Press Kit

Fast Facts

General

Richmond is actually an island named Lulu Island. The name Lulu is believed to have come from a young actress, Lulu Sweet, who visited New Westminster in the 1860’s.
The majority of Richmond is at sea level and there are few basements.
Richmond is located at the mouth of the 1,375 km long mighty Fraser River.
Richmond is made up of 17 islands (Barber, Don, Duck, Gilmore/Whitworth, Gunn, Iona, Kirkland, Lion, Lulu, Mitchell/Twigg/Eburne, Richmond, Rose, Sea, Shady, Swishwash, Williamson, Woodward).
80kms of dykes protect Richmond.
Richmond is seven years older than Vancouver.
The first flight in B.C. was made on March 25, 1910, from Minoru Racetrack in Richmond.
37.4% of Richmond’s land is in the Agricultural Land Reserve. Richmond’s main agricultural products are cranberries and blueberries.
1.4 million birds migrate through Richmond on the Pacific Flyway
The top three countries for recent immigrants to Richmond are Hong Kong, China, Taiwan

City

Founding Cultures: First Nations, British, Japanese, Chinese
Model of Government: Mayor and eight Councillors elected at large
Current City Twinning: Wakayama, Japan and Pierrefont, Quebec, Canada
Vancouver International Airport located in Richmond
Steveston Fishing Port is the largest commercial fishing harbour in Canada.
Richmond is one of the most accessible cities for people with disabilities. The majority of attractions, venues and hotels are all wheel chair accessible.
On June 2nd, 2004, Richmond Safe Community Alliance (RSCA) received a Safe Community
Designation from the National Safe Community Foundation in Ottawa.
On November 26th, 2007, The International Awards for Liveable Communities (Livecom) awarded Richmond “Gold” place for Healthy Living. This objective of LivCom is to improve the quality of life of individual citizens through the creation of ‘liveable communities’. www.livcomawards.com

Population:

As of January 2007: 185,400
Projected Population 2021: 226,000
Richmond has the highest proportion of foreign-born residents among all of Canada’s municipalities, with 57% of its residents born outside of Canada. (54% in 2001 and 48% in 1996)
Percentage of population that is Asian: 60%
Richmond has 1,354 people per square km where Vancouver has 5,000 and Hong Kong has 6,500.
People in Richmond have a life expectancy of 83.4 years – higher than Japan who are at the top of the World Health Organizations (WHO) ranking.

Recreation and Culture:

Cultural amenities: Libraries, live theatre, cultural centres, arts centre, heritage sites Recreation facilities: 10 parks or 1500 acres of parks/open space, including the 320-acre Iona Island Regional Park, 80kms system of interconnecting dyke trails, cycling routes and walkways, 8 community centres, cultural centre, fitness centre, two arenas, eight rinks, two indoor aquatic centres, three outdoor pools.
Community Involvement: Over 200 volunteer community organizations, 50 advisory committees and task forces, partnerships with business and community groups.
Major Cultural Events: Night Markets and various Multicultural Festivals,
Major tourist attractions: Steveston Village, Golden Village, Riverport, Casino, malls, historic sites, parks, proximity to Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria
Number of Airport passengers annually: 15 million
Number of hotels and hotel rooms: 25 hotels / 4,500 rooms

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Story Ideas

STORY IDEAS: Sustainability and Art at the Oval

Prior to settlement, Richmond was a place of marshes, blueberries and fishers. The Fraser River to its
south is still home to a healthy population of sturgeon, fish that outlived the dinosaurs, while to the
east the marshlands attract millions of migrating waterfowl each year. Today, this island community,
blending pockets of farmland and natural landscape with robust urban development, is finding ways
to grow sustainably.

The Richmond Olympic Oval, home of speed skating for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, won't be
just a showcase for sports; it will also be a model for cutting-edge green design. The multi-purpose
waterfront facility upholds rigorous standards for green building development with its unique
wooden roof built from BC lumber. Innovative features include heat recapture and recirculation as a
bi-product of ice making, storm water collection for a landscaped pond and toilet flushing, and one
million board feet of salvaged pine beetle-killed wood from BC forests.

