The Halifax Stanfield International Airport was a beehive of activity as planes loaded with athletes descended on our city and were whisked onto buses to begin their Halifax adventures. For many of these young competitors, this may have been their first visit to Nova Scotia, their first taste of that Maritime hospitality that this province is known for. 

And who better to greet them than a group of dedicated volunteers, decked in the signature blue Nova Scotia tartan and cheering each group's arrival? These are the folks known as the Tartan Team, and it's their job to make visitors feel welcome, to answer questions and make sure your first impression of our province is a friendly face. 

I got to meet the whole gang of greeters as we waited for Team Ontario to arrive, and they do not disappoint. Their enthusiasm is infectious, and their energetic cheers echoed through the airport as the competitors, decked in bright red jackets, filed through the building and out into the bright winter sunshine. What a great start to the athletes' Nova Scotia experience!

Whether it's a large-scale celebration like the Canada Games or the daily coming-and-going of air travellers, the Tartan Team makes it their business to give visitors a cheerful, heartfelt welcome, day after day. And it's obvious that they love what they do -- making people feel at home even when they're not at home. No wonder folks keep coming back!