Halifax NS - Events Halifax is recognized nation-wide as an industry leader in identifying and securing events that bring significant impacts to Halifax and Nova Scotia. It is the mandate of Events Halifax to do due diligence on all aspects of any potential event as there is considerable risk with any prospect.

“I am concerned with the inaccurate information currently being circulated in the community regarding Events Halifax as it jeopardizes millions of dollars of much-needed economic spin-off,” says Fred MacGillivray President, and CEO Trade Centre Limited (TCL). “This misinformation confuses our community and our partners and we feel it is important to provide an accurate, recorded account of the events that have transpired to date.”

Events Halifax Time Line – The Rolling Stones to Date:

• Sept. 23, 2006 - Events Halifax played the centre role in attracting and managing the successful Rolling Stones Concert on behalf of HRM. EH and the promoters recommended that the costing model was excessive and recommended costs be reduced to reflect fair market value in order to attract future events.
• Oct/Nov 2006 – Events Halifax had discussions with the HRM on potential shows for 2007.
• Dec. 05, 2006 – Council approves the report on the Rolling Stones which detailed promoter concerns that the City of Halifax is disproportionately expensive in comparison to other cities causing increased risk for the promoters.
• Dec. 2006 – March 2007 – EH continued meetings with HRM on 2007 concert prospect and continued discussions with promoters on concert opportunities.
• Jan 19, 2007 – First solid opportunity for an outdoor concert – EH pursued Soul 2 Soul with a local promoter who would assume risk. Concurrently EH was in discussions with a second promoter for The Who Concert; again, with the promoter assuming the risk. Both promoters requested the green light from HRM to book dates. HRM was unable to comply because approval for Halifax Commons usage had not yet been approved by Council.
• Jan 26, 2007 – While awaiting approval for Halifax Commons Event use, EH continues to communicate with HRM that the outdoor events costing model is not competitive with other cities.
• Feb 5, 2007 – First draft of MOU between EH and the City of Halifax received. The MOU is an agreement that recognizes EH as the lead agency in attracting, negotiating and securing major outdoor concerts for the Halifax Common.
• March 2, 2007 – Local promoter for Soul 2 Soul Concert notifies EH that they can’t bring the show to Halifax unless they receive approval from HRM for use of the Halifax Commons in addition to financial infrastructure support that competing cities were offering.
• March 2, 2007 – EH notifies HRM about promoter concerns of losing the show unless HRM could approve Halifax Commons use and provide infrastructure investment.
• March 6, 2007 – Council approves the concept for up to two shows on the Halifax Commons, but did not approve specific show dates put forth by EH. Council requested EH return to Council at a later date to seek final approval for specific concert dates requested.
• March 7, 2007 – EH communicates the Council decision to promoters. Soul 2 Soul show awarded to Moncton because they were able to provide financial certainty to promoter. Promoter communicates with EH if HRM can approve shows and provide costing in the future, they would be keen to look at shows for 2008.
• March 7, 2007 – The Who decides against booking dates in Atlantic Canada. Promoter advises EH it took too much time for City approval. Costs were cited as an obstacle with HRM having highest costs in Canada in most service areas for concerts.
• March 8, 2007 – Promoter of The Who show advises that the Mayor is calling their office and has requested a meeting. Calls to The Who promoters are also made by Councillor Dawn Sloane.
• March 15, 2007 – EH provides general concert budgets to Mayor’s office and promoter in advance of their face-to-face Montreal meeting to ensure consistent messaging for the Mayor’s meeting with the promoter in Montreal.
• March 27, 2007 – HRM approves civic events policy and funding framework defining their commitment to supporting major outdoor concerts. 
• April 16, 2007 – MOU signed between EH and HRM establishing EH as the lead agency for shows on the Halifax Commons.
• April 25, 2007 – EH receives signed copy MOU from HRM.
• April 28, 2007 – Scott Ferguson receives call from Mayor to attend meeting that afternoon at City Hall with Councillor Sloane, two local promoters and a UK promoter. Discussions were had on prospects. The promoter in this case, was not willing to take on the risk as past promoters had been able to do.
• May 2, 2007 – First discussion of potential funding with HRM to attract events. Discussions ensue with local promoters on attracting Elton John. It was made clear that neither HRM nor the Promoter were willing to take the risk.
• May 29, 2007 – Mayor proposed at a TCL Board meeting that TCL take the risk on Elton John. The Elton John concert had an estimated budget in excess of $2.6 million. EH evaluated the proposal and it estimated a budget in excess of $3 million based on the Rolling Stones show.
• June 1, 2007 – EH meets with the Mayor to discuss the possible financing options of the Elton John Show.
• June 8/9, 2007 – Elton John no longer available. Local promoters begin discussing other shows such as Justin Timberlake - still with no financing in place from HRM or the promoter. EH notifies HRM of continuing discussion on concert opportunities with other promoters who are willing to take on the risk position including Justin Timberlake show on Sept 22nd and others. HRM was notified of these discussions and was not opposed to the direction of the EH approach.
• June 14, 2007 – EH receives request by local promoter to assume risk and submit an offer to independent agency that, in turn, would present that offer to Justin Timberlake’s management. EH opted not to sign with this agency agreement, not to accept risk and did not authorize the promoter to make offers on behalf of EH.
• June 15, 2007 – EH meets with Mayor and local promoters to notify them that the current Justin Timberlake prospect was too risky but that EH was certainly willing to continue to work with any promoter willing to take on the risk.
• June 19, 2007 – Discussions continue with other promoters on Justin Timberlake and other acts with all parties recognizing that time was running out.
• June 27, 2007 – EH meets with Dan English and Assistant CAO and the Mayor during two separate meetings to review the collective approach. EH reinforces concerns about who is taking the risk and the need for the promoter to find an organization willing to take on the risk.
• July 2, 2007 – EH continues discussions with a national promoter who has purchased multiple Justin Timberlake shows. The promoter informs EH that someone else in Halifax has been talking to Justin Timberlake’s management; thereby driving up the price. EH remains in discussions with promoter on possible other shows.

