Vancouver Island and Coast Discovery Centre creates unique sponsorship and promotional opportunities
Comox Valley, BC: Comox Valley Economic Development has launched a capital campaign to raise funds for Vancouver Island’s largest and only regional visitor’s centre – the Vancouver Island and Coast Discovery Centre, which will open in the fall of 2011 and begin construction this fall.
Strategically located at the interchange of the Inland Island Highway (19) and the Comox Valley Parkway (Exit 117), the Centre is designed to be the gateway to north central Vancouver Island and coastal regions, and is expected to attract thousands of visitors seeking out tourism productsand experiences on the Island.
owever, the Centre is not only a visitors centre. It’s also a highway rest area, a sales centre and will boast a unique exhibit gallery with interactive displays about the region’s environment and tourism products through oceans, forest, alpine and agricultural experiences.
Now an established capital donation and sponsorship program provides businesses and organizations the opportunity to leverage these unique features by sponsoring and naming them as a way to further their business’ own marketing efforts.
“There are incredible promotional opportunities for companies and organizations at this stage of the project,” said John Watson, executive director of Comox Valley Economic Development, “From sponsoring exhibit areas and display items, right up to the naming rights of the exhibits themselves.”
One of the first significant contributions towards the project came in January when Trilogy Properties Corporation donated the land for the Centre. Additionally the Island Coastal Economic Trust and Western Economic Diversification Canada, through the Community Adjustment Fund,have extensively supported the project.
Since the announcement, Comox Valley Economic Development has been fielding requests from tourism and industry businesses including tour operators, artists, community groups and organizations who wish to be involved. “We’ve had terrific interest in the project, and are eager to work with leads to determine the best way for them to engage.”
The shopping list of sponsorship and donation opportunities is extensive and includes playground equipment, massive Island maps, barbeque stands, welcome totems, picnic tables, water features, artwork, sculptures, photography, and exhibit props like mountain bikes and fishing gear.
“All businesses and organizations will eventually be able to rack a brochure at the Centre. However, sponsoring an exhibit or a building feature is a very influential way of targeting potential customers for many years to come,” said Watson. “The capital campaign offers different levels of engagement and recognition, so it’s a win-win for the Centre and the donor.”
For more information on the Vancouver Island and Coast Discovery Centre Capital Donation and Sponsorship Program visit vicdiscoverycentre.com or contact John Watson, Comox Valley Economic Development, (250) 792-0375.
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For media inquiries:
Lara Greasley
Comox Valley Economic Development
250-334-2427 x 233
lara@investcomoxvalley.com
For project background:
Vicdiscoverycentre.com
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