VANOC Board of Directors receives positive venue construction report; management ready for spotlight of being next Games and remains on track financially

Sep 17, 2008

Vancouver, BC – With only 16 days remaining until Phase 1 of ticket sales to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games begins on October 3 — one of the biggest milestones and public engagement activities prior to the Games — the Board of Directors for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) held its fifth meeting of 2008.

At today’s meeting the Board reviewed a number of positive updates on the venue construction program which will see all competition venues completed and winter athletes competing at world- class levels on all venues this winter. The meeting also included a number of regular agenda items as well as updates to the Board of Directors on the business plan, sport, sponsorship, ticket sales, the launch of a new graphic identity and pictograms and the re-launch of www.vancouver2010.com, the Official Website of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

“The pace for VANOC’s management and staff has already accelerated after the conclusion of a highly successful Beijing 2008 Games and the Board today received a number of updates that provide confidence we’re on track financially and ready for the pressure and spotlight that comes with hosting the next Games,” said Jack Poole, Chairman of the Board. “Final touches on venue construction are underway and athletes are already here training and getting ready to compete. With the first of this winter season’s 16 sport events starting next month and tickets on sale in a matter of weeks, Canadians and sport enthusiasts around the world will be able to touch and feel the Games more and more each day.”

Highlights of reports and updates delivered at the September 17, 2008 VANOC Board Meeting included:

CEO and Senior Management Reports

Beijing 2008
The Beijing 2008 Games provided VANOC with a number of learning opportunities in key areas, including ticketing, volunteers, the spectator experience, village operations, sport production and decision making when confronted with the unexpected.

Budget Update/Functional Reviews
An update was provided on the business plan and ongoing measures being taken by VANOC management to review key functional areas to ensure a balanced budget. Reviews of VANOC’s 53 functions are now complete. VANOC’s updated budget is being developed this year and will be taken to the Board for approval in late 2008/early 2009.

Sport
The Sport department is preparing for the first of 16 sport events this winter season; short track speed skating at the Pacific Coliseum from October 24–26. Sport has welcomed nine National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) to Vancouver since May and is planning for 11 additional NOC visits and six NPC visits in the coming weeks and months. In addition, VANOC has recently hosted biathlon, cross-country skiing and luge delegations and is preparing for upcoming visits from bobsleigh, skeleton, freestyle skiing, ice hockey, curling, short track speed skating, ski jumping, luge, biathlon, cross-county skiing, cross-country skiing (Paralympic), biathlon (Paralympic), alpine skiing (Paralympic) and wheelchair curling delegations.

Sponsorship
Revenue commitments currently generated from domestic sponsorship for the 2010 Winter Games is at $735 million, or 97 per cent of VANOC’s overall target of $760 million. National Partner and Official Supporter revenue targets have been achieved, but VANOC expects to sign anywhere from six to eight new sponsors at the Official Supplier level.

Report of the Finance Committee
The Board received reports from two meetings of the Finance Committee, held on August 11 and
September 8, 2008. A number of contracts were approved for final negotiation; VANOC will disclose information regarding contracts once the contracts are finalized.

The Finance Committee approved a contract with Aggreko Canada for the provision of temporary power and temperature control services and equipment.

Venue Construction Update

 
Report of the Strategic Communications Steering Committee
The Chair reported on the last meeting of the Strategic Communications Steering Committee, held on September 12, 2008. Solid progress is being made on key projects, including VANOC’s thematic and ticketing advertising campaigns, which begin, respectively, at the end of September and the beginning of October.

Background:
The VANOC Board of Directors is made up of 20 members nominated by: the Canadian Olympic Committee (seven); the Government of Canada (three); the Province of British Columbia (three); the City of Vancouver (two); the Resort Municipality of Whistler (two); the Canadian Paralympic Committee (one); a joint appointment by the Band Councils of the Lil'wat and Squamish Nations (one); and one member nominated by the other 19 members.

The Board is scheduled to meet six times per year, and more often at the call of the Chair as required. The meetings are generally held at the Vancouver 2010 offices in Vancouver, although they are occasionally hosted by our Games partners in other locations. The Board’s responsibility is to oversee the conduct of the business of VANOC as it works toward achieving its Mission, to touch the soul of the nation and inspire the world by creating and delivering an extraordinary Olympic and Paralympic experience with lasting legacies.

As part of its commitment to public transparency and accountability, the VANOC Board of Directors has made today’s agenda, discussion topics and decisions available to the public on www.vancouver2010.com, subject to conditions of confidentiality related to personal information and/or competitively sensitive or privileged information. VANOC is also committed to hosting media briefings following each Board meeting with the Board Chairman, the CEO and other director(s) or members of the VANOC senior management team to elaborate further on matters.

Next Meeting
The next meeting of the VANOC Board of Directors is scheduled for November 19, 2008.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.
 

Olympic Experience Packages

Vancouver 2010 Olympic ticket packages offer easy-to-plan and well-rounded Games experience

Sep 17, 2008

Vancouver, BC – When tickets to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games go on sale on October 3, a choice of 58 Olympic Experience Packages (OEPs) will make it convenient to plan a well-rounded and unforgettable spectator experience.

Today, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) released information about OEPs as part of a month-long information campaign to educate Canadian ticket buyers in advance of the start of ticket sales. Phase 1 of ticket requests, which will offer both OEPs and/or single session tickets, runs from October 3 through November 7, 2008.

To maximize the spectator experience, an OEP combines a group of sessions sold together, providing an easy way for spectators to begin to build a multi-day, multi-sport 2010 Olympic Winter Games experience. Each OEP is spread over three to six days with a minimum of three sessions, ensuring spectators have the opportunity to attend a variety of events and visit different venues. Olympic Experience Packages range from $ 140 to $ 1,267. A full list of the 58 individual Olympic Experience Packages will be available at www.vancouver2010.com, Official Website of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, by tomorrow morning.

“The Olympic Winter Games offer a vast number of choices of sport events and venues, so there’s much for Games enthusiasts to consider when planning to buy tickets, such as how many days to take off work (to attend the Games) and the travel time between venues,” said Caley Denton, vice president, ticketing and consumer marketing with VANOC. “We’ve taken some of the guesswork out of ticket buying with a variety of Olympic Experience Packages. OEPs can be combined with single-session tickets, offering the convenience of a well-rounded experience over a set number of days that’s tailored to local residents or visitors, to city or Whistler venues — or both. In short, there’s something for everyone.”
By category, OEPs are available as follows:

Additional Olympic Experience Package details:

To experience a Vancouver-based Nightly Victory Ceremony, Olympic Experience Packages are the way to go in Phase 1
The City and Mixed Olympic Experience Packages available in Phase 1 are the exclusive way to secure tickets to a Vancouver-based Nightly Victory Ceremony. Nightly Victory Ceremonies will include the awarding of Olympic medals to athletes, music and a stadium packed with Olympic energy.

