After 28 years of leading, marketing and developing the Georgian Triangle area as one of Ontario's premier four-season destinations, Sheila Metras is retiring.
"I'm going to miss it," said the executive director of the Georgian Triangle Tourist Association (GTTA), during a press conference at the Holiday Inn in Collingwood. "I think it's time for a new direction and maybe some new energy to come in and bring it up a notch. The opportunities are endless with this organization."
Her career began in 1978. when she took the position as manager of the Jozo Weider Tourist Information Centre. At this point, she recognized the potential of the area and the need for a co-operative tourist marketing strategy.
Metras established the combined tourism region, commonly referred to as the Georgian Triangle, and garnered the community support of Thornbury, Meaford, Collingwood, Stayner and Wasaga Beach.
"I think the whole idea of starting the Georgian Triangle was to bring everybody together on the same page," she said.
"It's all about working together. We have to keep that, because you can't do it alone."
Over the years, as Intrawest invested partial ownership in Blue Mountain Resort in the late 1990s, housing, business and development has boomed in the surrounding municipalities.
"It's grown so much since I came here," said Metras.
"In 1978, we didn't have any of that and now we do. It makes it a real four-season area because none of them (municipalities) have enough product to do it on its own."
Today, the Georgian Triangle area is one of the leading tourist areas in Ontario, and Metras has been a driving force behind this, said Bob Waind board member.
"I guess we all knew this day was going to come eventually," he said. "Suffice to say, (Metras) has been the driving force of this organization since its inception. Words cannot express just the hard work and dedication that has gone into this organization. She'll be greatly missed."
Her incredible energy, endless devotion and tireless dedication have helped build the GTTA and the area both nationally and internationally, he added.
"It's going to be very difficult to find somebody close to replace Sheila," he said. "It's a sad day for me to actually have anything to do with this aspect of the job. I've come to know and appreciate what Sheila is and what she has done for this organization. Words cannot express enough thanks."
It's been the help of co-workers, businesses, organizations and the communities over the years, said Metras.
"It's usually the collective, all the people that have put all their energy into it," she said.
"Over 27 years, we have brought this area together. We turned it into a product that could be sold on the international market."
Along with the tourist association, Metras has also managed the Tourist Information Centre and the Georgian Triangle Central Reservations Systems.
