http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/OttawaSun/Business/2005/05/26/1056466-sun.html A BIG FAT gay wedding in the capital could prove to be a big fat marketing coup worth millions for the city as tourism officials look to break into the lucrative gay travel market.
Local radio station Hot 89.9 announced two weeks ago that Lynn Warren and Alex Ali, a gay couple who competed on the reality show The Amazing Race, had accepted the station's invitation to come to Ottawa and get married at a ceremony organized by the radio station.
The couple is expected to spend a week in the capital and Hot 89.9 is broadcasting the wedding live on June 1.
Officials at the Ottawa Tourism and Convention Authority (OTCA) heard the announcement and sought to become involved.
U.S. MEDIA INTEREST
Numerous OTCA members jumped at the opportunity to provide services -- from gifts, meals, transportation and spa services, to hot air balloon rides.
"It's a great opportunity, I think it's a fabulous idea that they're coming and getting married in Ottawa," said Heather Ferguson, director of sales and marketing for the Empire Grill, which is hosting the couple's wedding dinner. "I think it's going to bring a lot of attention to the city itself."
OTCA president Jacques Burelle said there has been interest from American media outlets, including shows such as Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood, which may be in the market for footage of the Ottawa festivities.
The couple will be married on the terrace of the Congress Centre.
"We're expecting a pretty heavy media incursion in here for the first of June," Burelle said.
"A mention on Entertainment Tonight, that's gold," said Jantine Van Kregten, director of communications for Ottawa Tourism. "You can buy the advertising around it, but to be in that many millions of homes or to be in People Magazine, these are enormous opportunities."
Laura Kurowski of Hot 89.9 said plenty of local and Canadian media outlets have sought accreditation, but no American outlets have confirmed they will attend yet.
$54B MARKET
The Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce estimates the American gay travel market is worth $54 billion. Co-founder Bruce McDonald said Canada has a good reputation in the American gay community, because of media coverage of the gay marriage debate and other issues.
"It's (Canada) the easiest product I've ever sold," said McDonald. "They (Americans) just need to know how to get here and what there is to do here."
Burelle said the potential American exposure from the wedding could be a coup for Ottawa, as it competes with other Canadian cities for gay travel dollars.
"You don't get these opportunities very often to get North American exposure, which primarily, honestly, is free advertising," said Burelle.
"So we're going to make sure we treat them properly and get our message out."
