Join in virtually to the Closing Ceremony Feb. 28: A global event and a first
for Canada and the Games

VANCOUVER, Feb. 13 /CNW/ - The Vancouver 2010 Winter Games are officially open and people around the world have received their digital souvenir of the Opening Ceremony. Now comes Phase II of the social media event everyone is talking about. It's a world first and it's at http://virtualstadium2010.com.

The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC)-in collaboration with the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad and its digital edition (CODE) -is inviting viewers to upload their photos to be part of a virtual stadium, which will be populated throughout the Games. In the lead-up to the Closing Ceremony on Feb. 28, the final build of the "stadium," complete with pictures of fans from all over the world, will be revealed.

"You absolutely don't have to be in Vancouver to be engaged in the celebrations and spirit of the Olympic Games," says Michele McKenzie, CTC president and CEO. "We're connecting the world to Canada's Games through social media in a totally unique way."

Fans can sign up to be part of the virtual stadium every day of the 2010 Winter Games.

"The collaboration with CTC is an ideal extension to the ground-breaking program we've established with CODE and our invitation to the world to connect with us online and explore Canadian culture and the arts," adds Burke Taylor, vice president of culture and celebrations for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).

About the CTC

The CTC is Canada's national tourism marketing organization. Our vision is inspiring the world to explore Canada. With our partners in the tourism industry and the governments of Canada, the provinces and the territories, we advertise and market Canada in 12 countries around the world, conduct industry research and studies, and promote product and industry development. For daily updates on CTC initiatives, subscribe to CTC News, available through RSS feeds and by e-mail.

About CODE

CODE is the Cultural Olympiad's digital edition, a series of programs developed to creatively engage national and global audiences through the use of digital technology.

Links

    
    http://virtualstadium2010.com
    http://twitter.com/keep_exploring
    http://twitter.com/ctccct
    http://twitter.com/locals_know
    

For further information: Jitka Licenik, Corporate Communications Advisor, Canadian Tourism Commission, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], [email protected], www.mediacentre.canada.travel