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NEWS RELEASE
July 2, 2003
Vancouver 2010 Olympics a Win for Tourism in British Columbia and Canada
VANCOUVER – Following the selection of Vancouver to host the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, British Columbia tourism officials immediately began efforts to maximize heightened awareness that comes with being an Olympic destination.
"British Columbia is one of the world's great tourist destinations," said British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell. "The 2010 Games will bring out the best of British Columbia, and we want to showcase our province and our country to the world."
A comprehensive strategic plan is being undertaken by the British Columbia tourism industry to accelerate and maximize tourism opportunities throughout British Columbia. Vancouver 2010 will serve as the catalyst for this growth by stimulating increased awareness which will be channeled into strategic opportunities in destination promotion, product development and media relations for all regions of British Columbia.
“Tourism in British Columbia is currently a $9.3 billion industry, and we believe that hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics can help us achieve a level of tourism activity before, during and after the Games that will accomplish the economic impact goals set out in the Vancouver 2010 Bid proposal,” added Mike Duggan, chair of Tourism British Columbia. “Our organization is working with partners such as Tourism Vancouver, Tourism Whistler, Tourism Victoria, Tourism Richmond and the Canadian Tourism Commission to ensure appropriate preparation and management of the tourism opportunities.”
Tourism British Columbia is a provincial Crown corporation, which operates under the direction of an industry-led board of directors and is responsible for marketing Super, Natural British Columbia to the world.
British Columbia Consumer Travel Information: www.HelloBC.com
British Columbia Tourism Industry Information: www.tourism.bc.ca
Contact:
Ray LeBlond
Director, Corporate Communications
Ph: (604) 660-3233
E-mail: ray.leblond@tourism.bc.ca
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Frequently Asked Questions
July 15, 2003 Draft
- Where and when will event tickets be available?
Most likely scenario will be 2009. Details will be confirmed by the OCOG.
- What happens to the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation?
Late summer 2003 – Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation dissolves. There will be a transition phase leading to the creation of Vancouver’s Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG). This phase will involve senior staff from the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation and the Bid Corporation’s Member Partners who include the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the Canadian Olympic Committee.
- When will the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (OCOG) be formed?
Fall 2003 – A new Board of Directors is established for the Vancouver 2010 OCOG. The OCOG will be responsible to run the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
- When will the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and Winter Paralympic Games be held?
Olympic Winter Games: February 12 - 28, 2010
Paralympic Winter Games: March 12 to March 21, 2010
- How can I sign up to volunteer for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games?
The 2010 Winter Games will need some 25,000 volunteers to help run the Games. The 2010 Bid Corporation was fortunate to have collected more than 50,000 names of those who are interested in volunteering in 2010.
The list of names will be turned over to the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG) which will develop a formal volunteer program, likely in 2008.
There will be a competition for volunteer positions, much like applying for a job. Volunteerism is important and the OCOG will want to take those specific skill sets and see how volunteers can be best matched to the jobs involved. There will be an interview process, screening and a training process for volunteers.
In the meantime we're encouraging British Columbians to get more volunteer experience in the next few years by volunteering at the many community events and festivals.
Be sure to check out the many volunteer organizations in your community, or make use of the online resources at http://www.volunteerbc.bc.ca/
- How can I get a job working on or for the 2010 Winter Games?
Individuals hoping to obtain employment with a Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games should wait until an OCOG is formed in late fall, 2003. Until an OCOG is formed and operational in early 2004, it will not be in a position to accept resumes. Once the OCOG is operational, it will develop the human resource management capabilities to proactively communicate its hiring needs through its website and other means. It should be kept in mind that the OCOG will start small and will not start hiring in significant numbers until 2006.
- How can I make accommodation reservations?
Contact hotels directly, however, to provide a degree of flexibility for the OCOG to effectively manage the needs of athletes and event organizers many hotels are not confirming any group bookings during the dates, February 1 through February 28, 2010 for the Olympic period and March 1 through 21, 2010 for the Paralympic period.
- Can I put the 2010 Games logo on my business stationery or sign?
The Olympic rings and branding can not be used by anyone other than the IOC and official Olympic and Paralympic Games sponsors. This right will also be extended to the transition team, the future Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (OCOG), and its Member Partners (including the city, federal and provincial governments) for non-commercial use. Now that the Bid phase is over, the 2010 Bid logo can no longer be used, even by Bid supporters.
Under the OCOG a new logo will be developed and its use will be dictated by the International Olympic Committee. As a rule, only official sponsors can use Olympic branding.
- How can my company become a supplier for or get involved in 2010 Games related projects?
An Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG) will be formed by the end of the year. Procurement for the 2010 Games will be done through that new body.
In the meantime, we recommend that people wanting to benefit from B.C. hosting the 2010 Games begin to plan now how their sector, business or community can capitalize on BC hosting the Olympics.
For tips on how businesses have already benefited and can benefit in the future from hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games check out www.smallbusinessbc.ca/2010 or www.mcaws.gov.bc.ca/2010Secretariat/PlanforGold.pdf.
Businesses interested in supplying goods or services to the OCOG should wait for the formation of the OCOG and monitor its development over time. As the procurement function is developed, the OCOG will be better able to communicate when specific goods and services are required through its website and other tools.
The procurement process for goods and services will be an open and public process with public tenders employed for larger acquisitions. It is anticipated the OCOG will develop a website aimed at providing information about prospective procurement activities. In the very early stages, much of what is acquired by the OCOG will be related to the office operations of the organization, construction activities, including design, environmental work, etc. and Games specific expertise for early planning.
- How can my business become an official sponsor or licencee?
Sponsors are organizations that provide cash, goods or services to the OCOG in return for marketing rights associated with the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the Canadian Olympic teams. Licensees are organizations that are licensed to use Olympic marks on products created for sale. Those wanting to learn more about Olympic marketing can refer to the website of the International Olympic Committee or the Canadian Olympic Committee.
The Vancouver 2010 organizing committee will begin planning its marketing program in conjunction with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) shortly after the OCOG is formed. Planning activities are expected to take about one year. Organizations interested in a sponsorship relationship with the OCOG should monitor the activities of the OCOG and make contact late in 2004. Active marketing of sponsorships will begin in 2005.
With the exception of a very limited number of product categories, the licensed product program is unlikely to commence for at least a few years after the decision to award the Games. It is expected that the licensed merchandise program will be established using a public tender process. Companies interested in participating in the program are encouraged to monitor the website of the OCOG once it is formed.
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