Government of Canada Invests in Calgary's GlobalFest

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Aug. 12, 2009) - 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." "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 website (http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/dsib-tour.nsf/eng/home) or the Canada's Economic Action Plan website (http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/dsib-tour.nsf/eng/home). BACKGROUNDER The Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP) Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $100 million in funding over two years for marquee tourism events that draw a significant number of tourists to Canada. Marquee tourism events provide significant cultural, sporting and recreational opportunities for Canadians and attract national and international audiences to all parts of the country. Support for these events contributes to Canada's visitor economy by sustaining or increasing the level of tourism and tourism-related spending that benefits hotels, restaurants and a variety of small and medium-sized businesses. As a result, the Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP) will provide funding to support annually recurring, world-class events that generate significant levels of tourism and that aim to attract a significant amount of international media attention to Canada as a tourism destination. Events must be well-established and have a tradition of programming excellence. The Government of Canada recognizes that tourism is an important driver of economic activity in all regions of Canada and that further expansion of Canada's tourism industry can increase tourism export revenues and provide stimulus to the economy at a critical time. The program requirements are strict and targeted. All interested applicants for the MTEP must demonstrate how their event will contribute to the objectives of the program to help events deliver enhanced world-class programs and experiences, thereby increasing or sustaining the number of tourists from within and outside Canada. If funding is provided, all applicants will be required to provide annual audited financial statements for the years in which funding is received and the two years following the completion of the proposed project. An independent study examining the economic impact of the funding is also required. Applicants will also be subject to monitoring and independent audits for the funds received. The economic impact of the tourism industry is significant, representing 2 percent of Canada's gross domestic product, over 662 900 jobs in all regions across the country and $20 billion in government revenues. Canada's Economic Action Plan is intended to stimulate the economy and invest in our long-term growth. The tourism initiatives in this plan lay out a framework for branding Canada as a tourism destination of choice for domestic and international visitors.