Internationally-acclaimed artist Janet Echelman has designed the water feature, in collaboration with
landscape architects Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg and the Oval consulting team. Two giant red
lanterns will be suspended over the water garden, representing the fusion with Asian cultural and
historic references. The sky lanterns - up to 60 feet in diameter and 70 feet tall made of steel rings
and diaphanous, flexible nets – will be suspended in the air, changing shape over time with the play
of wind. Inspired by the Nitobe Gardens at UBC and the Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden in Vancouver’s
Chinatown, and informed by the fishing cultures of Richmond, Boston-based public artist Janet has
created an ever-changing experience that integrates history with landscape. At a cost of $1.2 million,
Water Sky Garden is the single most ambitious public art project the city of Richmond has
undertaken

The storm water collection system will also incorporate a dramatic public art project, created by
internationally acclaimed Musqueam First Nations artist Susan Point; one of many ways the City is
collaborating with First Nations on the project. (Susan has just had her carvings unveiled in Stanley
Park also.)

On the north side of the Oval at Riverside Plaza, huge concrete buttresses feature Coast Salish-
themed sculptures of salmon, herons and the Fraser. Set in concrete runnels, they will carry the
storm water from the roof, onto the plaza and ultimately into the Fraser River, showing the natural
process of drainage and diverting the water from the sewer system, making it also environmentally
friendly. The sculptures are a contemporary interpretation of traditional housepost forms, and evoke
the millennia of history when the Musqueam were the only ones to inhabit Richmond and the
surrounding area. As storm water passes down the runnels, it will be articulated by the inlaid
sculpture creating an additional artistic effect.

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KEEPING RICHMOND GREEN: BIKING ROUTES TO THE OVAL

Richmond’s flat topography and ideal grid roads make up a cyclist’s heavenly route. If you build it,
they will come: Richmond is green and always strives to keep the environment clean. The city makes
environmental heroes out of citizens and visitors by providing many biking trails and routes for them
to cycle.

A benefit to non-motorists: by cycling you avoid traffic and since the already busy city will be
bubbling with 2010 Olympic visitors, the fastest way to get to the Oval to watch an Olympic event is
to cycle there. Cycling to the Oval also encourages Olympic fans to be physically active and to be
connected to the events they watch.

The city’s spectacular landscape is best appreciated while whizzing by on a bicycle and taking in the
fresh coastal air. Consider views like Iona Island, which offers 12 miles (20 km) of sandy shoreline;
magnificent buildings like Richmond’s Buddhist Temple; scenic routes like Terra Nova Natural Area,
which offers pathways along Sturgeon Banks and a habitat to wildlife including raptors, herons and
migrating birds.

Locking your bike up to a free cycle rack at the Richmond Oval is much more economical and time
saving than trying to find and pay for parking when the Olympics are in full swing.

How to get there? The Richmond Oval can be reached by biking any major Richmond designated
cycle route along major streets. The city routes and roads all meet and are a straightforward grid.
Start your biking journey from anywhere including Moncton Street in Steveston, the east and west
sides of Williams Road, the west side of Granville Avenue, far east side of Westminster highway and
north on Shell Road. All these routes lead to the 29-acre site of the Olympic Oval, located on River
Road.

Richmond Citizens and guests interested in taking leisurely and scenic routes have the choice. Most
of the routes are dotted along the outskirts of Richmond following the water trails that make it an
island. The routes include Queen’s Central trail and East Richmond Trails in the far east of the island;
Horseshoe Slough Trail, South Dyke Trail, Finn Road Trail and Steveston Greenways on the south end of the island; West Dyke Trail that leads all the way north along the western side of the island
bordering the Straight of Georgia; McCallan Road Trail, Middle Arm Trail, Bridgeport Trail and Bath
Slough Trail which outline the island progressively northward; Sea Island Trails that are located on
the north side of Sea Island where the Vancouver International Airport is located and even further
north is Iona Beach Regional Park on Iona Island.