Olympic Experience Packages offer a better chance of getting first-choice tickets
Ticket requests for OEPs will be allocated first, followed by requests for single sessions. The best way for spectators to optimize their chances of seeing their most-preferred events is to order them as part of an Olympic Experience Package. In Phase 1, however, single-session tickets will also be sold for each event, within each price category.

OEP package pricing
Olympic experience Package pricing is equal to the face value of all sessions included in the package and the same fees are applicable. The sessions that make up Olympic Experience Packages cannot be exchanged or altered. Packages that are oversubscribed will be subject to a random lottery.

General ticketing information
Approximately two million tickets will be available for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games with 400,000 tickets priced at $25 and half of all tickets priced at $100 or less. Overall, 70 per cent of all tickets will be available to the general public.

For VANOC, ensuring the public has access to the maximum number of tickets for every event is paramount, a fact that was reaffirmed by Denton. “Whether through Olympic Experience Packages or single-session tickets, we want to make sure every Canadian has a chance to attend an Olympic event.”

As is common at all Olympic Games, ticket allocations for individual events will vary. Over the past year, VANOC has worked with the IOC and its sport partners to develop single-event public ticket allocation minimums. In many cases, more than 70 per cent of tickets to a single event will be available to the public; in all cases, however, events will have at least 30 per cent of the tickets available to the public.

Denton also reconfirmed today that it is important for Canadian ticket buyers to take their time and to talk with friends and family and think about which dates work best for them and which events they most want to see; there’s no need to rush as Phase 1 of the ticket program runs from October 3 through November 7, 2008. Once a ticket order is submitted, however, it cannot be altered. Ticket buyers will be notified in late fall as to which tickets they have purchased.

In recognition of the Visa Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games sponsorship, Vancouver 2010 is proud to acknowledge Visa as the only payment card accepted. Members of the public are encouraged to be prepared for the ticket on-sale by ensuring they have a Visa card of their own. Cheques and money orders will be accepted, however, some conditions apply. To receive the very latest news and ticketing information, visit www.vancouver2010.com and sign up to receive e-mail updates.

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

We’re next: Vancouver 2010 counts down to 2010 with launch of new graphic identity and re-launch of www.vancouver2010.com

Sep 17, 2008

Vancouver, BC — Just one day after the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and in its first official day as the “next Games,” the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) unveiled its new graphic identity — an identity that will create a unified and inspiring visual experience leading up to and during the 2010 Winter Games. Early tomorrow morning VANOC will also launch a refreshed website designed to offer an enhanced, in-depth and interactive experience for virtual visitors worldwide.

The new graphic identity builds on the original colour palette of predominantly blues and greens found in the host region and is an intricate and colourful layering of many illustrated textures drawn from Canada’s natural and urban environments and rich cultural diversity. It captures, with imagination and creativity, the spirit of Vancouver 2010 in the universal language of design and incorporates elements designed by Xwa lack tun, a Vancouver-based Aboriginal artist. From banners to in-venue signage to postcards to workforce uniforms to building wraps, the Vancouver 2010 graphic identity is expected to become one of the most iconic elements of the Games experience.

Canadian Olympians Amanda Overland (short track speed skating), Chris Wong (freestyle skiing), Anne-Marie Lefrançois (alpine skiing) and Paralympian Tyler Mosher (cross-country skiing) today unveiled 24 pictograms and a series of sport illustrations as part of the new graphic identity. Created in collaboration with illustrator Irene Jacobs of I’m JAC Design, the pictograms represent 19 Olympic and five Paralympic sport disciplines with a simplified silhouette while incorporating the added dynamism of the athlete in motion. The pictograms and sport illustrations were inspired by modern sport photography, pop culture, fashion illustration and manga-style comics (a Japanese genre of comic books) to give athletes an heroic feel and a close-up view of their intensity and athleticism, while also serving as an inspiration to youth.

With the launch of domestic online ticket sales just over two weeks away, www.vancouver2010.com, powered by Bell, has been vastly enhanced and re-designed to ensure visitors, and particularly ticket buyers, truly experience the personality of the 2010 Winter Games. The refreshed vancouver2010.com site features the new graphic identity, sport illustrations and pictograms, as well as additional background on the new fusion look, including a behind-the-scenes video of how it was inspired and then created by VANOC’s in-house design team. The re-launched site now contains even more information about the 2010 Winter Games, including ticket information, legendary athlete bios, additional spectator information, and more in-depth content about Olympic and Paralympic winter sports. New features and functionality will be activated on the website as the Games approach, to engage Canadians and the world in the Vancouver 2010 experience. The site will be live by Thursday morning.

An example of the new features launching tomorrow at vancouver2010.com is the first in a series of monthly video podcasts (vodcasts). This month’s vodcast features an informal interview with Canadian short track speed skating athletes during a recent training session at the Pacific Coliseum (competition venue for short track speed skating and figure skating during the Games). In the vodcast, the athletes describe their sport and share personal and often light-hearted insights about themselves and the Games.

In the last year, vancouver2010.com received over three million unique visitors from around the world. This includes over two million Canadians from all regions of the country — or approximately one out of 17 citizens. Original website feature stories about athletes, sport, culture, sustainability and preparations for Canada’s Games are read by 30,000 people each month; videos on the website have been viewed some 435,000 times in the past year; and over 120,000 people have subscribed to receive the Vancouver 2010 General Update e-newsletter. The new website contains approximately 1,500 pages of content and is the number one source for information about the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com for more information.

Additional Background information:

Xwa lack tun
Internationally renowned artist Xwa lack tun was born and raised in Squamish and studied art at Capilano College and Emily Carr. Xwa lack tun's work can be seen throughout Vancouver and the surrounding areas. Some of his most notable works is the council table for the sixteen chiefs in council at the Squamish Nation Band Office and the Cedar doors that adorn the Recreation Centre on the Capilano Reserve, a major public art piece at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver, a commission for double doors for the University of Victoria, and ceremony maces for Emily Carr University of Art + Design.

Irene Jacobs — I’m Jac Design
Irene Jacobs is the Dutch illustrator and designer and the creative director of I'm JAC design, founded in 1993. Located in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, Irene’s work is inspired by nature, music, people, graphic design, movies, architecture and fashion. Operating as a global network of illustrators and designers, I’m Jac design works with a variety of media such as interactive design, moving image, websites, package design and advertising,

Graphic identity
The graphic identity, often called the “Look of the Games,” is introduced gradually leading up to the Games. It typically includes elements such as banners, flags, wraps, netting, ticket design, wayfinding and signage. It is usually seen throughout the host region often including airports, roadways, venues, celebration sites and uniforms to name a few.

