Ambassador Team

Ambassadors Present to Town Council

On May 13, Laurie and Vlad provided an update on the Ambassador Program to Town Council.  It was an excellent opportunity to share the Ambassador story and outline our plans for the 2025 season.  We extended an invitation to Councillors to join us for a shift and experience the Ambassador role first hand.  Several Councillors expressed an interest and we’ll be following up with them to schedule a time. 

If you’d like to see the slide presentation, it can be accessed in MAP Files GENERAL INFO-Presentation to Council 2025-04. 

Here’s the feedback we received from Councillor Cheropita: “Excellent presentation tonight.  Good news indeed.  Please keep up the incredible work you do for the community!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Court House Opens to the Public

"Thank you for making this beautiful piece of history open to the public.”

That’s what Ambassadors heard over and over again as visitors toured the main floor of the Court House. 

There were lots of visitors!!  On the 4 days of the Niagara-on-the-Lake in Bloom event (May 9 to 12) over 2,300 people crowded into the main hallway of the historic building.  Over the Victoria Day holiday (May 16 to 19) the crowd was even larger, topping over 2,600.  The numbers were lower for the most recent weekend (May 23 to 25) with over 800 visitors, but that was still impressive given the cold and wet weather. 

We’re learning a lot from our experience at the Court House.  Ambassadors have offered great suggestions and procedures have been updated.   We’ve provided a quick summary of the main changes below but you’ll find the latest information in the Ambassador Handbook, posted in MAP Files TRAINING-Ambassador Handbook.  We will also have the latest “Court House News” posted at the Ambassador station on the main floor (behind the door to the Lord Mayor’s Office).

COURT HOUSE NEWS

• The number of volunteers for Court House shifts has been increased from 2 to 3 in MAP.

• Court House shifts are not weather-dependent.  They operate rain or shine.

• The main doors can be left open until the air conditioning is turned on; then they should remain closed.

• Two volunteers should always be stationed inside.

• We’ve taken steps to prevent access to the areas of the building used by the Shaw Festival:
  

• We will no longer unlock the Market Street doors to allow access to the elevator; unfortunately, people were wandering up to the third floor and interrupting Shaw rehearsals.  The buttons on the elevator to the upper floors have been covered to prohibit access.

• We’re now placing a chair at the entrance to the elevator alcove on the main floor.  It not only discourages access, it’s a good spot to sit down if you need a rest.

• Umbrella bags are now available.

• Court House Brochures are on-order; a new supply of US/Canada rack cards is now available.

• A reminder, please do not leave personal items in areas that are not secure.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COURT HOUSE 

Ambassadors have asked for more information about the Court House.   Sarah Kaufman, CEO/Curator of the Museum, has agreed to take a group of us on a tour to explain more about the interior design and what’s on display.  The “walk-through” will take place on THURSDAY, JUNE 12 from 4 until 5 pm.  The opportunity is available in MAP for signup and capacity is limited to 25.  For those unable to attend, we’ll take notes and distribute them after the event.  

Click here to register in MAP. Register now!

SHOUT OUT 

A huge SHOUT OUT to Vlad Haltigin, Gwen and David Laing for their unwavering commitment to making the Welcome Centre a reality.  For over two years they have worked tirelessly to deliver our new seasonal home in the heart of the historic district.   

Thank you!

Experience NOTL

The NOTL Ambassador Seasonal Kiosk is here!

In bright Spring sunshine, at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday May 16 outside the Court House hosted by the Lord Mayor, the new Ambassador Seasonal Kiosk finally became a reality!  At the same time, the opening of the Court House to visitors was announced, and that, too, has already become extremely popular with visitors and particularly with residents of NOTL.

Our Seasonal Kiosk ‘Welcome Centre’ took over two years of planning and collaboration with Tourism Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Town’s Municipal Heritage Committee, and even the Ontario Heritage Trust to ensure it met local historical regulations; the colours also had to be compatible with neighbouring buildings. Overall, it was truly a community effort. The building materials were sourced from Penner Building Centre, the roofing from The Cedar Shoppe, and the paint from Creek Road Paints. The construction team was very special, comprising the graduating students and faculty of Niagara College School of Trades who donated their time to build it. They were amazing in their detail, first producing a 3D animation of the kiosk, then meticulously constructing & finishing the Kiosk over several weeks. Finally, transporting the 1500lb structure to its site was expertly & safely handled by the Town’s Parks & Recreation Department. Special mention also goes to the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake who were key partners and sponsors throughout the project., as well as to fellow-Ambassadors David & Gwen Laing for their technical guidance and encouragement.  Hats off to them all!

No longer will we have to set up and take down our display materials each day.  And even when we’re not on duty, Town maps are on display to help visitors navigate the streets of Old Town and the Villages of NOTL. 

Many Ambassadors came to the ceremony and made that ‘wonderful sea of blue’ to add to the occasion.

The Kiosk can be referred to as our Ambassador ‘Welcome Centre’, and visitors also have the Official Tourism Niagara-on-the-Lake ‘Visitor Centre’ downstairs in the Court House to get more information.

The Kiosk will remain in place throughout our summer season until Thanksgiving on October 13th, at which point it will be removed by the Town for winter storage locally and is planned to be re-sited in time for our new season in May 2026.

