eNews 
RSS
Media Releases 2006
RBC 2010 LEGACIES NOW SPEAKER SERIES BRINGS OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC EXPEREINCES AND EXPERETS TO B.C. COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES
Vancouver, B.C. (January 9, 2006): Over the next few years, a roster of international experts will share their Olympic and Paralympic experiences with British Columbia communities and businesses through the RBC 2010 Legacies Now Speaker Series, ensuring British Columbians can take advantage of the opportunities that come with hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
As British Columbia prepares to welcome the world in 2010, the RBC 2010 Legacies Now Speaker Series will provide communities and local businesses with opportunities to hear and learn from individuals who have played key roles in developing business, tourism, community and economic opportunities at previous Olympic and Paralympic Games. Countries such as Australia, Norway and the United States have used their Olympic and Paralympic Games to create tangible successes and long-term legacies.
The RBC 2010 Legacies Now Speaker Series was introduced today by the Honourable Colin Hansen, Minister of Economic Development, and Minister responsible for the Olympic Games.
“The Olympic and Paralympic Games can be a launching pad, not the landing pad for British Columbia communities and businesses,” explained Hansen. “It all starts with being prepared, and learning from those who can share their success stories with us. The RBC 2010 Legacies Now Speaker Series will be one of the best ‘how-to’ presentations available to local business and communities across our province.”
Sponsored by RBC Financial Group, the BC Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat and presented by 2010 Legacies Now, each of the experts brought in by the series will make presentations in Vancouver and other British Columbia communities in person and via the Internet.
The first international speaker in the RBC 2010 Legacies Now Speaker Series is Margy Osmond, Chief Executive of the State Chamber of Commerce of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia. Osmond created the Sydney 2000 Olympic Commerce Centre in 1997 which guided thousands of businesses through the tendering process for Olympic contracts, and helped major Australian organizations prepare for the Sydney Games. Osmond is also chair of the steering committee for the upcoming Sydney 2009 World Masters Games.
Osmond will kick off the RBC 2010 Legacies Now Speaker Series in Vancouver on February 7 when she will bring her experience and advice to business leaders in a luncheon address to The Vancouver Board of Trade. On February 8, Osmond will travel to Kamloops to speak to business and community leaders in partnership with the Kamloops Spirit of BC Community Committee. On February 10, she will be in Prince George to speak to the 2006 Winter Opportunities Summit.
The RBC 2010 Legacies Now Speaker Series is a multi-year series with each of the subsequent speakers appearing in Vancouver and at least two other BC communities. Three speakers will be featured in 2006, with additional presentations and speakers over the next three years. The names of the remaining 2006 speakers will be announced over the coming weeks.
“Our goal is to ensure that every interested community and business in British Columbia is able to connect with and benefit from the 2010 Winter Games,” said Marion Lay, President and CEO of 2010 Legacies Now. “The speakers we’re bringing to BC will share their first-hand experiences and show us how we can translate the Olympic and Paralympic experience into practical and lasting benefits for British Columbia.”
As title sponsor of the speaker series, RBC Financial Group recognizes the tremendous opportunities presented by 2010 for British Columbia communities and companies, and the chance to showcase Canada’s Pacific gateway to markets around the world.
“As the Premier National Banking Partner for the 2010 Winter Games, RBC is committed to helping communities and businesses make the most of opportunities in the lead up to 2010 and beyond,” said Graham MacLachlan, regional president for RBC Financial Group in B.C. “The RBC 2010 Legacies Now Speaker Series will enable people across B.C. to gain invaluable insight from those who have direct knowledge of how to achieve Olympic success.”
About RBC Financial Group
Royal Bank of Canada (TSX, NYSE: RY) uses the initials RBC as a prefix for its businesses and operating subsidiaries, which operate under the master brand name of RBC Financial Group. Royal Bank of Canada is Canada’s largest bank as measured by assets, and is one of North America’s leading diversified financial services companies. It provides personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, corporate and investment banking, and transaction processing services on a global basis. The company employs approximately 60,000 people who serve more than 12 million personal, business and public sector clients through offices in North America and some 30 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.rbc.com.
About 2010 Legacies Now
2010 Legacies Now is a not-for-profit society that works in partnership with community organizations, non-government organizations (NGOs), the private sector and all levels of government to develop sustainable legacies in sport & recreation, arts, literacy, and volunteerism. 2010 Legacies Now actively assists communities discover and create unique and inclusive social and economic opportunities leading up to, during and beyond the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. For more information, visit www.2010LegaciesNow.com.
About the BC Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat
The BC Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat is responsible for financial oversight of the Province’s financial contribution to the 2010 Games, and to ensuring all communities and business in the Province have access to the wide variety of opportunities that flow from hosting the Games. The BC Secretariat, in the Ministry of Economic Development, has developed the 2010 Commerce Centre, providing workshops province-wide that demonstrate how to maximize Olympic-related business opportunities and provides immediate access to new Olympic-related business opportunities to all businesses in BC, through their website at www.2010CommerceCentre.com.
-30-
Media Contacts:
Ian Buckley
Manager, Communications
2010 Legacies Now
604-659-1394
Karen McDonald
Communications Director
Ministry of Economic Development
250 356-9428
John Groves
Advisor, External Communications
The RBC Foundation
604.668.2651
