Relighting 2010 Olympic Cauldron at New Year’s Eve Countdown adds significance to World’s Greenest City by 2020?
Thank You Very Much Mayor Gregor Robertson & Your City Council!
I am happy to report that the Vancouver City Council has unanimously approved a motion to re-start the New Year’s Eve tradition that has been out of fashion in Vancouver in recent years. The earliest we could be seeing that happening is at the end of 2013, in time for the NYE 2014 party.
At the beginning of 2013, I wrote an open letter to Mayor Gregor Robertson and post it on his Facebook site and elsewhere asking for exactly that – A New Year’s Eve party in Vancouver. If my letter has something to do with this latest City of Vancouver decision to have a NYE Party in 2014, let me express my gratitude to the Mayor, City Council and others who may be involved. Much appreciated.
A New Year’s Eve (NYE) bash is an international event that everyone celebrates.
All cultures. All religions. All parts in the world. Americas, Asia, Europe, Arab, Oceania. Don’t matter who you are, where you, what you are, we all celebrate the beginning of a new year. NYE is also the best time for any city to stake a claim in the world media…FOR FREE!
On NYE, Every City is Vying for Attention
Make no mistake about it, every city is trying to grab your attention at NYE countdown. This worldwide attention is dictated by the different time zones. With the ticking of the clock, any major or even city in a certain time zone gets a fair chance to be featured in the world media as they ring in a new year.
This is not just about celebrating locally or even nationally. It is about taking part in an international event that everyone is focusing on. It is that Olympic moment that comes every year. Every city puts on an elaborate show to stand out against the rest.
If Vancouver won’t do it, Seattle would reap the benefits of being the crown-jewel of the Pacific NW.
Vancouver wants to become the World’s Greenest City by 2020
That is Mayor Gregor Robertsobn’s vision. Here’s an excellent way to sell that to the world on NYE. How? By relighting the 2010 Olympic Cauldron only at the end of the countdown and turn it off soon after the fireworks are finished to serve notice to the world that we are serious about reducing carbon emission and adhering to sustainable principles.
Jack Poole Plaza is Perfect Place for NYE Celebration
The Christmas Tree is there, so is the 2010 Olympic Cauldron. Robson St. & Granville Mall have none of that. Jack Poole Plaza is the perfect place to present to the world our unique heritage as a world-class city that has already hosted the 2010 Games and Expo 86.
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1…Olympic Cauldron is Re-lit! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Imagine that! What a glorious moment! Instead of a ball-drop, Vancouver should re-lit the 2010 Olympic Cauldron and the flame only comes on at the end of the count-down. And turn it off after the firework is finished. The worldwide media will pick up on that and present Vancouver’s commitment to sustainable principles and be the World’s Greenest City by 2020.
It cost $5,000 to re-lit the Cauldron but $Millions for a 30″ global TV ad
A single 30-second SuperBowl TV ad cost around $4 million. The same TV ad during the 2012 Summer Games is $20 Million (yes, for only 30 second). Re-lighting the 2010 Olympic cauldron would only be $5,000. If the world media picks that up, it is ALL FREE!
The return on investment (ROI) is clearly in favor for Vancouver to host a New Year’s Eve party. The Jack Poole Plaza with a spectacular waterfront view and where the 2010 Olympic cauldron is located provides the perfect setting to serve notice to the world as the city races towards its goal of becoming the World’s Greenest City by 2020.
Ray Van Eng is an award-winning Photographer/Videographer, Screenwriter and Movie & TV Producer. One of his videos is currently on view at the Hava Nagila Exhibit, Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in Manhattan, New York, NY. from Sep 2012 to May 2013.
Jack Poole Plaza, Canada Place, Vancouver BC
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