Tourism London seeks city funding for JUNO Awards bid

Tourism London is hoping the city will be interested in helping make a bid for Canada’s largest cultural event.

On Monday, the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee will look at a recommendation to chip in $500,000 to go towards a $1.7-million bid for JUNO week, which includes the JUNO Awards.

“We’ve been working on putting a bid together for some time,” Chris Campbell, director of culture and entertainment tourism, told AM980.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We've been working on putting a bid together for some time," Chris Campbell, director of culture and entertainment tourism, told AM980.

“For a month, if not longer than that. One of the obligations is a bid fee and so we’re looking for support from the city to proceed with our bid.”

Tourism London plans to leverage the remaining $1.2-million fee from provincial and other sources. Campbell notes that the money would only be paid out if the bid is successful but said regardless, it’s well worth it.

“You can look at the direct economic benefit of hosting large-scale events like this. It varies from year to year, but it could be in excess of $10 million.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "You can look at the direct economic benefit of hosting large-scale events like this. It varies from year to year, but it could be in excess of $10 million."

Campbell added that he’s confident London can stack up against major Canadian cities who have hosted in the past.

“We can’t really get into specifics of our bid or our strategy, but we’re putting forward a very, very competitive bid.”

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Tourism London is looking at placing a bid for the 2019 Junos.