RFP 25-030 - Festivals and Events Strategy

fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and connected community. These events enhance the City’s cultural identity, support local businesses, attract visitors, and contribute to Coquitlam’s economic vitality and tourism sector. City-led events such as Canada Day in Coquitlam and the Summer Concert Series are integral to fostering civic pride and strengthening community connections, with recordbreaking attendance in recent years. Additionally, a diverse range of community-led events, delivered by non-profit organizations and cultural groups, highlight Coquitlam’s rich cultural heritage and social diversity. Since the realignment of the Festivals and Events portfolio within the City’s Economic Development Division in January 2024, the City has been focused on leveraging festivals and events as strategic economic and tourism drivers. This shift has underscored the need for a long-term strategy and vision that addresses challenges in the current events landscape — including fluctuating attendance levels, increasing costs, resource constraints, data collection gaps, and a growing reliance on City funding by event organizers. The City is seeking to develop a comprehensive Festivals and Events Strategy to guide future planning, delivery, and evaluation of festivals and events in Coquitlam. The strategy will aim to ensure sustainable growth of the City’s events portfolio, maximize economic and social benefits, and strengthen Coquitlam’s reputation as a premier destination for festivals and events within Metro Vancouver.