Games Pictograms
Olympic pictograms first appeared at the London 1948 Olympic Games in London when organizers created 20 pictograms for 18 Olympic sports and one each for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. However, pictograms did not officially debut until the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games.

We’re next: Vancouver 2010 counts down to 2010 with launch of new graphic identity and re-launch of www.vancouver2010.com

Sep 17, 2008

Vancouver, BC — Just one day after the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and in its first official day as the “next Games,” the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) unveiled its new graphic identity — an identity that will create a unified and inspiring visual experience leading up to and during the 2010 Winter Games. Early tomorrow morning VANOC will also launch a refreshed website designed to offer an enhanced, in-depth and interactive experience for virtual visitors worldwide.

The new graphic identity builds on the original colour palette of predominantly blues and greens found in the host region and is an intricate and colourful layering of many illustrated textures drawn from Canada’s natural and urban environments and rich cultural diversity. It captures, with imagination and creativity, the spirit of Vancouver 2010 in the universal language of design and incorporates elements designed by Xwa lack tun, a Vancouver-based Aboriginal artist. From banners to in-venue signage to postcards to workforce uniforms to building wraps, the Vancouver 2010 graphic identity is expected to become one of the most iconic elements of the Games experience.

Canadian Olympians Amanda Overland (short track speed skating), Chris Wong (freestyle skiing), Anne-Marie Lefrançois (alpine skiing) and Paralympian Tyler Mosher (cross-country skiing) today unveiled 24 pictograms and a series of sport illustrations as part of the new graphic identity. Created in collaboration with illustrator Irene Jacobs of I’m JAC Design, the pictograms represent 19 Olympic and five Paralympic sport disciplines with a simplified silhouette while incorporating the added dynamism of the athlete in motion. The pictograms and sport illustrations were inspired by modern sport photography, pop culture, fashion illustration and manga-style comics (a Japanese genre of comic books) to give athletes an heroic feel and a close-up view of their intensity and athleticism, while also serving as an inspiration to youth.

With the launch of domestic online ticket sales just over two weeks away, www.vancouver2010.com, powered by Bell, has been vastly enhanced and re-designed to ensure visitors, and particularly ticket buyers, truly experience the personality of the 2010 Winter Games. The refreshed vancouver2010.com site features the new graphic identity, sport illustrations and pictograms, as well as additional background on the new fusion look, including a behind-the-scenes video of how it was inspired and then created by VANOC’s in-house design team. The re-launched site now contains even more information about the 2010 Winter Games, including ticket information, legendary athlete bios, additional spectator information, and more in-depth content about Olympic and Paralympic winter sports. New features and functionality will be activated on the website as the Games approach, to engage Canadians and the world in the Vancouver 2010 experience. The site will be live by Thursday morning.

An example of the new features launching tomorrow at vancouver2010.com is the first in a series of monthly video podcasts (vodcasts). This month’s vodcast features an informal interview with Canadian short track speed skating athletes during a recent training session at the Pacific Coliseum (competition venue for short track speed skating and figure skating during the Games). In the vodcast, the athletes describe their sport and share personal and often light-hearted insights about themselves and the Games.

In the last year, vancouver2010.com received over three million unique visitors from around the world. This includes over two million Canadians from all regions of the country — or approximately one out of 17 citizens. Original website feature stories about athletes, sport, culture, sustainability and preparations for Canada’s Games are read by 30,000 people each month; videos on the website have been viewed some 435,000 times in the past year; and over 120,000 people have subscribed to receive the Vancouver 2010 General Update e-newsletter. The new website contains approximately 1,500 pages of content and is the number one source for information about the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com for more information.

Additional Background information:

Xwa lack tun
Internationally renowned artist Xwa lack tun was born and raised in Squamish and studied art at Capilano College and Emily Carr. Xwa lack tun's work can be seen throughout Vancouver and the surrounding areas. Some of his most notable works is the council table for the sixteen chiefs in council at the Squamish Nation Band Office and the Cedar doors that adorn the Recreation Centre on the Capilano Reserve, a major public art piece at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver, a commission for double doors for the University of Victoria, and ceremony maces for Emily Carr University of Art + Design.

Irene Jacobs — I’m Jac Design
Irene Jacobs is the Dutch illustrator and designer and the creative director of I'm JAC design, founded in 1993. Located in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, Irene’s work is inspired by nature, music, people, graphic design, movies, architecture and fashion. Operating as a global network of illustrators and designers, I’m Jac design works with a variety of media such as interactive design, moving image, websites, package design and advertising,

Graphic identity
The graphic identity, often called the “Look of the Games,” is introduced gradually leading up to the Games. It typically includes elements such as banners, flags, wraps, netting, ticket design, wayfinding and signage. It is usually seen throughout the host region often including airports, roadways, venues, celebration sites and uniforms to name a few.

Games Pictograms
Olympic pictograms first appeared at the London 1948 Olympic Games in London when organizers created 20 pictograms for 18 Olympic sports and one each for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. However, pictograms did not officially debut until the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games.

Vancouver 2010 gains valuable insights on Games and athlete experience from Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games

Sep 16, 2008

Beijing, China – As the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games move into the final day of competition, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) summarized key learnings from the VANOC team who attended the Games and took the opportunity to recognize the outstanding efforts of the Beijing Organizing Committee and the performance of the Canadian Paralympic team.

“Both the athletes and the people of Beijing had the opportunity to shine during these Games. With the support of Chinese national television and hundreds of thousands of cheering fans, the 2008 Paralympic Games have left an indelible mark on the city and the entire country. The people of Beijing, and the Paralympic audience worldwide saw, first hand, the power of the human spirit through the passion and performance of these incredible athletes,” said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. “We now have an opportunity to build upon the excitement and momentum that Beijing 2008 brought to the Paralympic Movement and Paralympic sport. Congratulations to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Beijing 2008 Games Organizing Committee and the people of Beijing and China for brilliantly hosting and showcasing the talents and abilities of Paralympic athletes on the world stage.”

Continued Furlong, “Congratulations also to the Canadian team, which achieved such tremendous success at these Games, and to the Canadian Paralympic Committee. These athletes have demonstrated the power of sport to lift us up, to challenge ourselves and to inspire a nation.”

VANOC team members spent time observing and learning in key areas such as the transition between Olympic and Paralympic Games; Paralympic planning; village operations; medical services; community engagement and Paralympic outreach; accessibility; sport production; volunteers; and National Paralympic Committee (NPC) services.

