03-29-2008, 03:37 PM
Will they come to my mountain town? oh please, oh please, say it is so.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/city/story.html?id=9c705d09-078c-448c-b74d-987cd9743859">http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/new ... 7cd9743859</a><!-- m -->
BANFF SEEKS MUSIC ACT FOR BIG BASH
Cathy Ellis, For the Calgary Herald
Published: Saturday, March 29, 2008
Banff is trying to secure a major Canadian musical act for a big outdoor party this summer, to spread the word the tourist town is open for businesses at the completion of a major revitalization project.
Council has given its approval to put $100,000 towards the cost of the event, planned for the end of July.
The town hopes to draw up to 30,000 people to the free concert, and with a big enough musical attraction, draw significant media attention to showcase the newly refreshed downtown and surrounding national park.
"Banff has been the lapdog of tourism destinations for a number of years and proactively bringing a Canadian class event is a wonderful opportunity to raise our profile," said Coun. Stavros Karlos. "It will get us more media attention than spending $100,000 on direct advertising and competing against a plethora of other messaging from other destinations."
The party is to celebrate the completion of Banff Refreshing, a $23-million construction project that replaces aging underground infrastructure and spruces up the downtown.
Town officials have been in talks with their shortlist of contenders, including Nickelback, Tragically Hip, Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Bare Naked Ladies, Great Big Sea and Nelly Furtado, among others.
"We want to create an event unlike any event ever held on Banff Ave-nue," said Michelle Gurney, the town's communications manager.
But not all councillors are happy with how the money is being spent.
"By a concert taking the majority of the budget, we may well be missing an opportunity to create something with broader appeal," said Coun. Leslie Taylor.
Cathy Ellis is a reporter for the Rocky Mountain Outlook
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/city/story.html?id=9c705d09-078c-448c-b74d-987cd9743859">http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/new ... 7cd9743859</a><!-- m -->
BANFF SEEKS MUSIC ACT FOR BIG BASH
Cathy Ellis, For the Calgary Herald
Published: Saturday, March 29, 2008
Banff is trying to secure a major Canadian musical act for a big outdoor party this summer, to spread the word the tourist town is open for businesses at the completion of a major revitalization project.
Council has given its approval to put $100,000 towards the cost of the event, planned for the end of July.
The town hopes to draw up to 30,000 people to the free concert, and with a big enough musical attraction, draw significant media attention to showcase the newly refreshed downtown and surrounding national park.
"Banff has been the lapdog of tourism destinations for a number of years and proactively bringing a Canadian class event is a wonderful opportunity to raise our profile," said Coun. Stavros Karlos. "It will get us more media attention than spending $100,000 on direct advertising and competing against a plethora of other messaging from other destinations."
The party is to celebrate the completion of Banff Refreshing, a $23-million construction project that replaces aging underground infrastructure and spruces up the downtown.
Town officials have been in talks with their shortlist of contenders, including Nickelback, Tragically Hip, Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Bare Naked Ladies, Great Big Sea and Nelly Furtado, among others.
"We want to create an event unlike any event ever held on Banff Ave-nue," said Michelle Gurney, the town's communications manager.
But not all councillors are happy with how the money is being spent.
"By a concert taking the majority of the budget, we may well be missing an opportunity to create something with broader appeal," said Coun. Leslie Taylor.
Cathy Ellis is a reporter for the Rocky Mountain Outlook
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