In Transit: In Richmond it’s easy to commute with a bicycle at peak travel time since certain buses
have bike racks attached in front of them to carry bicycles and some Skytrains have room for bikes
inside.

Some of Richmond’s bicycle rental shops are as follows:
• Steveston Bicycle & Kayak Shoppe
105-6111 London Road, Richmond, BC - (604) 271-5544
• Steveston Seabreeze Adventures
12551 Number One Road - (604) 272-7200 www.seabreezeadventures.ca

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Lucky Loonie Under the Concrete

It started in 2002 at the Salt Lake City Winter Games. Now Richmond is continuing the trend—in a
more permanent way.
On Wednesday, June 11, Mayor Malcolm Brodie slipped a loonie into the fresh concrete being
poured for the 400-metre speed skating track at the Oval. It now rests near what will become the
finish line for Olympic long track skaters.
In 2002, Edmonton ice-maker Trent Evans buried the Canadian coin in the ice at the Olympic hockey
rink. After the Canadians won gold, the trick has since been used elsewhere for luck.
Wednesday’s pour was the second batch of concrete for the oval track—a total of four pours are
planned.

Who should media would contact if they were interested in doing this story?
Greg Scott
Director of Major Projects
604-276-4372
gscott@richmond.ca

There are some other "lucky features" that are already in the Oval right now:

• The final section of the pine-beetle-kill wood roof was signed by 8,000 residents and visitors
• There are loonies in the concrete of the 400-metre speed skating track, roughly where the
finish line is.
• As for plans of putting a loonie in the Oval’s ice, this is a secret. But, media interested to find out
the secret can contact Greg Scott, info above.

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Sports

1. Oval – post games 2010 and beyond
The vision for the Richmond Olympic Oval, post 2010, is for the Oval to become a venue for world
class sporting events, and a community facility that promotes health and wellness. This legacy is
already in process, as more and more sports organizations are holding their provincial, national or
international events at this spectacular venue.

The Richmond Oval will be approximately 32,000 square metres in size, substantially more than the
minimum Olympic requirement for a long track speed skating oval. The additional space will allow
the Oval to fulfill a number of important community needs, as well as providing a significant long-
term sports legacy.

After the Games, the multi-use facility will continue to host the best of local and international sport,
culture and special events, blended with exciting community, recreational and commercial activity.
The legacy facility will be able to accommodate multiple sport and support functions through a series
of differing configurations of the main activity area and the capacity to host both summer and winter
sports activities at one time.

The facility’s permanent features will include community wellness services with programming to
promote active, healthy lifestyles, which may include cardiac health, injury rehabilitation and similar
programs. The wellness services will be integrated with a full array of sports medicine and sports
sciences and related services. A major fitness centre will also be part of the facility. Additional
community activity space, restaurant and retail space and ancillary uses will support the vision for the
Oval to be a vibrant, urban gathering place along the City’s busy waterfront.

2. Accessible City
Richmond, a community known for its accessibility, has been very successful at attracting world-class
wheelchair sports events, such as the 2005 Wheelchair Curling Championships. Maintaining the
momentum after Whistler/Vancouver hosts the 2010 Paralympic Games, Richmond will host the
2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships from September 16 - 25, 2010. Wheelchair rugby is a
sport created in Canada, by Canadians, for athletes who are quadriplegic. With mechanics and rules
borrowed from team handball, ice hockey and basketball, wheelchair rugby is the only full contact
sport played in sports for athletes with a disability.

Developed by a small group of Canadians from Winnipeg, Manitoba including BC's own Duncan
Campbell, wheelchair rugby was the fan favourite at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney,
Australia and in Athens in 2004.
In 2010 Richmond will also host the Canada Deaf Curling Championships.

3. Junior and Provincial Sporting Events
In line with its commitment to the local community, Richmond plays host to many provincial level
sporting events and junior sporting events, e.g. The 27th Annual Richmond International Midget
Hockey Tournament held December 2007; the BC Golden Glove Boxing Championships, 2007; the
BC Rugby Union Div 3 Provincial Championships, 2006; The JCC Maccabi Games, 2006.

