Spawned from the success of the 1994 Commonwealth Games, SportHost Victoria registered as a non profit society, March 12, 2001 and began its first year of researching developing and securing major national and international sport related events for the Greater Victoria region.
SportHost Victoria, a sport tourism partnership is a collection of key sport and tourism industry leaders located in the Greater Victoria region.
After the 1994 Games, the SportHost Victoria concept evolved as the sport community, the travel industry and recreational facility operators met to discuss the need for a sport tourism entity.
This community group created a partnership recognizing that:
- Victoria is one of the best sport tourism destinations in the world;
- Sport tourism has the potential to impact all ages;
- Sport tourism will provide jobs for youth;
- Sport participation develops a healthy lifestyle;
- Sport tourism will deliver a positive economic impact on the community;
- Sport tourism will assist development and upgrading of facilities and equipment;
- Sport supports a better quality of life;
- SportHost will provide an advocate for the development of regional sports events.
The objective of the group is to position SportHost Victoria as a North American leader in fostering partnerships to attract sport related events to enhance the economy and quality of life in Greater Victoria.
SportHost is to represent the community of Greater Victoria as a Sport Tourism destination by assisting associations with access to facilities, funding, accommodations, marketing, sponsorship, media relations and bid support.
Subsequent actions included the development of a membership prospectus, promotional collateral, and business relationships with national, provincial and local tourism and sport organizations. Partners include:
- City of Victoria;
- Local businesses (hotels, transportation companies, attractions, and suppliers);
- Hotel Association of Greater Victoria
- PacificSportVictoria;
- Camosun College;
- Tourism Victoria
- University of Victoria
The partnership has developed the SportHost Victoria brand and logo, set up an office permitting research, the development of a strategic plan and an accountability framework including its core strategies:
- Assisting with sport association and event organizers needs;
- Developing relationships and strategic partnerships;
- Generate operating revenues;
- Provide organizational development.
Along with its community partners SportHost customers include:
- Teams/ athletes, spectators, and supporters;
- Sport Associations/ event owners;
- Facility operators;
- Local business owners and employees
- Civic leaders
- Suppliers
