Discussions at the March forum got a jump-start from four inspiring, knowledgeable speakers: Brian Merrett, the director of the Niagara Parks Commission, responsible for stewardship of the core scenic assets of the region; Mary Means, a noted US planner and expert in heritage and cultural tourism development; Robert O’Dell, an economist and planner deeply involved in the effort to direct strategic investments to the Niagara Region; and John Farrow, President of the Canadian Urban Institute, and a student of “competitive city regions” around the world. Their presentations are recorded here in text.