4. Active Seniors in Richmond
Known as a city with record longevity, (the residents of Richmond live approximately 4 years longer
than those of the rest of Canada), Richmond will host the BC Senior Games in 2009. Richmond
Mayor Malcolm Brodie said: “Our community has made a commitment to supporting active, healthy
life-styles; what better way to demonstrate this, than to host the 3,500 exceptional role models from
all over B.C.” The B.C. Seniors Games provide an opportunity for participants 55 years and older to
compete in an organized sporting event. The games help promote active, healthy lifestyles, and
encourage individual achievements and community pride. Over 3,500 B.C. seniors will compete in 26
sporting events over three or four days’ competitions.

5. Badminton
Richmond is getting quite a name in the world’s fastest racquet sport for hosting world-class
badminton events. In 2004 the World Junior Badminton Championships were held in Richmond, and
in March 2008 Richmond hosted the National Badminton Championships, at the Clear Two
Badminton Club. Many of the players will be representing Canada in the Beijing 2008 Olympic
Games.

6. Sport Meeting Hosting
Having the luxury of a wide range of meeting space also allows Richmond to be top of the list when
it comes to hosting sports meetings. To streamline the conference-planning process, Tourism
Richmond has adopted MeetingsEasyTM, a Web-based RFP system, for both organizers and venues.
Potential organizers are quickly provided with venue and supplier quotes at no cost, which eases the
planning process for the organizer, and increases the opportunity for Richmond to be chosen as a
host city.

Many provincial and national sports boards have held and will be holding their meetings in
Richmond, including:

Athletes CAN Forum (The Association of Canada’s National Team Athletes): the organization’s flagship event is the largest and most inclusive gathering of Canada's national team athlete representatives outside of competition. Over 100 delegates, including athlete representatives from over 60 sports, are invited to participate in the weekend-long conference and to select the next location for Kids CAN
BC Golf Association Meeting
Speed Skating Canada Board Meeting
Sport Science Conference
Rowing BC Annual Conference
Canadian Speed Skating AGM

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Raptors in Richmond

Raptors in Richmond is hosted by the City of Richmond Nature Park. It is a series of events aimed at
educating visitors and local residents and enabling them to get up close and personal with some of
the fabulous birds of prey that make Richmond their home.

If you’ve ever looked up and admired a soaring eagle when it flies overhead, or wanted to know
more about the hawks that sit on poles at the edge of the highway, then Raptors in Richmond is for
you.

Richmond is a feeding stop on the Pacific Flyway - the annual migration path of millions of birds. As
birds migrate between their wintering grounds in the south and their breeding grounds in the north,
the main routes are called "flyways” and key spots along these flyways are important refueling
areas.

From May to November each year, Richmond Nature Park offers a series of talks, walks,
demonstrations and open days, where visitors can learn from the experts about our feathered
friends.

The Urban Bald Eagle: A Talk with David Hancock will be held on June 21, 7:30 - 9 p.m. at the
Steveston Community Centre, 4111 Moncton Street. Pre-registration is requested by calling 604-
276-4300. Admission is $4

Eagle Watch in Steveston is a free event and will be held on June 28 and 29, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard, 5180 Westwater Drive in Steveston.

August 17: 11:00am - 4:00pm Falconry Demo Day – Free at the Terra Nova Rural Park. Experience
breathtaking falconry displays in the spectacular setting of Richmond’s Terra Nova Rural Park. Follow
the signs from Westminster Hwy and No.1 Road.

By understanding the natural environment Richmond residents may take a more proactive role in
protecting and support for wildlife and nature in the community.
For more information on these events or other upcoming Raptors in Richmond events, please contact the Richmond Nature Park at 604-718-6188 or visit www.richmond.ca/begreen.

