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Expanded
Convention and Exhibition Centre
by
Jerry W. Bird
 We've
worked closely with Tourism Vancouver for many
years, and recently witnessed one of that
association's crowning achievements, when plans for
a new, expanded Convention Centre were revealed. It
was in the exciting months leading up to
Expo
'86
that I watched in awe as the current facility rose
on the site of what used to be the CPR Steamship
pier, where my grandparents and I departed for
Alaska and the Yukon. I followed every step of its
progress, and what a marvelous transformation. It
was Expo '86 that truly put Vancouver on the world
map of great cities, and the Five Sails became its
icon. At Apec '97 , we enjoyed a feeling of pride
unlike never before, as 10,000 participants from
over 18 countries shared their ideas. Air Highways
produced a Souvenir Edition to fit the occasion and
set the stage for future events.
 L
Convention Centre Target Now 2007
A proposed $495-million expansion to the
Vancouver Convention center will likely open years
later than the 2005 target date envisioned by city
tourism officials. That was the message Tuesday
from Enterprise Minister Rick Thorpe following a
speech to the Vancouver Board of Trade. Thorpe said
the proposed expansion now is tied closely to the
Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Olympic bid, so
construction of the facility seems unlikely before
the Games are awarded in the summer of 2003. The
project would take about four years to build so
under a successful Games bid scenario, it would
open by 2007 at the earliest.
Bruce Constantineau, The Vancouver Sun, October 24,
2001
Our
Second Office
Wayne Gretsky's office was behind the goal net,
and Vancouver radio columnist Joy Metcalf
calls the Convention Centre and Pan Pacific Hotel
her office. We feel the same way, since we work in
Gastown, a few blocks away and attend over 30
functions there annually. Small wonder the news
about a new facility was music to our ears. The
Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre has
become an internationally recognized symbol of what
we believe is the most attractive destination in
the world. The centre's column-free exhibition
areas, meeting rooms and ballrooms can handle up to
8,000 guests . The newly announced facility will
expand this base considerably.
Vancouver's
financial district and downtown core is within safe
and easy walking distance. Entertainment,
restaurants and retail shopping areas are an easy
stroll from your room, and the view of the harbour
with its cruise ships and seaplanes coming and
going, is truly a delight. Write: airhwy@dowco.com
or contact the convention centre
at:
200-999 Canada
Place • Vancouver, BC • Canada V6C 3C1,
Tel: (604) 689-8232 • Fax: (604)
647-7232
Photos courtesy
Tourism Vancouver
The Pacific
Northwest, California and Asia are markets that
represent strong growth opportunities for the
hotel. For more information call central
reservations at 1-800-441-1414 or visit the web
site at www.cphotels.co.
Media Contact:
Sarah Geddes, Communications and Promotions
Manager,
Tel: (604) 662-1923 Fax: (604) 685-9476 E-mail:
sgeddes@vap.cphotels.ca
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