Whether it’s hosting massive, world-class sporting events, or smaller industry events where all the big plans takes place –– Winnipeg is always set to impress.
Such was the case when Winnipeg hosted the Sports Events Congress (SEC24) to much acclaim, following a summer featuring the 2023 World Police and Fire Games – the city’s largest sporting event. In fact, during SEC24, the 2023 World Police and Fire Games won International Sport Event of the Year at the PRESTIGE Sport Tourism Awards, one of the events associated with SEC24.
The Sport Events Congress is the largest annual gathering of everyone connected to the sport tourism industry in Canada. The three-day interactive and educational event took place from March 13 to 15 in Winnipeg at the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg.
Over 300 delegates representing sports organizations, rights holders, tourism professionals, suppliers, firms, hotels, schools and elected officials attended. Networking events included speed dating; taking in an NHL Jets game at Canada Life Centre; a cocktail party with dinner and dancing at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights; and a number of informative sessions, discussion panels, and professional development sessions.
According to attendees, Winnipeg continues to be a one-of-a-kind destination for events thanks to its facilities, staff and volunteers, and overall vibe.
Welcome to Winnipeg, our most-welcoming city
Across the board, one thing noted by all SEC24 attendees was Winnipeg’s welcoming spirit.
“Everyone was so friendly, warm and easy to approach,” said Esport Canada’s Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer, CK Dhaliwal. “It felt like a little community even though we were in the heart of the downtown core.”
Hosting is something that Manitobans take pride in, while Winnipeg has always been known for its volunteerism. At Tourism Winnipeg, we often joke in our pitches that “we’ll be your biggest fans,” –– a concept that extends to our whole city.
“Anyone I met (who was not affiliated with SEC) seemed genuinely interested in why I was in Winnipeg and if I was enjoying my time in the city,” said Sheena McCrate, CEO, Sport Tourism Canada. “You definitely live up to your license plate slogan ‘Friendly Manitoba.’”
“Walking into the Jets game, the gentleman who scanned my ticket told me to just go and have some fun,” McCrate continued. “Just the little touches that I felt everywhere from the people. That is something Winnipeg should take immense pride in.”
The Tourism Winnipeg treatment
On top of rousing receptions, SEC24 attendees were also quick to note how Tourism Winnipeg is there every step of the way, always providing a personal touch.
“Tourism Winnipeg were truly incredible hosts!” said Hockey Canada’s Director of Events and Properties, D’Arcy Hutcheson. “Emma [Novak] was an amazing chauffer the first day, taking us around to four different hockey arenas in the community, treating us to lunch and keeping our spirits up all day with funny commentary as we toured around the city.”
“Everything about my trip to Winnipeg was seamless from arrival at the airport, check in at the hotel, welcome drinks the first night, and such hospitality at the Jets game and Canadian Museum for Human Rights,” said Hutcheson.
Even before SEC24, McCrate found full support from start to finish, with plenty of personal elements that delegates relished.
“Winnipeg and Manitoba stayed involved and engaged throughout the entire planning process - [and were] keen to add their own unique Winnipeg/MB touches to our event,” said McCrate. “Also, the extras such as the gift card at the Jets game and museum shop were above and beyond. No stone left unturned when it came to making SEC24 a Congress to remember!”
According to Frances Wellink, Director of Business Development at Tourism Winnipeg, the city also goes beyond simply being friendly and efficient. (Although, Saribel Deslauriers of the Canadian Team Handball Federation would add, “super-friendly and engaging, also very dedicated and patient!”)
Tourism Winnipeg can help solidify, and even guide the legacy impact of your next event. Much like our hosting, bidding, marketing and attendance throughout your sporting event, Tourism Winnipeg will continue to work with you to measure how meaningful your event was for the host city, and beyond.
Looking forward and location, location, location
Another theme throughout SEC24 was the walkability of our sports, hospitality and entertainment district.
When you stage an event at the RBC Convention Centre, you are directly connected to downtown’s premiere hotels, Hargrave Street Market for near endless food options, and are a short walk from major attractions like WAG-Quamajuq, The Forks, and The Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
“What truly surprised me about Winnipeg was the size and accessibility of its downtown core,” said Jake Clarke of Ringette Canada. “The network of skywalks and connected buildings is a distinctive feature that facilitates easy and comfortable navigation throughout the area, regardless of the weather.”
For Esport Canada’s CK Dhaliwal, this connectivity is a huge bonus as the organization looks to stage more esports events in Winnipeg.
“One other huge element [for esports] comes around hospitality, as the hotel we were staying [Delta Hotels by Marriott Winnipeg] at was attached pretty much to the venue,” said Dhaliwal. “Knowing it will be easy to guide both attendees and esports athletes to their destination is always a huge plus and not a ton of venues have this access,” he continued.
For Dhaliwal, whose Esport Canada’s members are some of the most diverse, youngest and perhaps least understood in sporting terms in Canada, Winnipeg is also on the radar for its inclusivity and proximity of venues.
Some of the most important factors for esports are venue capabilities, fan and support base, and openness to the ever-growing esports landscape – all of which checks in Winnipeg.
“Everyone, literally everyone, we spoke to that worked for Winnipeg or the city to some degree gave us the time of day and entertained my wacky ideas,” joked Dhaliwal, while later noting that “Winnipeg has an incredible amount of potential in the gaming and esports space.”
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With a track record like this and such versatility, it’s no wonder Winnipeg remains top-of-mind for event planners looking to stage their next big thing.
To learn more about how we can help facilitate and organize your next event, contact our team today.
