The Convention Centre Expansion Task Force applauds the Province on introducing legislation that will allow the tourism industry in Vancouver to develop an industry-driven levy program to raise funds for marketing.

"This is a very positive step forward for the industry", stated Peter Armstrong, President of Rocky Mountaineer Railtours and a Founding Member of the Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Task Force. "When Tourism Vancouver delivered on the long-standing industry commitment to provide $90 million to the expansion of the VCEC, it asked to be able to create a workable self-funding model that would ensure the success of the tourism industry for the future. This legislation demonstrates the government's confidence in the tourism industry by creating the tools for the industry to develop the ability to fund its marketing initiatives through a cooperative program."

Dave Park, Chief Economist and Assistant Managing Director of The Vancouver Board of Trade and a Founding Member of the Task Force said, "Having the government provide the framework for the Vancouver tourism industry to fund its programs internally is a model that works for Vancouver and should have application for other regions of the Province. We see this as a progressive step by the government in transferring the responsibility and authority for the funding from the government to industry."

The Expansion Task Force consists of representatives from Tourism Vancouver, The Vancouver Board of Trade, PavCo, Vancouver Hotel Association, BC Chamber of Commerce and the Vancouver International Airport Authority. The Task Force Stakeholders Council consists of over 100 organizations from around British Columbia who support the expansion of the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre.