Alberta in Vancouver Olympic Summary Report
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Canada hosted the world at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, February 12 to 28 in Vancouver, and Alberta took full advantage of the opportunity to tell its story. The focus of Alberta’s efforts was to promote the province as a great place to live, work, visit and invest. To achieve this goal, hundreds of business contacts were made and Alberta anticipates receiving media exposure that would have cost an estimated $70 million (advertising equivalent) to purchase.
Premier Ed Stelmach and 12 provincial Cabinet ministers promoted Alberta at different times over the 17 days of the Games. And, helpful volunteers and dedicated Government of Alberta employees put in long hours to welcome the world at three Alberta venues: the Alberta Train, Alberta Plaza and Alberta House.
Highlights include;
- approximately 2,900 people, including influential national and international tour operators, travel, business and sports journalists from around the world, rode the Alberta Train from Vancouver to Whistler – with the train acknowledged as one of the hottest tickets at the Games;
- an average of approximately 1,000 people from around the world lined up every day during the 17 days of the Games to enjoy Alberta food products and concerts by more than 40 performers at Alberta Plaza;
- Alberta House hosted more than 2,250 national and international guests, including athletes, sports federations, corporate leaders, tourism operators, media, government officials and young Albertans; and,
- more than 84 Alberta artists, performers and groups showcased their talents during the Games and Cultural Olympiad
This report details the partnership agreements, lead-up events, and activities at key venues in Vancouver/Whistler undertaken at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games by the Government of Alberta to showcase the province as a leading tourism, cultural and business destination.
"We are next-door neighbours to British Columbia. Why on earth wouldn't we get involved in their biggest event in decades?" - Lois Mitchell, philanthropist and past chairwoman of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce
Pre-Olympic Events and Activities
All provinces and territories were invited to particate in making Vancouver 2010 'Canada's Games'.
Formed in May 2008, the Secretariat was responsible for coordinating Alberta's approach and activities leading up to, and during the Vancouver 2010 Games.
In September 2008, the Alberta government unveiled plans for two of its major venues at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, the Alberta Train and Alberta House.
Albertans learned more about our province's involvement with the Games and joined Canadians in celebrating our Olympic spirit as the Games approached the One-Year Countdown.
In February 2009, the governments of Alberta and British Columbia announced a working partnership to promote continuing use of Winter Olympic legacy venues in both provinces.
In September 2009, a two-day conference was held to provide Canadian winter sport organizations, athletes, corporations with the information and toold needed to help secure long-term funding for Canada's future sport success.
In October 2009, Travel Alberta renewed a marketing partnership that would promote Alberta as an international winter sport destination and result in 455 hours of international television coverage of Alberta's world cup events.
Alberta hosted seven World Cup events and the Canadian Curling Trials, attracting many of the world's most exciting winter athletes to our province.
On November 6, 2009 and January 13-21, 2010, the Olympic Flame travelled 3,400 kilometres, visiting 76 of Alberta's cities, towns, Aboriginal communities and Olympic legacy facilities.
The Alberta Foundation for the Arts supported 60 Alberta-based artists who showcased their talents in literature, dance, theatre and visual arts at the Games and during the three-year Cultural Olympiad.
Alberta @ Vancouver 2010
166 young Albertans in Grades 4-12 were recognized for their commitment to building a better community with a one-day trip to Vancouver during the Games.
26 emerging high-performance athletes were selected to travel to Vancouver to see Olympic competition in their own sport discpline.
52% of Canada's 2010 team were born, live or train in Alberta.
More than 4,500 Albertans applied to be 2010 Games volunteers - more than any other contigient outside of British Columbia.
February 17th was declared to be Alberta Day at the Games - a day to showcase our diverse artists and performers, businesses, world-class culinary arts and food products, our world famous tourism destinations and most of all, our people.
The use of social media and live streaming video allowed Albertans at home to connect real-time to what was happening in Vancouver.
Media relations activities around the Olympic Games is expected to generate $70 million worth of media coverage.
Alberta Venues
Located in the hear of the Olympic festivities, Alberta House and Alberta Plaza, with their innovative designs, were a visual representation of Alberta's freedom to create and spirit to achieve.
Hailed by guests and media as "one of the hottest tickets", the Alberta Train was one of the most creative business and marketing tools at the Games.
After Vancouver 2010 - The Legacy
In March 2010, Alberta and British Columbia announced the first joint Olympic legacy event to be staged duing the 2010-11 season.
Travel Alberta created a strategic, personalized and distinct platform for Alberta's tourism industry to conduct business, build relationships and to tell Alberta's tourism story during the Games.
Alberta's Tourism Industry is already beginning to reap rewards from their Olympic investment.
The future is shining bright for these artists after their time in the Olympic spotlight.
Olympic exposure has allowed these industries to expand their reach.
A chance meeting on the Alberta Train as taken a Calgary designers creation straight to the Academy Awards.
The stages used during the Torch Relay celebrations have been returned to Alberta for use by communities and non-profit organizations for events across our province.
