SEC Rookies
Your First Congress? Here are Some Tips…
Don’t be shy– about 1/3 of delegates are first-timers, but SEC delegates are friendly so get out there and introduce yourself!
Rookie Ribbon– ask the registration volunteers for your “rookie” ribbon for your name tag so that others know you are new to SEC and can help you meet new people.
Sport Tourism 101– attend the Sport Tourism 101 session on day 1 of the Congress to get the lay of the land when it comes to STC and the sport tourism industry.
Membership– become a member of STC to be linked into the latest news in the sport tourism industry and to access STC’s tools and resources.
Social Events– attend all the social and networking events at the Congress. We guarantee you will make new friends at our hospitality events.
Refreshment Breaks– be sure to make the rounds to each exhibitor kiosk during the refreshment breaks and in-between sessions. Our exhibitors have lots of valuable information and ideas to share.
Ask questions– unsure about something? Check in with our helpful volunteers at the registration desk.
Review materials– review the Congress schedule online before you arrive at SEC and plan which sessions and activities you are interested in attending.
Dress appropriately– bring clothing and footwear that work for both meetings (business/business casual) and social events (sporty, casual).
Follow us on social media– connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn to be in the know about contests and promotions taking place at SEC and to engage with other delegates before, during and after the event.
Stay at the host hotel– there’s nothing like an impromptu meet-up in the elevator of the hotel bar.
Participate in SEC Contests– Keep an eye out on social media, in Vendor Alley, and for announcements in plenary sessions and via text message about event-related contests designed to help you network with others.
Sponsor at SEC– sponsors meet more people, go away with more (and higher quality leads), and have more visibility for their brand in the sea of 400+ delegates. View the available sponsorship opportunities to get more involved.
SAVE THE DATE!
Mark your calendars for the only event in Canada where all of Canada’s sport tourism stakeholders gather to learn, network and develop new business partnerships.
Contact Us About SEC
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who normally attends Sport Events Congress?
Sport Events Congress attracts delegates from a variety of sectors:
- Events rights holders (organizations/companies who own the rights to sporting events and are seeking potential host cities to partner with them to host their next event. Events range from community level sporting competitions such as minor hockey tournaments to international elite sporting events to conferences and meetings and special events).
- Sport Tourism and Economic Development professionals (people who are working to promote their city/town as a destination for sport events and are interested in hosting events)
- Suppliers to the Sport Tourism Industry (companies who offer services to the sport tourism industry, such as hotels, airlines, magazines, event marketing firms, etc.)
- Education sector and researchers (students, professors and researchers who are in the tourism or sports administration fields).
Approximately 400 delegates attend Sport Events Congress each year.
What is the difference between Sport Events Exchange and Vendor Alley?
Sport Events Exchange is a business-to-business marketplace that provides an opportunity for events rights holders and destinations to meet one-on-one to explore sport events hosting opportunities. Participants are assigned brief appointments to conduct a short business meeting. The format is similar to ‘speed dating’ whereby both parties have a short period of time (8-10 minutes) to determine if there is potential to work together and then a bell rings prompting people to move on to their next appointment.
Vendor Alley is the trade show element at SEC. It offers companies the opportunity to set-up kiosks and promote their products and services to SEC delegates during the conference. Each year, approximately 30 exhibitors take part in the trade show and pay the appropriate fees for their kiosk space that is allocated to them in the trade show area. Conference delegates are encouraged to visit booths, pick-up promotional material and speak with company reps who are exhibiting. Exhibit space in Vendor Alley normally sells out well in advance of the Congress so any company interested in exhibiting should confirm their intentions to STC at least 5 months prior to the Congress.
WHERE AND WHEN DOES SPORT EVENTS CONGRESS TAKE PLACE?
Sport Events Congress has typically always been hosted in the spring. Past host cities include Toronto, Ottawa, Richmond, Edmonton, Halifax and Gatineau. There is a bidding process in place for hosting SEC.
Do you offer special rates for delegates who only want to attend portions of the Congress or one-day only?
Congress delegate fees are based on the attendee taking part in the full Congress. A limited # of one-day passes for Day 3 only are available.
Do I have to be a member of Sport Tourism Canada to attend SEC?
Congress is open to anyone, however, STC members have discounted rates on registration fees and may have access to certain activities or events that are restricted to members only. View the program of events for details or view the membership section of our website for more info on how to become a member of STC.
How do I find out if my company/organization is a member of Sport Tourism Canada?
Is SEC a sustainable event?
Since 2015, Sport Tourism Canada has been implementing sustainable event practices at Sport Events Congress. More info about SEC: A Sustainable Event is posted on our website.
I am interested in speaking or presenting at SEC? How do I submit my request or topic idea?
STC is in the process of developing a list of engaging topics for SEC23 that will provide learning and inspiration to assist the sport hosting system to be more successful and resilient in the future. If you would like to recommend a topic or have interest in speaking/presenting at SEC23, please submit to: sec-ces@sporttourismcanada.com. View our schedule of events here.