CORRECTION FROM SOURCE/Government of Canada Invests in Calgary's GlobalFest

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Aug. 12, 2009) - A correction from source is being issued with respect to the release sent out today at 3:00 PM EDT. The corrected version follows. On behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, Devinder Shory, Member of Parliament for Calgary Northeast, today announced the Government of Canada's investment of more than $240 000 to support Calgary's GlobalFest as part of the Marquee Tourism Events Program. "The Government of Canada is proud to be making these very significant investments to attract visitors to Calgary from throughout Alberta, across the country and around the world," said Mr. Shory. "Through strategic partnerships with truly incredible experiences like GlobalFest, we illustrate Canada's rich cultural and social attractions to the world while contributing to the long-term growth of our Canadian visitor economy." The Government of Canada has also provided $200 000 through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage. It will benefit many community events and historic anniversaries in Canada this year. "Our Government is proud to partner with communities to support activities that celebrate local history, arts, and heritage," said Minister Moore. "This event brings the community together and contributes to the vitality of the region's culture, economy, and tourism industry." "I am thrilled with the tremendous support being provided by Industry Canada and the Government of Canada. Through the Marquee Tourism Events Program, we have been able to extend our marketing campaign from Winnipeg to Vancouver Island, expand our festival programming, increase the size of our international pyromusical presentations and offer festival patrons and visitors to the community many hours of additional festival programming," said Michael Gretton, Chairman, GlobalFest Board of Directors. "As one of the 2009 Top 100 Events in North America, this funding has enabled GlobalFest to move several years ahead in the further development of our tourism marketing program. This truly makes us 'Alberta's Most Explosive Festival'." Each August, Calgary's GlobalFest presents community-driven ethnocultural events, including a diverse platform of regional and national performing artists, fireworks and more. Funding from the Marquee Tourism Events Program will allow GlobalFest to enhance and expand its media and promotional campaigns in order to target U.S. and Canadian markets, including further promotion to international tour operators through a new promotional DVD/CD. GlobalFest will also be purchasing much needed new equipment, as well as enhancing its fireworks presentations - identified as the heart of the festival. The Government of Canada's Marquee Tourism Events Program is investing $100 million over two years to assist events such as this one across the country. This program will help organizers expand the reach of their events and promote Canada as a must-see tourist destination to visitors from around the globe. The Marquee Tourism Events Program is one of several tourism-related programs announced in Canada's Economic Action Plan. These programs provide measures to support Canada's economy, stimulate the growth of tourism and contribute to the development of Canada's visitor economy over the long term. They include the following: - $150 million over two years for national parks and historic sites; and - $40 million over two years to the Canadian Tourism Commission for domestic and international marketing. For more information, please visit the Marquee Tourism Events Program (http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/dsib-tour.nsf/eng/home) website or the Canada's Economic Action Plan (http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/eng/index.asp) website.