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Melamed to promote Whistler in Beijing
Private donor paid for Mayor’s trip to Summer Olympics

Mayor Ken Melamed is in China this week to help host a reception at the B.C.-Canada Pavilion, promote Whistler to the world and perhaps learn a few things to apply to the 2010 Games planning process.

Melamed is the only representative of the Resort Municipality of Whistler to travel to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and the trip has been funded by a private, anonymous donor, he said.

“The main reason for the trip over is to join with the mayors of Richmond and Vancouver in a 2010 host cities reception at the B.C.-Canada Place,” Melamed said. “It’s really to tell Canada’s story and invite the world to B.C. for the 2010 Games.”

The reception takes place on Saturday (Aug. 23) and will be a mostly social occasion with speakers from the federal and provincial governments as well as the mayors, Melamed said. Chinese dignitaries and the media will likely make up the bulk of attendees.

Part of the opportunity of hosting the Olympics and Paralympics in 2010 is being able to tell a global audience what’s special about Whistler and what the resort has to offer, he said. Though the main story right now is Beijing, Melamed said there might be some media opportunities for Whistler in China.

“We’re trying to connect with as much media exposure as we can to make contacts and give the media an opportunity to begin to tell the story of ‘we’re next,’” he said.

When asked if he’s anticipating tough questions from the media after Premier Gordon Campbell was asked during a press conference in Beijing about the Sea to Sky Highway and Vancouver’s downtown eastside, Melamed said he’s not worried.

“I’m not concerned about challenging questions; I think we have a really positive story to tell,” he said.

Melamed also plans to tour the athletes’ village in Beijing to gain potential insight for Whistler’s village, which is to become a permanent neighbourhood after the Games. He said he’ll be paying particular attention to the accessibility elements of the Beijing village.

He acknowledged that the Summer Games vary greatly from the Winter Olympics in terms of size and scope, but said there are possible lessons to learn in regards to transportation, accommodation and hospitality. The trip is his first to a Summer Olympics.

“Every chance we get to experience the hosting and staging of the Games (we’re) always learning,” Melamed said.

Several months ago, Council decided not to send anyone from the municipality to Beijing. However, an “American friend of Whistler” felt it was important for Whistler to be represented in China and offered to cover the cost for him to go, Melamed said. He said the donor prefers to remain anonymous.

“It’s a generous gift with no strings attached,” Melamed said.

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