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July 2008 |  |
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| THE CLOCK IS TICKING | |||||||
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On June 21, the Olympic Countdown Clock outside the Vancouver Art Gallery will reach 600, indicating there are just 600 days until the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The excitement is widely apparent - from folks sporting Winter Games merchandise around town through to the number of people posing for pictures in front of the stone Inukshuk (the Olympic emblem) in English Bay. www.vancouver2010.com Wondering how your meeting delegates can experience Olympic excitement during their time in Vancouver? Some ideas for winter and summer group activities are included below. Summer Suggestions
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| VANCOUVER AMONG THE WORLD'S TOP CITIES FOR HOSTING SPORTING EVENTS | |||||||
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Vancouver is one of the best destinations in the world for hosting sporting events according to a report entitled Ultimate Sports City 2008: Strategies For Successful Event Hosting. Vancouver was named fifth in the world (behind Melbourne, Berlin, Sydney and London), and the top North American city, in the report which scored cities on categories including public sports interest, hosting experience, facilities, transportation, accommodation, government support, legacy, quality of life and marketing. Los Angeles was next best ranked North American city, placing 8th.
Tourism Vancouver has been active in promoting sport tourism for several years. President and CEO, Rick Antonson, was recently honoured with the 2008 Industry Builder Award by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA) for his efforts and vision in building the Canadian sport tourism industry. Under Antonson's leadership, Tourism Vancouver has taken innovative strides in supporting sport tourism including the establishment of a sport tourism portfolio within the organization's Meetings & Conventions department - the first by a destination marketing organization in Canada. Antonson was also instrumental in mounting Vancouver and Whistler's successful bid for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Among the sporting events that Vancouver has secured in recent years are the 2005 Grey Cup, the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the 2008 BMO Skate Canada National Championships, the 2008 International Triathlon World Championships, the 2008 World Ultimate Championships, the 2009 World Police & Fire Games, and the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships. |
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| HOLIDAY INN VANCOUVER DOWNTOWN FIRST IN CANADA FOR BRAND RELAUNCH | |||||||
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The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Vancouver Downtown was the first Holiday Inn property in Canada, and among the first Holiday Inn hotels in the world, to be transformed under the company's one billion dollar brand relaunch - established to create a more contemporary brand image, increase quality and drive consistency. Holiday Inn is relaunching their complete estate of nearly 3,200 hotels, 413,406 guest rooms and 11,000 signs by the end of 2010. The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Vancouver Downtown has received redesigned brand signage, refreshed guest rooms, new bedding and enhanced bathroom features including improved showerheads, and new amenities. In addition the hotel has rolled out a new service promise and a new "signature arrival" involving signature lighting, design features as well as customized music and scent selections to engage guests in a complete sensory welcome experience. www.holidayinnvancouverdowntown.com |
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| VANCOUVER NAMED BEST WALKING CITY IN CANADA | |||||||
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Vancouver has been recognized as the 2008 Best Walking City in Canada by the Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine. Factors contributing to Vancouver's win include the city's natural beauty, extensive parks, and the city's transportation plan which makes walking one of the top transportation priorities. The city invests in transportation options such as widening sidewalks, neighbourhood traffic calming, and increasing greenways. In addition, land-use planning has resulted in higher densities, and a very walkable downtown core, making it a pleasant host city for meetings and conventions. Vancouver was also recognized for the number of kilometres of trails in the city, its ideal year-round temperatures, good air quality and many points of interest. The award was established to raise awareness of the need for safe, accessible and practical urban walking routes which encourage and enable residents to walk as part of their daily life, and lead to healthier citizens and more vibrant communities | ||||||
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| GROUSE MOUNTAIN'S NEW ZIPLINE A TOP TEAM BUILDING ADVENTURE | |||||||
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Host your company's team building session 3,700 feet above the beautiful city of Vancouver and experience Grouse Mountain's new adrenaline-pumping Air Grouse Mountain Zipline course. The "Air Grouse" experience is great for groups, taking you high above the alpine rainforest, careening through the air at speeds of more than 50 kilometres per hour. The three-line adventure circuit combines adrenaline with exploration of British Columbia's breathtaking old-growth forests. Along the way, visitors will learn about indigenous flora and fauna and meet Grouse's two orphaned grizzly bears. Phase two of the Air Grouse Mountain Zipline experience will arrive in the fall of 2008. Zipline packages cost $70 per person excluding tax (includes general admission to the mountain and Zipline). Groups of eight or more receive a 10 per cent discount. Grouse Mountain can accommodate groups from 15 to 1,500 and offers 10 different venue options, guided eco walks, wildlife ranger info sessions, helicopter tours and unique banquet facilities. www.grousemountain.com |
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| CELEBRATE CANADA'S 141st BIRTHDAY ON JULY 1 | |||||||
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Do you want to show your delegates a real Canadian experience? Book your Vancouver meeting over Canada Day (July 1) when numerous family-friendly festivities marking Canada's confederation happen throughout the city:
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| PRIDE WEEK 2008 - CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF THE RAINBOW | |||||||
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July 26 to August 3 Vancouver's Pride Parade began 30 years ago as a small march and has now grown into an internationally recognized festival that attracts more than 300,000 people. Pride Week is a time for diversity and anybody who shares the "life is a cabaret" spirit will feel right at home. This year's theme is "Celebrating 30 Years of the Rainbow", and features parties, dances, T-cruises, plus the pride parade. There are lots of events going on, so be sure to check the following sites for more details. Also visit www.tourismvancouver.com and click on the "gay-friendly Vancouver" link to see a list of TAG-approved hotels. www.vancouverpride.ca www.gayvan.com |
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| SMARTVISIT CARD'S EXCLUSIVE SUMMER OFFER FOR BC LIONS TICKETS | |||||||
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The See Vancouver and Beyond Smartvisit Card is now an even more attractive gift for Vancouver meeting delegates. Vancouver's all-inclusive attractions pass has announced a partnership with five-time Canadian Football League champions, the BC Lions. The purchase of a See Vancouver & Beyond Smartvisit Card now includes free admission into any regular season BC Lions home game, representing a $28 value. The Smartvisit Card allows visitors to enjoy the highlights of Vancouver, Victoria, the Fraser Valley and the Sea to Sky region. For one all-inclusive price, visitors get free entry to over 40 attractions, sightseeing tours, museums, gardens and cruises. Cardholders present their card at each attraction to gain instant access, and can save after visiting as few as two attractions. www.seevancouvercard.com |
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| IT'S A BOUNCING BABY BELUGA! | |||||||
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The Vancouver Aquarium is thrilled to announce that Qila, a 12 year-old beluga whale, gave birth to a baby girl on June 10 at 4:28 pm. The calf and mother are doing well and will remain under 24-hour observation by the Aquarium's veterinary and animal care staff. This newborn beluga is about 1.5 metres long and weighed more than 50 kilograms (at birth). For the time being, visitors to the Aquarium will be able to see Qila and her calf from a distance of 5 or 6 metres in order to ensure peace and quiet for Mom and baby. Aquarium Interpreters will also be available to answer visitor questions. Qila and her calf can also be viewed on the Vancouver Aquarium beluga web cam. www.vanaqua.org |
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