March 18, 2009

HCRA staff members Pipe Major Andrew Bruce and Corporal JohnTodd Martin attended the SeaTrade Miami Conference on March 17^th and 18^th in support of Parks Canada staff, Destination Halifax and the Atlantic Canada Cruise Association (ACCA).  The weather was fantastic with highs in the mid 20s to low 30s.

The 78^th were quickly registered for the trade show and provided support to the Destination Halifax section of the Atlantic Canada Cruise Association (ACCA) booth by meeting with several cruise line executives including those from RCCL, Carnival, Holland-America, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Crystal Cruiselines and Hapag-Lloyd. The Highlanders estimate that they posed in approximately 200 photos on the first day alone. PM Bruce and Cpl Martin made friendly contact with the Scottish Tourism Board as well (being the only other display wearing kilts) and soon discovered a common link with several members of the tourism board. Several members of the the Scottish Tourism Board were relatives of former Seaforth Highlanders or ex-Queen's Own Highlanders. Following an exchange of information with the Scots, the Highlanders divided the rest of their time either roaming the convention floor distributing ACCA literature, posing for photos, answering questions about Atlantic Canada, and directing delegates and visitors to the ACCA booth for further service. PM Bruce also provided entertainment by playing his pipes at the ACCA booth in the afternoon.

The 78^th returned to the Miami Convention Centre the next day and proceeded to accompany Destination Halifax representatives to the media centre where contact was made with media from Italy, Germany, the United States and the SeaTrade Miami newspaper. After meeting with the media, the 78^th returned to the convention floor and again split their time between the ACCA booth and roaming the displays distributing ACCA and Destination Halifax literature. An estimated 250 photos involving the 78^th Highlanders were taken on the 18^th, including several taken by various travel magazine writers, tourism and destination staff from other countries and ports. The 78^th made a large impact in terms of attracting delegates, cruise line representatives and visitors to the ACCA booth by presenting a snapshot of Halifax and maritime hospitality.