City hoping to attract prestigious event in 2019

Local taxpayers will be on the hook for a cocktail party, bilingual signage and more if the Federation of Canadian Municipalities decides to bring a four-day board meeting here in 2019.

Council on Tuesday agreed unanimously to backstop the estimated $26,500 cost of hosting the meeting.

Members of the FCM meet three times a year for board meetings across the country, bringing up to 150 delegates to host communities.

“It’s a very prestigious event,” said Dean Clarke, who oversees management of the Penticton Trade Convention Centre and needed council’s blessing to bid on hosting duties.

In exchange for its investment, the city is expected to benefit from 600 hotel room-nights, $60,000 in rental revenue from the convention centre and a total $200,000 economic impact, Clarke explained.

According to the FCM’s bid documents, it seeks to provide a “Canadian experience” to meeting delegates.

To do so, it requires host communities to offer a welcome reception, featuring cocktails and dinner party with greetings in French and English, provide bilingual signage and ground transportation for social activities, and to organize press conferences.

“I think this is an incredible opportunity to promote Penticton, our facilities and all the amenities we have,” said Coun. Judy Sentes.

“I think any opportunity to bring the nation to our city is dollars well spent.”

Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said he was “a little leery” about hosting, although he eventually voted in support.

“Sponsoring events where there’s a large media contingent behind it, that’s where we get exposure. Not just the economic impact, but the exposure that high-profile events bring to them,” he explained.

With “150 bureaucrats, I’m not sure we’d get the same media exposure as those other events.”

The FCM is expected to announce its decision this spring.