The world's press invited to Vancouver for 2010 Winter Games planning session

    VANCOUVER, July 10 /CNW/ - More than 200 representatives from
international news wire services, photo agencies, newspapers, internet sites
and non-rights holding broadcast organizations are expected to attend the
Vancouver 2010 World Press Briefing this fall.
    Scheduled for November 18 to 21, 2008, the World Press Briefing will
outline detailed information about the services and facilities for the written
and photographic press. The briefing will include presentations by various
Games functions, including Accreditation, Accommodation, Rate Card, Technology
and Transportation. The four-day program features detailed tours of the
competition and non-competition venues, with an emphasis on the services and
facilities for the press, including plans for the Main Press Centre and venue
media centres. Tourism agencies are also participating in the briefing by
providing destination information about the Games host region.
    "The goal of the World Press Briefing is to present VANOC's current
operational plans in order to help our press clients with their 2010 Winter
Games coverage plans," said Terry Wright, executive vice president, services
and games operations. "Our Press Operations team is focused on providing a
high level of service and convenient facilities for the world's press so they
can tell the story of the 2010 Winter Games in both an efficient and exciting
manner. Representatives of the leading press organizations from around the
world will have an opportunity to experience our region, from the ice arenas
in Vancouver to the mountain slopes in Whistler."
    The International Olympic Committee has established a quota of 2,800
accreditations covering the categories of written and photographic press and
non-rights holding broadcast organizations.
    The concept of the World Press Briefing debuted before the Sydney 2000
Games. The World Press Briefing is held one year before the Games; it presents
the Organizing Committee's detailed plans for Games-time print media
facilities and services.
    Press organizations interested in registering for the Vancouver 2010
World Press Briefing are invited to visit the Press Operations section of the
media centre at vancouver2010.com:
www.vancouver2010.com/en/OrganizingCommittee/MediaCentre/PressOperations

    Vancouver 2010 World Press Briefing - Quick Facts

    -   Dates: November 18 to 21, 2008

    -   Approximately 200 delegates are expected to attend, representing
        major news organizations, National Olympic and Paralympic Committees
        and International Sport Federations

    -   The World Press Briefing provides accredited press organizations with
        the first overall press operations and logistical planning picture
        for the 2010 Winter Games, linking Accreditation, Accommodation,
        Transportation, the Main Press Centre, Venue Media Centres, Press
        Rate Card, Technology and Information functions

    -   The World Press Briefing program includes presentations by various
        Games functions that deliver press services and facilities, along
        with detailed venue tours in Vancouver and Whistler

    -   Apart from the largest agencies, the World Press Briefing may be the
        only pre-Games opportunity that many news organizations have to visit
        the host region.

    About VANOC

    VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging
of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The
2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from
February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic
Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit vancouver2010.com.

    About VANOC Press Operations

    VANOC Press Operations is responsible for the planning, preparation and
provision of services and facilities for 2,800 accredited written and
photographic press and support staff and non-rights holding broadcast
organizations so they can operate efficiently during the 2010 Winter Games.

For further information: Suzanne Walters, VANOC Communications, Tel:
(778) 328-6386, suzanne_walters@vancouver2010.com