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One Hot Crop:

Every year, just before Canadian Thanksgiving (the 2nd Monday in October), farmers flood the
countryside and turn the lush, green wetlands into a sea of crimson cranberries. It’s a spectacular
sight that represents over 80 percent of the cranberries grown in Canada.
Watch farmers work around the clock, thrashing through the waters to shake the berries free of
their vines. It’s a perfect way to celebrate the coming of Fall and just goes to show that cranberries
are one hot crop.

Celebrating Salmon:

One of the oldest festivals in British Columbia, the Steveston Salmon Festival July 1st, is a spirited,
community affair that has evolved from a simple sports day during World War II to a week-long fun-
filled event for the entire family. Celebrating everything that is salmon, the heart of Steveston’s
prosperity, the festival attracts thousands of folk from throughout the region, to its carnival, parade,
fireworks and legendary Salmon Bake. But the festival is more than a Canada Day party, it is a
community endeavour that supports many of Steveston’s most valued assets - its parks, its
recreational centres and its heritage.

On The Trails of Temples:

Be it a Buddhist temple or a Sikh Gurdwara, discover the textures of Richmond’s ethnic diversity
through its range of exotic temples. Each is a showcase of architecture, craftsmanship and customs
where visitors can learn Buddhist chants, meditate, participate in a traditional tea ceremony or simply
enjoy the riches of a different culture. Richmond is home to 60+ Temples, Mosques, Churches,
Chapels and more.
Come rain or shine, Richmond’s trail of temples promises an insight into another world and an
afternoon pilgrimage to remember.

Steveston Village:

The Historic Fishing Village of Steveston was once the busiest fishing port in the world. Now over
100 years later, Steveston has evolved into a picturesque working fishing village that comes to life
with plenty to see and do, yet still remains the largest commercial fishing fleet in Canada. Stroll
Fisherman’s Wharf and watch fish boat operators sell fresh salmon, crab, halibut and shrimp. Take a
whale watching tour where you will see killer whales, dolphins, sea lions, eagles, herons and various
other sea birds. Clothing stores, souvenir shops, specialty shops and a wide variety of dining
establishments are sprinkled throughout the village.

Bubbling Up Tea

Move over Orange Pekoe, Bubble Teas have arrived. As the latest Asian fad to hit Western shores,
Bubble Teas are hip, sassy and almost a cult. Creating your custom blend is almost as complex as
completing a credit card application. But never fear, Richmond’s Asian community has taken these
bubbles to heart, establishing bar-styled tea rooms that stay crowded with bubble tea afficianoadoes
until the early hours. A mix of milk tea, ice, flavour shots and tapioca balls the size of marbles, each
drink becomes a masterpiece of flavour and presentation.

Homes With No Deeds:

Finn Slough is an urban anomaly, a community that rises out of the marshy wetlands beside the
Fraser River on land that has no official status. A collection of unique and eclectic dwellings,
accessed by narrow boardwalks and perched on pilings above the tidal waters below, Finn Slough is
an oasis of tranquility. For more than five generations, the community has evolved on handshake
agreements and family ties, yet today it lives a fragile existence, caught between issues of ownership
that threaten its very way of life.

Barns in Richmond's Agricultural Areas:

As Richmond’s historic barns are dotted across the island, touring is best done by car unless you’re
extremely energetic. Cyclists will enjoy riding through the flat farmlands. Barns were once prominent
landmarks, but changes in farming technology and suburban development have taken their toll on
Richmond’s farmland. Harking back to a bygone era of pioneer homesteads and Richmond’s
agricultural roots, every barn tells a story through its style. Self-guided tour booklets are available at
the Richmond Museum.

Golden Village:

The Golden Village is a bustling commercial district within the heart of Richmond, British Columbia,
Canada. Easily accessible from the Vancouver International Airport, the Golden Village beckons to
locals and foreigners, with its menagerie of busy Asian malls, delectable foods and cultural
attractions. Reminiscent of Hong Kong, the Village is a modern mix of traditionally Asian attractions
and contemporary western influences including some of the best shopping in the lower mainland.

