Vice-President Olaf chaired the meeting.

Paula led Rotarians in grace before lunch meal was served.

Guest at the meeting was prospective Rotarian Peggy Hanlon-Brown. 

Kathleen reviewed the e-message sent to Rotarians regarding the auction, partnering with Xavier House for an afternoon tea and bingo sessions, and the fundraising concert at the RAC in June.

Program-Chair Carol Anstey introduced her guest speaker Roseanne Brake. Roseanne is the general manager of Holiday Inn Express in Deer Lake, a regional board director of the regional tourist board, Go Western Newfoundland and is the chair of zone 8, Go Western Newfoundland. Roseanne has always been involved with the tourism industry. However, she feels strongly about the importance and character of regional tourism industry, and it was about this she spoke.

Before lunch, Roseanne had placed several booklets about Western Newfoundland, post cards and a water bottle for everyone to look at and enjoy.

Roseanne began her talk by explaining in 2005, the tourism industry was growing so it was decided to divide the province into 5 regions with each led by tourism industry volunteers. These non-profit support groups in each regional area would give advice and support to the tourism industry.  In this area Western Newfoundland’s Board of Directors is made up volunteers predominantly from the private tourism sector, with one director from each of the five (5) economic zones (6 through 10) in Western Newfoundland and two (2) at-large directors. Roseanne is on the Board representing zone 8.

The office for this zone is based in Corner Brook and the mission of the Western NL DMO Inc. is to support the continued growth and sustainability of the provincial tourism industry through regional marketing, destination development and market readiness initiatives that will attract more visitors, increase length of stay, and provide more experiences that are aligned with the Newfoundland and Labrador brand. The office helps to establish and maintain relationships with the industry, attends travel and trade shows, helps build itineraries and attends consumer shows and more.

One plan for the area is extend the tourist season by offering activities in the spring such as the Trails, Tales, and Tunes Festival, Norris Point in late Spring and to have festivals in the fall to celebrate fall colours. 

Roseanne, having a business Rocky Brook Acres in Cormack, spoke about the activities planned for Cormack this year such as the Cormack Sunday Concert Series which will be held every Sunday at 2pm from June 18 - October 1, 2023.  Last year there was a successful Cormack Culinary Festival in the fall showcasing some of the best chefs in Newfoundland and Labrador producing afternoon tasting events using products from Cormack and the surrounding area.  It is hoped this will be continued in 2023.

Roseanne answered several questions before being thanked by the club for her interesting talk.

The meeting was then adjourned.