Pan AM Games 101: A Primer for Businesses and Organizations in Hamilton

· by Huzaifa Saeed

The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce has rounded up a series of resources created by the City of Hamilton and Pan AM Organizers in the following blog post.

When: July 10th – 26th 2015

What:The Pan American Games are the world’s third largest international multi-sport Games; they are only surpassed in size and scope by the Olympic Summer Games and the Asian Games. The first Pan American Games were held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1951 and the inaugural Parapan American Games were held in Mexico City in 1999. Both the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games are held every four years for the athletes of the 41 Pan American Sport Organizer (PASO) member nations, in the year preceding the Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games. While the Pan Am Games have been hosted in a dozen countries throughout the Americas, Canada has had the honour of hosting them twice; in 1967 and 1999 and both times in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 2015, Toronto will be the proud Host City of the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games. Hamilton is one of 18 municipalities in Ontario also hosting events  for the games, including arguably the most prominent event in the series: Soccer.

Websites for official information:

A quick snapshot of cultural events: Cultural

Other Events & related Information can be found in this handy guide released by the City of Hamilton: 2015_Pan_American_Games_Event

Heart Pan Am Program

Is a grassroots program that gives local businesses an opportunity to show their support for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games in a unique way, without purchasing the rights to become an official partner or infringing upon the rights of official TO2015 partners. Applications are available from Angelica Smith with the Regional Tourism Organization and on their website at: http://hamiltonhaltonbrant.com/projects/investment/panamtourism

The Americas Investment Playbook

The 2015 Pan Am Games provide a significant opportunity to the Hamilton-Niagara Region for economic development – both from a short-term and long-term perspective. To take advantage of this opportunity the Hamilton and Niagara Regions have worked together and have strategically developed “The Americas Investment Playbook” This playbook offers 6 events that are designed to promote investment, trade and provide exposure to companies within this Region.

The goal is to engage firms from Latin American countries and the United States (firms from other interested countries are also welcome) who have an interest to invest in our Region. The playbook is designed to provide global profile to the Hamilton-Niagara Region as a business destination; promote Foreign Direct Investment opportunities; showcase the Regions strengths in our key industry sectors, while profiling our businesses, talent and engaging our municipal leaders, provincial and federal government partners as well as our local industry and our investment focused partners. As well as providing an unforgettable experience to our international visitors.

The goal is to engage firms from Latin American countries and the United States (firms from other interested countries are also welcome) who have an interest to invest in our Region in the following three sectors:

  • Agribusiness and Food Processing
  • ICT and Digital Media and
  • Advanced Manufacturing with a focus on Power Generation and Clean Technology

Specifically for Hamilton there is an event that high-lights Real Estate & Development opportunities.  Finally, for our local companies there is a forum that will provide insights into export opportunities available in Latin America as well as in the United States.

The Americas Investment Playbook will also be hosting a series of events on the following dates:

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Opportunities are being provided to organizations to participate/partner during the week of activities and events. Who can participate:

  • Local Businesses & Industry Associations
  • Local, Provincial & Federal Government Partners
  • Community Partners
  • Academic Institutions

Please visit: http://investhamiltonniagara.ca/partners/ for more information.