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Accessible Oval Events

RICHMOND PRIMED TO HOST ACCESSIBLE SPORTING EVENTS

Tourism Richmond represents the city as a tourism destination and as a host city for international
events. Richmond will be an participant in several global events: Tourism Week at BC Pavilion (BCCP) in Beijing on June 2 to 5, 2008; Showcase Canada in Macau on June 8 to 12, 2008; and SportAccord in Athens on June 8 to 12, 2008, promoting Richmond as the destination for meetings, conferences and sport and cultural events.

Richmond is ready for everyone: The City has played host to the successful world-class 2005
Wheelchair Curling Championships and many others, listed below. With championship event
management under their belt, the city is ready to receive large international numbers and is looking
forward to hosting Paralympic events: the 2010 Canada Deaf Curling Champions, 2010 Olympic
World Wheelchair Rugby Championships and more.

Physically intense wheelchair Games: Wheelchair Rugby is a full contact sport for athletes in
wheelchairs. The sport has been highly popularized by the documentary Murderball.

All Games are equally entitled to the Oval: Richmond is proud to host the 2010 Olympic World
Wheelchair Rugby Championships from September 16 – 25, 2010, a sport made in Canada for
quadriplegic athletes. The Richmond Oval is a symbol of Richmond’s support for all athletes, able
bodied and disabled, to compete in the 2010 Olympic Games. By hosting Paralympic events in the
Richmond Oval, Richmond empowers disabled athletes to compete in the Olympic Games.

No one is left out in Richmond: The Oval’s facilities encourage all members of the community to be
involved and take part in sports events. Besides the Oval’s high performance centre for elite athletes,
it has dedicated a 2000-square metre fitness centre for youth, seniors and rehabilitation.

The Oval is designed to exceed national standards for accessibility: Besides having standard ramps,
wheel chair accessible washrooms and automatically opening doors, the Oval features oversized
main elevators that can comfortably transport multiple athletes in wheelchairs and their staff from
the ground floor to the activity floor, quickly.

New opportunities for Paralympic athletes: The Oval’s wheelchair-accessible, indoor Rowing and
Paddling centre introduces the sport to all disabled people and allows them to practice rowing and
paddling sports in a controlled and safe environment. The facilities can be used for cross training and
fitness or as a complement to on-water rowing and paddling.

The high-standard Oval has the potential to be the go-to facility for all Paralympics: Wheelchair sport
organizations are discussing making the Richmond Oval a permanent regional and national training
centre of development for elite athletes and teams.

Get around town on two wheels: Access Richmond, a city accessibility project was started in 2003 by
City of Richmond, Tourism Richmond and the Richmond Disability Resource Centre. Richmond’s up-
to-date buildings, restaurants, hotels and transportation services have accessibility features such as
lowered sidewalks, hand rails, ramps, automatic doors, special parking and more. Anyone can find
out information about Richmond’s attractions that offer outstanding accessibility by going to the
www.accessrichmond.ca and www.rcdrichmond.org websites. The accessibility scale of 1 – 5 shows
the range of access for the disabled and places that offer a 3.0 to 4.5 on the scale are very
comprehensive.

For information regarding the Oval and its features, please go onto the following link
http://www.richmond.ca/discover/events/oval/oval.htm and
http://www.tourismrichmond.com/visitors/listing.aspx?folder_id=252 and contact:
Ted Townsend
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
City of Richmond
604-276-4399
ttownsend@richmond.ca

Richmond has hosted the following local, national and international events:

2010 Olympic World Wheelchair Rugby Championships 2005 Wheelchair Curling Championships
2007 Speed Skating Canada Training Camp
2008 Badminton Canada Nationals
2009 BC Seniors Games
2010 Canada Deaf Curling Champions
2006 BC High school Tennis Championships
2007 BC Golden Glove Boxing Championships
2008 Senior National Amateur Boxing Championships
2007 Rowing BC Annual Conference
2009 Speed Skating Canada AGM
2006 BC Rugby Union Div 3 Provincial Championships
2008 Canadian Firefighters Curling Championships
2005 Canadian Senior & Junior National Table Tennis Championships
2008 RCGA Canadian Ladies Open Exemption Tournament

