(07/31/06)

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre Appoints International Association Expert to a Newly Created Sales Manager Position

TORONTO, ON - The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Chou as Sales Manager, International Associations.

Chou brings to this role a wealth of knowledge from the meetings and convention business, more specifically from the International association industry. He is a key force behind the establishment of Toronto’s Leader Circle, a strategic business initiative created by Tourism Toronto to proactively recruit local individuals who are associated with international organizations and partner with these individuals to bid on future conventions and congresses. Chou will continue to work intimately with this group in his new role at the MTCC and will continue to foster these relationships.

“Enhancing our sales team and proactively selling to international conventions and congresses has always been part of the MTCC’s vision,” said John Houghton, the MTCC’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “As competition in the North American marketplace continues to intensify, the timing is right to broaden our horizons and proactively promote Toronto and the MTCC as the ultimate International meetings destination. Eric Chou is the perfect fit to complement our team and develop this side of the business for Canada’s #1 convention and trade show facility,” he added.

In his most recent position as Director of Sales, International Meetings & Events, Chou had been representing the 1000-plus members of Tourism Toronto to the international convention/congress market. Prior to this position, he held a number of positions within the hospitality industry, specifically with the Crowne Plaza Toronto Centre and The Traveller Inc. Chou graduated from the University of Guelph’s Bachelor of Commerce degree program in Hospitality and Tourism Management in 1996.

“I am very pleased to be joining Canada’s #1 convention and trade show facility. I have been working closely with John Houghton on selling to the international market for the past two and half years already, and am delighted to be forging ahead with such a great facility behind me, supporting me,” Chou said.