David Adames was appointed chief executive officer of The Niagara Parks Commission in 2019, having previously served as senior director of business development and chief operating officer.
As CEO, Adames collaborates closely with the board to advance their aim of developing tourism in Niagara and Ontario while preserving the nature and culture of the 56-kilometer Niagara River corridor.
Niagara Parks is one of the largest employers in the Niagara region, employing around 1,500 people during the peak tourist season. With a budget exceeding $120 million, the organisation is funded through revenue-generating operations such as retail, F&B, golf operations, heritage sites, parking and transportation services, tenanted properties, and attractions.
In 2021, it opened a groundbreaking destination attraction which transformed one of its disused historic buildings.
Adames said: “Niagara Parks were very fortunate to have three decommissioned hydroelectric power generating stations as part of our collection of heritage sites and attractions.”
“So, we earmarked Niagara Parks Power Station for adaptive reuse. We wanted to create a new attraction and tell the important story of hydropower, and to be a new demand generator to attract visitors, to Niagara Parks, to Niagara, and Canada.”
Niagara Parks Power Station is the only fully intact, decommissioned hydroelectric power plant of its age remaining in the world. At night, it is brought to life with Currents: Niagara’s Power Transformed by Thinkwell Studios Montreal. This pioneering experience combines interactive media, lights, and a musical score, and won first place in the 2021 blooloop Innovation Awards’ Places category.
Before joining Niagara Parks, Adames was president and CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and executive director of Tourism Hamilton. He currently serves on multiple tourism boards, such as Niagara Falls Tourism and the Tourism Partnership of Niagara, and is chair of the Niagara Falls Illumination Board. Adames is a McMaster and Queen’s University graduate.