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Terra Nova Park Project

Once again the Terra Nova project proves to be an asset to environmental conservation in the
Richmond community. Among the park’s many awards are the Canadian Parks and Recreation
Association’s Award of Excellence for Innovation in 2007, and the prestigious United Nations’
sanctioned International Livable Communities Award, in which Terra Nova Rural Park was a
centrepiece in Richmond’s entry into the competition. Now, the green development has won the
2008 Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators Environmental Award (CAMA). The reason
for the project’s award is its innovative planning approach and use of community partnerships used
to develop a city park, while protecting natural and historic elements essential to the site.

More than a city park, this four-parks-in-one site offers public amenities such as walking and biking
trails and picnic tables without compromising the area’s farming and fishing heritage, natural
environment and wildlife. Added to the green theme, and vital examples of a community working
together, is the ingenious Edible Schoolyard Program where elementary and high school students
learn to grow, monitor and harvest food in the park and learn to eat nutritiously, and the Richmond
Sharing Farm Program where citizens volunteer to grow and share fruits and vegetables. Find out
about these two projects at myterranova.ca and www.richmondfruittree.com. With programs such
as these, conservation in Terra Nova is cyclical: preserving natural habitats and responsible urban
agriculture is promoted, and younger generations are educated to carry on the work.

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Backgrounder

It is our pleasure to introduce you to Richmond, BC, known as the Garden City and Canada’s Gateway to beautiful British Columbia. Richmond is ideally located five minutes from the Vancouver International Airport, located next door to Vancouver and within easy reach of the US border, major highways and BC Ferry terminals. Richmond is a diverse city rich in history and culture with an eclectic mix of attractions, shopping and award winning restaurants. Competitive rates and accessibility add to the mix, making Richmond an ideal destination for the business traveler, tourist and local visitor.

Richmond is surrounded by the Fraser River on three sides and situated mostly on Lulu Island and Sea Islands, two of the 17 islands in the mouth of the Fraser River. The natural setting appeals to the adventurous spirit yet the level terrain allows for all ages and abilities to access the year-round activities.

Visitors can enjoy whale-watching adventures, fishing charters, hiking and biking trails, art galleries and theatre in addition to various national historic sites. The Historic Fishing Village of Steveston and the Golden Village, an Asian shopping Mecca, are key tourism districts that draw worldwide visitors.

MEETINGS AND EVENTS IN RICHMOND, BC

As Gateway to Super Natural British Columbia, Richmond holds the key to conference solutions: a vibrant downtown core, great accessibility and a wide range of hotel conference facilities and accommodation. Home to the Vancouver International Airport, Richmond is accessible from anywhere in the world. Rated the top airport in North America by the International Air Transport Association, the Vancouver International Airport sees more than 16 million travellers annually and continues to create one of the most welcoming airports in the world. Located just 20 minutes south of downtown Vancouver, Richmond is within easy reach of the US border, major highways and ferry terminals.

Richmond has 23 regional, national and international brand hotels offering stays ranging from affordable comfort right up to luxurious suites. Over 4100 guest rooms and almost 100,000 square feet of combined meeting space, enable Richmond to propose a full range of options, which include superlative service and first-class amenities. Richmond is an affordable option for meetings and events while providing a natural setting that appeals to the adventurous spirit in people of all ages and inclinations.

Visitors enjoy whale watching adventures, fishing, hiking and biking trails, golfing, award winning restaurants, museums and plenty of cultural heritage sites. The City's spectacular scenery and fresh coastal air is relished by locals and guests alike as they roller blade, cycle or walk along scenic trails. For anyone looking for another type of excursion, Richmond is only a few hours away from the resort town of Whistler or charming Victoria on Vancouver Island.

Tourism Richmond is a full-service bureau, providing everything necessary to ensure the success of an event, with one-stop shopping. Whether it’s hotel RFP searches for the event, companion or spousal tours, locating special equipment, or help to find that unique gift, Tourism Richmond makes planning easy and memorable. Delegate service packages include: guides, maps and directories to facilitate the event in the Gateway to British Columbia. Trained visitor counselors provide the delegates with on-site information on attractions, restaurants and recreation activities.