“This is our final opportunity to observe a Paralympic Games until our turn in 2010,” said Dena Coward, director, Paralympic Games. “The lessons learned by our team here will enhance our integrated planning approach and ensure the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games continue to raise the bar for the Paralympic Movement. We look forward to hosting these remarkable athletes and sharing their compelling stories and their outstanding abilities with Canada and the world.”

The following is a summary of observations and learnings in key areas:

Television broadcast: As interest in Paralympic sport grows, so too does television and general media coverage. During the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, the IPC’s web-based ParalympicSport.TV experienced a significant increase in viewership. China Central Television broadcast continuous Paralympic coverage, leading to a notable impact on attendance and awareness. VANOC acknowledges the critical importance of Paralympic Games media coverage, particularly through television, recognizing that almost everyone who witnesses Paralympic sport — either in person or through television — is immediately moved and impressed by the calibre of the athletes, the excitement of the competitions and the power of the Paralympic Games. VANOC will continue to work with broadcasters to expand coverage of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games so the widest possible audience can watch live coverage of Paralympic events on television.

“VANOC is leading the Paralympic rights negotiations with all broadcasters worldwide and we are focused on increasing their commitment to both live and extensive coverage,” said Furlong. “The television signals of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games will be produced fully in High-Definition Television (HDTV) — a first for the Paralympic Winter Games, and a step which allows broadcasters to bring the highest quality coverage to their viewers around the world. At a national level, our broadcast negotiations are advancing quickly and we expect to set new precedents for live and overall daily coverage of the Games.”

Paralympic Planning: Detailed and thorough planning is necessary to achieve a smooth and successful transition from Olympic to Paralympic Games, thereby enhancing the athlete and spectator experience. Details such as appropriate signage and adjusting equipment needs, such as determining the number of flagpoles required to represent competing nations, to account for the smaller scale of the Paralympic Games should be carefully considered so that the transition takes place as smoothly as possible. The Paralympic Games pose additional challenges when meeting the needs of athletes with a variety of disabilities and VANOC’s integrated planning model ensures that Paralympic requirements are addressed well in advance of Games time. Accessibility at the competition and non-competition venues is paramount to the athlete experience, as is working with the host communities to ensure accessibility throughout the region, allowing athletes and visitors to move freely beyond the footprint of the Games.

Transition: Integrated planning and a pre-Games strategy for transition are key to delivering a seamless transition from Olympic to Paralympic Games in an extremely short timeframe. Key transition elements include the changeover of Games pageantry (Look of the Games); athlete village move-outs (Olympic Games) and move-ins (Paralympic Games); and venue changeovers, to ensure accessible sport conditions. In Beijing, the transition of Look of the Games elements was completed at Games venues within 48 hours and within five days across the city. VANOC’s integrated planning model will include specific schedules and a detailed project resource plan for all transition elements.

Villages: The athlete experience is paramount to an athlete’s success at Games time. Much of this experience takes place at the Athletes’ Village. The Beijing Organizing Committee ensured that details at its Games Village were carefully considered, from the adaptation of dining facilities to accommodate wheelchair athletes and the location of athletes to the first three floors of the Village to enhance accessibility (also reflecting the fact that fewer countries were participating in the Paralympic Games). VANOC is delivering a high standard of accessibility in all its athlete accommodations and village facilities, reflecting the array of needs for persons with a disability, from wheelchair use to visual impairment. In addition, VANOC is working to simplify the customer service needs of the athletes that will be attending the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games through a centralized service number for residents of the Athletes’ Villages, creating “one-stop shopping” for all requests.

Community Engagement: Igniting the passion and excitement of spectators and the community is essential to the success of Paralympic Games. The Beijing Organizing Committee provided increased public access to the Olympic Green and to Paralympic tickets, resulting in dynamic and exciting venues operating at near or full capacity. For athletes taking part in the Games, competing before thousands of new and engaged fans had a direct positive impact on them. Through education, including Paralympic outreach and awareness programs, VANOC is working toward creating an informed and excited audience that is eager to embrace and participate in Paralympic events and celebrations. To this end, on August 28 VANOC announced an affordable and accessible Paralympic ticketing program.

Medical: The Paralympic Games require specialized services to meet the needs of athletes using equipment that is critical to their performance, such as wheelchairs and prosthetic devices. Expedient and efficient repair service to this equipment is critical to athlete success. In addition, as observed in Beijing, a successful repair facility can also enhance the athlete experience, serving as a social hub and meeting place for athletes in need of equipment servicing.

VANOC is using a comprehensive and integrated approach in the delivery of athlete medical services including physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractics, podiatry and acupuncture. This array of services will allow the athletes to select the service that best suits their needs.

Transportation: Accessible transportation during the Paralympic Games is critical for the efficient movement of athletes, officials and members of the Paralympic Family, with or without a disability. For example, single-purpose transport (such as lift-equipped vans) limits the ability to move both wheelchair and non-wheelchair users if additional seating is not provided within the vehicle. VANOC is working to provide accessible and flexible-use transport vehicles that can accommodate a variety of users.

When moving a large population of wheelchair users, attention to detail and organization is vital. The Beijing Organizing Committee deployed new loading techniques for wheelchair-accessible buses, making the load/unload process extremely efficient for large-scale transport at events such as the Opening Ceremony.

Spectator Experience: Using sport production elements, such as large-screen video to provide background information on each Paralympic sport and the definitions for the various disability classifications, greatly enhances the spectator experience. VANOC will have the opportunity to both entertain and educate, creating a more meaningful experience for spectators. VANOC also noted that an enhanced variety of food choices at the venues will contribute to the spectator experience.

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Yukon to showcase its unique northern character to the world during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games

Sep 12, 2008

WHITEHORSE – With just 518 days until the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Yukon — Canada’s leading northern destination and the site of the highest point in Canada — has joined the Vancouver 2010 team.

Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie; Elaine Taylor, Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism and Culture; Archie Lang, Minister of Community Services; and John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), today announced Yukon’s participation in VANOC’s Contributing Province/Territory Program (CPTP).

“Being a contributing partner in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games is an excellent opportunity for Yukon to share its unique northern culture, people, landscapes, and economic and social advantages with a global audience,” Premier Fentie said.

Yukon is the fifth provincial/territorial jurisdiction to join VANOC’s CPTP, with a $166,667 investment. The territory’s contribution will support Canadian athletes through the Own the Podium 2010 program, the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad and the staging of the Games.

“With world-class sport facilities, committed volunteers and officials, and an impressive history of successfully hosting major sporting events, including the 2007 Canada Winter Games, Yukon is an experienced and welcome addition to the Vancouver 2010 team,” John Furlong, VANOC’s CEO said. “We look forward to showcasing the vast northern beauty of the territory and the Aboriginal culture for which the Yukon is so well known.”

