Rick Antonson & Arthur Griffiths want to bring another big world event to Vancouver
 

http://www.globaltvbc.com/video/index.html

Click the link above, go to the "News Hour" section, and click "World Cup bid".



There is talk of hosting:

- the 2026 FIFA World Cup...with other Canadian cities. It would definitely put our investments on BC Place to good use, and if the Whitecaps get around to building a 30,000 seat Waterfront Stadium plus somehow manage to add another 10,000 seats we could have a second World Cup venue in the city.

- another World's Fair?

- hosting the Summer Olympics after 2020...even possibly a Vancouver-Seattle bid? Certainly not, the IOC would never allow it.



Griffiths hinted that in light of Vancouver's Winter Olympic success, it's possible we could get our NBA franchise back.

World's Fair is all but dead now. We have the internets!

FIFA, eh, I don't care personally but there seems to be a decent soccer following around town.

Definitely interested in Vancouver hosting a Summer Olympics.. ;) Though we would need to build a TON of venues, and we would probably end up getting rained out the whole time anyway.

Um, none of these are good ideas. Go take a look at the FIFA standings for World Cup play in a few months in South Africa -- Canada didn't even qualify.

As for the first two, the Summer Games are way too big and we already did a World's Fair. I like the idea of a mammoth cultural festival more -- something annual, even.

Precisely why we should talk about hosting it. Canada is the only team, if I'm not mistaken, not to have scored one goal in any world cup outing.

A bit festival like the one in Edinburgh would be nice. That attracts people around the world and is much nicer than the whiz-bang fireworks in the summer.

Whats the aerobatic flying event hosted by redbull? Get those in town every yea or two.

I'd love to see the World Cup in Canada and expect that it'll happen within my lifetime, it's not something a city bids for it's done as a country, we'd obviously play 2nd or 3rd fiddle. I do think we'd be able to handle the Summer games solo come 2028 but just don't see it happening.

As unlikely as it is I'd love to see F1 come to Vancouver and race along our downtown core, the setting would be more impressive then the number of complaints the city would receive. Heck I'd be willing to share our race bi-annually with Montreal if they'd share.:tup:

Instead of campaigning for more sporting events to be hosted by the city, here is my take on what should be happening:


City management needs to form an organization/committee whose sole responsibility would be to lobby and garner support for international trade shows & expos (MIPIM, CES, E3, etc) to be brought to Vancouver.

In addition, the city needs to foster its own local events/ trade shows (Auto Shows, Fashion Shows, Mining Expos, etc) so that they gain recognition and acclaim from the international community.

By implementing these initiatives it would not only inject millions of dollars of revenue into the city but it would also establish Vancouver with a more significant renown on the world stage.

Looks like it's up to Vancouver once again to make sure we score at least one goal in the World Cup at home court :haha: I personally think we need to start with more annual cultural events that will draw consistent crowds instead of another once-in-a-lifetime event. Robson's fireworks seem like a cool event they could do once a year during spring.

What I think is interesting, though, is that they said the success of this Olympics may interest the NBA to bring a team back.

PS: Everybody should watch that "Where's Gordo" video at News Hour :haha:

While we ponder what great events we can attract or create for the city, let's not forget what we have already. Maybe we have some real strengths we can build on. We already have quite a few yearly events that I would describe as being on the cusp of international note.

Montreal already is known for its summer of festivals... Vancouver is slowly getting there, with most of them still in a fledgling state. Having a summer of festivals, with bigger budgets and support on all levels of goverment would indeed help not only justify but also nurture the kind of atmosphere we have seen in our venues, sites and street life over the past few weeks.

The city would have good reason to close Granville/Robson on the weekends for pedestrian use.

lets get racing back

I thought this is what the convention centre management was supposed to be doing all along - get conventions &tc here to fill up the two convention centre buildings and GM / BC Place. Why should we form yet another committee to do their work?

While we're at it, why not build a new mega theatre complex & lure Celine to move here for a few years & do her shows here instead of Vegas? (let's forget using the recently refurbished QE Theatre, and the hardy used nearby centre for performing arts - to old & small for her) that should bring in a few $ billion, and boost morale.

Or lets just wait a few years for the Oly buzz to wear off before wondering "what next?"

I hardly ever watch the Summer Olympics; I am usually to busy enjoying my summer to bother watching the Summer Games and I know many people around here feel the same way. Hosting the Summer Olympics would also create a wasteful number of venues that would never be properly utilized after the games. Although Vancouver would be a perfect host for the Summer Games it would be more trouble than its worth, so I would prefer to see the Summer Olympics in Toronto. I hope the next Olympics in Canada is another Winter Olympics.

