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John HockinTourism and economic development, business mentoringJohn Hockin has a total of 30 years experience in industry and consulting. He has held a number of marketing management positions in all sizes of organizations from small business to multinational corporations. He has considerable experience in development strategies for business and communities of all sizes and extensive experience implementing strategies in corporate and community environments. He focuses on issues fundamental to business strategy - organizational structure, market and product planning, business development and strategy implementation. He is a pragmatist, knows the role of "industry operator", and has had line responsibility for sales, marketing and human resources in a number of organizations. With an extensive background in tourism development work, and business experience in over 100 countries, John uses his practical knowledge from around the world to apply to development assignments and business planning. John undertakes economic development planning processes that involve facilitation of strategic and implementation planning groups, business planning, business reviews/feasibility studies and project implementation. He serves municipal and regional economic development departments, community based committees and boards, regional tourism authorities, provincial and national government departments, tourist associations, destination marketing organizations, hotels and resorts, tour operators and other corporations. He has more than 20 years of experience in consulting assignments working with planning groups and the implementation of projects. John has worked with literally 100's of groups by helping them:
- Work through strategic planning processes His planning processes "start with results" and keep the focus there. He is sensitive to the needs of a wide variety of planning groups; senior management groups, project teams, government/ industry strategy teams, marketing alliances, community groups and business owners.
Academic CredentialsProject ExperienceRelated Employment and ExperienceAffiliationsAcademic CredentialsHonours Bachelor of Arts
Certificate in French
Project ExperienceCommunity based economic development initiatives Provincial, regional (Atlantic Canada) & national tourism/economic development initiatives Business development initiatives Community based economic development initiatives Goose Bay Citizens Coalition. Advised this community based groups on initial approaches to their strategic planning process as they address issues of military base conversion. Annapolis County Marketing Strategy. Facilitation of a county wide community input process which yielded the strategy. Pearson Peacekeeping Center & Annapolis Basin Conference Center. Facilitation of 12 month partnership planning process leading to a new 5 year strategic plan for ABCC. Cornwallis Park Development Agency 2001. Facilitated the long term planning process that helped CPDA transition to becoming an operating non profit company ( ABCC) Mill Cove Development Agency 1999. Facilitated the strategic planning process that helped the agency create the Aspotagan Heritage Trust. Queens County tourism strategy planning session. Facilitated an industry-input process leading to the creation of a tourism strategy for the County. Town of Mahone Bay. Facilitated a visioning process as the town identified the need for a long-term plan. Mariners Haven. For the Aspotogan Heritage Trust. Undertook feasibility analysis and the creation of a full business plan for a new community based destination attraction in Hubbards Nova Scotia. Aspotogan Heritage Trust. Repurposing of the commercial properties to provide economic development leverage for the community. Undertook a market scan to identify promising sectors and potential development partners. Brokered the creation of a global institute now in start up mode in the community. Halifax Tourism Culture & Heritage. Facilitated the long term planning process that launched the Tourism Marketing Advisory Council for HRM. Hubbards Waterfront Development Association. Facilitated strategic planning sessions leading to strategy for development. Aspotogan Trails Association. Facilitated a planning session for a community based tourism development strategy Yarmouth Waterfront Development Project. Consulted to the development team on market potential for the historic Killam Building. Lunenburg Tourism Workshop. Designed and facilitated this planning process for the Town of Lunenburg, as it contemplated planning needs around the United Nations World Heritage designation. Town of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia. Facilitated a strategic planning process for the town, addressing the 1995 festival commemorating the 250th anniversary of the fall of Fortress Louisbourg. Town of Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia. Facilitated a strategic planning process as the town prepared for a new tourism festival. St. Margaret's Bay Community Tourism Planning Process. Facilitated workshops in concert with the creation of a 5 year tourism development process. Guysborough County Tourism Marketing Coop, Training Program. Designed and delivered this program to tourism business operators. Sherbrooke Area Tourism Workshop. John designed and facilitated this planning process that brought residents of the region together to explore cooperative tourism development opportunities. Back to Relevant Project Experience
Provincial, regional (Atlantic Canada) & national tourism/economic development initiatives Canadian Tourism Commission. Facilitated a strategic planning process for the President. Involved all senior managers from global operations. Cape Breton Welcome Center. Consultant to the planning team designing this world class facility. Cape Breton Tourism Road Map. Co directed this major destination development strategy which has led to an investment of $50 Million in tourism infrastructure. Nova Scotia Cultural Council, community input sessions. Facilitated 6 town hall sessions dealing with proposed revisions to cultural policy. Launch of Destination Halifax - Halifax's first DMO. Acted as the project manager, facilitated the task force through the development of a business plan, the hiring of the CEO and other key personnel, and the opening of the office in spring 2002. Tourism Strategy for Nova Scotia 2000. Facilitated industry and other partner input and drafted long term strategy for the Tourism Partnership Council. Air Action Partnership 2000. Facilitated planning process for this pan Atlantic group focused on air access issues. Prince Edward Island's Tourism Industry: Spatial and Product Analysis, 2000-2005. Consultant on the study team that reviewed the last five years and made strategic recommendations for the upcoming 5 years. ACTP (Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership) European Committee Branding Study. Undertook the key informant interview