Atlantic Canada Event Summit focuses on working together to draw crowds

People involved in event tourism from across the Atlantic region will meet in Charlottetown next week for the Atlantic Canada Event Summit.

The goal is to find ways to work together to attract even more major sports, entertainment and business events to the region.

Sport tourism alone is a $5.2 billion industry in Canada and is one of the fastest growing tourism sectors, according toGrant MacDonald, the president of GM Event Inc. in Halifax, andone of the main organizers of the summit.

He says for too long,communities have worked in isolation to attract events. But he says there are far greater benefitsif everyone works together.

"When somebody comes into Prince Edward Island sometimes they may be traveling via Nova Scotia or New Brunswick," said MacDonald. "We want to make sure that we are capitalizing on the opportunity and ensure that Atlantic Canada can number one, win it's share of the business We can share the benefits from community to community, province to province."

That results in a better experience for the visitor as well, said MacDonald.

He notedthere will about 75 to 100 political, community and event leaders from the Atlantic provinces taking part in the Atlantic Canada Event Summit.

It is being held from June 14-15 at the Rodd Royalty Hotel.

Charlottetown mayor Clifford Lee will serve as the honourary chair.

The speakers include Scott Russell with CBC Sports, and CBC News: Compass Host Bruce Rainnie.

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