CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI – An announcement was made today that the first annual National Coaching Symposium for Hockey will be held in Charlottetown from June 10th-12th, 2005. Internationally recognized coaches, including some of the best in the game of hockey, will be in Charlottetown to teach and discuss the latest techniques of hockey coaching. It is expected that hockey coaches from across Canada and the United States will attend this high-profile event.

Upwards of 12 speakers will lead powerful sessions – some of the confirmed speakers to-date include Ken Hitchcock of the Philadelphia Flyers & Team Canada, Marc Habscheid of Canada’s National Men’s Hockey Team, Rick Bowness of the Phoenix Coyotes, Mike Johnson of the Vancouver Canucks, and Pierre McGuire from TSN.

Mayor Lee noted, “Charlottetown is recognized as a premiere sporting, culture and meeting event destination and is well-positioned to offer the finest experience and hospitality to the world. We look forward to rolling out the red carpet and welcoming the hockey community to Canada’s Birthplace, especially during our 150th Celebration of Incorporation”.

“This is exciting news, and I commend the efforts of the Organizing Committee, which is being led by Conference & Events Management Inc. for creating a product that will stimulate not only tourism and community growth for Charlottetown, but great media exposure also. "Sport tourism is a terrific grassroots economic development initiative and one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry in Canada, worth 2 billion dollars a year", noted Mayor Lee.

The City continually pursues opportunities with partners for Charlottetown to host regional, national and international sporting, cultural and meeting events. The City recognizes the value of the events sector and is placing high priority on major events to stimulate tourism, economic and community growth.