The 2010 Winter Games will bring athletes and spectators to Canada from around the world and will draw a global television audience of approximately three billion people. Through the CPTP, Yukon will have a golden opportunity to organize a Yukon Day at the Games to promote and showcase the territory. Opportunities will also exist for Yukon artists to participate in the Cultural Olympiad. In addition, the territory will have enhanced involvement in the Yukon portion of the torch relay, which will arrive in the territory prior to the Games.

About the Contributing Province/Territory Program
VANOC’s Contributing Province/Territory Program (CPTP) offers a structured avenue for all provinces and territories to participate in the 2010 Winter Games. Under the CPTP, signatory provinces and territories receive a package of benefits that create a close association with the Games, similar to those of corporate sponsors. In return, participating provinces and territories make a financial contribution towards the success of Canadian athletes in 2010 through the Own the Podium 2010 program; culture and arts, through the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad; and directly, to staging successful Games in 2010. VANOC developed this new program in response to interest demonstrated by Canada’s provinces and territories outside of British Columbia to allow for greater involvement in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

About Yukon
Yukon is larger than life, with a breathtaking wilderness, a wealth of opportunities, abundant natural resources and friendly, welcoming people. Home to modern infrastructure, a skilled and educated workforce and endless options for year-round outdoor activities, Yukon is an excellent place to live, work, invest and play.
Yukon has a vibrant culture filled with rich northern tradition — First Nations customs and beliefs, an active Francophone community, and the tales, artifacts and architecture of the Klondike Gold Rush. It has been called Land of the Midnight Sun; there are endless hours of sunlight during the summer months and incredible aurora borealis, or northern lights, during the winter.

Culture is threaded throughout Yukon’s diverse communities and is a way of life, as demonstrated by the beliefs, values, customs, behaviours and artefacts passed on from generation to generation. Yukon’s thriving artistic community is comprised of music, literature, painting, sculpture, storytelling, theatre and film — bringing Yukon’s stories to life for residents and visitors alike.

To learn more about Yukon, please visit www.gov.yk.ca or www.travelyukon.com.

About VANOC
VANOC’s government partners provide funding, infrastructure, essential service support and management services to the 2010 Winter Games, which will contribute to lasting economic, sport, cultural and social legacies. VANOC’s government partners include the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver and the Resort Municipality of Whistler. To date, members of VANOC’s CPTP include Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Quebec and Yukon. VANOC’s Venue Cities are Richmond, Surrey and the District of West Vancouver. VANOC has also signed memoranda of understanding with each Canadian province and territory. VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. For more information, visit www.vancouver2010.com.

2010 Winter Games Olympic Victory Ceremonies offer top value as organizers prepare for Phase 1 ticket sales, from October 3 to November 7, 2008

Sep 9, 2008

10,000 free tickets and up to 20,000 $22 tickets every night for Victory Ceremonies

Vancouver, BC — The once-in-a-lifetime experience of the Olympic Games became that much more real today with the release of details on nightly Victory Ceremonies tickets as well as important information Canadian ticket buyers should know to get ready to buy tickets when Phase 1 ticket sales begin on October 3, 2008.

Approximately 30,000 tickets will be available for each nightly Olympic Victory Ceremony at BC Place — 10,000 will be free through a program that will be unveiled in 2009, while up to 20,000 will be sold for $22. Nightly Victory Ceremonies will pay tribute to the athletes as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognizes the day’s accomplishments in the presence of the Olympic Flame. Following the medal presentations, the athletes’ triumphs will be honoured with a celebration concert featuring renowned entertainers.

Including the nightly Olympic Victory Ceremonies, approximately two million tickets will be available for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games with more than 400,000 tickets priced at $25 or less and more than half of all tickets priced at $100 or less.

“With just weeks remaining before tickets go on sale, now is the time for Canadians to get ready to create their own unforgettable Olympic experience in 2010. We are particularly excited to whet everyone’s appetite with new details on the nightly Victory Ceremonies at BC Place,” said Dave Cobb, executive vice president for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).

The 2010 Olympic Winter Games mark the first time an Organizing Committee has combined the Opening, Closing and Victory Ceremonies at one venue, BC Place. In addition to the comfort of an indoor venue, the stadium setting also allows VANOC to create a unified Olympic Winter Games story that unfolds in three distinct chapters — the Opening Ceremony, the nightly Victory Ceremonies and the Closing Ceremony. Victory Ceremonies will also be held each night at the Whistler Olympic Celebration Plaza. Details regarding tickets and access will be announced in the near future.

With the countdown to the start of ticket sales now on, the following information and reminders were released today:

Phase 1: October 3 to November 7 — No need to rush
Phase 1 of ticket requests runs from October 3 through November 7, 2008. There’s no rush to submit a request on the first day. The public is encouraged to take its time and to talk to friends and family and think about which dates work for them and which events they most want to see. A request submitted on October 3 will be considered the same as a request submitted November 7. Members of the public who requested tickets will be notified of their ticket allocation in late November/early December, and will be able to confidently finalize the rest of their plans, which may include booking flights and accommodation.

Have your Visa card ready
In recognition of the Visa Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games sponsorship, Vancouver 2010 is proud to acknowledge Visa as the only payment card accepted. The public is encouraged to be prepared by ensuring they have a Visa card of their own. Cheques and money orders will be accepted, however, some conditions apply. Visit www.vancouver2010.com or call the Vancouver 2010 Ticketing Call Centre at 1-800-TICKETS (1-800-842-5387) after September 15 for details. Cash will not be accepted as payment for tickets during Phase 1.

Ticket surcharges
VANOC has committed to ensuring that surcharges on Vancouver 2010 tickets are less than those on similar ticket programs in the market today; surcharges will vary depending on the value of the ticket order. In addition, tickets will be delivered securely by Purolator Courier in late 2009 and must be received and signed for by the account holder.

Transportation planning
As there will be no parking at venues in either Vancouver or Whistler, using Vancouver 2010 transportation in the Sea to Sky Corridor will be the easiest and best mode of transport. Transportation costs for spectator travel between Vancouver and Whistler are still being determined, but will be significantly less than current market costs. Arrangements for local transportation are still under development and details will be finalized and announced in the coming months.

Ticket allocations
Overall, 70 per cent of all tickets will be available to the general public while 30 per cent will be made available for purchase by the Olympic Family. As is required of all Olympic Organizing Committees, approximately 30 per cent of all tickets will be held for purchase by key partners that participate directly in the staging of the Games – commonly referred to as the Olympic Family. The Olympic family includes athletes and their families, National Olympic Committees and international sport federations, media and broadcasters and worldwide and domestic sponsors. Initial ticket allocations for the Olympic Family have been completed by VANOC and the requests are under review. As expected, demand for tickets is extremely high.

