FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2006                                                            

TO: All Media Outlets
FROM: Yukon Convention Bureau

Yukon to host International Weightlifting Federation Executives!

WHITEHORSE, YUKON – The Yukon Convention Bureau (YCB), together with the Canadian Weightlifting Federation Halterophile Canadienne, will be hosting two senior officials with the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) in Whitehorse, Yukon January 17 – 19, 2006.

Mr. Salvatore (Sam) Coffa, based in Melbourne Australia is the IWF first Vice President and Mr. Dragomir Cioroslan, based in Colorado Springs, CO is an IWF Vice President. Both gentlemen will spend their time touring Whitehorse hotels, attractions and the new Canada Games Centre in advance of the 2008 Junior World Weightlifting Championships to be held in Whitehorse in May 2008.

The Junior World Weightlifting Championships are held annually and are truly an international event. Yukon can expect to play host to an estimated 500 athletes, an additional 200 coaches and technical officials from 100 nations. Overall, YCB projects that this 14 day event will have an estimated economic impact of over $1.6 million dollars in direct spending for the Territory.

In addition Sam Coffa will share his experience as the President of the Australian Commonwealth Games Association with the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce and with the Yukon Volunteer Bureau. Australia is hosting the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, March 2006.

'The 2008 JWWC Host Society is very honoured to have Mr. Coffa and Mr. Cioroslan visit the site of the 2008 Junior World Weightlifting Championship. We are confident the incredible potential of the Yukon as an international sport tourism destination will be recognized as we prepare to host this Olympic qualifying event in an Olympic year,” says Tamara Goeppel, CEO 2008 Junior World Weightlifting Championships Host Society.

“Securing the 2008 Junior World Weightlifting Championships is a huge step for Yukon both domestically and internationally. This will be the first major sporting event Yukon will host post-Canada Winter Games and gives Yukon instant credibility when we are bidding on other events” explains Jenn Houtby CMP, Managing Director of the Yukon Convention Bureau.

Goeppel and Houtby agree it is very exciting to host officials of this high caliber from the sporting world so early in our preparations, as it allows the Yukon to enjoy a 'head start' as we begin building a strong and positive international reputation in the multi-billion dollar sport industry.

The Yukon Convention Bureau is leading the charge to position the Yukon as a favorable destination for meetings & events and is working hard to ensure Yukon’s venues are full beyond the 2007 Canada Winter Games.

In 2008 the eyes of the world will again be on Yukon, this time as Yukon hosts the 2008 Junior World Weightlifting Championships.

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