For Immediate Release
2019 Tim Hortons Brier Brings Substantial Economic Impact to Brandon
Economic Impact Study Results Released
[Brandon, Manitoba – December 20, 2019] The results of an economic impact assessment of the 2019 Tim Hortons Brier were released today by Brandon First and the City of Brandon Economic Development Office. The event was held in Brandon, Manitoba from March 2 -10, 2019 at the Keystone Centre.
The report, generated in consultation with the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance, outlines the local, provincial and global economic impact of the event. By examining the expenditures of spectators, participants and Media and VIP’s the report was able to estimate the economic impact as it relates to GDP, jobs, wages and taxes collected.
“The Tim Hortons Brier was an incredibly successful event for the Keystone Centre, for the City of Brandon, and for the Province of Manitoba. The success of this event is owed, in no small part, to the hard work and commitment of Brandon First, the local organizing committee, all of the volunteers, and the Keystone Centre staff and management team,” says Jeff Schumacher, CEO of the Keystone Centre, “The opportunity to offer fans a flagship curling event and present the facility to the rest of Canada, and the world is an important investment in the building’s legacy and future, so we also want to extend a special thank you to Curling Canada for bringing the Tim Hortons Brier to the Keystone Centre.”
The overall economic activity in the province directly generated by the even totaled $7.4 Million with over 5,000 visitors coming from out of town to attend the event. Per the report “these expenditures supported $2.3 million in wages and salaries in the province through the support of 42 jobs, of which 32 jobs and $1.7 million in wages and salaries were supported locally.” Total industry output in Brandon amounted to $6,303,112.
“We’re very pleased to see the way Brandon reaped the benefits of hosting the 2019 Tim Hortons Brier,” said Katherine Henderson, Chief Executive Officer of Curling Canada. “There’s a reason cities across our country bid so aggressively for our championships, and Brandon is just the latest city to have experienced that positive impact of hosting the world’s most famous national curling championship.”
Brandon First plans to continue and renew its multi-year curling strategy, which commenced in 2014, as first phase culminated in the hosting of the 2019 Tim Horton’s Brier. The organization has seen the success of the strategy and will maintain the strong partnerships it has developed with the local curling community, Curl Manitoba and Curling Canada, with the goal of bringing the best curling events back to Brandon again and again.
“This economic impact assessment is encouraging. Over the past several years Brandon First has worked with the community to develop a large event strategy, with a major emphasis on curling,” adds Franz Lehrbass, Board Chair of Brandon First, “The results of the assessment quantify the success we already knew the 2019 Tim Hortons Brier to be and encourages Brandon First to continue developing and implementing its large-event strategy for the benefit of Western Manitoba.”
Click Here for the Full Report
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For further information or inquiries please contact:
Franz Lehrbass – Board Chair – Brandon First
Tel: (204) 717-9622
