Ottawa
G7 capital premium?
LESLEY MACKAY FROM OTTAWA TOURISM CONSIDERS
THE BENEFITS OF SITTING AT THE BIG BOYS’ TABLE
aris, Berlin, Rome, Tokyo,
London, Washington and
Ottawa. What do these
seven cities have in
common? Together, these cities govern
seven nations that account for more
than half of the globe’s net wealth. They
are the beating heart of governments,
policies and laws. They are the G7
capitals.
Capital cities are also often the
location of secretariats and headquarter
organisations for national and
international associations. Whether it is
a need to lobby, gather key leaders or be
“close to the action”, it simply makes
sense for an association to locate itself in
a nation’s capital. The upshot is that
capitals, and especially the G7 capitals,
are ideal for meetings, conferences and
events wishing to be close to huge
economic and political power centres.
There are, however, a number of other
key reasons that make a G7 capital an
ideal location for an event. Firstly, there
is the VIP experience, from kings and
queens and other heads of state, to trade
delegations, politicians and global
superstars. We understand the needs,
security requirements and protocols of
looking after the most important
individuals in the world. This translates
into the best possible levels of service for
conferences, as well as the ability to
achieve the unusual through a city-wide
understanding of how to deliver for even
the most demanding of attendees.
We are home to embassies and high
commissions from around the world.
This means on-the-ground experts and
resources for any number of situations.
At the simplest level this could involve
translation services and cultural advice,
right up to engagement with expat
communities or even the attendance of
trade or cultural officers at events. In
some cases, it may even be possible to
attract ambassadors or high
commissioners.
In addition to these links with
policy-makers, we are also home to
national universities, scientists and
research centres, as well as national
institutions, historical and cultural sites,
all of which can add to an events
success.
Finally, there is the multiculturalism
and diversity which we can offer. Here
in Ottawa we have residents not just
from across the whole of Canada, but
around the world.
Many other capital cities offer what I
have so far described, but only seven sit
so close to such influential global
economic decisions. Beijing, Moscow,
Brasilia and Delhi are all incredibly
powerful in their own right, with vast
populations to oversee. However, the G7
represents a gathering of diverse yet
significant global powers, and as we in
the event industry know, it is coming
together as one that
delivers the greatest
impact. This is why
holding events in G7
capitals can have such
far and long reaching
effects.
“Capitals, and
especially the
G7 capitals,
are ideal for
meetings,
conferences
and events
wishing to be
close to huge
economic and
political power
centres.”
Right:
Lesley Mackay,
Ottawa Tourism
ISSUE 102
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CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD
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63