I vote FIFA World Cup. Soccer is popular as a recreational sport in Canada; we just suck at the professional level. All though the World Cup is not hosted in one city the exposure for Vancouver would still be excellent and would be much cheaper for BC to host than the Olympics (Winter or Summer). The World Cup in Canada would also give soccer a big boost in this country.

No to the NBA. not after the grizzlies debacle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpetbagger

:hell:

Would be great to have a FIFA World Cup here in Canada. Good exposure for all the cities in Canada and not only one like an Olympics does.

I think the summer Olympics would be cool and all but im not sure what to think. Where would they build the Athletes village? In Stanley Park? lol
What would they do with all the venues?

Now I say this allllll the time and ill say it again.
Vancouver really REALLY needs to build up its credibility in throwing International festivals. Vancouver is such a beautiful city and its a shame that there isnt any BIG festivals that it can be known for that is unique. It makes me sick how there is no culture and it just blah..black and white. Thats my opinion.

You probably knew this was coming...but lets take page out off my hometown of Montreal. They are known for its amazing festivals in summer and all year round.

The International Jazz Fest of MTL: Stevie Wonder put on a free show at last years edition downtown and 500,000 people showed up in the street and Quartier de Spectacle
Just For Laughs Fest: Big name comediens like Bill Cosby and Whoopi Goldberg and so many more were on last years fest. It was amazing. The nightly cultural parades were insane and nothing i have seen before. Plus all the free shows outdoors and games you can play on the street.

During the time of these festivals its F1 Weekend and the city gets even crazy. Crescent street closes off and hundreds of thousands of ppl flock to see the f1 car and meet drivers along the street as well as party to live music on the outdoor huge stage! Over on Peel st.( 2 streets away) there is the annual Ferrari showcaseall lined up on the street with about 30 different types of ferraris!


Not to mention also....Igloo Fest, Nuit Blanche, World Film Fest, POP Montreal, Osheaga Music Fest and Virgin Music Fest, LaRonde International Fireworks Fest and so many others....... is something Vancouver should maybe watch for and learn.

Yeah i know Vancouver has festivals with fireworks or wtv but its so badly prepared and half assed lol. Go all the way! Put on a show! Make people wanna come back yr after yr! WAKE UP! Stop being so sober! lol

I think these Olympics might have woken the city up but it doesnt look the buzz can carry on....there needs to be things happening in the city all the time..thats the secret! MTL has fest after fest...it never gets boring haha. God i miss me some Culture!

I agree. Based on everything I have heard FIFA seems to have interest in Canada and there seem to be good political connections. Not to mention that the success of MLS in Canada helps tremendously. I wish Canada got their act together for a 2022 and 2026 bid, they would need to beat out Mexico and America but I think they could, and they would. Mexico has hosted before and the benefits to FIFA are limited while America doesnt seem to be in FIFAs good books(though the American market is probably very enticing even though 94 was not as successful and hoped). Io the other hand Canada is as new location, in NA, right next to America, and a in a much more receptive market.

As some have mentioned here, I'd much rather see new annual events rather than some short-term "super event" again like the Olympics, as fun as it was. Lets see racing back here, big conventions, etc.

We are well suited to the Winter Games. No reason they can't come back here again in 30-40 years.

The NBA will be next to come back, as they have at least 6 teams struggling financially (much like the NHL), and Aquilini has specifically stated intentions to buy a team and move it here.

Very true. Every time I have ventured into Montreal, I have always ended up stumbling into a random festival and had a blast. I think Vancouver's problem is that most festivities that are put on cost money which deters people. Even if they are successful, they never seem to expand. The other issue is the security costs and insurance costs are so high, and Vancouver doesn't have a large corporate base to fund these types of things. Not to mention that our Arts & Culture funding from the province is a pittance in comparison to what Quebec hands out per capita.

Regardless, I think that since Vancouver has held the largest event in Canadian history, that it should learn that people are generally well behaved when they are happy. There were few issues reported which might give it a positive vibe at city hall to endorse more festivals and lobby Victoria to boost arts funding. But of course, that will be AFTER we figure out what the games actually cost.

And for the record, no to the NBA. We should support out new MLS team before trying to obtain another NBA team. And I think the Summer Olympics are a pipe dream. There is no way Vancouver could host it on it's own. I do like the idea of Co-hosting with Seattle though. Both cities are close together and it would be the first truly international games. I would love to see a joint opening ceremony. That would be a spectacle to behold.

Like snatching the coin arcade convention from Seattle? :D

Perhaps the two gentlemen in question could devote their time and energy to the Celebration of Light fireworks, an event which has a near-death experience every year. It draws lots of tourists and locals to Vancouver and could no doubt benefit from their enthusiasm.