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NEWS RELEASE
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For Immediate Release Feb. 5, 2010 |
Ministry of Small
Business, Technology and Economic Development
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HOSTING, TICKETING PROGRAM SHOWCASES B.C. TO THE WORLD
VICTORIA – The Province released details today of its 2010 Olympic and Paralympic business hosting strategy, which will feature dozens of events and outreach opportunities to promote British Columbia’s core industries, diverse regions and communities, and investment and job-creation potential throughout the province, Iain Black, Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development, and Mary McNeil, Minister of State for the Olympics, said today.
“The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to promote British Columbia to the world, and with experts predicting that the province will lead Canada in growth next year following these Games, we need to take full advantage of that opportunity to promote our province, promote investment and grow jobs in every region,” said Black. “As host province, we will use every opportunity to show global leaders that our talented people, our strategic location, our competitive tax rates, and our business-friendly climate make British Columbia the place to invest in the 21st century.”
The hosting program will involve more than 9,000 participants. It will engage business leaders, potential investors and dignitaries from around the world during their visit to the Games. More than 70 networking events over 17 days will involve industries such as forestry, tourism, finance, manufacturing, energy, technology, agriculture, life sciences, and transportation.
The program will also involve communities in introducing business visitors to all of British Columbia’s diverse and vibrant regions. For example, the program offers a venue for the Okanagan to showcase its artisan agriculture, clean technology, and world-class tourism industry, and for Vancouver Island to promote its growing reputation as a culinary destination. A series of theme days will highlight British Columbia’s achievements in forestry, clean energy, tourism, multiculturalism, digital media, and film and entertainment.
The hosting events will take place at sites including the B.C. Showcase and the Asia Pacific Business Centre at Robson Square, the B.C. Pavilion at the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Terminal City Club, and the Whistler Discovery Centre.
The program will also include the use of up to 3,244 tickets purchased by the Province and 910 tickets allocated at no cost to the Province by VANOC. The tickets will be used for hosting and business purposes. They will be provided to prominent Canadians, dignitaries, international business leaders and investors. Unused tickets will be offered for sale to Olympic partners, donated to non-profit organizations or returned to VANOC for sale to the public.
The ticketing program has been guided by key principles to ensure the most benefit for the province. A maximum of two ministers or MLAs will fulfil hosting duties at any sporting event, and a full accounting of all tickets distributed will be provided after the Games are complete.
“British Columbia is already attracting interest around the world from international leaders and dignitaries looking to invest in and promote our province,” said McNeil. “It is fundamental that we provide them with a quality experience while showcasing all that B.C. has to offer, so that we can capture the economic, social and cultural opportunities from these Games for years to come.”
The hosting program builds on the Province’s marketing efforts during the Torino and Beijing Olympic Games. It is part of a broader promotional strategy that includes an international advertising campaign to promote tourism, a dynamic provincial presence at Robson Square, and creation of the BC Media Centre to support thousands of visiting media during the Games.
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Media Contact:
Media Contact for Ticketing Info Backgrounders
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Rob Duffus Communications Director Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development 250 356-9428
Karen Murry Media Relations Manager Public Affairs Bureau 250 889-3664 |
BACKGROUNDER
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For Immediate Release Feb. 5, 2010 |
Ministry of Small
Business, Technology and Economic Development
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2010 BUSINESS HOSTING PROGRAM
The 2010 Business Hosting Program is part of a broader strategy to promote British Columbia before, during, and after the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. This strategy includes a major tourism advertising campaign, intense promotion at Robson Square during the Games, and hosting more than 4,000 media representatives at the BC Media Centre. The program builds on the work done by the Province during the 2006 Torino Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games.
Participants
The 2010 Business Hosting Program targets prospective investors in British Columbia, major buyers of B.C. products, those who are in a position to create more jobs in the province, potential trading partners, global partners in innovation and research, and visiting government dignitaries.
The more than 9,000 participants will include business leaders from North America, Europe and Asia representing industries including forestry, manufacturing, tourism, airlines, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, film and entertainment, information and communications technology, venture capital, automotive, mining, and energy.
Activities
More than 70 business hosting events will take place in the BC Canada Pavilion, the BC Showcase, Asia Pacific Business Centre, Terminal City Club, and Whistler Discovery Centre. These include business-to-business networking events, government-hosted events, free daily business seminars, showcase events celebrating achievements in specific sectors, and regional economic development events.
The program will promote several key sectors of the B.C. economy.
Forestry
· A forestry theme day will showcase B.C. as a world leader in sustainable forest management and renewable, innovative, climate friendly forest products.
· Press conferences and technical briefings will be held at the BC Media Centre promoting wood at Shanghai Expo 2010 and B.C.’s “Wood First” program. There will be technical briefings on sustainable forest management and forest product innovation.
· Media events will include a First Nations canoe gifting and a demonstration of forest firefighting aircraft at Harbour Green Park. There will be a luncheon for international media.
· Government will host a “Wood First” networking reception at the BC Canada Pavilion, and Initiatives Prince George will host a business event at the BC Showcase.
