March 23, 2006 (Ottawa) – The countdown continues to Sport Events Congress 2006, Canada’s most comprehensive and largest annual gathering of sport, tourism organizations, event management firms and other industry professionals, scheduled for April 5-7 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ottawa. The Congress is on pace to establish another attendance record, as over 200 delegates have already registered for the event.

The Congress features the popular Sport Events Exchange (business-to-business events marketplace) and an outstanding line-up of keynote speakers and panelists including some of Canada’s top sport business executives and tourism leaders, including:

-Hon. Michael Chong, Minister for Sport (invited)
-John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer, VANOC
-Nancy Lee, Executive Director, CBC Sports
-Michael Lang, Chief Operating Officer, Young and Rubicam Canada
-Jean Dupré, Chief Executive Officer, Speedskating Canada
-Mark Tewkesbury (Olympian)
-Karen Pitre, Chair, Toronto Sport Council
-Claude Laramée, President, Keskinada Loppett
-Peter Donolo, The Strategic Counsel
-Ian Bird, Senior Leader, Sport Matters Group
-Anna Pollock, VP Strategy, Canadian Tourism Commission
-Randy Williams, President & CEO, Tourism Industry of Canada
-Bernie Colterman, President, Colterman Marketing Group
-David Naylor, Globe and Mail
-Pat Fiacco, Mayor of Regina
-David Roach, Vice President, Cannon Design
-Stephen Reynolds, Manager, Yukon Quest
-Congress sessions will cover a wide range of hot topics, including:
-“¢ Building a Successful Event Sponsorship Strategy
-“¢ Media Reflections on Winter and Paralympics (Torino) and the -Commonwealth Games (Melbourne)
-“¢ Pageantry Template for Sport Events
-“¢ National Sport Infrastructure Panel Discussion
-“¢ Government Relations Panel Discussion
-“¢ Creating Sustainable Sport Events
-“¢ Sport Events and New Media — The Video Streaming Phenomenon
-“¢ Business Plan Template for Sport Events
-“¢ Sport Tourism Planning Template
-“¢ Sport Events Exchange (business-to-business events marketplace)
The Congress also features the highly anticipated launch of STEAM PRO, an enhanced version of the Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model (STEAM), designed to measure the economic impact of a sport event on a community.
Here’s what people have been saying about Sport Events Congress:
“Excellent networking opportunities, educational sessions and business development opportunities, Sport Events Congress has it all!” Matthew Coyne, Tourism Burnaby.

“The Sport Events Exchange is the best initiative I have seen to assist sport organizations match their respective events with host communities.” Dale Ptycia, Hockey Canada
“Terrific speakers! The best value for dollar of any conference I have attended.” Pat Shewchuk, Brantford — Tournament Capital of Ontario
Sport tourism is a $2.4 billion dollar a year enterprise and one of Canada’s fastest growing tourism segments. DON’T DELAY — REGISTER TODAY!
For further information or to register on-line, visit the Congress section on the website at www.canadiansporttourism.com. Sorry, sponsorship packages are now SOLD OUT!

For further information, please contact Krista Benoit at (819) 682-7739.