Summer Games on track
Work continues behind the scenes for the 2021 Canada Summer Games.
Niagara was awarded the games about two years ago and, according to chief revenue and marketing officer Steve Katzman, everything is on schedule.
“We’ve been very busy,” Katzman said. “We haven’t been front-facing to our market or our community to any great extent, but that’s going to change.”
Katzman said a business plan has just been completed which is the next step going forward.
“It’s prepared for review for our stakeholders and board of directors. This will be the plan that will act as the blueprint for planning and executing the 2021 Games. “It was months of work, a lot of hard work by the staff with a great assistance from the Canada Games council.
“We’re very pleased with the plan we have.”
Katzman said the general public should start to see tangible evidence soon regarding the 2021 Games.
“Shortly we will be launching our brand. A lot of things will flow from there,” he said. “Planning continues for events that are going to take place in 2019. We have a milestone event in August which will be the two-year out milestone. Ideally, we would like to do with something with that date.
“Planning always continues but at some point you go from a strictly planning mode to a tactical, execution mode.”
As well, Katzman said more hirings are in the works.
“That’s a natural progression where we are in our stage, in our cycle. It’s a good sign. We need to take on more work.
“We have seven or eight postings now. It’s an initial phase for postings across the organization. Marketing, sport and athlete services, planning. Positions that reach right across the organization.”
Katzman said the small staff, which has been working hard from its downtown offices in the old courthouse, feel a sense of urgency despite the fact the events don’t begin until August of 2021.
“It’s very real for us. For the staff internally it’s a very interesting dynamic. Although the event is two-and-a-half years away, we come into work every day with a high sense of urgency.
“It’s very unique. We’re all pretty grounded. We have a fantastic plan in place and are really exciting to begin executing.”
Katzman also pointed out Canada Games chairman Doug Hamilton has been working on the project for four years.
“It’s not like nothing is happening.”
The games will be hosted across all 12 Niagara municipalities and are expected to attract more than 5,000 athletes and coaches.
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