I am very fortunate to be able to introduce Chris Clarke to the Canada-e-Connect project. Chris is a Vancouver-native expert blogger in the online travel and hospitality space, and is the creator of the famous hospitality blog BedJump, as well as his current blog VacantReady.

The Canada-e-Connect blog (www.canadaeconnectblog.com) is separate from the main Canada-e-Connect website (www.canadaeconnect.com), and there is an important reason for that. The blog will document “the making of Canada-e-Connect” with interviews, updates, new developments, etc. while the main website is the hub for the main information, and registration. It will not focus so much on Online Marketing and Strategy Trends in Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality, but feel free to visit my personal Tourism Internet Marketing Blog for that type of information.

We are planning to also offer our new Canadian E-Tourism Council members the opportunity to become co-bloggers. In addition, Chris is not an employee of the Canadian Tourism Commission, and even though we see him almost as part of the Canada-e-Connect team, his views are completely unbiased, un-influenced, and independent. Due to the fact that Canada-e-Connect has so many components and facets, we would like to share our experiences with the world and have you join us for the ride. As Chris told me recently, he will be as inclusive as possible. He may interview speakers, sponsors, join us on site inspections of venues, and much more. In short, we are completely transparent and have no secrets.

And…he also wants to include YOUR views and opinions. So please comment on the posts, and feel free to write him. He may interview you, or post your opinions on the post, if HE feels it is appropriate. In addition, we are launching an Online Community, where everybody - speakers, sponsors, attendees, and even online travel marketers from all over Canada and all over the world can join in the conversation - before the conference, during the conference, and after the conference.