George Bailey

George W. Bailey, Travel Writer & Photographer

George Bailey is a travel writer and photographer who has explored the far reaches of the globe, and lived to tell about his journeys to such far away places as Antarctica. With a long history and illustrious career in travel & tourism, this Canadian-based journalist, has written and been featured in countless publications. We are proud to showcase several of Bailey’s stories on Vacation Travel Channel. Be sure to read about a destination near and dear to his heart, Niagra.

George Bailey
5146 Morrison Street
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada L2E 3G9
Telephone: 905-356-2326
Email: Wonderful.life@sympatico.ca

E M P L O Y M E N T H I S T O R Y
WONDERFUL LIFE PRODUCTIONS,
Owner/Operator
Responsibilities
• Provide photographic/video services, event planning, and
marketing services
• Write regular travel columns for Osprey Newspapers in
Ontario
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS,
The Niagara Parks Commission, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Responsibilities
• Managed a budget of $1.5 million marketing (advertising,
promotion, public relations) and sales budget for an
organization with (14 million visitors a year and) annual
sales of $55 million.
• Supervised and evaluated a full-time executive assistant,
customer sales & service manager, sales manager, secretary, seasonal communications officer, four seasonal information
supervisors and 15 seasonal information counselors/cashiers
who operated information centres in the Niagara Parks.
• Prepared annual strategic marketing plan to meet
Commission’s marketing objectives.
• Oversaw development and production of promotional
materials (print advertising, television and radio spots,
brochures, videos and exhibits).
• Researched and wrote articles, feature stories, news releases,
and annual report, as well as speeches/presentations
delivered by myself or other Commission officials.
• Served as major NPC spokesperson, working closely with local and world-wide media.
• Coordinated motion picture, commercial and photographic
“shoots” on NPC property.
• Managed numerous programs, special events and openings.
• Coordinated all photographic needs (in many cases took the
photographs myself), including maintaining all archival
material.
1980 - November 1998
Major Achievements
• Overseeing the development of a new Customer Sales and Service Unit (Call Centre) for the Niagara Parks. This unit now provides superb service and sales to the public.
• Directed media coverage and
advertising campaign for the opening of the Butterfly Conservatory (December 1996). Anticipate attendance was 40% over projected figures. Exceptional media attention
given by world-wide media (1996-97).
• In March 1998, The Niagara Parks Commission’s Butterfly Conservatory Promotional Campaign was recognized by Festival and Events Ontario as the best promotional campaign in Ontario for 1997. The NPC competed against to 50 other
entries for this annual prestigious
award.
• Oversaw development and
management of a Sales Department which had increased group business in 1998 by over 300% since 1980.
MARCH 2004
1998 - Present
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
• Conducted tours of the Park system for media and high
profile visitors.
• Worked closely with politicians and senior directors
providing advice and recommending directions for the Park.
PART - TIME INSTRUCTOR,
Niagara College Hospitality Centre, Niagara Falls, Ontario
Responsibilities
• Taught Convention Management Customer Service Tourism Marketing and Promotion.
DIRECTOR OFMARKETING /SALES, The Skylon Tower,
Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Responsibilities
• Prepared and administered an annual advertising budget of
$750,000 for this major tourist attraction with annual visitation
of two million.
• Directed and evaluated full-time staff of five.
• Developed and implemented annual marketing plan.
• Devised print/electronic advertisements and
promotional /public relations programs to enhance awareness
of Skylon restaurants, gift shops and attractions.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, United Way of Niagara Falls,
Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Responsibilities
• Organized and conducted a yearly financial fund-raising
campaign for numerous health and social organizations.
• Worked closely with volunteer Board of Directors in
formulating policies and campaign objectives.
Major Achievements
• Increased public awareness and contributions to the United
Way.
• Exceeded campaign financial goals for two consecutive
years.
1996 - 1997
1978 - 1980
Major Achievements
• Doubled group business within two
years.
• Increased community involvement by sponsoring community events and
activities (e.g. United Way campaign, luncheons, fund-raising drives; sports
teams).
• Developed the Skylon Club card
which increased local and repeat
business to Skylon restaurants by
30%, especially during winter
months.
1976 - 1978
• Worked closely with NPC historian, George Seibel, in preparation of Ontario’s Niagara Parks, a 400-page full-colour history book on the NPC
(1984). Re-wrote publication, updated photographs and released revised edition (1995).