In the entertainment business, ethics and fair pricing are crucial to success. Events Halifax seeks out and works in partnership with seasoned promoters and event organizers on a regular basis to bring entertainment and revenue to Halifax.

These promoters and organizers, along with Events Halifax, believe in strong partnerships to achieve win/win event negotiations. We will continue to bring events that will leave positive legacies for Halifax and Nova Scotia.

“Events Halifax has been a ‘best practice’ organization since its inception and has had unparalleled success in attracting major events that rivals any municipality in Canada.”  - Rick Traer, Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance

"Power Promotional Concepts are local event promoters and we have been pleased to work with the Halifax Metro Centre, Trade Centre Limited and Events Halifax on past and future events including NHL exhibition games and potential major concerts.  We worked closely this year with Events Halifax, who were anxious to bring the Soul 2 Soul show to the Halifax Common and going to Moncton was purely a business decision.  The City of Halifax appears to have learned from this business decision how to remain competitive and we look forward to working with EH on future events."  - Harold MacKay, Power Promotional Concepts

“Success in the event genre is due largely to the efforts of Events Halifax and the employment of a business development strategy that is complimentary to the efforts of Destination Halifax. Together these two organizations integrate their activity and areas of market expertise towards achievement of sustainable demand for Halifax as a vibrant and successful year-round destination.”
 - Pat Lyall, President & CEO Destination Halifax

“Our work with Events Halifax has proven to be a very successful partnership.  Events Halifax is a model operation in our view in that they employ the expertise in the pursuit of events and the overall management of event operations.  Events Halifax and Hockey Canada enjoy a very strong relationship established and fostered through the World Record Hosting of the 2003 World Junior Championship and the 2004 World Women's Championship as well as our planning for the 2008 IIHF World Championship on the 100th Anniversary of the IIHF.”
- Scott Smith, Hockey Canada

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Media Contact:
Barb Stegemann
Communications Manager
Trade Centre Limited
Direct Line: (902) 421-1302 ext. 127
tradecentrelimited.com