Thursday, November the 17th was our grand opening and ribbon cutting. It was an exciting day, and President Lou Lemos, amongst others, gave some enthusiastic words to our guests about the launching of a new era for BTI The Travel Consultants. We wanted to share Lou’s opening words to include you in this huge moment in history for us.

Ribbon Cutting Opening Remarks

Good morning and welcome to the really new BTI The Travel Consultants new home. As we entered our 23^rd year in business we began our whirl-wind of change that gives us a new home, a new logo and identity and a new website. I have to say that this has been a wild ride to get to this celebratory day in our history. We definitely had a few bumps, but through the entire move our offices were down for only 2 hours, a herculean feat. With the help of Lighthouse Marketing and Breakthrough Design Group we have a new look and a new website. With the help of my team, the entire effort came together in record time and with minimal stress.

We have been a part of the Syracuse Business Community for 23 years and our move to downtown is to grow our business and to be a part of the resurgence of this area. Downtowns are seeing great growth and reinvention and I see that in the future of Downtown Syracuse.

Beginning with Armory Square the Rebirth of downtown seemed to stall for a while after that huge success.  Then things seemed to plateau, but with a new surge in upscale residential communities, innovative fashion design and tried-and-true Syracuse favorites, we were beginning to make great strides in creating an attractive downtown Syracuse.

We are taking a giant step by bringing our offices beyond the Armory Square area and into the center of the downtown which I believe is in the beginnings of a great revitalization and growth.  With SU and companies like King & King, EMA, O’Brien & Gere and the new Landmark showing the way.

Seeing such amazing change and progressive movement, I was naturally drawn to not only live, but also invest my company’s future in the exciting growth and endless opportunity so close to our home. So, when the chance to move came we jumped at the opportunity.

2011 will end as our most successful year ever. Our sales will exceed 40 Million for the first time ever and our profit will almost double from 2010, all the while in an economy that has been uncertain. In the ever changing Travel business this is a great accomplishment. With our routes in Syracuse we have grown to be a true National Player with over 60% of our corporate business being headquartered outside of Syracuse. It’s a big world and we are all over it!

We have always been driven to be the best that we can be and stay ahead by being high tech and high touch. By recreating our web presence, including in our everyday services relevant and edgy technology and moving operations where we can be influential– we better achieve that true goal.  And that is due in no small part to the exceptional staff that has been the backbone of our success. Here with me today are a majority of our 29 employees that worked to make us the success we are today and a management team that has been instrumental in this move and our revitalized branding. We have always run the business with the understanding that our staff is with me longer during the day then they are with their family and that is an important part of our personnel philosophy.

Here as well, are many of our customers whose loyalty we appreciate very much.  With us as well are the incredible venders who we work with to enhance our customer’s experience.

We have great faith moving forward, with such support, that we can be instrumental in downtown Syracuse’s complete revitalization.

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