If the City of Prince George successfully bids to host an upcoming meeting of Canadian municipal officials, the calculated return on investment would be exponential.
The figures will be discussed on Monday night at the regular public city council meeting. They will consider the option of bidding to host either the spring or fall meetings in 2018 of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Board of Directors.
"The maximum city contribution for hosting this event would be $20,000 with the cost likely being reduced by sponsorships," said Mayor Lyn Hall in a written statement.
But the estimated benefit would be an economic boost of about $450,000 into the local economy.
These meetings are held throughout Canada, and each one has an estimated attendance of 100 delegates plus 80 guests.
The FCM delegates are representatives of local government in their respective communities all over the nation, mayors and councillors from cities large and small. Prince George often sends delegations to FCM meetings, and is regularly represented at this national discussion table by Coun. Garth Frizzell, who is on the FCM board of directors.
If mayor and council vote in favour of applying, and are successful in their bid, Hall said the $20,000 investment could come from the preexisting budget set aside for hosting major events.
