The Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) wants your spare bedroom in exchange for free tickets to the 2010 Winter Games.
VANOC announced the homestay incentive at a pajama party launch on Thursday (Jan. 22), which was well attended by VANOC staff and local politicians. The pomp and celebration included free appetizers, Nintendo Wii tournaments and a sales pitch for the homestay program.
The goal is to find housing for over 1,000 volunteers from across Canada that are set to arrive next year. To make the deal sweeter, VANOC has offered free tickets to events at the Whistler Olympic Park and the Whistler Sliding Centre.
"To acknowledge the contributions of the hosts, they are encouraged to apply for free tickets to 2010 Winter Games events," said Maureen Douglas, VANOC director of community relations. "It's pretty exciting because those events are already sold out."
The number of tickets a host receives will correspond to their level of participation. Hosts who provide accommodation for the maximum duration of 20 nights will receive more tickets than hosts who are unable to provide as many nights. Hosts that accommodate more than one guest will receive additional tickets.
For example a gold level host will receive 16 tickets for hosting one volunteer for 20 nights and 10 additional tickets for another guest.
"The more nights you offer, the more tickets you can get. If you want to sign up, it is best to do it sooner rather than later," Douglas said.
VANOC is actively seeking volunteers in the Sea to Sky Corridor, however, because of the relatively small population, it is expected that the number of volunteers required will exceed supply. Hence the need for the homestay program.
The ticket incentives will rollout over two phases. Phase 1 is underway and will conclude June 1, 2009. Hosts who have been accepted into the program by June 1, 2009 will be provided a ticket request form to indicate their preference for tickets. Hosts will be notified of their ticket allocations by June 20 .2008.
The program has a limited number of tickets for each event and Douglas said hosts are not guaranteed to receive their first choice of tickets. Phase 2 starts in July and continues until Sept. 30, 2009.
"All of the volunteers have been screened by us and completed security checks. Some of the best people in world want to come here," Douglas said. "The homestay program is about sharing the Games experience in a personal and fun way. "
VANOC is asking for a 20-night commitment from potential hosts and Douglas said the majority of the volunteers are from elsewhere in Canada. Hosts are expected to provide guests with breakfast before sending them off to the Olympics for the day.
Hosts are also expected to meet the volunteers at the beginning of their stay at a program reception centre to be located throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor.
"I believe this is the best way to experience the Games and to meet people from all over the world," said Count. Patricia Heinztman. "Sharing your home and community with volunteers will generate a whole lot of economy for our community. One thousand is an ambitious goal but I think the community can come together and make it happen.
For more information on the homestay program, check out www.vancouver2010.com.
