Vancouver 2010 adds seven companies to its licensee program

Jan 11, 2007

2007 kicks off with further support from Canadian companies

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) is pleased to welcome seven more Canadian companies to its Official Licensing Program under the ‘Novelty Gift’ and ‘Collectibles’ (Hard Goods) categories. The licensees, including four BC-based companies and three others located in Calgary, Montreal, and London, Ontario will develop and sell products bearing Vancouver 2010 emblems and the Olympic and Paralympic brands.

The licensees include:

Cajo Designs (Fashion Accessories), Vancouver, BC
Executive Promotions (Novelty Products and Collectibles), Montreal, QC
Mustang Drinkware (Glassware and Drinkables), London, ON
Panabo Sales (Gifts and Collectibles), North Vancouver, BC
RC Products (Ski and Snowboard Accessories and Pet Accessories), Vancouver, BC
Sundog Distributing Inc. (Non-Prescription Sunglasses), Calgary, AB
Vancouver Umbrella (Umbrellas), Vancouver, BC

“We are pleased to begin 2007 with another wave of support as we add seven Canadian companies from four provinces to join our growing list of VANOC licensees. Their souvenir and collectible products will complement the strong merchandising program started by our Premier National Partner, Hbc,” said Dave Cobb, VANOC executive vice president of revenue, marketing and communications. “Representing businesses both large and small, these new licensees reflect Canada’s spirit of entrepreneurship and show how businesses country wide can continue to get involved in the Games.”

The sale of Vancouver 2010 official licensed products contributes directly to Games revenues, thereby supporting the financing and staging of the 2010 Winter Games. Recently licensed merchandise, including apparel, becomes widely available at Hbc and retail outlets across Canada this month. A wide array of novelty gifts and collectibles are expected to be in stores by March, 2007. These items include everything from luggage tags, lanyards, glassware and ski/snowboard accessories to keychains, flashlights and sunglasses.

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.

Souvenir and Collectibles Licensees

Cajo Designs
Cajo Designs is a 100 per cent Canadian owned, company based in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more than five years, Joe Freeburn and Carl Oster have been designing, producing and marketing a wide variety of small fashion accessories that are available in stores throughout North America, Europe and Japan. Keeping one step ahead of rapidly changing fashion trends is what Cajo Designs is all about. They bring these trends to the market in the form of cosmetic bags, handbags, beach bags, eye masks, passport holders and luggage tags. Cajo’s focus is on fun, trend and gift items that customers love to give and receive.

Executive Promotions
Founded in 1987 in Montreal, Executive Promotions has consistently been a leading supplier of promotional products in North America. With clients ranging from small retail stores to multinational corporations; Executive Promotions' core strength continues to be its ability to source unique products targeted to the specific promotional marketing needs of their clients. In 1992, Executive Promotions expanded into the exciting field of sports licensing by adding a division, known as "Licensed to Play (LTP)”. Executive Promotions’ current licenses in the novelty and hard goods category include most of the major league sporting properties and a number of other event specific rights. Executive Promotions’ LTP team has a strong reputation in the licensed products industry for offering superior quality "Made in Canada" products as well as innovative overseas production options. Executive Promotions is known within the sports licensing industry for creating exciting and high quality products for retailers, sponsors and consumers alike.

Mustang Drinkware
Mustang Drinkware Inc. is a premier designer and manufacturer of licensed beverage-related products that include ceramic mugs, travel mugs, glassware, reusable water bottles and beverage insulators. Based in London, Ontario, Mustang Drinkware has a strong presence in the Canadian retail market in these categories and prides itself on creating high quality unique items that appeal to consumers.

Panabo Sales Ltd.
Panabo Sales, a North Shore family owned company, previously obtained a license with VANOC under the ‘Apparel’ category (scarves and ties). Panabo proudly serves the local and international gift and souvenir markets with quality Canadian-made goods. Staying true to its original vision of producing items that represent this diverse country, Panabo’s items are created with design integrity, quality of craftsmanship and incorporate a wide range of North American iconography. With its comprehensive range of products including 3-dimensional collectibles, Panabo sets industry standards for design, quality, distribution and customer service.

RC Products
RC Products is a 100 per cent Canadian owned manufacturer and distributor of ski and snowboard accessories, pet products, and promotional items. RC began making power straps for ski boots in 1987 in Whistler, BC. It has since grown to be a leader in snowsports accessories and pet products and is now based in Vancouver, BC. RC Products are sold around the world in countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia, Japan and Germany. The demand for RC’s innovative products is supported by the ability to produce products both in its facility in Vancouver and several factories located overseas. Known for its high quality, innovative and functional products, RC strives to offer better products at fair prices every day.

Sundog Distributing Inc.
Sundog Distributing Inc., based in Calgary, was founded in 1982 with the goal of building a successful company selling fashionable, innovative, and quality sunglasses of uncompromising value. The company is a leading supplier of eyewear in Canada. Peeks Eyewear, ProSight Safety Eyewear, and Sundog Eyewear are three brands that Sundog Distributing Inc. sells to the convenience, safety, sporting goods, optical, and corporate promotional market channels. Sundog Distributing Inc. has a network of over 6,000 Canadian retailers selling one of their brands, and the company is also one component of a worldwide distribution group that sells the Sundog Eyewear brand in more than 45 countries.

Vancouver Umbrella
Located on the wet West Coast, Vancouver Umbrella has been protecting Canadians from the rain for more than 70 years. A family-owned and operated business since 1932, Vancouver Umbrella manufactures a wide selection of products, from professional long umbrellas to collapsible minis, for more than 500 retailers across Canada. Vancouver Umbrella also produces an assortment of promotional umbrellas for the corporate sector.