Organizers of the 2015 Canada Winter Games are about two-thirds toward their goal of raising $9 million through sponsorships, CEO Stuart Ballantyne said this week.
"We're encouraged by the support we've received so far and look to closing that gap in the next few months and getting on with delivering the Games," Ballantyne said.
While some major corporations have put more than $1 million toward the effort, Ballantyne said businesses can get on board for as little as $500.
"The idea is that everyone can play so if you're a small business in the region, it would be a great opportunity to participate and $500 might be a lot for a local business," Ballantyne said.
Why should a business become a sponsor?
"You might want to promote your product, you might want to promote the fact you are involved in the community, it might be something where your employees are involved," Ballantyne said. "They could be parents of athletes, they could be volunteers involved in the planning of the Games, volunteers who just want to do something really good for the community.
"Even the smallest of businesses wants to say 'hey listen, I helped support that and this is a potential game-changer for Prince George and the region.'"
Set for Feb. 13 to March 1, 2015, the Games will be the largest multi-sport and cultural event ever held not only in Prince George but in northern B.C. The city will host 2,350 athletes, 950 coaches and officials and up to 4,500 volunteers for 19 sports, along with visitors and media and is projected to generate as much as $90 million in economic impact.
In contrast to the Olympic Games, a sponsorship with the Canada Winter Games brings exposure for the business, Ballantyne noted.
"We want to make sure that sponsors get a good return on their sponsorship," he said. "They're buying marketing rights and associating themselves with the Canada Games movement and so therefore, you want them to have increased employee involvement or positive feelings in the community or increased business.
"Our job as the 2015 Canada Winter Games is to make sure they get their value, plus, when they're associated with us."
The Games has a total budget of more than $46.5 million, with more than $19 million in capital expenses and $27.5 million in operating expenses.
For more information, visit www.canadagames2015.ca.
