The decision to send a delegate to Victoria for the Council of Tourism Association's annual conference, along with discussions on the tourism lure brochure funded with marketing money given out after the Queen of the North sank, were just two items on the recent Haida Gwaii Tourism Association's agenda. The meeting was held Jan. 23 in Masset and president Andrew Merilees says the big news is that 15 people showed up, one of the group's best turnouts in years. Also discussed was what the HGTA's official response will be to BC Ferries question about what the community would like to see happen at the Skidegate terminal. The cut off for input on that is June, and Mr. Merilees put the question out to the membership. The group also discussed their upcoming AGM, scheduled for March 10. Sarah Loewen's tourism marketing strategy will be unveiled at the meeting. Mr. Merilees was chosen as the delegate to go to the COTA conference. He hopes the event will help HGTA increase opportunities for collaboration and partnership with other associations. He says there'll be workshops on destination marketing as well, on which he'll report back to the board. The HGTA is also applying for Gwaii Trust money to prepare a trade show booth. If successful, the booth would be available for next year. This year, representatives from the islands will attend shows in Edmonton, Fraser Valley and Calgary.