Tourism Richmond and the City of Richmond Launch Share Richmond 2010 Olympic Winter Games Contest

28 September 2009

~Richmondites and their friends or family can win an opening or closing ceremony prize package~

Tourism Richmond and the City of Richmond announced today the launch of its largest 2010 Olympic Winter Games contest to date featuring two grand prizes each worth over $12,500. Running from now to November 24, 2009, a Richmond resident has the chance to win and then share a once in a lifetime Richmond 2010 Winter Games experience with friends or family from anywhere in the world. The contest winners will experience the thrill of attending the opening or closing ceremonies as well as potentially watch Canada win gold at two long track speed skating events at the Richmond Olympic Oval.

A Richmond resident enters the contest and by sending one of the nine one-of-a-kind Richmond Picture It Postcards to friends or family members anywhere in the world. For those who don’t live in Richmond but know someone who does, they can ask their friends or family members to send them a postcard to enter.

“Our goal at Tourism Richmond is to fill every bedroom in Richmond with friends and family from around the world during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games,” said Tracy Lakeman, CEO of Tourism Richmond. “We hope to motivate Richmond residents to get excited about the upcoming 2010 Olympic Winter Games and in turn share their Olympic experience with friends or family. We would like Richmond residents to become ambassadors for the city as a tourism destination and tell everyone what they like about their city through the postcards.”

The contest includes two exciting 2010 Olympic Winter Games packages:

Opening Ceremony Grand Prize Package:
4 opening ceremony tickets
2 sets for 4 people to Long Track Speed Skating tickets to two specific scheduled Olympic Winter Games events
Roundtrip, coach class air transportation for two to Vancouver International Airport
5 nights’ accommodation at the new Westin Vancouver International Hotel (single room, double occupancy) for the guests only
Panasonic video camera for the Richmond host
$500 VISA Pre-paid gift cards for the host
4 VIP Access Passes to the Holland Heineken House Experience
4 VIP Access Passes to the Richmond O Zone

Closing Ceremony Grand Prize Package:

4 closing ceremony tickets
2 sets for 4 people to Long Track Speed Skating tickets to two specific scheduled Olympic Winter Games events
Roundtrip, coach class air transportation for two to Vancouver International Airport
5 nights’ accommodation at the new Westin Vancouver International Hotel (single room, double occupancy) for the guests only
Panasonic video camera for the Richmond host
$500 VISA Pre-paid gift cards for the host
4 VIP Access Passes to the Holland Heineken House Experience
4 VIP Access Passes to the Richmond O Zone

There are two ways to enter the contest, To enter online go to www.allinrichmond.com/share2010 to complete the Online Entry Form.

The second way is to pick up your free Richmond Picture It postcards at one of our entry points, Complete the entry stub attached to the postcard, mail the postcard to your selected friend or family member and mail or return the completed entry stub to one of our entry points.

Entry points where residents can pick up free postcards and/or drop off completed entry stubs are:

Volunteer Richmond Information Services booth at
Richmond Centre, 6551 No. 3 Road
Hours of Operation: Mon - Tues 9:30am - 7:00pm, Wed - Fri 9:30am - 9:00pm, Sat 9:30am - 7:00pm, Sun / Holiday 11:00am - 6:00pm

Richmond City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Road
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri: 8:15am – 5:00pm

Tourism Richmond Visitor Centre, 11980 Deas Thruway
Hours of Operation: Tues to Sat 10:00am - 4:00pm

Tourism Richmond Administration Office, 205-5811 Cooney Road
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri: 8:30am – 5:00pm
please note this office is closed Mon, Oct.12 and Wed, Nov. 11

During Games time, Richmond will be a hub of Olympic excitement as the official Venue City for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. As home to the Richmond Olympic Oval, which will host the speed skating competition and the O Zone celebration site, an exciting Olympic-themed festival of entertainment, culture and sports including Holland Heineken House, Richmond will offer plenty for locals and visitors to enjoy in February 2010.

The prize winners will be revealed on or around November 27, 2009.

For more information and a complete list of rules, terms and conditions for the “Share Richmond 2010 Olympic Winter Games Contest,” please visit www.tourismrichmond.com/share2010

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About Tourism Richmond
Tourism Richmond is a non-profit, membership driven destination marketing organization (DMO). The primary mandate of Tourism Richmond is to enhance awareness about the destination through sales and marketing initiatives and by providing excellent visitor and member services. Ultimately, Tourism Richmond’s goal is to increase economic activity related to tourism for the City of Richmond and all stakeholders. As British Columbia’s 4th largest DMO and Venue City for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Tourism Richmond is one of the tourism destinations that make up the 2010 Tourism Consortium partnership created to coordinate the overall Games plan for the BC and Canadian tourism industry.

Media contacts:

Michelle Dunn
Director of Communications
Tourism Richmond
Direct: 604-821-5481
Cell: 778-822-5481
Email: dunn@tourismrichmond.com
www.tourismrichmond.com

Ted Townsend
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
City of Richmond
Direct: 604-276-4399
Cell: 604-516-9585
Email: ttownsend@richmond.ca
www.allinrichmond.com