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City of Prince George developing event sponsorship policy

The policy is under development, after city council requested a report into the finances and sponsorship agreement for the Cariboo Rocks the North music festival.
Cariboo Rocks the North 2022
The city is developing an administrative procedure regarding sponsorships for ticketed concerts and events.

The City of Prince George is developing an administrative procedure regarding sponsorships for all ticketed city events.

The move comes after city council requested a report into the finances and sponsorship agreement between the City of Prince George and Pacific Western Brewing regarding the annual Cariboo Rocks the North music festival.

“I don’t think it should have ever have got to this point,” Coun. Brian Skakun said. “It’s a great event – it’s not about that. It’s about having transparency.”

Skakun said he has concerns about the lack of recognition that the event is owned and produced by the City of Prince George, and said he hopes the new policy under development addresses that.

Coun. Tim Bennett said he was glad to to see the event was profitable, starting in its second year.

City director of civic facilities and events Andy Beesley said a report will come back to city council, once the new administrative procedure is ready. Beesley also praised the work of city entertainment manager Glen Mikkelsen, who manages the event.

“We are in very good hands,” Beesley said.

Coun. Kyle Sampson, who manages the event on behalf of Pacific Western Brewing, did not partake in the discussion of the report, due to a conflict of interest. Coun. Cori Ramsay pointed out that Sampson was not a member of city council in 2018 when the initial contract for the event was negotiated and signed.

“When there is potential for conflict of interest, it is important we have clarity on that,” Coun. Trudy Klassen said. “It’s never a waste of taxpayer money or staff time to make sure we do things right.”