A Win for All: How all Ottawa Businesses can benefit from the World Juniors

THIS WINTER, OTTAWA WILL HOST the prestigious International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) World Juniors Championship, promising to draw tens of thousands of athletes, fans, and media from around the globe. This high-profile event offers a unique opportunity for local businesses, Business Improvement Associations (BIAs) and corporations to showcase Ottawa’s hospitality, creativity, and community spirit, as well as to engage, activate, and participate in the opportunities that accompany it.

Beyond showcasing Ottawa through the broadcasts and coverage of the World Juniors, the economic impact of this event will be substantial, with increased spending in hotels, restaurants, retail, and other local services, benefiting a wide range of businesses. Previous World Juniors host cities have seen millions of dollars injected into their economies, and Ottawa has all it takes to achieve similar success. Every private sector business in this city can be part of the spirit that ensures the benefits are widespread, reinforcing Ottawa’s reputation as a premier destination.

Opportunities for BIAs, businesses, and corporations

The involvement of BIAs and local businesses is crucial in creating an engaging and welcoming atmosphere for visitors and residents alike. There are many great ways to get involved:

• Participate in city-wide pageantry efforts, creating a festive and unified look that celebrates the event. Window displays, street banners, sandwich boards, digital marketing and themed decorations can all make businesses stand out contribute to the excitement and enhance the visitor experience. If you’ve been somewhere that embraced an event and where signage to welcome attendees was pervasive, you’ll know how impressive that can be.

• Offer special promotions, discounts, and events tied to the World Juniors. From themed menu items, live music and programming to special retail offers, these promotions can attract both visitors and residents, driving foot traffic and sales. Timebound special events, such as a New Year’s Eve watch party, can also be a good way to take advantage of opportunities presented to the community.

• Organize community events such as fan zones, public viewings, and meet-and-greet sessions with athletes. The international nature of the World Juniors is also an opportunity to gather specific communities to watch their home team play, These activities not only engage visitors but also bring together residents, fostering a sense of community pride and involvement.

• Make the most of the hosting opportunity as fans and athletes will be all over town for almost two weeks, looking for things to do in between games. If your business is public-facing, making efforts to stay open during that period (December 26 to January 5) is where we can make the most economic benefit out of the tournament. Keep the game schedule printed and on-hand for conversation starters, and ensure you have enough product, food and beverage, and staff to support the additional clientele.

Preparing for success

The World Juniors is a landmark event for Ottawa, and to maximize this opportunity, corporate Ottawa and BIAs should start planning now. Engaging with Ottawa Tourism will provide valuable insights and resources. Informational sessions, enrolling staff in the Shine On Academy, and marketing toolkits can all help in preparation, ensuring that businesses are ready to make the most of the World Juniors.

By embracing the event and participating in the city-wide celebrations, our community will make it an amazing visitor experience, further cementing our reputation as a premier destination for sports tourism. Let’s come together and showcase the best of what Ottawa has to offer to the world.

For more information on how to get involved, contact: info@ottawatourism.ca