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Bios

Gayle Morris:
Gayle Morris began her career in the hospitality industry 20 years ago. Today, her passion for the industry and enthusiasm for the City of Richmond in British Columbia, Canada, motivates her as Director of Sales for the City’s official Destination Marketing Organization—Tourism Richmond. “I love what I do! I’m a local Richmond-ite, so I love where I live and what I sell to the world”. Selling Richmond globally is Gayle and her team’s top priority and their interest is vested in Tourism Richmond, which has more than 230 members and continues to grow.

Being Vancouver’s largest neighboring city, and the city that is home to the Vancouver International Airport, Richmond is an exciting travel destination. Vacationers, meeting and incentive trip planners, tour operators, travel agents and sport enthusiasts flock here for its accessible location (30 minutes from the USA/Canada border) and a multitude of excellent tour products. They can cast a line in the popular Historic Fishing Village of Steveston; sample the best Asian dining outside of China, check out the great international shopping and festivals and events.

“I love the fact that almost every one of our 25 internationally name-brand hotels offer complimentary airport shuttle service, as this adds to the cost savings factor to our visitors. Less travel time combined with more money to spend, to take in all of our sites and attractions, makes Richmond a great alternative to the big city folks in our neighboring city, Vancouver!”

Richmond’s newest venue, The Richmond Oval, will be home to the long track speed skating events during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. “What the Olympics will bring to our city and to our community is beyond imagination. The opportunities created to grow our Richmond brand and product as a tour destination in attracting new visitors to our city, and to our hotels, sites and attractions will be a fascinating experience!”

For more information, contact Gayle Morris, Director of Sales, Tourism Richmond, 604-821-5476, www.tourismrichmond.com.

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Awards

Tourism Richmond Achieves Destination Marketing Accreditation

Richmond, BC: April 7, 2008 - Tourism Richmond announced today that it has been awarded accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). DMAP is an international accreditation program developed by the Washington, DC based Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). In earning the DMAP accreditation, destination marketing organizations (DMOs) communicate to their community, buyers and potential visitors that their DMO has attained a significant measure of excellence. Tourism Richmond is only the 2nd DMO in Canada to achieve this accreditation after Montreal.

“Tourism Richmond is honored to receive the Destination Marketing Accreditation from DMAP,” said Tracy Lakeman, Executive Director. “We are very pleased to be recognized in the destination marketing community for providing outstanding services in accordance with international standards and benchmarks in this field.”

“By applying for and receiving DMAP accreditation, the Tourism Richmond has demonstrated a commitment to quality programs and services, said Barry Biggar, CDME, DMAP Board Chair.
“Earning DMAP accreditation tells the Richmond community and potential visitors that your DMO has attained a measure of excellence assuring that their trust is well placed and their business in good hands.”

Tourism Richmond is a non-profit, membership driven organization with the mandate to position and market Richmond as a visitor destination. Currently there are over 200 members associated with Tourism Richmond, which make up a voting Board of up to 25 Directors and various Standing Committees. Tourism Richmond receives a majority of funding from the 2% hotel tax collected at all 23 Richmond hotels.
DMAP accreditation standards cover a wide variety of topics including governance, finance, management, human resources, technology, visitor services, group services, sales, communications, membership, brand management, destination development, research/market intelligence, innovation and stakeholder relationships.

DMAP is an independent international accreditation body and a leader in defining quality and performance issues in destination marketing. For additional information on DMAP visit www.destinationmarketing.org.

Contact Information:
Gayle Morris
Director Of Sales
Tourism Richmond
Tel: 604-821-5476
Fax: 604-821-5475
Toll Free: 1-877-247-0777
E-mail: gmorris@tourismrichmond.com
Web: www.tourismrichmond.com

Media contact:
Jayne Lloyd-Jones
Spectacular Ink
604.925.8187
jayne@spectacularink.com

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