First impressions to the Kiosk ‘Welcome Centre’ are very favourable and it creates a professional location from which to greet and guide our many visitors and residents.

Community Site Visits

‘Trolley Tour’ Vintage Hotels/Niagara’s Finest Hotels:  May 6th

Hosted by Vintage Hotels/Niagara’s Finest Hotels, Ambassadors were given an opportunity to experience the excellence that these hotel partners pride themselves on giving their guests. Taking place just before the inaugural ‘NOTL In Bloom’ Festival, led by Pillar & Post GM Ryan Murray, himself a long-time NOTL resident, Ambassadors had an insight into the preparations for this exquisite event at the delightful Monet Gardens. It was then time to board the immediately-recognizable Vintage Hotels’ Trolley. Part of the journey included the locations in NOTL that would be the pick-up points for the free shuttle that guests attending ‘NOTL in Bloom’ would be able to access.

Stops on our visit included The Charles Hotel, located right next to the NOTL Golf Course, a treasure of a boutique hotel dating back to 1832, and described as ‘architectural elegance with luxurious serenity’. Its Hob Nob Restaurant and cozy, warm bar area typify the sophistication of traditional dining, even in these modern times.

Then, at the splendour of Queen’s Landing Hotel designed as a Georgian Manor, Ambassadors were hosted personally by GM Lily Kszan and her team.  On a lovely spring day, it was perfect to stroll through the hotel to the patio overlooking the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. To be hosted with celebratory mimosas and freshly prepared macarons created a beautiful memory. Ambassadors peeked into the hotel’s Tiara Restaurant and Bacchus Lounge which give guests the option of fine dining or casual fare, all beautifully presented.

Final stop was the Shaw Club, where GM Jamie Drummond very generously arranged a delicious surprise lunch at its Zee’s Grill for all 30 Ambassadors, before they boarded the Trolley back to the Pillar & Post.

It’s the experience of total commitment to excellence and fine details-in-action at every one of these hotels that Ambassadors can enthusiastically share with visitors.

Winery Visits to Stratus and Jackson-Triggs:  May 22nd

Stratus Winery describes itself as  ‘Crafted Without Compromise’. Set on 55 acres in the Niagara Lakeshore appellation it produces 16 grape varieties for its prized collection of red & white wines. Stratus truly portrays its dedication to sustainability, quality and design which guide its winemaking and vineyard practice, even being awarded the prestigious LEED environmental designation. In all of Ontario which boasts a total 342 wineries, only Southbrook winery, also in NOTL, shares this honour with Stratus.

There was certainly no compromise for Ambassadors as they were beautifully hosted by GM Suzanne Janke to Stratus’ top-of-the-line tasting experience, its’ Food & Wine Lab’.  Their sommelier, Richard, did a masterful job of explaining the science and nuances of pairing wine with food. Ambassadors learned so much and also had the opportunity see the pristine wine production area.

Just a few hundred metres along Niagara Stone Road, the Jackson Triggs Winery awaited. Certainly, a larger operation.  Stacey Vukovics,  Estate Manager, personally greeted everyone and aptly described Jackson-Triggs as ‘A Big Winery with Small Winery Touches!’.

Chris, the winemaker gave an overview of the tradition & craftsmanship of the wines that Jackson Triggs produce. always stressing their commitment to quality. Ambassadors were treated to samples of sparking, white and red wines as they progressed through the production area, on to the voluminous and imposing barrel cellar, finishing in the retail area with Jackson-Triggs unique Sparkling Merlot wine accompanied a generous selection of charcuterie, cheeses and breads. Touches like this add to the memories of the visit and mean so much! Throughout, our guide Brianna typified the ‘bubbly & sparkling’ atmosphere of the winery.

Not least, the legendary Jackson-Triggs concert series and events are seasonal highlights to be aware of.

The experiences at both wineries instilled a lot of confidence for Ambassadors to recommend Stratus & Jackson-Triggs to visitors. 

Upcoming Community Site Visits

Don’t miss these amazing opportunities to learn more about our incredible Niagara.

Sign up NOW in MAP

Did you Know

Post Shift Report

There is now an online version of the Post Shift feedback form, that will help you complete your shift, when things get busy in the Visitor Centre.
Click here to access the form, and then save it to your device for easy access, following any of your shifts.  Remember that only 1 person per shift needs to complete the online form, but you will need to enter everyone’s name that worked during that shift.

Ambassador Handbook

You can always access the most recent version of the Ambassador Handbook in MAP Files TRAINING-Ambassador Handbook.

Visitor Centre

The Tourism Niagara-on-the-lake Visitor Centre is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.  We are very grateful for the support of the Tourism Niagara-on-the-Lake team.

• Kathy Weiss - Executive Director

• Brianne Hawley - Director of Tourism Services

• Bri VanSickle - Content and Communication Officer

• Shelley McGoldrick – Manager Visitor Information Officers, Ambassador Leadership Team LINK

• Kevin Weiss - Visitor Information Officer

• Maia Aqui - Visitor Information Officer (summer student)

• Pauline Hinch – Visitor Information Officer

Contact Us

If you have any comments or questions about the Communications you receive, please send an email to kathryn@notl-ambassadors.ca