If you want to know how each and every one of us can get the Buffalo message out, then take a page out of the figurative book that Peter Burakowski is writing. Peter is the the Communications manager for Visit Buffalo Niagara (and the Historical Society before that). Peter also plays in a rock band. He’s got a fun-loving, down-to-earth personality and is constantly attending Buffalo’s myriad events, while supporting Buffalo businesses whenever he can. Peter loves Buffalo – for him Visit Buffalo Niagara is not just a job, it’s a mission. Peter’s on a mission to change the national perception of Buffalo, and he’s doing it in a proactive way. He’s calling nearby cities in hopes that he can talk (in person) to people who will not only listen, but who will help to spread the good word.
Recently Peter reached out to Ben Speggen at the Erie Reader and asked if he could by him a cup of coffee. It looks like this approach not only took Ben off-guard, it actually worked. Take note: If you’re ever going to send an ambassador to another city, it should be someone like Peter, especially when reaching out to other young people who might be interested in hearing from someone who is in a similar station in life. As it turns out, the coffee led to hatching a plan to get Ben and some friends to visit Buffalo – a city that none of them much thought about one way or another.
To see how the rest of the story unfolds, check out this article in the Erie Reader. As for Peter, I look forward to hearing about further exploits, in other cities, and the results that follow. Good job my friend.