Our Olympic Journey
February 12th, 2010 by Patrick · No Comments
PRP’s 2010 Olympic journey has been an exciting adventure, full of hard work, good times, good friends and experiences we will never forget. Our road to 2010 began when we staged the press event that announced Vancouver as a candidate city in August of 2002. I actually was the MC for the event introducing John Furlong on the day it all began. Looking back it seems so long ago.
In March of 2003, the IOC evaluation committee landed in Vancouver - here was our time to shine ! PRP produced a 2 hour gala ceremony in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre called “Celebrate Canada”. We were committed to show the IOC we could put on a great show. We felt the pressure that night. Evaluation Commission Chairman Gerhard Heiberg said Vancouver could “host the best Winter Games ever”. I remember the audience going crazy. To make that event even more memorable my first daughter was born just over a week prior to that big night.
On July 2nd, 2003 - PRP staged an event in GM Place where thousands gathered to hear President Jacques Rogge via satellite announce Vancouver had won the 2010 Games. It was electric.
In April 2005, PRP was thrilled to be a part of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games emblem launch “Imagine 2010”. The nationally broadcast program featured a cast of over 500 dancers and performers, including a stunning aerial dance by the world famous Cirque du Soleil.
PRP helped tell the 2010 story when we worked for the Government of British Columbia at the Torino Winter Games and helped welcome the world to BC in a Log Cabin in a piazza in Italy.
In November 2007 we brought the 2010 Mascots to life. And we kept their identity a secret right up to the moment they were announced - no small task !
In 2008, we staged multiple events at the Beijing Olympics - announcing to the world we were ready to be next on the world stage.
A year ago this weekend, we produced Countdown 2010 - the 1 year countdown to the games at the Richmond Oval. Olympians, Cindy Klassen and cast of hundreds came together as IOC President Jacques Rogge invited the youth of the world to come to Vancouver.
Three nights ago, PRP produced the Opening Ceremony of the 122nd Session of the International Olympic Committee and the following night we opened the British Columbia Celebration Site at Robson square with our production of “Ignite the Dream”.
We have staged 2010 Olympic events for General Electric, Petro Canada and the Pacific National Exhibition. We have consulted on many Olympic projects including the Bell Canada Ice Cube.
Our 2010 Olympic journey has included meeting very interesting people, travelled around the world sharing great meals together and sharing wonderful stories.
My daughter is about to turn seven years old now - I’ve watched her grow up as our PRP family have worked incredibly hard preparing to welcome the world to our home town !
The journey to get here is coming to an end..
I’m heading to the Opening Ceremonies to share in a wonderful moment in Vancouver’s history.
Let the Games Begin !
