2 Commonwealth Games (1954 and 1994) a World's Fair (1986) and 2010 Winter Olympics

[Fairbanks]

What's next for Vancouver? Another World's Fair or the Summer Olympics?

[Yume-sama]

After seeing photos of the expo in Shanghai, it'd be nifty for that to come here.

But, we'd probably do a depressingly bad job in comparison.

And we will never, ever, get a Summer Olympics.

A World Cup would be cool. Then at least Canada would qualify once.

[SpongeG]

what sort of big events are available? olympics, commonwealth, pan am, canadian = games, expo, world cup...

[Fairbanks]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

After seeing photos of the expo in Shanghai, it'd be nifty for that to come here.

But, we'd probably do a depressingly bad job in comparison.

And we will never, ever, get a Summer Olympics.

A World Cup would be cool. Then at least Canada would qualify once.

You know of course that Vancouver held one of the most successful World's Fairs of the 20th Century. Attendance goal was 13 mil. Actual attendance was 22 mil.

[jlousa]

Moved to the right forum.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by Fairbanks

You know of course that Vancouver held one of the most successful World's Fairs of the 20th Century. Attendance goal was 13 mil. Actual attendance was 22 mil.

Yes, and I also know that Shanghai Expo was amazing and attended by 73 million from 250 countries.

On the World stage *now* Canada can not compete with China.

[SpongeG]

no one can compete with china

[mr.x]

Edmonton has been planning on bidding for the 2017 World's Fair to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary...the Feds announced today that they would be pulling out their $700-million contribution, putting the whole $2.3-billion bid in jeopardy.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

no one can compete with china

True. China wins hand down in the sweatshop category. And the environmental degradation category (Mayor Moonbeam's musings notwithstanding).

[nova9]

Originally Posted by whatnext

True. China wins hand down in the sweatshop category. And the environmental degradation category (Mayor Moonbeam's musings notwithstanding).

and how well does canada do? we're no shining angel either so get over yourself.

i think vancouver should try to make what it already has into a bigger event. i would like to envision the Celebration of Nights as an international draw - too often i hear tourists being pleasantly surprised when they're visiting at the same time but rarely do i know of tourists that come to vancouver just for the fireworks.

Same goes for other festivals, our Bard on the Beach is pretty excellent, let's focus resources on making that a rival to Stratford and NYC's shakespeare in the park (which is free)

[SpongeG]

we could have like a mary jane week and let cheetos set up street corner kiosks for the week and invite britney and snoop dog

[twoNeurons]

How did this become a China vs. Canada thread?

Shanghai is a much larger city. That expo was mostly a commercial opportunity for countries to show themselves off to the Chinese people... which right now one of the next big markets.

As for what's next for Vancouver... how about World Track & Field Championships?

[crazyjoeda]

double post

[crazyjoeda]

Originally Posted by nova9

and how well does canada do? we're no shining angel either so get over yourself.

Are you kidding? China is seriously messed up and embarrassingly polluted. Canada looks damn good next to China!

[nova9]

Originally Posted by crazyjoeda

Are you kidding? China is seriously messed up and embarrassingly polluted. Canada looks damn good next to China!

trotting out the same points year after year from you westerners. you must get tired of sitting on your high horse.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by crazyjoeda

Are you kidding? China is seriously messed up and embarrassingly polluted. Canada looks damn good next to China!

Yep, just count the number of flush toilets and telephone lines per person.

[trofirhen]

All these expositions, sporting events, and major political meetings (viz; the Clinton-Yeltsin Summit) are very laudable and have certainly put Vancouver on the map. Nevertheless, they cost money.

As such, now that we've made it to the "Big League," so to speak, what about turning away from seeking glory, gold, fireworks and the limelight, and instead put some of that money - and energy - into improving the quality of life in the city itself. The options and needs are almost endless.

(yes .... I can just hear the 'booos' and hisssses as I write this, but that's my opinion anyway.)

[wrenegade]

Agreed. Also, the cost of security has made hosting this huge international events not worth it. Even if we were to host the 2014 games and had an empty Olympic Village and all of our venues games ready it would still cost a billion dollars. It's totally retarded but that's the way it is in the world today. Unfortunate, but true. Even if Edmonton could come up with $700 million, the feds would still be on the hook for security. God knows how much it will cost for the 2015 Pan-Am games in TO. The G20 cost $900 million for like 3 days, it's going to be an absolute shit show.

I agree with Trofirhen, let's focus on improving the city from the inside out and be less focussed on showing off to the rest of the world. Maybe we can revisit this in 20 years or so. And then I'd argue for another Winter Games, with cruise ships (in Van and Squamish) to house the Athletes. Maybe by then the geopolitical situation won't be ass fucked as it is now and it won't cost billions for security.

[cabotp]

Vancouver has only ever held 1 commonwealth games. The one in 1954

The 1994 Commonwealth games were held in Victoria.

[cabotp]

Originally Posted by Fairbanks

You know of course that Vancouver held one of the most successful World's Fairs of the 20th Century. Attendance goal was 13 mil. Actual attendance was 22 mil.

That was one the best summers we had. I remember it being nice a hot from almost april or may till about September or possibly October.

The weather certainly cooperated that year.