The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and Brock University are working to turn one of Canada’s favourite tourism towns into a destination for conferences and research meetings.

The Town’s Lord Mayor Pat Darte and University President Jack Lightstone signed a memorandum of understanding this week to create the Brock-Niagara Forum for Advanced Research and Leadership. The MOU had been worked out in talks involving NOTL officials and Brock’s Vice-President of Research, Gary Libben.

Under the agreement, the municipality will provide space in its Community Centre for use as a base for the project, while the University uses its research partnerships to promote the popular theatre and agri-tourism community as an attractive choice for conferences, retreats and meetings.

Lightstone said Niagara-on-the-Lake has the reputation and tourism infrastructure to appeal to conference groups, and Brock welcomes opportunities to partner with municipalities to bring economic and cultural benefits to the region.

“This is a good chance to showcase your beautiful town within our beautiful Region,” Lightstone said, “and it could lead to a good opportunity for Brock to advance its research mandate and reputation.”

Darte said he and the town council welcome the partnership.

“Anything we can do in Niagara-on-the-Lake to support education is a good move,” said Darte. “Working with Brock would be a great step in that direction. Hopefully we will be able to do more with Brock in the future.”