Issued to the media by Ottawa 2017

Major gateway to the city will be decked out in festive pageantry

Ottawa – The Ottawa 2017 Bureau and Mayor Jim Watson, in collaboration with lead partner CIBC, are proud to welcome the Ottawa International Airport as an Official Supporter of Canada’s 150th anniversary celebrations in the nation’s capital. The world class facility announced today a contribution of $1 million in support of Ottawa 2017.

As part of the partnership, the Ottawa International Airport will install Ottawa 2017 pageantry items throughout the building as well as roadway banners outside, a small sampling of which were on display at today’s announcement.

“As Canada’s capital, our airport acts as a prime gateway for visitors from the rest of the country and around the world, making it an essential location to give a good first impression and set the tone for the celebrations,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “This is where we first unveiled our logo a little over three years ago, so it’s fitting that we return to the Ottawa International Airport to announce this major step forward with our city-wide Ottawa 2017 pageantry program.”

“More than 4.6 million passengers pass through the Ottawa International Airport on yearly basis, and we expect that number to grow with Canada’s 150th birthday just around the corner,” said Mark Laroche, President and CEO of the Ottawa International Airport Authority. “Ottawa 2017 celebrations are sure to draw more tourists to our city. As a proud member of the community, we’re rolling out a warm welcome at our airport to ensure that from the moment visitors touch down, they’ll sense the excitement and feel part of something special.”

“We’re proud of the high calibre of businesses that have joined the Ottawa 2017 group of partners and we welcome the Ottawa International Airport to the family,” said Monique Giroux, Vice-President, Sponsorship Marketing & Strategic Partnerships, CIBC. “Transportation hubs like this bring Canadians together, which will be even more pronounced next year when we’re celebrating our country’s sesquicentennial.”

Guy Laflamme, Executive Director of the Ottawa 2017 Bureau noted that, “in addition to the ubiquitous Ottawa 2017 pageantry, there will be the opportunity to feature some of the major Signature Events at the airport as well, giving travellers a flavour of the events taking place when they arrive,” he said. “We thank Mark Laroche and the team at the Ottawa International Airport – a success story in its own right – for their role in contributing to the festive spirit of the celebrations.”

Canada’s 150th celebrations will offer Canadians and visitors from around the world an exceptional and memorable year of exciting experiences while bringing a record number of visitors to Ottawa in 2017 to celebrate this important milestone for our country.

Ottawa 2017 thanks our lead partner CIBC, premier partner Bell, and the Government of Canada for their contributions in helping to deliver twelve full months of bold events, immersive experiences and all-out celebrations.

Photos for media use, courtesy Ottawa 2017: http://ow.ly/WntCV

Stay informed on plans for Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations in the capital. Visit ottawa2017.ca, follow us on Twitter @2017ottawa (#Ottawa2017) and on Facebook.

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Media information:

Ottawa 2017

Denise LeBlanc - Manager, Media Relations

613-858-1506

[email protected] 

Ottawa International Airport

Krista Kealey

Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs