic buildings receive little promotion in the visitor's guide and walking-tour brochures are not always available. The fact that these activities were rated so highly implies that preserving historic sites and buildings is a sensible strategy for PEI to pursue.'

Most visitors used PEI's official Visitor's Information Guide, Tourism PEI's official website, or past experience in their decision to visit an attraction. In addition, many visitors reported that they simply stopped in as they were touring the area, highlighting the importance of good signage for historic sites, museums and galleries.

Data for this report was collected on behalf of Tourism PEI using the TRC's online research panel from November 20 to December 11, 2009. To read the full report, please visit the . For more information about this or other TRC research, please contact trc@upei.ca or call (902)566-6096.