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The Province released details today of its 2010 Olympic and Paralympic business hosting strategy, which will feature dozens of events and outreach opportunities to promote British Columbia’s core industries, diverse regions and communities, and investment and job-creation potential throughout the province, Iain Black, Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development, and Mary McNeil, Minister of State for the Olympics, said today.

“The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to promote British Columbia to the world, and with experts predicting that the province will lead Canada in growth next year following these Games, we need to take full advantage of that opportunity to promote our province, promote investment and grow jobs in every region,” said Black. “As host province, we will use every opportunity to show global leaders that our talented people, our strategic location, our competitive tax rates, and our business-friendly climate make British Columbia the place to invest in the 21st century.”

The hosting program will involve more than 9,000 participants. It will engage business leaders, potential investors and dignitaries from around the world during their visit to the Games. More than 70 networking events over 17 days will involve industries such as forestry, tourism, finance, manufacturing, energy, technology, agriculture, life sciences, and transportation.

The program will also involve communities in introducing business visitors to all of British Columbia’s diverse and vibrant regions. For example, the program offers a venue for the Okanagan to showcase its artisan agriculture, clean technology, and world-class tourism industry, and for Vancouver Island to promote its growing reputation as a culinary destination. A series of theme days will highlight British Columbia’s achievements in forestry, clean energy, tourism, multiculturalism, digital media, and film and entertainment.

The hosting events will take place at sites including the B.C. Showcase and the Asia Pacific Business Centre at Robson Square, the B.C. Pavilion at the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Terminal City Club, and the Whistler Discovery Centre.

The program will also include the use of up to 3,244 tickets purchased by the Province and 910 tickets allocated at no cost to the Province by VANOC. The tickets will be used for hosting and business purposes. They will be provided to prominent Canadians, dignitaries, international business leaders and investors. Unused tickets will be offered for sale to Olympic partners, donated to non-profit organizations or returned to VANOC for sale to the public.

The ticketing program has been guided by key principles to ensure the most benefit for the province. A maximum of two ministers or MLAs will fulfil hosting duties at any sporting event, and a full accounting of all tickets distributed will be provided after the Games are complete.

“British Columbia is already attracting interest around the world from international leaders and dignitaries looking to invest in and promote our province,” said McNeil. “It is fundamental that we provide them with a quality experience while showcasing all that B.C. has to offer, so that we can capture the economic, social and cultural opportunities from these Games for years to come.”

The hosting program builds on the Province’s marketing efforts during the Torino and Beijing Olympic Games. It is part of a broader promotional strategy that includes an international advertising campaign to promote tourism, a dynamic provincial presence at Robson Square, and creation of the BC Media Centre to support thousands of visiting media during the Games.