April 5, 2020
We know that this past month has been full of challenges for everyone in our sport tourism industry. Our industry will once again be a strong, vital part of the economy, but we know it is going to take some time before we can get back to the business of planning and hosting sport events. We also know that sport tourism can play an important role as destinations and rights holder organizations chart the path to recovery.
At CSTA, we’re working to keep both information flowing and making resources available to you for now, and for the future, with a focus on recovery planning. Here’s an update on what we’re working on.
Advocacy
CSTA is in contact with a variety of federal government departments to promote sport tourism as a key element in recovery plans. Most recently, we submitted a request to the Minister of Heritage related to suggested adjustments to Sport Canada’s Hosting Program. View a copy of the letter here. In addition, a comprehensive industry plan is currently in development to position sport tourism as a key element in federal, provincial and municipal recovery plans.
Sport Events Congress 2020 – 2023
We were on track to have a record setting SEC20 in Edmonton this year and we’re working hard on plans to return to Edmonton with the event in the near term. We don’t have all the details sorted yet, but appreciate the efforts by Edmonton Events, Ottawa Tourism, Richmond Sport Hosting and Tourism Winnipeg for their collaboration in working with us to find a solution to minimize the impacts on us all. Thank you for your patience as we work through all the details.
Canada Sport Hosting Index Announcement
The calculations are finalized – and we will be making a virtual announcement of the top Sport Cities in Canada on Tuesday, April 14th.
2020 PRESTIGE Awards
An announcement related to the PRESTIGE Awards is currently on hold to ensure that our finalists are honoured for their outstanding work in 2019 and receive appropriate recognition. We will keep you posted on how we plan to do that in the weeks to come.
Destination Member Survey
Thanks to over 40 of our DMO members who took the time to respond to our COVID-19 Impact survey. You provided us with both a realistic overview of the impact, and also valuable suggestions of what CSTA can do to assist. We’re already putting many of those suggestions into practice. If any of our DMO members have yet to add their information to the survey, we’ve left it open until Wednesday, April 8th:
CSTA AGM
Our Annual General Meeting (AGM), which usually takes place at Sport Events Congress, will now take place online to bring CSTA members together for a virtual AGM. It will include the presentation of the audited 2019 financial statements, election of Directors for 2020-21 and a variety of other items. The meeting will be held in early May, specific date and time TBA.
For Sports Rights Holders – Up for Bid circulation
Our Up for Bid services remain available for any Sport Rights Holders who are planning for future events. Contact: rvaughan@canadiansporttourism.com when you’re ready to circulate a bid package.
CSTA Partners
Our team is in regular contact with our government and industry partners to keep information flowing to you. Here are links to their websites with the most up-to-date details.
TIAC – Tourism Industry Association of Canada
We regularly post information on our social media platforms. If you’re not already connected with us, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. And all of our alerts will be posted on our CSTA website.
Reach out and let us know how else we can support you as we all adjust to this unprecedented situation.
Rick Traer, CEO