Tourism 2010 Resource Centre

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One-on-One with David Neal, Executive Producer, NBC Sports and Executive VP, NBC Olympics

Thirty-time Emmy Award winner David Neal has been with NBC Sports and Olympics throughout his 30-year professional career. In his three decades at NBC, Neal has produced eight Olympic Games, four NBA Finals, two World Series, and a Super Bowl pre-game show.

Neal has encouraging words for the work done by British Columbia’s 2010 Tourism Consortium in the preparations for the Games, “You are really working together seamlessly and I look forward to a terrific collaboration. I have worked through eight Olympic Games, and I am truly impressed with the 2010 Tourism Consortium in BC and Canada.”

Most recently, Neal produced the Primetime show and the Opening Ceremony during NBC’s coverage of the Beijing 2008 Summer Games. He was the chief architect of the strategy to move host Bob Costas out of the studio to broadcast from iconic locations around Beijing – including an historic live broadcast from Tiananmen Square.

With just months away until NBC’s crew arrives in Vancouver, we are pleased to bring you an interview with David Neal as he shares his insider’s view on what British Columbia’s tourism industry can expect from the Games.

When was the first time you toured the 2010 Winter Games venues and what was your impression of the Host City of Vancouver and the Host Mountain Resort of Whistler?

I first saw the venue sites in the fall of 2003 and was immediately enthralled by the entire region. I remember thinking that this was the ideal setting for an Olympic Winter Games.

With the Beijing Games behind you, how would you rate British Columbia’s pre-Games preparedness for hosting the world’s media?

Vancouver is truly ready to welcome the world’s media, as evidenced by the breathtaking new Convention Centre on Coal Harbour. Simply a perfect location for the Broadcast Centre and Main Media Centre.

From a broadcaster’s perspective what is British Columbia’s greatest strength?

There are two primary strengths: the beauty of the region and the spirit of the people.

What do you think will be the biggest long-term gain for BC’s tourism industry as a result of the increased media exposure of hosting the 2010 Winter Games?

Television viewers around the world will be treated to 17 days and nights of Olympic drama taking place in Vancouver and Whistler. It will be a two week picture postcard to the world that says, “Wish you were here!”

Can viewers expect anything new and different in terms of programming compared with, for example, the last Olympic Winter Games in Torino?

The great thing for us is the time zone. Vancouver gives NBC and our audience an Olympic Games that will be essentially live.

Has the global economic situation impacted your plans for the 2010 Winter Games in any way?

All businesses have had to economize and stretch every resource. We have certainly done that as we prepare for 2010.

In addition to event coverage, what can tell us about NBC’s plans for up close and personal stories, like mini-destination features or profiles of locals and athletes?

As always, we will celebrate the global nature of the Olympic Games. We’ll profile many athletes from around the world, along with the US team. We’ll also explore stories about Vancouver, Whistler, British Columbia and Canada as a whole. The host country will be one of the stars of the show.

How is the increasing role of new media and online news influencing your planning for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games?

NBC Olympics will incorporate multi-platform coverage for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, with an emphasis on our extremely versatile website NBCOLYMPICS.COM.

How many people will be part of NBC’s broadcast team for the 2010 Winter Games and when will your teams start to arrive in British Columbia?

Just over 2000 people, most will arrive sometime in January.

What are you looking forward to most about your time in British Columbia during the Games?

I’m eager to see the successful culmination of the many years of hard work by VANOC, led brilliantly by John Furlong.

How about events – personally is there a must-see event for you?

The Opening Ceremony – David Atkins and his team have created an amazing show, filled with emotion and numerous “wow” moments.