While 70 per cent overall of all tickets to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games will go to the public, as is common at all Olympic Games, ticket allocations for individual events will vary. Over the past year, VANOC has worked with the IOC and its sport partners to develop single event public ticket allocation minimums. In some cases more than 70 per cent of tickets to a single event will be available to the public; in all cases, however, events have at least 30 per cent of the tickets available to the public.

“We want to ensure that the maximum number of tickets are available to the public for every event. While previous Games have established event public ticketing thresholds at 10 per cent or less, we’ve worked hard to increase the 2010 Winter Games event threshold for public tickets to a minimum of 30 per cent,” said Caley Denton, VANOC vice president of ticketing and consumer marketing.

VANOC also confirmed today that additional ticket sale information and important reminders will be released in the coming weeks as follows:
 

Helpful links to previous Vancouver 2010 ticket announcements:

General overview
Event schedules
Ticket prices

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.
 

Acklands-Grainger to help ensure "safety first" at the 2010 Winter Games

Sep 8, 2008

Canada’s largest industrial distributor named Official Supplier of Industrial Safety and Material Handling Equipment for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

Vancouver, BC — As the eyes of the world turn to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, few will see the thousands of hours required to deliver an incredible event while ensuring the safety of everyone — from volunteers, officials and members of the Games workforce to spectators and athletes. To support this important goal, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today announced that Acklands-Grainger Inc. has been named Official Supplier of Industrial Safety and Material Handling Equipment. Acklands-Grainger receives sponsorship rights in the Industrial Safety and Material Handling Equipment Product category for the 2010 Winter Games and for the Canadian Olympic team through to 2012.

As part of its sponsorship, Acklands-Grainger will provide safety supplies, such as hard hats, safety vests, emergency blankets and traffic cones, together with welding equipment, industrial shelving and lockers, pallet jacks, platform trucks and hand trucks. This equipment will be used both in the preparation and support of venue and logistical operations during the 2010 Winter Games.

“The thousands of people behind the scenes making sure everything is ready and safely delivered for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are the real unsung heroes,” said Acklands-Grainger president, Court Carruthers. “It’s our job to help keep them safe by providing the material-handling and safety products that VANOC needs. Our employees in Vancouver and across the country are committed to doing their part to help VANOC deliver a spectacular event that will make all Canadians proud.”

“With more than 120 years operating in Canada, Acklands-Grainger will provide us with a broad range of supplies, which will help us create a safe environment and an experience of a lifetime at the 2010 Winter Games for spectators, athletes, officials and workforce,” said Terry Wright, executive vice president, Services and Games Operations at VANOC.

Recognized by Imagine Canada as part of its Caring Company program, Acklands-Grainger has an impressive track record in supporting the communities where its 2,200 Canadian employees live and work. The company serves as a national partner to the United Way and Scott Firefit Championships, and is a local supporter to the Canadian Hockey League, as well as numerous community groups across the country.

About Acklands-Grainger Inc.
Acklands-Grainger Inc. is Canada’s largest distributor of industrial and safety supplies, with over 100,000 in-stock products available from 155 branches and five distribution centres from coast to coast.

Its parent company, W.W. Grainger, Inc., with 2007 sales of $6.4 billion, is the leading supplier of facilities maintenance products serving businesses and institutions in Canada, China, Mexico and the United States. Through a highly integrated network including more than 600 branches, 18 distribution centres and multiple websites, Acklands-Grainger employees help customers get the job done. Visit www.grainger.com for more information about the company.

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

VANOC's marketing program is focused on securing mutually rewarding partnerships with shared values to generate sufficient revenue to host successful Winter Games in 2010 and to leave a financial legacy for sport. VANOC’s Worldwide TOP Partners include Coca-Cola, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa. VANOC's National Partners are Bell Canada, Hbc, RBC Financial Group, GM Canada, Petro-Canada and RONA.

VANOC’s Official Supporters include Air Canada, BC Hydro, Bombardier Inc., the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Canadian Pacific, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, Jet Set Sports, Ricoh Canada Inc., the Royal Canadian Mint and Teck Cominco Limited. VANOC’s Official Suppliers are 3M, Acklands-Grainger, Aggreko, Aquilini Investment Group, Birks, Britco, Canada Post, Canwest Publishing Inc., Dow Canada, EPCOR, Garrett Metal Detectors, General Mills, Hain Celestial Canada, Haworth Canada, Millennium Development Corporation, Nortel, Purolator, Saputo, Sleep Country Canada, Sun Microsystems of Canada, The Globe and Mail, Tickets.com, TransCanada, Vancouver Airport Authority, Vincor Canada, Weston Bakeries, Workopolis and Wrigley Canada.

Vancouver 2010 statements regarding the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony

Sep 6, 2008

Beijing, China – As the Opening Ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games concluded, members of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) and the City of Vancouver offered the following personal impressions on the evening’s incredible event (all were in attendance):


Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver
"Tonight's Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Paralympic Summer Games was an electrifying tribute to the athletes that have gathered in Beijing from around the globe. These Games mark a turning point for China and the movement toward more inclusion for people with disabilities. It was an honour to be here to represent Vancouver and Canada. In 2010 we will maintain the momentum these Games have generated. We will have an opportunity to showcase Vancouver as the most accessible city in the world."


John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer, VANOC
“This was a magnificent, moving, human experience that no one will ever forget. Beijing did it again. What a performance. Being here has only emboldened our excitement to host and cheer on these world-class athletes when the Games come to Canada in 2010.

Congratulations to the athletes soon to compete in the Games, and to the Organizing Committee and the people of China for showcasing excellence in sport at the highest level, on such a spectacular scale.”


Dena Coward, Director, Paralympic Games, VANOC
“Tonight’s inspirational Opening Ceremony does more than present these amazing athletes to the world. It marks the beginning of competition that will open the eyes of the world to athleticism of the highest standard and the uncompromising determination all athletes have — regardless of ability.”


The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games take place from September 6 to 17, 2008. The Opening of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games coincides with 524 days to the Opening Ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, and 552 days to the Opening Ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.


About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.

Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games tickets on sale May 6, 2009; prices start at $10

Aug 28, 2008

Canadian Paralympians encourage Canadians to experience the Games

Vancouver, BC — As the world’s top Paralympians gather in Beijing for the 2008 Paralympic Games, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today announced details of how spectators can start planning to attend some of the most inspirational and affordably priced sporting events in the world — at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Approximately 250,000 tickets for 52 sport and ceremony events at seven venues, for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, go on sale on May 6, 2009 on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket prices start at $10 for group packages of 20 or more people. Eighty-five per cent of all individual tickets are priced at $20 or less. Individual tickets to alpine skiing events will be priced at $15, while wheelchair curling tickets will start at $15 and range up to $30. Ice sledge hockey tickets will range from $20 to $50, and prices for Opening Ceremony tickets will range from $30 to $175. A full range of information on Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games sport disciplines, events and ticket prices is available at www.vancouver2010.com, as is the opportunity to sign up to receive the latest ticketing information as it becomes available. Visa is the exclusive payment method for online ticket purchases.

“For 10 days in March, more than 600 Paralympians will inspire us with their world-class athleticism and incredible stories,” said Cathy Priestner Allinger, VANOC executive vice president, sport and games operations. “The passion, skill and determination that these athletes demonstrate every day is truly remarkable. What’s more, the Games in 2010 will provide spectators with an unprecedented opportunity to personally witness their stories while providing a global platform for the Paralympic Movement.”

“One of the special pieces of our Paralympic ticket program is our group ticket package program, which will offer the public an affordable, simple and convenient opportunity to share the excitement and inspiration of the Games with their staff, teammates or friends and family,” said Caley Denton, VANOC vice president, ticketing and consumer marketing. “The Paralympic Games are one of the best values in the world of sport and these packages will enhance that value even more.”

Five of Canada’s top winter Paralympians attended today’s event and recounted their Paralympic experiences, speaking about the importance and motivation of competing at home, particularly in front of an enthusiastic crowd of spectators. The athletes included Lauren Woolstencroft, 2006 Paralympic gold medallist, alpine skiing; Todd Nicholson, 2006 Paralympic gold medallist, sledge hockey; Sonja Gaudet, 2006 Paralympic gold medallist, wheelchair curling; and cross-country skier Robbi Weldon, Canadian Para-Nordic Senior World Cup Team member, who was accompanied by her guide, Brian Berry.

“As an athlete, there’s no question the energy of a crowd can push you to perform at new heights,” said Woolstencroft. “Having venues filled with cheering, flag-waving Canadians will be an enormous advantage for all of our athletes.”

With just 9 days until the opening of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, the five athletes from Canada’s 2010 Winter Games Paralympic team, and VANOC executives and staff, took the opportunity to offer a message of good will and good luck to Canada’s Paralympic team in Beijing by signing a “good luck” banner to be delivered to the team.

“Representing Canada at the Paralympic Games is a great honour and the result of years of hard work and determination; from experience I can say every Canadian athlete headed to Beijing is feeling the excitement, anticipation and most of all the pride of wearing the Maple Leaf on the world stage,” stated Nicholson. “I know their performances in Beijing will make all of Canada proud and set the tone for our winter athlete’s performances in 2010.”

Further information about the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games ticket program and the many additional events in Vancouver and Whistler during the Games, including the nightly Victory Ceremonies in Whistler, will be released in the coming months.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit: vancouver2010.com

Vancouver 2010 Sea to Sky Volunteer Centre Official Opening September 1 in Squamish

Aug 26, 2008

Squamish, BC –The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) invites the Sea to Sky community to top off their summer with a special event. The new Sea to Sky Volunteer Centre in Squamish will open its doors with an official opening celebration on Monday, September 1 from noon to 4:00 pm.

“Being a volunteer in 2010 will be an unforgettable experience and we are excited to be engaging Sea to Sky communities in such a big way,” said Donna Wilson, VANOC executive vice president, workforce and sustainability. “As the host of the Sea to Sky Volunteer Centre, Squamish is playing an important role in engaging Sea to Sky communities in the 2010 Winter Games. Through this new centre it will be easier for the entire corridor to get informed and be involved. Residents in the Sea to Sky area have an opportunity to be part of the 2010 Winter Games and showcase their passion for this beautiful region, whether through volunteerism or opening their homes.”

To celebrate the official opening of the centre, VANOC will hold a parking lot party featuring sport demonstrations, a special appearance by the Vancouver 2010 mascots, Sumi, Miga and Quatchi, souvenir 2010 mascot stickers, live music, food and give-aways. Other activities include face painting and an opportunity for visitors to test their shooting accuracy with a biathlon rifle. Children are encouraged to bring their hockey sticks to take shots on goal with VANOC’S official goalie, Quatchi. Entertainment will include music from Squamish’s Jocelyn Band, Whistler’s Hairfarmers and Pemberton’s Gordo.

The 2010 Winter Games Sea to Sky Volunteer Centre will serve as the primary regional hub for recruitment, deployment and training for volunteers residing in the Sea to Sky corridor. The facility will also host many workforce planning activities in the lead up to the 2010 Winter Games. Between now and 2010, thousands of volunteers are expected to pass through the Sea to Sky Volunteer Centre, filling the hundreds of different roles required in the Sea to Sky corridor at Games time.

“I have a love for sport, our community and the Olympic Movement,” said community volunteer Kim Stegeman. “Having volunteered for a year with Callaghan Valley Local Organizing Committee (CALOC), I know how fulfilling the experience is to be a volunteer and I am proud, like most Canadians, to be part of hosting the Games in 2010. I encourage everyone in the Sea to Sky area to explore this exciting opportunity”

VANOC staff members will be available at the event to answer questions about volunteer opportunities leading up to and during the 2010 Winter Games. Visitors who are interested in applying will be able to sign up during the official opening or learn how to sign up online at vancouver2010.com or workopolis.com.

The Sea to Sky Volunteer Centre is located in the new Spectacle building at 40437 Tantalus Road. The centre is off Highway 99 at Garibaldi Way, behind the Petro-Canada station, and in close proximity to public transit and the Greyhound station. Located within a 60-minute drive from Pemberton and a 35-minute drive from Whistler, the Spectacle location offers easy access to all Sea to Sky residents.

The centre in Squamish provides 465 square metres (5,000 square feet) of space, is highly visible from Highway 99 and is accessible to persons with disabilities.

VANOC requires 25,000 exceptional Canadians — with a special emphasis on Sea to Sky residents with a passion for their community and the 2010 Winter Games — who are ready to put their hearts into creating an event that will inspire the world. Aspiring volunteers can apply online at www.vancouver2010.com and through www.volunteer.workopolis.com. Applicants without internet access at home are encouraged to stop by the centre in Squamish on September 1 or visit a BC library, the 2010 Information Centre in Whistler or an internet café.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com

Vancouver 2010 takes valuable first-hand observations on Games experience and planning from Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Aug 21, 2008

VANOC congratulates Beijing 2008 organizers for unforgettable Games

Beijing, China – As the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games move into the final three days, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today provided a summary of its team’s key observations and learnings from the Games and a look ahead to the major Vancouver 2010 milestones in the coming months.

