2004 Grey Cup nominated for Ottawa Tourism Award's "Event of the Year"
February 15, 2005 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Ottawa Renegades News Release
OTTAWA â The 2004 Grey Cup, and week long Kickin' It In The Capital festival, is continuing to receive recognition for the show put on in Ottawa last November.
The festival, part of the 92nd annual Grey Cup, has been nominated for the "Event of the Year" by the Ottawa Tourism group as part of their annual awards.
More than 50 events took place during Grey Cup week as part of the festival, which helped generate over $43 million in the tourism, retail and hospitality sectors. More than 35,000 visitors from outside the Ottawa area participated in the festival, many of whom did not even attend the contest to determine the best team in the Canadian Football League. . The championship game, staged on Nov. 21, 2004, was the largest sporting event in Canada and televised on CBC.
Included in the "Event of the Year" award criteria is an emphasis on enticing people to visit Ottawa and Canada's Capital Region.
"We are pleased and honoured that our hard work to put on the 2004 Grey Cup has been nominated for an Ottawa Tourism Award," said Brad Watters, president of the Ottawa Renegades Football Club and Grey Cup 2004. "The Grey Cup is more than just a game. It is a celebration of Canadian sport that motivates the spirit of generosity, compassion, sharing and tolerance across the country, and, in particular, its host community."
A dozen employees, and more than 1,400 volunteers (representing 3,500 volunteer shifts) helped make the festival a success. The Grey Cup Organizing Committee used creativity in its event programming, including everything from a high school youth workshop, to the Great Big Canadian Evening and extremely popular "Rockin' In The Capital" parties.
The Kickin' It in the Capital Festival succeeded in the challenge to ârevitalize' Grey Cup in Eastern Canada. Over 100,000 people participated in the Festival and over 52,000 people attended the game. Media coverage was incredible with national media including CBC Television, CBC Newsworld, Canada AM and much more. The Festival was highlighted in both print and television throughout Canada. Corporate sponsorship revenue exceeded expectations and included various sponsoring companies nation-wide. The event was on of the most successful Grey Cup Festivals in history.
The awards -- which celebrate the individuals, companies, organizations and events that have set high standards and demonstrated outstanding achievement in contributing to the growth and development in Ottawa and Canada's Capital Region â are presented annually at a gala event. This year's ceremony is March 2 at the Corel Centre.
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- Argos sign Mihelic for 2005 season - Toronto Argonauts
- 2004 Grey Cup nominated for Ottawa Tourism Award's "Event of the Year" - Ottawa Renegades
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