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MULTI-CULTURAL OKANAGAN VALLEY REFLECTS THE GLOBAL INFLUENCES OF “THE GAMES”.

Kelowna, BC….The Olympic story is one that embraces many cultures from around the globe, and so too is the story of the Okanagan Valley. The Valley has been a treasured location for new Canadians for almost two centuries, first focusing on farming and agriculture opportunities, with recent times expanding into technical trades, import and export, agri-tourism and more. That tradition continues with the 2010 Olympic Winter Games as the Okanagan Valley plays host to athletes from around the world training in BC prior to the start of the Games in Vancouver, February 12, 2010.

From November 2009 onwards, the Okanagan Valley has become a Mecca for training and Olympic enthusiasm. With many of the countries training in the Okanagan representing ancestral backgrounds of the local residents, watching the teams train, providing billets and local information has spurred not only excitement for the 2010 Games but has enhanced the economic community through travel, tourism, hospitality and services. From Austrian National Men’s and Women’s Ski Teams , Swedish Women’s Hockey Team, Cross-Country Ski Teams from Finland, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and Japan, Paralympic Cross-Country and Biathlon teams from Russia and Japan, National Aerialist teams from Canada, Australia, Japan and Ukraine, Swedish men’s and women’s curling teams and the German men’s curling team, locations throughout the Valley are hosting athletes, acclimatizing visitors to BC, assisting in building athletic skill and definitely building world class excitement for the world to experience at the 2010 Games.

The fun doesn’t stop in the Okanagan when the Games begin. Answering visitor’s need for world class winter sport in BC while Whistler and Vancouver venues are overflowing with Olympic activity, many local Okanagan ski hills and resorts are offering packages that are both affordable and offer access to champagne powder, unlimited terrain and hospitality that welcomes travelers from around the world.

The Okanagan Valley and its residents have welcomed new residents, businesses and travelers for over 100 years. With the additional focus of the many countries and the athletes that trained in the Valley prior to the Olympic Games, further development of trade and tourism is a sure thing. Opportunities flourish in an area that has room to grow. For further information please visit www.okanaganstories.ca

The Okanagan Valley Economic Development Society (OVEDS) is a joint initiative between the Economic Development Commissions throughout the Okanagan. Its primary objective is to design and implement economic development initiatives that support collective opportunities for the region. Its members include Penticton, Summerland, Central Okanagan Regional District – Kelowna (CORD), Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) and Vernon.

For additional information please contact OVEDS regional members:

Summerland | Scott Boswell | 250.404.4042 sboswell@summerland.ca

Kelowna | Corie Griffiths | 250.469.6283 corie.griffiths@cord.bc.ca

TOTA | Glenn Mandziuk | 250.860.5999 gmandziuk@totabc.com

Penticton | David Arsenault | 250.493.3323 darsenault@penticton.org

Vernon | Kevin Poole | 250.550.3249 kpoole@vernon.ca

Osoyoos | Jo Knight | 250.495.5070 jknight@destinationosoyoos.com