BC Place is the Province’s Crown Jewel

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015, Taylor Swift and one of the world’s most thrilling sporting events, the World Rugby Sevens Series. Since BC Place re-opened its doors in 2011, it has shown itself capable of not only hosting major international sporting and entertainment events, but making really big successes of them.
 

“In the last two years, BC Place generated $267 million in economic benefits to the province,” says Ken Cretney, CEO and president of PavCo, a Provincial Crown Corporation that owns and operates BC Place. “Besides the economic benefits to the city of Vancouver and the province of B.C., the pride that the staff here, as well as Vancouverites feel, is priceless … as are our visitors’ experiences.”
 

A fixture in the Vancouver Whitecaps organization—first as a player (1979-84, 1987-99) and now as an ambassador for the football club—Carl Valentine has witnessed many momentous moments in the iconic BC Place stadium.
 

“We were the first major sport team in [the original] BC Place, and our first game against the Seattle Sounders drew a crowd of more than 60,000,” says Valentine.
 

After the renovations were completed in September 2011, the Whitecaps drew record attendances, with a number of sold out games. And recently, the Whitecaps won its first Canadian Championships, beating Montreal 2-0.
 

“The mood was electric and festive,” recalls Valentine.
 

Regardless of the type of event being held at BC Place, the atmosphere created by the stadium is always world-class. From the retractable roof to the stunning replay screen to the new seats, BC Place certainly makes an impression; and thanks to Vancouver-based printing company Blast Media, the eye-catching signage that appears at some of these events ensures the stadium always has a polished and professional appearance.
 

“BC Place Stadium is the crown jewel of Vancouver, and to be part of it has been a wonderful collaboration,” says Allan Louie, co-owner, Blast Media.
 

The company offers a completely integrated service to BC Place, which includes a network of event location branding, sales support, content creation, onsite installation and system management. In fact, Blast Media is responsible for the Whitecaps’ strong branding at all the home matches. From awnings to pillars to sales box offices the Whitecaps brand is evident everywhere in the stadium. 
 

“Looking to the future, we will be assisting with print and the installation of the upcoming HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in March of 2016,” adds Louie.
 

Another important collaboration for BC Place is with the BC Sports Hall of Fame. 
 

“The significance of BC Place to our province’s sports heritage cannot be emphasized enough,” says Allison Mailer, executive director, BC Sports Hall of Fame.
 

The BC Sports Hall of Fame—located inside BC Place—is dedicated to educating and entertaining sports and history enthusiasts of all ages. Visitors are treated to 12,000 square feet of exhibit space honouring memorable moments in B.C.’s sports history. Not only is there the Vancouver 2010 Gallery, Hall of Champions, In Her Footsteps Gallery, and the Terry Fox, Rick Hansen and Aboriginal Sport Galleries, visitors can enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of BC Place. 
 

“Our organization simply would not be able to be the caretaker of our province’s rich sports heritage without the support of BC Place. We truly value its support of our efforts to honour the past and inspire the future,” adds Mailer.