“Sport was the big winner here in Beijing and our lasting impressions of the Olympic Games will be of precision, spectacular fields of play and arenas that allowed athletes to perform at their very best. Additionally, we will never forget the immense pride of Chinese citizens in opening up their country with warmth and hosting the world. In its bid, Beijing committed to inspiring a nation of 400 million children — and they’ve clearly done so given the spectacular performance of their Olympic team,” said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. “Congratulations to the International Olympic Committee, the Beijing 2008 Games Organizing Committee and the people of China on an unprecedented show of sport and culture.”

Furlong added, “Congratulations also to our amazing Canadian athletes, and to our friends at the national sport organizations and the Canadian Olympic Committee, who have demonstrated again how the power of sport can inspire a nation, connecting each province and territory together in the spirit of the Games.”

“Beijing 2008 has been a highly valuable learning experience for our team, especially in the areas of ticketing and the spectator experience. Members of VANOC’s team have been observing and working in areas such as press operations, broadcast, villages, sponsor hospitality and showcasing, ticketing, medical services and volunteers. Everyone will come home with an enhanced perspective on how to make the 2010 Winter Games the best possible experience,” concluded Furlong.

Furlong also reported that the Beijing 2008 Games have fostered additional interest in Vancouver 2010. During the Beijing Games period, visits to vancouver2010.com have increased fivefold, while daily applications from volunteers eager to be part of the 2010 experience have tripled.

The following is a summary of observations/learnings in key areas:

1) Ticketing: All tickets may be sold, but ensuring the venues are full during many competitions remains a challenge for Games Organizers. Confirmation: VANOC recognizes this challenge and is therefore continuing to work on programs intended to make sure that the maximum amount of tickets are in the hands of people who can use them. This includes an authorized resale and exchange system for tickets close to event times. It will also include: the strategic allocation of high-demand tickets within the Olympic Family allotment to ensure they will be used; ensuring the maximum number of tickets are sold to the general public, where usage rates are highest; and minimizing the number of multiple-session tickets. VANOC is also making a concerted effort to raise public awareness about the risk of buying tickets from any channels other than vancouver2010.com and Jet Set Sports, the official sources for Vancouver 2010 tickets.

2) Spectator experience: Creating a consistently positive spectator experience at all venues results in lifelong memories for fans and an optimum atmosphere for athletes. Confirmation: VANOC will continue to develop plans to offer spectators a smooth and efficient entry and exit from all venues, and a consistently rich spectator experience that includes sport education, video, music, mascots, food and beverages, souvenirs and elements that are unique to the history and culture of each sport.

3) Volunteers: Volunteers are the face and personality of an Organizing Committee, and, by extension, the Host Region and Host Country. Confirmation: VANOC will continue to implement a comprehensive volunteer recruitment and training program, including plans to have a senior volunteer at each major touch point to troubleshoot and ensure extraordinary circumstances are dealt with quickly and efficiently.

4) Ceremonies: The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony was a spectacular showcase of culture and sport that inspired intense national pride while employing the latest in special event technology. Confirmation: Canada will have an equally compelling opportunity to tell its Opening Ceremony story to the world and will also use the best practices in major event staging to ensure well-orchestrated and emotionally charged Opening and Closing Ceremonies. VANOC will offer nightly Victory Ceremonies at BC Place which will include a celebration of the medal-winning athletes for the day and a concert by world-class musical artists.

5) Athlete Villages: The Athletes’ Village in Beijing was well-equipped to meet the needs of athletes and team officials, including internet connectivity; food service; team space requirements; and a comfortable, secure environment to train, prepare, rest, relax and meet fellow athletes. Even the small details were a priority, for example, original welcome posters, crafted by children, in each room. Confirmation: The success of Beijing’s Village confirmed VANOC’s plans for its own Athletes’ Villages in Vancouver and Whistler, which will include world-class amenities that will allow athletes to feel “at home” in the time they’re away from competition venues. Vancouver 2010 villages are located close to Games venues and will have optimum internet connectivity, adequate space, recreational facilities and healthy and varied food choices.

6) Media facilities: The Main Press Center (MPC) and International Broadcast Center (IBC) in Beijing offered an excellent setup to meet the needs of accredited media, including seamless security screening systems. Confirmation: The Main Media Centre in Vancouver will provide the added convenience of being conveniently located close to major downtown hotels, sport venues and the spectacular Pacific Ocean waterfront. VANOC will also review the successful security screening system employed by the Beijing Organizing Committee between the media’s accommodation and key venues to see if it can be adapted for Vancouver 2010.

7) Weather: Rain caused delays and postponements at a number of events. The Beijing Organizing Committee was able to reschedule and stage these events within the planned Games schedule. Confirmation: VANOC recently released its Games schedule by time, which was specifically designed to account for the possibility of winter weather delays or postponements and to accommodate this within the Games period.

8) Sponsor profile and showcasing: The Beijing Games offered an exceptional opportunity for major sponsors to use imaginative ways to profile their support, including pavilions at the Olympic Green and partnership in hospitality centres hosted by National Olympic Committees (NOCs). Although early attendance was low, the Beijing Organizing Committee quickly made adjustments to ensure the sponsor showcase area at the Olympic Green became a popular destination. Confirmation: VANOC’s sponsor showcase area will be open to the general public; will be offered free of charge without the requirement of a ticket; and will be conveniently located close to major venues and live sites.

9) Knowledge/experience transfer: A number of key staff from VANOC and its partners were seconded by the Beijing Organizing Committee and Jet Set Sports to work for the Games and be embedded in the Games environment. They are gaining expertise and learning about the Games first hand. Front-of-the-line expertise is being gathered in areas such as press operations, protocol, corporate hospitality, broadcast, villages, sponsor hospitality and showcasing, ticketing, medical services and volunteers. Confirmation: Knowledge transfer and practical work experience opportunities between Organizing Committees at a Games is extremely valuable. VANOC will look to implement similar initiatives to engage personnel from Organizing Committees for future Games.

10) Look of the Games: The Beijing Organizing Committee executed a spectacular Look-of-the-Games program with banners, flags and lighting in addition to successfully creating a colourful and impressive city-wide atmosphere of celebration. Competition venues were particularly well-decorated with the Look of the Games offering a real sense of Olympic celebration. Confirmation: VANOC will release its Look of the Games designs, including sport pictograms, on September 10, and is currently confirming with its partners how Look elements can most effectively create the spirit of celebration in 2010.

Furlong concluded with a general update on Games planning, highlighting key milestones scheduled through the one-year countdown period to Vancouver 2010, including: