Media Advisory - TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Daily Press Conferences

Open Daily to accredited media from July 5 to 26, 10:30 a.m. in the Main Press Centre

TORONTO, July 5, 2015 /CNW/ - The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) will host daily press conferences through July 26. The press conferences will be hosted by Neala Barton, senior vice-president, communications and media relations, TO2015, and Teddy Katz, director, media relations and chief spokesperson, TO2015. Simultaneous interpretation will be available in French and Spanish. The press conferences will be open to accredited media with valid accreditation bearing the codes MPC or MMC. 

		When: July 5 to July 26 at 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. (ET)
		Where: Danforth Press Conference Room (inside press workroom), Main Press Centre (MPC), CIBC Pan Am Park, 100 Princes' Blvd
		Access and parking: Please enter via the Exhibition Hall C/D door facing Princes' Blvd. There will not be any parking at the MPC unless accredited media have a vehicle access and parking permit (VAPP). There is a pay parking lot on the northeast corner of Strachan Avenue and Fleet Street, and also on the southwest of Fort York Boulevard and Fleet Street. Accredited media can also access the free Transportation Media (TM) shuttle from Union Station to the Main Media Centre (MMC).

The following will be the topics for the July 6 to 10 pre-Games press conferences. Daily press conferences will continue through to the end of the Pan Am Games on July 26 with daily updates.

Monday, July 6

Spectator Experience: TO2015's Vision and Security

The Games promise an intimate, accessible and affordable experience for all. This experience blends sport and culture, as well as ticketed events with free activities, in a family-friendly way. Using CIBC Pan Am Park as an example, Allen Vansen, executive vice-president of operations, sport and venue management, TO2015, will walk reporters through this vision as well as the conditions of entry for Games venues. Rob Assimakopoulos, CIBC's senior vice-president and chief marketing officer, will also be in attendance.

Tuesday, July 7

Spectator Transportation

Allen Vansen will provide an overview on spectator transportation plans for the Games, which include free transit for Games ticketholders, enhanced transit service, pre-bookable accessible parking, as well as free apps for planning auto and transit trips. He will be joined by Chris Upfold, deputy CEO of the Toronto Transit Commission; Barry Stannard, acting chief, GO Transit Control Centre; John Mende, director, transportation services at City of Toronto; and Andrew Posluns, executive director, Pan/Parapan Am Games Branch, Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

Wednesday, July 8

TORONTO 2015 Games Sport Highlights

Chefs de mission Bernard Rajzman (Brazil), Curt Harnett (Canada), Antonio Becali (Cuba) and Alan Ashley (United States) will discuss the importance of the Games in their respective countries, historic and emerging rivalries and some of the must-watch matches and athletes. Teddy Katz will moderate this panel discussion.

Thursday, July 9

Cirque du Soleil and the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Opening Ceremony

Neala Barton will moderate a panel discussion between Saäd Rafi, Jean Guibert, creative director, Cirque du Soleil and Yasmine Khalil, president of 45 DEGREES, the Cirque du Soleil special events company. They will provide an in-depth look at the making of the unique, one-night-only performance for the Pan Am Opening Ceremony that will be broadcast to hundreds of millions of households throughout the Americas on July 10.

Friday, July 10

Guide to PANAMANIA, presented by CIBC

Neala Barton will be joined by David Peterson, TO2015 chair, and TO2015 creative director, Don Shipley, to present an overview of PANAMANIA, the 35-day arts and cultural festival featuring more than 250 unique performances and exhibitions across Toronto from July 10 to August 15. PANAMANIA will showcase the diverse cultures and artistic excellence of Ontario, Canada and the Americas through music, theatre, dance, and more.

SOURCE Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games

For further information: Main Press Centre: [email protected] 416-957-3414; Media Team: [email protected] or 416-957-3409