Independent media needs you. Join the Tyee.

The Hook: Political news, freshly caught

Vancouver’s ‘global reputation’ rests on 2010 Games plan

The 2010 Games may be about sports foremost. But schmoozing isn’t far behind.

Council today gave the go-ahead to a $1.8 million plan to ingratiate Vancouver to thousands of dignitaries, while making sure staff don’t commit any gaffes that could embarrass the city.

Come Games-time, visitors will include sports and IOC bigwigs, international mayors, 25 heads of government and state and 10 royalty.

Playing host to so many guests “offers the City of Vancouver a unique opportunity to enhance and strengthen the City’s global reputation,” according to a report from outgoing Olympic services general manager Dave Rudberg.

No doubt, local elected representatives will have their hands full. Each day of the Olympics, Vancouver’s mayor and council could host or attend as many as two luncheons, fourteen courtesy calls, five evening receptions, six competitions and three after-dinner events such as visits to medal ceremonies.

“The Games period will be an extraordinarily busy time,” reads the report.

All that wining and dining won’t come cheap. Funding for the plan will come out of the city’s $20 million Olympic Legacy Reserve Fund. Of that, $341,000 will go towards an operations centre at Coal Harbour Community Centre while $610,500 is budgeted for a program that aims in part to woo domestic and international mayors.

“Official visits by strategically selected Mayors would provide the City with the opportunity to build city-to-city relationships,” reads the report.

Another $264,500 will make sure visiting dignitaries are handled as smoothly as possible. With so many itineraries and invitations to coordinate, the funding will create an information system to manage visits and events.

Without it, “the City is at risk of making errors that could be embarrassing and damaging to our reputation,” reads the report.

Funding will also go towards a training program for reception staff, who will be in constant contact with dignitaries from all over the world. The program will arm them with “key messages about Vancouver” to pass on to visitors and prepare them for “sensitive and complex situations.”

“Should proper training not occur, there is a risk that City staff could offend visitors and damage Vancouver’s reputation,” according to the report.

Geoff Dembicki is a staff reporter for The Hook.


What have we missed? What do you think? We want to know. Comment below. Keep in mind:

Do:

  • Verify facts, debunk rumours
  • Add context and background
  • Spot typos and logical fallacies
  • Highlight reporting blind spots
  • Ignore trolls
  • Treat all with respect and curiosity
  • Connect with each other

Do not:

  • Use sexist, classist, racist or homophobic language
  • Libel or defame
  • Bully or troll
  • Troll patrol. Instead, flag suspect activity.
comments powered by Disqus