The world’s press invited to Vancouver for 2010 Winter Games planning session

Vancouver, BC — More than 200 representatives from international news wire services, photo agencies, newspapers, internet sites and non-rights holding broadcast organizations are expected to attend the Vancouver 2010 World Press Briefing this fall.

Scheduled for November 18 to 21, 2008, the World Press Briefing will outline detailed information about the services and facilities for the written and photographic press. The briefing will include presentations by various Games functions, including Accreditation, Accommodation, Rate Card, Technology and Transportation. The four-day program features detailed tours of the competition and non-competition venues, with an emphasis on the services and facilities for the press, including plans for the Main Press Centre and venue media centres. Tourism agencies are also participating in the briefing by providing destination information about the Games host region.

“The goal of the World Press Briefing is to present VANOC’s current operational plans in order to help our press clients with their 2010 Winter Games coverage plans,” said Terry Wright, executive vice president, services and games operations. “Our Press Operations team is focused on providing a high level of service and convenient facilities for the world’s press so they can tell the story of the 2010 Winter Games in both an efficient and exciting manner. Representatives of the leading press organizations from around the world will have an opportunity to experience our region, from the ice arenas in Vancouver to the mountain slopes in Whistler.”

The International Olympic Committee has established a quota of 2,800 accreditations covering the categories of written and photographic press and non-rights holding broadcast organizations.

The concept of the World Press Briefing debuted before the Sydney 2000 Games. The World Press Briefing is held one year before the Games; it presents the Organizing Committee’s detailed plans for Games-time print media facilities and services.

Press organizations interested in registering for the Vancouver 2010 World Press Briefing are invited to visit the Press Operations section of the media centre at vancouver2010.com: www.vancouver2010.com/en/OrganizingCommittee/MediaCentre/PressOperations  

Vancouver 2010 World Press Briefing — Quick Facts

• Dates: November 18 to 21, 2008 
• Approximately 200 delegates are expected to attend, representing major news organizations, National Olympic and Paralympic Committees and International Sport Federations 
• The World Press Briefing provides accredited press organizations with the first overall press operations and logistical planning picture for the 2010 Winter Games, linking Accreditation, Accommodation, Transportation, the Main Press Centre, Venue Media Centres, Press Rate Card, Technology and Information functions 
• The World Press Briefing program includes presentations by various Games functions that deliver press services and facilities, along with detailed venue tours in Vancouver and Whistler 
• Apart from the largest agencies, the World Press Briefing may be the only pre-Games opportunity that many news organizations have to visit the host region.

About VANOC

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit vancouver2010.com.

About VANOC Press Operations

VANOC Press Operations is responsible for the planning, preparation and provision of services and facilities for 2,800 accredited written and photographic press and support staff and non-rights holding broadcast organizations so they can operate efficiently during the 2010 Winter Games.

Contact

VANOC Communications
mediarelations@vancouver2010.com