GENERAL MANAGER, Sheraton Foxhead Hotel, Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Responsibilities
• Managed the operation of one of Niagara’s largest hotels (415 rooms) with annual sales in excess of $5 million.
• Administered an annual operating budget of $.5 million.
• Directed and supervised staff of up to 400 during peak summer season.
• Responsible for operation of all hotel operations including dining rooms, licensed lounges and snack bars.
Major Achievements
• Increased profile of the hotel in the community through sponsorship, involvement in community activities.
• Increased group business by 30% on a year round basis.
MANAGER, International Thousand Islands
Museums/Attractions and Gift Shops, Gananoque, Ontario.
Responsibilities
• Created this new business in the heart of the Thousand Islands.
• Administered annual operating budget of $200,000.
• Helped design and manage a large Canadian Historical Wax Museum, fresh water Fish Aquarium, car exhibit and gift shop from the “ground up”.
• Hired and directed a seasonal staff of 30.
Major Achievements
• Generated a profit of 25% during first season of operation.
• Developed excellent rapport with locals in support of this
new business.
1973 - 1976
1973
NEWSMAN, CJRN Radio, Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Responsibilities
• Wrote and delivered on-air news.
• Attended numerous events and conferences to gather news.
• Represented the station at various events.
Major Achievements
• Covered and “broke” several world-wide news stories.
PASSENGER AGENT, Canadian Pacific Airlines, Vancouver,
British Columbia.
HOTEL CLERK, Emerald Beach Hotel, Nassau, Bahamas.
LAB TECHNICIAN, St. Lawrence Seaway, St. Catharines,
Ontario.
DRILLING INSPECTOR, Acres Engineering, Montreal River
Dam Project, Hailybury, Ontario.
DIPLOMA IN RADIO and ARTS TELEVISION,
Niagara College, Welland, Ontario. 1970.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS/COURSES
• Managing Multiple Projects, Objectives and Deadlines,
January 1997.
• Exceptional Customer Service, February 1996.
• Numerous other workshops/courses over the past 25 years dealing with management, customer service and related topics.
• The Niagara Book - Facts, Figures and the Famous. (2004)
ISBN 09682959-3-2
• Marilyn Monroe and the Making of Niagara, Self-Published,
Niagara Falls, Ontario. 34 pp. (1998) ISBN 09682959-0-8
• 50 Questions and Answers About Niagara Falls, Toronto,
Ontario: Royal Specialty Sales. Full-colour publication. 68 pp.
(1998). ISBN 0-9682635-1-8.
1970 - 1973
1966 - 1979
EDUCATION
PUBLICATIONS
• The Magic of Niagara, Toronto, Ontario: Royal Specialty
Sales. Full colour publication. 68 pp. (1997).
ISBN 0-9691082-5-7.
• The Niagara Photos of Edwin Hamilton Hodge: 1920’s, 30’s
and 40’s, Niagara Falls,Ontario: The Niagara Parks Commission. 52 pp. (1991).
• You and the News Media, Niagara Falls: The Information Company. 18 pp. (1984). ISBN 0-9691259-4-6.
• Bailey’s Booklets: Home Publishing, Niagara Falls. 16 pp.
(1983). ISBN 0-9691250-2-X.
• Numerous articles for books, magazines and newspapers. Publications include: Leisure World, Courier, Destinations,
Bus Tour Magazine. On a variety of topics, including the NPC — to a wide number of audiences including city council, tourism associations,
community groups, and customers.
Have appeared on dozens of documentary travel and popular
television shows as an “expert” on Niagara Falls.
• Secretary/Treasurer, Niagara Falls Illumination Board
(1996-1998).
• Member, Greater Niagara General Hospital Fundraising
Committee
• Trustee, Niagara South Board of Education (1984-1989).
• President, Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Niagara (1981-1982).
• “Big Brother” for five years (1973-77)
• Regional Niagara Counselor (2000 - present)
PRESENTATIONS
COMMUNITY SERVICE
• Grand Misty Award, (awarded by the Niagara Falls, Canada Visitor and Convention Bureau) for involvement as first Chairman of the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
(1982).
• Third Place in National Tour Association photo contest with
photo of the Maid of the Mist (1992).
• Grand Misty Award (awarded by the Niagara Falls, Canada Visitor and Convention Bureau) for overall promotion of Niagara Falls (1997).
• HOST/PRODUCER, Cable Show, The George Bailey Show.
Viewed weekly (throughout the Niagara Region (1994-1997).
This unrehearsed interview show features various topics.
• HOST OF CABLE SHOW, “Keep in Touch”, seen on Cogeco
Cable daily. (2002)
• CO-PRODUCER, of the Art of Gardening television show.
Seen weekly across Canada on the BBS television network every Sunday afternoon from June to October. (1996)
• HOST/PRODUCER, several video’s including
- ”Canadian Eh! American Huh!”
- ”Harnessing Niagara’s Power”
- “Baja California, Mexico”
- “Key West, Florida”
- “Bangkok, Thailand”
- A series of “Historical Vignettes on the Niagara Region”
• INSTRUCTOR, Niagara College, Adult Education Program,
Niagara Falls (1996-97). Courses: Convention Management,
Promotion.
• PHOTOGRAPHER, numerous photographs appearing in various books, magazines and newspapers.
Available on request.