Minister of Advanced Education, University and college presidents speak about International conferences

March 2, 2005

For Immediate Release

VICTORIA - The Victoria Conference Centre (VCC) is hosting their first annual International conference dinner on Thursday March 3. The event highlights the partnership between the VCC and the advanced education sector and the work underway to attract international conferences to Victoria.

Provincial Advanced Education Minister Ida Chong, and Mayor Alan Lowe will speak at the event.

"Over the last two years, the Victoria Conference Centre (VCC) has developed and implemented a strategy to attract more international conferences to Victoria. Research indicates that international conferences tend to be larger than domestic conferences and the delegates spend more and stay longer, said Jocelyn Jenkyns, Director of Marketing and Event Sales. A key component of this plan has been a strengthened partnership with the University of Victoria, Royal Roads University and Camosun College through their faculty and staff. To date we have identified over 1300 individuals who are playing or may wish to play a role in attracting conferences to Victoria.

Hosting international meetings in Victoria also means increased recognition for university and college faculty and staff and potential monetary benefits from conference revenue generation, which can then be dedicated to research and development.

The VCC is now seeing results from increased sales efforts in Canadian, US and International markets. 2004 marked a record year for the VCC with delegate attendance numbers reaching 110,022 delegate days, up 2.18% over 2003 at 107,675.

"A successful convention program is integral to strengthening Victoria's economic vitality and reinforcing our image as an attractive city in which to work, live and play", said Mayor Alan Lowe. "The economic benefit of conventions alone means millions of dollars of direct spending going back into our community."

The VCC hosts over 230 events a year and delivers an economic benefit to the city of over $42 Million annually. The VCC is a member of Convention Centres of Canada (CCC), Conventions British Columbia (CBC), the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM).

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For more information, please visit our website at www.victoriaconference.com or contact:
Jocelyn Jenkyns
Director of Marketing and Event Sales
(250) 361-1035
jocelynj@victoriaconference.com

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