Tourism
· A tourism theme day will profile B.C. as a preferred travel destination by showcasing the province’s diverse tourism regions and wide range of visitor experiences.
· An event will be held to promote B.C.’s sport tourism and sport hosting experiences.
· The day will also include a networking session highlighting Aboriginal tourism in B.C.
Clean energy
· Clean Energy Day presents opportunities for media coverage that will highlight B.C.’s green economy and vibrant green business sector.
· The day will showcase B.C.’s leadership in clean technology and the fight against climate change, with major media announcements from industry and government in the morning and an industry networking event in the afternoon.
Digital media and technology
· A digital media day will present innovative B.C. companies involved in cutting-edge digital technologies.
· Hundreds of guests will attend seminars exploring how digital technology is changing medicine, communities, entertainment, media, and other areas of our lives.
· The events will be attended by CEOs and other senior executives from B.C. and international wireless and digital companies.
Agriculture
· Events will feature B.C.’s diverse agri-food and seafood products, wine and growing culinary reputation.
· A showcase will be held to feature First Nations agriculture and food products.
· There will be a series of tasting events with B.C. wine and ice wine.
· Oyster-tasting events will focus on sustainable shellfish production.
Film and entertainment
· A theme day will provide networking opportunities and celebrate the province’s achievements in film and other productions. Events include a media briefing.
· Industry leaders will attend an evening reception at the BC Canada Pavilion. The venue will be dressed with props from a television set.
Regional events
· Various events will showcase B.C.’s regions, including:
o Vancouver Island: A Taste of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast to spotlight the area’s local food and accomplished chefs.
o The Okanagan: An event celebrating the valley’s artisan agriculture, clean technology, wineries and tourism industry.
o The Cariboo: An event to showcase “Gold Rush Living” in the region.
o The Kootenays: Events related to tourism to promote the Kootenays
o Comox Valley: An event highlighting the athlete training and conditioning program in the area.
o Prince George: Activities promoting investment opportunities in Prince George and the region.
o Prince Rupert: Ongoing contacts through the business hosting program to promote investment opportunities in the Prince Rupert area.
Follow-up
To make sure that the connections made during the business program will translate into long-term business and economic benefits, the Province will follow up with participants after the games and provide assistance as required. This includes providing market and sector information, help with business introductions, services to potential investors, and support through B.C.’s network of nine international trade and investment representative offices in Asia, Europe, and the U.S.
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Media Contact:
Media Contact for Ticketing Info Backgrounders
|
Rob Duffus Communications Director Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development 250 356-9428
Karen Murry Media Relations Manager Public Affairs Bureau 250 889-3664 |
BACKGROUNDER
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For Immediate Release Feb. 5, 2010 |
Ministry of Small
Business, Technology and Economic Development
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2010 WINTER OLYMPICS TICKET ALLOCATION
The Province of British Columbia purchased 3,244 tickets for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games out of a total 1.6 million tickets available. B.C. has also received complimentary tickets from VANOC. The total number of provincial tickets is as follows:
|
Tickets |
Number |
Cost |
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Purchased by the Province |
3,244 |
$ 940,680 |
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Allocated to the Province by VANOC* |
910 |
$ 0 |
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Total Tickets |
4,154 |
$ 940,680 |
*These tickets are for Opening Ceremonies (50 tickets) and the Vancouver and Whistler Victory Ceremonies (860 tickets for 27 events), and have been allocated by VANOC at no cost to the Province.
As the Host Province, British Columbia is maximizing the international marketing opportunity by inviting prominent Canadians, community leaders, dignitaries, international business leaders and investors to attend the Winter Games and experience the best of B.C.
No more than two Ministers or MLAs will attend a single event using tickets from the Province, and only when acting as an official host for invited guests.
Contesting tickets are distributed via GamesTown 2010, World Healthy Living Challenge and further distributions may be announced in the future.
Tickets purchased or allocated have been distributed as follows:
|
Sport/Event (# of events) |
Maximum Hosting |
Maximum Contesting |
Maximum Minister/MLA |
TOTAL |
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TOTAL |
3,414 |
536 |
204 |
4,154 |
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Opening Ceremonies |
157 |
4 |
2 |
163 |
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Closing Ceremonies |
125 |
2 |
2 |
129 |
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Men's Ice Hockey (30 events) |
764 |
8 |
56 |
828 |
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Women's Ice Hockey (20 events) |
400 |
12 |
10 |
422 |
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Figure Skating (10 events) |
238 |
6 |
20 |
264 |
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Short Track Speed Skating (5 events) |
98 |
6 |
10 |
114 |
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Speed Skating (12 events) |
44 |
6 |
0 |
50 |
|
Freestyle Skiing (8 events) |
140 |
18 |
0 |
158 |
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Snowboarding (6 events) |
129 |
18 |
0 |
147 |
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Men’s Curling (18 events) |
162 |
16 |
0 |
178 |
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Women’ Curling (15 events) |
161 |
18 |
0 |
179 |
|
Alpine Skiing (10 events) |
80 |
20 |
0 |
100 |
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Ski Jumping (5 events) |
128 |
22 |
0 |
150 |
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Biathlon (7 events) |
34 |
2 |
0 |
36 |
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Nordic Combined (3 events) |
14 |
4 |
0 |
18 |
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Cross-country Skiing (9 events) |
66 |
14 |
0 |
80 |
|
Luge (5 events) |
34 |
2 |
0 |
36 |
|
Skeleton (2 events) |
16 |
4 |
0 |
20 |
|
Bobsleigh (6 events) |
50 |
16 |
0 |
66 |
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Vancouver Victory Ceremonies (12) |
558 |
234 |
104 |
896 |
|
Whistler Victory Ceremonies (15) |
16 |
104 |
0 |
120 |
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TOTAL |
3,414 |
536 |
204 |
4,154 |
The Province has also purchased 492 tickets to the Paralympic Winter Games. The same key principles for ticket allocation apply.
