Sport Events Exchange[ AKA SPEED DATING ]
ARE YOU READY TO FIND A LIFELONG EVENT PARTNER?
Sport Events Exchange is an in-person or virtual business-to-business marketplace activity that connects sport events rights holders (ERHs) and destinations who are members of Sport Tourism Canada (DMO members).
The Exchange allows destinations and events rights holders to briefly meet and explore hosting opportunities in a fast, efficient, and fun ‘first date’ type of environment. Our dating gurus help daters prep for their appointments to ensure both parties make a good first impression. At Sport Events Exchange, we guide Exchange participants on how to match-up with potential event partners that are a good fit and explore future sport hosting partnerships.
UPCOMING ‘DATING’ OPPORTUNITIES
In-Person Speed Dating
The next opportunity for eligible speed daters to meet up in a B2B marketplace format is on June 7, 2023 in-person in Richmond as part of Sport Events Congress 2023.
Virtual Speed Dating
The next opportunity for eligible speed daters to meet up in a B2B marketplace format virtually is yet to be announced. Watch this space for details!
HOW IT WORKS
Participating in Sport Events Exchange is easy! Check the eligibility requirements to make sure you are one of the two groups who are allowed to speed date. Register online to confirm your participation, and then await instructions from one of our matchmakers on next steps.
YOUR SPEED DATING MATCHMAKERS
STC’s matchmakers (aka dating coaches) help destinations and events rights holders prep for their dates to ensure both parties make a good first impression and find the perfect sport hosting fit.
Sport Events Exchange Overtime!
Overtime! is an extra window of time immediately following Sport Events Exchange where informal one-on-one or small group chats can take place between Exchange participants who did not have a chance to schedule a formal appointment or date during the speed dating session.
Accommodations providers who are members of Sport Tourism Canada in the affiliate member category are welcomed to join Exchange participants for this activity. Proof of membership will be required.
SEC23 sponsors are also invited to join in for Overtime! at the in-person edition of Sport Events Exchange in Richmond. See schedule of events.
2023 Sport Events Exchange Eligibility & Deadlines
Only two groups are eligible to speed date at Sport Events Exchange. These are:
Dating Group #1 – DMOs
Canadian destinations (commonly referred to as DMOs or CVBs) who are members of Sport Tourism Canada in the ‘Municipal Member’ category of membership and who are in the business of attracting sport events to be hosted in their communities.
Dating Group #2 – ERHs
Sport organizations (for-profit or not-for-profit) who own the rights to events open for bid (Events Rights Holders) who are members of Sport Tourism Canada in the Rights Holder category of membership or the Affiliate membership category (for-profit rights holders only).
DEADLINE TO CONFIRM PARTICIPATION IN SPORT EVENTS EXCHANGE AT SEC23: Eligible daters who wish to take part in Sport Events Exchange on June 7th in-person in Richmond as part of Sport Events Congress must be registered for SEC23 no later than May 19, 2023.
Who is NOT Eligible for Sport Events Exchange?
Hoteliers, event sponsors, venue managers, educational institutions, sports equipment manufacturers, airlines, consulting firms, or anyone else who does not fit into one of the two groups of eligible participants listed above are NOT eligible for Sport Events Exchange. No exceptions.
Go Congress! – A Hosted Buyer Program
The Go Congress! program is a hosted buyer program that is available to eligible Canadian sport organizations who wish to attend Sport Events Congress as a guest of Sport Tourism Canada and its SEC host destination partner.
SAVE THE DATE!
SEC23 – Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel
Richmond, BC (June 6-7-8, 2023)
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 fully vaccinated to attend Sport Events Congress 2023?
Yes. All delegates will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no later than October 18, 2022. Proof of vaccination will be required for entry to the event. Instructions on how to submit your proof of vaccination will be provided in advance of the event. View our SEC22 safety measures.
Will the hotel and the other venues we are visiting during SEC23 be enforcing COVID-19 protocols?
Yes. View the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel, and the Richmond Oval policies & requirements here:
Do I have to wear a mask at SEC23?
No – there is currently no masking policy in place. Because this is an evolving situation the details of the policy will be communicated to all delegates in advance of the event. View our SEC23 safety measures for the latest information about masking at SEC.
Is there an airport shuttle for delegates attending SEC23?
Some VIPs and participants in the Go Congress! program have access to an airport shuttle provided by Sport Tourism Canada and Richmond Sport Hosting. All other delegates are encouraged to use the free Congress hotel shuttles, to book a taxi or ride share service.
What is the SEC23 refund policy?
Because COVID-19 is an evolving situation, Sport Tourism Canada has a flexible change and cancellation policy for SEC23. View details here.
How do I participate in the speed dating activity (Sport Events exchange) at SEC?
This popular activity is limited to destinations who are members of Sport Tourism Canada and events rights holders with events open for bid who meet the eligibility criteria. Discover how Sport Events Exchange works here.
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.
I deferred my SEC20 registration fees to SEC23. How do I make sure I am fully registered for SEC23?
Deferred delegates can contact our registration manager for instructions on how to officially transfer a deferred 2020 registration to 2023. Please make sure you have a copy of your SEC 2020 registration confirmation email and a payment receipt to provide to STC in case of any discrepancies.
I am interested in sponsoring SEC or becoming an exhibitor in Vendor Alley. Who do I talk to?
Visit our sponsorship and exhibitor information page for an overview of the opportunities available or connect with our events & marketing team for more details.
What is the Go Congress! program?
STC and its host city partners for SEC sometimes offer a subsidy for registration fees, travel, and accommodations for eligible events rights holders. More information about this program can be found here.
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.
Do you have to pre-register to attend concurrent sessions at SEC?
No. Seating in the concurrent session breakouts is available on a first come, first served basis. If you arrive to a concurrent session that is full, you will be directed to an alternative session by a member of our events team.
View the schedule of events for more information on the agenda at SEC23.
I am a first-time attendee and have many questions about the event format, networking activities, etc. Is there any onboarding provided for new delegates?
Yes! Visit our SEC for Rookies info page on our website for our top tips on how to make the most of your first time attending Sport Events Congress.
If I am unable to attend SEC23 in-person in RICHMOND is there an opportunity to attend the event virtually?
Based on the learnings from SEC21, which was hosted as a 100% virtual event, STC is working to provide access to some SEC23 sessions & presentations (Sport Events Exchange excluded) through the members only resource section on the Sport Tourism Canada 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.