June 17, 2011 – It wasn’t planned as such, but Canadian Paralympic Committee CEO Henry Storgaard is finding himself on a bit of a speaking tour – and is enjoying it so much he’s inspired to do even more.
Last weekend at the Canadian Sponsorship Forum in Montreal, Storgaard outlined the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s early days and the astonishing progression the organization has made from being $1 million in debt just seven months before the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games, to enjoying unprecedented corporate and government support both during and after the Games.
Key steps – and there are plenty of colourful stories along the way – were to create marketing assets for television, print and broadcast; to work closely with the CTV Olympic Broadcast Consortium; to engage sponsors to activate and increase their contributions; to cultivate new friends in government and cabinet; to provide hospitality at Games for sponsors and prospective sponsors; and to drive earned media pre, during and post-Games.
In May in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Storgaard presented at the International Forum on Sports for People with a Disability, outlining the role of the media in growing Paralympic sport in Canada. His next speech is in July in Berlin at the 4th National Paralympic Committees Marketing Meeting. Domestically, Storgaard is available to present on the topic of building the Paralympic sport system in Canada and using the Paralympics as an advocacy for people with a disability.
Paralympic athletes, also, are spreading the word. The Canadian Paralympic Committee’s Hero program places high performance Paralympic athletes and members of the Canadian Paralympic family in paid appearance opportunities across Canada. Through these presentations, the CPC hopes to motivate, educate and inspire audiences while increasing awareness of people with disabilities and the Paralympic Movement. Presentations are diverse and tailored to each event.
To inquire about having Henry Storgaard or a Paralympic athlete speak to your organization, please contact:
Alison Korn
Manager, Media Relations
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: 613-569-4333 ext. 243
Cell: 613-298-4927
akorn@paralympic.ca
