Issue link: http://tourismwpg.uberflip.com/i/848305
O P E R A T I O N A L P L A N • 3 3 Winnipeg, Manitoba has a glorious history of opening ceremonies for major events such as Pan Am Games, FIFA Women's World Cup, the Canadian Football League's Grey Cups and the 2017 Canada Summer Games and other international events or concerts. First and foremost, Winnipeg has the experience and expertise to put on exceptional opening and closing ceremonies. A Special Events and Programming Committee of the 2023 WPFG Host Society will be tasked to plan and produce the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Representatives of the 2023 WPFG Host Society will have expertise and production experience from previous major events. The opening ceremony would be staged at Investors Group Field, Winnipeg's football stadium. The stadium is home to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, a storied football club in the Canadian Football League and winner of 10 Grey Cups and the University of Manitoba Bison football team (winners of the 2007 Vanier Cup – Canadian University Championship). Built in 2012, the stadium at the University of Manitoba, is a fully accessible facility that holds 33,500 fans, with ability to increase to approximately 40,000 for major events. It is the largest canopied structure in Canada with eight acres of roof standing approximately 200 feet in the air. There is excellent transportation and bus service to and from the stadium for both participants and spectators. The Opening Ceremony is about welcoming police and fire participants from around the world, and honouring their service. The Opening Ceremony will start in the early evening and officially welcome the 2023 WPFG. Free admission and an early evening start will enable more spectators to attend the ceremonies. Participants will be marched into the stadium area, early in the proceedings so the participants can fully experience all of the entertainment and appreciation of friendly Manitobans. We will have special sections of the stadium reserved for VIPs, and large sections blocked off for families of the participants. The production of the Opening Ceremonies will be first- rate and in a manner most honouring of police and fire personnel. With over 100 languages spoken in Winnipeg, participants and spectators will enjoy cultural entertainment from around the world. Entertainment will include live performances, multimedia technology and of course spectacular closing fireworks. Your competitors and their families and officials will feel like they are at home. The Closing Ceremony will be more intimate and held at The Forks in a more family atmosphere. The Closing Ceremony is about life-long friendship, unity and bonding of police and fire all over the world. Highlights from the 2023 Games will be featured on multi-media screens. The Closing Ceremony will have a party atmosphere like only Manitoba can do. The Ceremonies will celebrate the games and the all-inclusiveness of Winnipeg and Manitoba. OPENING CEREMON Y Cory Aronec