Activate Newsletter: What's new in the business of sport events

Rick Traer, Sport Tourism Canada's CEO Emeritus, will promote Canada internationally as a preferred sport events host

At the end of July, Sport Tourism Canada (STC) CEO Rick Traer will officially hand all leadership responsibilities to his successor, Grant MacDonald, and retire as one of Canada’s longest serving CEOs in the sport and tourism industries.

That doesn’t mean Traer will disappear from the organization he helped found 21 years ago. In his new role as CEO Emeritus, Traer will represent STC internationally and lead Team Canada delegations at SportAccord, Smart Cities and other international conferences, as well as continuing to serve on the board of the International Association of Event Hosts (IAEH).

ADRENALIN editor Angela Kryhul spoke with Traer about his new role and the post-COVID landscape for hosting international sport events.

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RESEARCH: Bouncing Back—Preparing for a Sport Hosting and Economic Reboot
Did you know that U.S.-based sport tourism visitors spend an average $775.26 per stay, while an overseas visitor spends an average $2,033? Sport Tourism Canada’s first and second of three research reports are chock full of stats and other details to help guide the industry’s post-COVID return to play. Part 1 looks at the domestic market while Part 2 focuses on international.

PODCAST: Life in the Calgary Curling Bubble
Sport Calgary’s Face First podcast features two-time Scotties Tournament of Hearts winner and Calgary-based curler, Chelsea Carey, chatting about life inside Curling Canada’s 2021 Calgary bubble, growing up as a multi-sport athlete and her curling club’s unique connection to KidSport.
Listen to the Podcast >

HOT TOPIC: Single-Event Sports Betting

Could Canada launch single-event sports wagering as early as this fall? Paul Burns, president and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, told an early June Canadian Senate hearing that some provincial lotteries would be ready to launch “very robust offerings” within weeks if Bill C-218 is passed by the House of Commons before the current session expires. Legal Sports Report looks at the issues and opportunities associated with single-event sports betting. This Canadian Bar Association article explains how decriminalization could play out.

REINVENTION: Activating Positive Change

When COVID-19 abruptly shuttered most sporting events and competitions, industry leaders devoted some of the downtime to reviewing, refreshing and even reinventing internal matters. We asked a broad selection of industry leaders one simple question: How has the pandemic-related shutdown activated positive change within your organization?

2021 Virtual Sponsorship Marketing Awards

September 23, 2021

You don’t want to miss this incredible afternoon of learning, networking and celebrating Canada’s best sponsorship marketing successes.

2021 Virtual Petro-Canada Sport Leadership sportif Conference
November 3–5, 2021

At SLS21, we invite you to connect with the sport community for three days of reflection, healing, celebration, and growth, with this year's theme, Let's Reignite Sport.

Explore ADRENALIN's Spring/Summer
2021 Issue

In this issue:
Venue Management: A Game Plan for Reopening

Toronto Six: Fearlessly Female

Lessons from Edmonton's NHL Bubble