Tourism Winnipeg

2016-2018 | A Master Tourism Plan for Winnipeg 15 emerging destinations are also investing in events and facilities due to the economic benefits that can be attained. Tourism Winnipeg will collaborate with local leaders within the public sectors, including the City of Winnipeg, Provincial Sport Secretariat and Sport Manitoba, to strategize and identify major events that can be awarded to the city. A cohesive support process for bidding will be developed to ensure greater success. » Sport Manitoba | University Athletic Teams Amateur and university sport plays a vital role in the health and well being of a city. It exemplifies the value of teamwork, builds community pride and leads to better health, higher productivity and a stronger social fabric. Sport events also provides local entertainment and stimulates spending in the host economy. Tourism Winnipeg will organize and host networking luncheon events for Sport Manitoba executive directors to strengthen relationships, foster ongoing communication, and share industry updates and tools that can be used to bring major sports events to Winnipeg. Tourism Winnipeg will also attend local sports events and annual general meetings to encourage organizations and university athletic departments to bring their regional and national competitions to Winnipeg. Strong links to the athletic population will also be established through digital marketing initiatives, including platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SPORTS AND SPECIAL EVENTS Sport tourism is any activity where people are attracted to a particular location as a sport event participant, an event spectator or to attend sport attractions. Sport tourism is a grassroots economic development initiative involving municipalities, national and provincial sport organizations, and sport and tourism partners. More than 200,000 sport events occur in Canada each year for an estimated value of $3.6 billion annually based on Statistics Canada (2010) data. Special events include arts and cultural events that attract performers, audiences and media. Special events of national or international stature contribute to the economic well-being of a host city. In addition to the direct spending of participants and operational event expenditures, product placement through media coverage contributes positively to the image of a city and represents substantial advertising value. Sports and special events often have lasting legacies in host cities. They create economic growth, community visibility, volunteerism, leadership development, infrastructure development and civic pride. » Business Development Activities Tourism Winnipeg will collaborate with stakeholders to promote Winnipeg as a sports and special events destination to national sport organizations and major event organizers by attending key trade shows and marketplaces. Relationship marketing will also include: » Internet marketing specific to the needs and interests of the sports and special events market » Hosting national sport organizations and special event organizers on site visits of Winnipeg to showcase Winnipeg's growing inventory of sports and special events facilities » Sales calls on provincial and national sport organizations, and community arts groups » Preparing request for proposals when Winnipeg is competing with other cities for the privilege to host a sports or special event » Excellence in sports and special event servicing, including securing sports and event facility space, hotel room blocks and rates; providing participant and attendee travel information, and destination promotional materials to increase participant attendance; and tracking and post- event satisfaction surveys » Sport Tourism Advisory Committee The landscape within sport and special event tourism is becoming increasingly competitive as more communities refine their attraction process in hosting large sporting and special events. New and Basketball: Dan Harper

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