process for the tour operators component and wrote the overall report and recommendations. Nova Scotia Tourism Partnership Council - Long term planning process. Facilitated this provincial group in creating a refreshed vision and objectives for Nova Scotia's tourism strategy and a long term planning process to manage the strategy forward. ACTP (Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership) - Atlantic Canada Travel Trade Strategy Study. Wrote this study in partnership with Pulse Marketing. The Study looked at key developing markets for Atlantic Canada and developed a draft travel trade strategy for these markets in concert with government and industry partners. Nova Scotia Vision Committee Think Tank sessions. Facilitated this industry workshop for the Tourism Partnership Council of Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia Industry/Government Tourism Marketing Committee (TMSG). Facilitated a planning process that created a framework for a 5 year marketing planning process, and facilitated subsequent marketing planning sessions leading to the first "integrated" Nova Scotia Tourism Marketing Plan. The Nova Scotia Tourism Council has now been formed and will use the framework for annual marketing planning. Newfoundland and Labrador tourism product, market match study. John provided product market match analysis, opinions on viable investment strategies and development process options. Nova Scotia Festivals and Events Strategy. Consulted from perspective of markets, products, and training needs for this major study by the Province of Nova Scotia. 5-Year Tourism Strategic Plan for PEI. Provided consulting advice on marketing and operational elements for the accommodation sector strategy. Review of the Canada Select Program in Atlantic Canada. Consultant on a comprehensive review of this marketing program. Study of Accommodation Quality Assurance Standards and Evaluation of Options for Accommodation Rating in Ontario. Consultant on a study of licensing and grading options for the accommodation sector in Ontario. Province of Alberta. Conducted study of the national and international motorcoach tourism potential of South Eastern Alberta. ACTQC. The Atlantic Canada Tourism Quality Council \0x2013 planning workshop. Facilitated a workshop for this group as it considered approaches to Pan Atlantic management training needs. Product Clubs Workshop for Tourism Nova Scotia. Designed and facilitated the workshop and wrote a follow up report. Learning Vacations Workshop for Tourism Nova Scotia. Designed and facilitated the workshop and wrote a follow up report for Tourism Nova Scotia. Back to Relevant Project Experience
Business development initiatives Atlantic Canada SME Export Mentoring Program. Have served as a consultant to may small business in Atlantic Canada, helping them develop export mentoring plans. Atlantic Film Festival Association Strategic Plan 2004-2009. Centre for Geographic Sciences. Feasibility study for the creation of a business incubator for geomatics related businesses. CTC - Canadian Tourism Commission, US and America's Committee. Coordinated the Canadian Ski Partnership. Negotiated with national private sector partners, soliciting new organizations and sponsors, on behalf of the CTC. Scotia Slate. Business plan for new division. Halifax Tourism, Culture & Heritage. Marketing Division mandate and structural review. Maritime Marlin Travel. Worked with the largest Atlantic Canadian Travel retailer/tour operator to create a new technology based business development strategy, addressing the US market. Greater Halifax Conventions and Meetings Bureau. Facilitating the strategic planning process for this organization. Atlantic Canada Cruise Association. Developed the 1997-2000 marketing plan of this pan Atlantic Canadian association. Survival Systems Inc. Development of sales distribution strategy and revenue improvement initiatives for this global supplier of helicopter (sea survival) training systems. Knowledge Navigators International. Development of the business development strategy for this technology start up. Feasibility Study. Cabot Trail Sea and Golf Chalets. Feasibility Study - A four Season Spa Resort for PEI. Provided the market and product analysis for this study. American Sensors. Development of a global sales system architecture for this international manufacturer. Ontario Bushplane Heritage Center. Contributed consultant perspective on product development and markets, for this feasibility study. Northwestern Ontario Resort Concept. Provided market, sales and operations feasibility analysis. Sea Spa Nova Scotia. Facilitated a strategic planning process during the preopening phase of resort operations. Cambridge Suites Hotels. Facilitated a Continuous Quality Improvement process in the company. The program has subsequently moved out to a second hotel with a third interested in participating in this collaborative learning model. Todd Brooker Mountain Lodge, Collingwood Ontario. Designed hotel concept, and operational management systems. Facilitated a planning process for the Atlantic Canada Tourism Technology Meeting White Point Beach Nova Scotia. Atlantic Canada Tourism Conference. Facilitated conference planning sessions on the role of information technology in the tourism industry. Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I. - Annual conference. Facilitated a workshop information session on the "Power of tourism marketing coops". Workshop. Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS). Facilitated strategic planning process - board development. Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership. Designed and delivered co-op marketing workshop for the tourism small business operator in Atlantic Canada. This program was designed to deliver information, training on marketing partnerships and solicit partners in four Atlantic Provinces. Canadian Tourism Commission, US and America's Committee. Coordinated the Canada Adventure marketing program nationally in it's first year - 1995/96. Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership. Designed marketing workshop for delivery to tourism operators across Atlantic Canada. Related Employment and Experience1992-present - Partner, Hockin Cronin & Associates
1989-1992 - Vice President, Sales And Market Development, Centennial Hotels Ltd.
1986-1989 - Preopening & Operations, Director Of Marketing, Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel
1983-1986 - National Sales Director, Canada For Marriott Hotels And Resorts
1981-1983 - Director Travel Industry Sales, Delta Hotels And Resorts
1976-1981 - International Tour Director, Travel Corporation of America (Travcoa)
Prior to working for Travcoa John was affiliated for 5 years with Horizon Holidays of Canada where he conducted group tours throughout Canada and the United States. He has an extensive knowledge of Canadian tour itineraries and ground operations from coast to coast. AffiliationsTourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS) |