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Media Contact:
Media Contact for Ticketing Info Backgrounders
|
Rob Duffus Communications Director Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development 250 356-9428
Karen Murry Media Relations Manager Public Affairs Bureau 250 889-3664 |
BACKGROUNDER
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For Immediate Release Feb. 5, 2010 |
Ministry of Small
Business, Technology and Economic Development
|
2010 WINTER OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONIES
The Province has a total of 163 tickets for the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. 113 of those tickets were purchased by the Host Province, and 50 were allocated by VANOC at no cost to British Columbia, as follows:
|
Opening Ceremonies |
Number |
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Purchased by the Province |
113 |
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Allocated to Province by VANOC |
50 |
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Total Number of Tickets |
163 |
The Opening Ceremonies is a key component of British Columbia’s hosting strategy. The high-profile event is where the Province will recognize the contributions of community leaders and distinguished Canadians and it is an opportunity to facilitate new business development with high-profile dignitaries and business leaders.
Tickets for the Opening Ceremonies are distributed to the following groups:
|
Hosting Guests |
Tickets |
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B.C. Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games gold medalists |
9 |
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Canadian Armed Forces and guests |
22 |
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CEO's/business leaders and guests |
24 |
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Celebrities and entertainers and guests |
23 |
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Special Olympics representatives |
2 |
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First Nations representatives and guests |
16 |
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Former Prime Ministers and guests |
3 |
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Canadian premiers and guests |
11 |
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Former B.C. premiers and guests |
6 |
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Former Whistler and Vancouver mayors and guests |
6 |
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US governors and guests |
9 |
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Parliamentary speakers and guests |
6 |
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Other dignitaries |
1 |
|
Currently unallocated |
19 |
|
Contesting |
4 |
|
Minister and guests |
2 |
|
TOTAL Opening Ceremonies Tickets |
163 |
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BACKGROUNDER
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For Immediate Release Feb. 5, 2010 |
Ministry of Small
Business, Technology and Economic Development
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2010 WINTER GAMES TICKETING PRINCIPLES
As the Host Province for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, British Columbia has an unprecedented opportunity to network with high profile international business leaders and decision makers and recognize the contributions of community leaders and distinguished Canadians.
British Columbia is maximizing this once-in-a-lifetime international marketing opportunity by inviting prominent Canadians, community leaders, dignitaries, international business leaders and investors to attend the Winter Games and experience the best of B.C.
The Province will allocate tickets based upon the following 10 key principles – the basis of the Province’s ticketing strategy:
1. No more than two ministers or MLAs will attend a single event using tickets from the Province, and only when acting as an official host for invited guests.
2. The only exception to Principle #1 is the B.C. Day Victory Ceremony on Feb. 14, where VANOC has allocated tickets at no cost to all MLAs and a guest each.
3. Ministers and MLAs must comply with the Members’ Conflict of Interest Act and guidelines provided by the Office of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner respecting any tickets they receive through the Province or from any other source. The ruling can be viewed online at http://www.gov.bc.ca/oci/down/olympics_gift_guide.pdf.
4. Tickets will not be made available for spouses, family members or additional guests of ministers or MLAs, except for tickets for the B.C. Day Victory Ceremony provided by VANOC at no cost.
5. Decisions about tickets allocated for hosting will be based on recommendations from senior government officials – led by the deputy minister of the Olympic Games Secretariat, the deputy minister for Small Business, Technology and Economic Development, and the deputy minister for Intergovernmental Relations – and supported by a reasoned business case.
6. All tickets designated for hosting purposes and for public contesting will be offered free of charge.
7. Any tickets that are surplus to the Province’s needs for hosting and public contesting will be offered for sale to Olympic partners, donated to non-profit organizations or returned to VANOC for sale to the public.
8. All tickets offered by the Province are for intended recipients only. They are only transferrable with permission from the Province and must not be sold.
9. After the Games, the Province will provide a detailed report on the final ticket distribution process and who received tickets.
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Media Contact:
Media Contact for Ticketing Info Backgrounders
|
Rob Duffus Communications Director Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development 250 356-9428
Karen Murry Media Relations Manager Public Affairs Bureau 250 889-3664 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
