FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2005

TO: All Media Outlets
FROM: Yukon Convention Bureau

RCMP VETERANS ASSOCIATION VISITS THE YUKON

Mr. Dale Lively, President of the RCMP Veterans Association is visiting the Yukon this week to conduct a site inspection in preparation for the June 2009 Annual General Meeting of the Association to be hosted by the Yukon Division. The Yukon Convention Bureau assisted Ron Pond and the Yukon Division in preparing a bid and winning this event for Yukon.

Site inspections are an important tool in encouraging meeting & event planners to choose the Yukon as location for their meeting or event. YCB members have been extremely supportive of this event and have assisted in pulling together a great cross section of Yukon products and services for Mr. Lively to visit. Experiencing first hand the exceptional products and services offered north of 60, provides YCB members the opportunity to establish the critical planner/ supplier relationship – key in the success of future programs.

“We are so pleased to have been able to secure Yukon as the host for this meeting. For the Yukon to be increasingly successful as a meeting destination, YCB needs to have the support of local groups like the Whitehorse Division of the RCMP, believe in Yukon and contributing to its economy.” said Jenn Houtby, Managing Director, Yukon Convention Bureau.

Hank Moorlag, President of the Yukon Division has just returned from the 2005 Association meeting held in Edmonton recently. “Everyone I spoke with is planning to come to the Yukon in 2009! Many still have many fond memories of the 1995 Convention held in Whitehorse and claim it still is the best one that they have attended.” Mr. Moolag says.

Ron Pond, Host Chair says “ I am very optimistic that more than 700 delegates and spouses will attend the Whitehorse event and that the majority of them will be spending the extra time to tour the Yukon while here.”

YCB projects that this 700-person meeting will generate approximately $529,000 in direct spending for the Territory. Winning this proposal is a direct result of the marketing efforts of the YCB.

Founded in 1924, the RCMP Veterans Association currently has a membership of approximately 6000 spread through 30 Divisions across the country. The Yukon Division, was formed in 1990 and has been very busy on a number of fronts over the years, including the hosting the Association AGM in Yukon back in 1995. RCMP Veterans regularly contribute to various causes and projects around the Territory. Last year a number of the veterans and their spouses assisted in painting a Church in Carcross and members of the association are currently working with MacBride Museum on an oral and visual history of the Force in the Yukon. This presentation is being produced in conjunction with Heritage Canada's virtual museum.

The Yukon Convention Bureau is charged with marketing the Yukon as a favorable destination for meetings and events – assisted the RCMP Veterans Association in bringing this event north of 60. YCB is currently selling Yukon through 2010!

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