It is official – my Seasonal Affective Disorder has kicked in. I knew it was coming because it does every year; but I am always unprepared for the weeks between the Super Bowl and the start of Spring Training. (March 24th the first spring baseball games will begin :) ) Some of you will say basketball is still on TV. I am not much of a basketball fan; with the exception of March Madness and let’s face it that has little to do with basketball and more to do with the office pool. What else is there? Um...NASCAR? I think not.
Out of the cold and darkness, every four years, arises a savior. The Winter Olympics! Hosted by our friends to the North the 2010 Winter Olympics began on Friday, February 12th. Ice Hockey will be able to ease me through the withdrawals I’m sure to experience from my lack of football viewing. Snowboarding is just cool and I’ll admit I do enjoy figure skating on occasion. And who doesn’t get into cheering on athletes from their home country?
Vancouver is going to be a wonderful host city. It is picturesque and the Canadian people are in my experience one of the nicest groups of people on the planet. How do I know this you ask? Compass has been compiling Canadian data for over five years. During this time we have come to know our neighbors north of the border pretty well. Compiling 12 million consumers and almost 2 million businesses will teach you a thing or two about the population you are focusing your efforts on.
If you are lucky enough to attend the Olympics here are a few tidbits you should know about Vancouver. You would think a host city for the Winter Olympics must be cold and snowy. But the weather in Vancouver is mild year round. Highs are in the 70s during the summers and mid 40s during the winter. It rarely snows with the exception of the local ski hills. Language will not be a barrier for you. The Federal government departments provide services in English and French, but most of the population speaks English as either a first or second language. The population for the great Vancouver area is 2.1 million with a wide variety of culturally diverse neighborhoods.
While you are in Vancouver don’t forget to send your friends back home post-cards featuring one of their gorgeous scenic views. Favorites include False Creek, Stanley Park, English Bay Beach or Lighthouse Park. Keep in mind the Canada Post is anticipating increased security and road restrictions, which may affect the delivery of mail to the and from the greater Vancouver area during the Olympics. Even the Canada Post has embraced the Olympic spirit despite their fear of delivery delays. They have issued Olympic themed stamps that are pretty cool.
All of this talk about Vancouver is making me think…. watching sporting events in person is always MORE fun than on TV anyway. Is anyone up for taking off to the great white north, eh?
-Michelle Brown
Partner