Michael Brown said it was “amazing” to receive $220,000 from Penticton MLA Dan Ashton and the provincial government on March 3 for the Penticton 2017 World Multisport Championships Festival.
“It’s a show of commitment from the province. It’s a show that they believe what we have been preaching for the last two years how big this festival is going to be,” said Brown, executive director, Penticton 2017 World Multisport Championships Festivalth. “This is isn’t a festival just for the Okanagan valley. It’s going to reach into B.C. There is a lot of families flying into Vancouver. Metrics show people stay and vacation in the area. It truly is something special when people from all levels of government believe in what you are doing. We really appreciate it.”
The money will help welcome the estimated 5,000 athletes and their supporters who are taking part in the ITU World Multisport Championships Festival in Penticton from Aug. 18 to 27.
“We are using it for athlete services. We use that to make sure the athlete has the best experience possible,” said Brown. “That’s our goal.”
MORE: Penticton gearing up to invite the world to ITU Multisport World Championships
“The ITU World Multisport Championships will provide global exposure to Penticton’s natural beauty and unique landscape for triathlons and multisport events,” said Ashton. “Our government is investing in these racing events as it will highlight the warm hospitality of the Okanagan, generate millions in revenue and create jobs both locally and provincially.”
Ashton was on hand to present the cheque and he said it was “absolutely phenomenal to be able to give it.
“On a personal level it is pretty expensive to do these things. We’re inviting the world here to Penticton,” said Ashton. “The City of Penticton, council specifically recognized that. They stepped forward. A private entity, Michael and his crew have stepped forward. ITU has stepped forward. The province, myself, and through gaming and especially through minister Bond have been a huge advocate of Penticton. To me it was a no brianer. It’s going to bring a phenomenal amount of people to the Okanagan during the summer.”
Ashton also said the people who come for the event will tell the people they know what it was like when they return home, and to him, that is key.
“That’s going to make a difference,” he said. “To be able to do this, I know it’s going to be incredibly worthwhile for not only the Okanagan, but the entire province.”
During the gathering, Brown said courses will be unveiled next month over a five-week period. He also said the impact won’t be as great as initially thought. He also stated that Triathlon Canada is happy where athlete numbers are saying, they are strong.
Also discussed was having the Penticton 2017 website used as a driver to promote businesses to help visitors find out what they can do. Brown said they communicate with businesses to find out what works for them. Brown added they realized what they were offering businesses with special packages may have been unattainable, which is not what they want.
“Our mission statement from the very beginning is wanting everyone to be involved,” said Brown. “We don’t want to exclude people and small businesses that might not have the financial ability to be a part of the festival. We rejigged it a little bit. We worked it out where everyone is welcome to be on our webpage. If you pay a little money, you will have a higher level of recognition. We’re not going to turn anybody away. We were getting some feedback that some businesses felt that they couldn’t be involved in the festival and that was the last thing we wanted.”
The change has resulted in more engagement.
Wine Crush co-founder Tyson Still said he feels what Brown is doing for the community is great. He believes all the businesses in the Okanagan Valley can succeed. Still said Brown’s initiatives is a commitment to the community.
“He’s not a resident of this community. He brings these festivals to this community. He has passion for the Okanagan,” said Still. “He loves Penticton, he has chosen Penticton for a reason. It’s because everyone in Penticton stands behind him.”
Wine Crush will be getting involved by providing product for swag bags and do private catering.
“It’s very important just because we’re a small business,” he said. “It’s huge for us because we’re going to get world wide recognition and a memory that they get to go home with. You’re allowed to take a bag of Wine Crush powder on a plane back to Europe. Back to whereever you are coming from. It’s a memory that they get to bring home to their families.”
Another way Brown mentioned that people can get involved is the home stay program. There are some athletes who may not be able to afford to stay at hotels.
“Having athletes stay can be an experience for families,” said Brown, adding there is a place for everyone to be part of the festival.