May 28, 2020 (Ottawa, Ontario)
The 2019 AGM was held virtually with members from across the country in attendance, facilitated bu Nora Sheffe, and led by Rick Traer, CEO, Blair McIntosh, Chair, and the STC Board of Directors. In his report on 2019 to the members, Traer highlighted the tremendous achievements in sport tourism over the past year, and also looked ahead on the road to recovery, following the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on the worldwide economy.
In 2019:
- Membership remained stable – retention rate of 90% and increase of $15K in membership revenue
- Successful Sport Events Congress 2019 in Ottawa with +390 attendees and 600+ B2B appointments in the Sport Events Exchange
- Sport Tourism FORE-um and [un] GOLF was a 2nd consecutive sell-out
- Two new industry tools launched: Pageantry Template for Sport Events and the Transition Plan Template developed with the support of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC)
- Launched FESTPRO– to offer economic impact assessments for any non-sport events that occur in our member communities
- Conducted 35 STEAM PRO20 and FESTPRO studies – a 40% increase over 2018.
- Engaged the Conference Board of Canada to update our economic impact models – making them the most up-to-date on the market today.
- Released the 3rd annual Canadian Sport Hosting Index – with results in four different population segments.
- Provided leadership internationally – promoting Canada as a preferred host for international sport events at two SportAccord events, in partnership with Destination Canada and the COC
- Another success financial year, generating a surplus for the 19th consecutive year.
For more details on 2019 activities, review the infographic version of the 2019 Annual Report.
COVID-19 Recovery Plans
- With the declaration of a world-wide pandemic, SEC20 was cancelled in Edmonton. Thanks to the support of Ottawa Tourism, Tourism Richmond and Tourism Winnipeg, we were able to adjust dates to return to Edmonton in 2022. With 2021’s SEC scheduled for Ottawa, Richmond and Winnipeg agreed to delay their hosting opportunity by one year, to 2023 and 2024 respectively.
- Surveyed DMO and sport partners – and the responses to the mid-to-medium impact on the industry of COVID-19 – helped establish our priorities to assist our members.
- Developed a series of complimentary webinars that have dealt with both recovery strategies and professional development that have drawn over 200 participants weekly.
- Continued our advocacy on behalf of sport tourism, with elected officials at the federal level, and providing input and support to the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
- Launched a Sport Tourism COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, with a broad cross-section of industry stakeholders, who will work together to chart the path forward for the industry.
- Engaged discussions with Destination Canada to collaborate on a domestic marketing campaign to promote the re-start of the industry when it is safe to do so.
Board Member Updates
Chair Blair McIntosh thanked three retiring board members for their service. He made particular note of the many years of guidance and leadership from past-chair Cheryl Finn, (London, Ont.), as she completed six years of service to the board, including three as chair. He also noted the tremendous contributions of Julie Nadeau (Sherbrooke, Que.), and Seamus O’Keefe, (St. John’s, Nfld.) who are also stepping down.
Blair McIntosh was re-elected as Chair of the Board. Elected to the STC Board of Directors were Graham Brown, (Markham, Ont.),Heather Bury,Treasurer, (Saskatoon, Sask.), Brooke Leeson, (Kingston, Ont.), Sheena McCrate (St. John’s, Nfld.), and Andréanne Paquet (Montreal, Que.).
Remaining on the board for the balance of their 2019 – 2021 terms are: Neal Alderson, Vice-Chair, (Halifax, N.S.), Michelle Collens (Vancouver, B.C.), Janet Guthrie (Leduc, Alta.), Dean McIntosh (Calgary, Alta.) and Scott Pritchard (Toronto, Ont.).
Following the 2019 AGM, the board held its first meeting and elected its officers. Blair McIntosh was re-elected as Chair, with Neal Alderson as Vice-Chair and Heather Bury as Treasurer.