City to Establish Special Event Marketing Fund
New fund will help market and attract large scale events to Winnipeg
Released: 10:30 a.m.
NEWS @ A GLANCE:
Today, Mayor Sam Katz joined by representatives from Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. and the Winnipeg Convention Centre announced detailed plans for the distribution of funds collected by the City’s 5% Accommodation Tax. A report will be presented to the City’s Executive Policy Committee on Friday, October 3rd and City Council on October 22nd.(for more details, please read the full media release below) |
WINNIPEG - September 26, 2008 –Today, Mayor Sam Katz joined by representatives from Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. and the Winnipeg Convention Centre announced detailed plans for the distribution of funds collected by the City’s 5% Accommodation Tax.
In June, the City of Winnipeg established an Accommodation Tax that will go towards funding for the Winnipeg Convention Centre expansion, increased support for marketing to Economic Development Winnipeg Inc., and the creation of a Special Event Marketing fund.
“Winnipeg needs to remain competitive and have a funding mechanism in place that will ensure our city remains a viable option for future conferences and special events like the Junos, Grey Cup, or the Canadian Country Music Awards,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “The accomodation tax will directly ensure that we are able to compete effectively in a very competitive environment where other cities are providing incentives for growing tourism.”
The detail of the distribution includes:
- an additional $700,000 towards Economic Development Winnipeg Inc.’s Operating Budget increasing
the city’s funding to $2 million in 2009, and potentially expanding in 2010 and beyond
as accommodation tax revenues increase.
- up to $1 million annually to the Special Event Marketing fund to
be managed by Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. including 2 representatives from Destination
Winnipeg, 2 from the City of Winnipeg, and 1 from Winnipeg hotels represented by
the President of the Manitoba Hotel Association.
- up to 40% of the tax (approximately $2.8 million) will be set aside within the
reserve to fund future capital works for the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
- grants to Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. and the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
“The City of Winnipeg is showing confidence in Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. as the city’s arms-length marketing agency to build on its track record of success,” said Nick Logan, Chair of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. Inc., “This is a step in the right direction, we look forward to more aggressive funding for marketing to catch up to other competitors. Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. will work with our partners to grow the business of tourism for the benefit of our city.”
“Mayor Katz recognizes the potential of an expanded convention centre to both build upon the revitalization of our city and to bring people from around the world to experience our restaurants, visit our sites, and meet our people as they spend delegate dollars at each stop they make,” said Zivan Saper, Chair of the Winnipeg Convention Centre Board.
A report will be presented to the City’s Executive Policy Committee on Friday, October 3rd and City Council on October 22nd. |
