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Canada plans a bit of 'ambush marketing' of its own in May
The China Daily reports that Canada, a future Olympic host, will showcase its top assets with an exhibition from May 1 to September 18 at the British Columbia-Canada Pavilion in Beijing. With Vancouver set to host the Winter Games in 2010, the country will display its culture, business, tourism and industry in the Chinese capital in an attempt to lure Olympic visitors this summer.
"Through an industry-driven business program, over 400 Canadian companies will be given the chance to promote themselves and build relationships in the growing Asian economies during this exhibition," said Annette Antoniak, president and CEO of the British Colombia Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat, according to China Daily.
The Pavilion was designed and planned in Canada and has been shipped to Beijing to cover 21,000 square feet in the Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall.
On the first floor, the Pavilion will build on the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire and earth to create an immersive experience where visitors will feel as though they have crossed the ocean and landed in Canada. The second floor will be a meeting place for businesses keen to learn more about the trade and investment opportunities in BC, Canada and China. "In Beijing, we will be highlighting our natural advantages and showcasing the enterprise and imagination at work in every corner of the province," said BC's Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen.
"In addition to our trade and investment program based in Shanghai, the BC-Canada Pavilion will further demonstrate our commitment to establishing a long-term presence in the Chinese market."
The plan to build the Pavilion was unveiled in 2006 by BC Premier Gordon Campbell.
Why it's still important to submit website to search engines and directories today
Why it is still important to submit to these websites, an introduction to incoming links, paid incoming links, auto-submission, and how these topics have evolved over time. Also including the importance of manual submission, and the difference between trusted directories and others.
Incoming links - what that is
Incoming links, simply put, are links placed on other people's websites that connect to your website. When people on other websites come across a link to yours, they may feel compelled to click it, traveling to your website which allows you to have a chance at keeping their attention.
Evolution of importance of incoming links
Incoming links have always played a part in the search engine optimization process for boosting the popularity of a website, but incoming links are even more important today. Not only do incoming links boost your natural popularity by showing people all over the Internet a way to find your website, but now they also play a role in determining your search engine page rank, which is an extremely important part of boosting traffic to your website. Search engines that spider your website count how many links are on the Internet that are presently pointing to each page on your website. They use this figure to determine how popular your website is, and this is a large determinant factor in the page rank that you receive as a result.
Paid Incoming links – evolution
While in most situations you can obtain free incoming links through link trading, and through simply asking that a link be placed to your website somewhere else on the Internet, there are also some great options for paid incoming links that are worth looking into. This was not always a prevalent option when it came to link building, but paid linking now plays a large part in developing a large number of relevant incoming links to your website, and all of the pages within it.
Web site submission services, one way link building : Manual directory submission, Bulk directory submissions, SEO and professional submission services
International travel news
Final Rule announced for border crossing documentation
With The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the Final Rule for the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The WHTI Final Rule requires travellers "to present a passport or other approved secure document denoting citizenship and identity for all land and sea travel into the United States." The new requirements are effective June 1, 2009. This is expected to be the final set of requirements for the implementation of the WHTI.
At present travellers from Canada and the United States are able to (re)enter the United States with only a proof of identity (such as a driver's license) and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate). Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) have also been formally identified as acceptable documentation requirements for land and sea crossings (not air). Washington State and British Columbia have already begun issuing EDLs to the general public.
The rule also includes "provisions that allow school or other organized groups of children ages 18 and under who are US or Canadian citizens to enter the U.S. with proof of citizenship alone." DHS will be working with the Canadian government to inform US and Canadian citizens about the new requirements.
Don't count your eggs before they hatch
Property owners in central Cape Town should be wary of getting too excited about the financial benefits of the 2010 soccer World Cup. People with accommodation along the Atlantic Seaboard could make a killing when the soccer tournament rolls into the city, but it is too early to establish potential rates, according to most property agents.
It has been predicted that daily rates for holiday homes and private residential properties will be in the order of thousands of rands, but estate agents have warned against inflating the financial benefits 2010 will bring. Sharon Cohen, Seeff's agent for central Cape Town and the Atlantic seaboard, said larger properties in areas like Fresnaye already commanded up to R7 000 a day during peak season.
"Furnished self-catering accommodation will do well. People used to living in luxury won't think twice of paying high amounts to get a certain standard of living," she said. Residents in Green Point were already making plans to rent their homes during the Cup, said Cohen.
Henry Schwulst, from Rawson, said people were also buying flats in the CBD with the idea of renting them out during 2010. "Flats have 24-hour security, and that's a big priority," Schwulst said. Some home owners were even considering selling their homes for high prices.
A holiday home owner in Green Point said he had been contacted by Match, an organisation dealing with official accommodation for Fifa, which promised the house would have a 80% minimum occupancy. But he would not be able to charge more than 17% above this year's figures.
He said he had not committed himself to it yet. "I'm going to keep my prices reasonable, but in line with other rates. I don't want to get into some kind of bidding war." The owner of the St Johns Terrace holiday home, Bernie Lurie, said he had also not devised a price structure or made any bookings for the period.
Alan Duke, from the Protea Hotel chain, said they had been contracted to Match. Fifa would cater for four different markets: the teams, the sponsors, the media and the fans. Because the teams had not yet been selected, the fans could also not be determined.
"We know there will be a high demand, and rooms have been allocated. But next year we'll have a better picture," said Duke.
The internet is already flooded with advertising for 2010. Hot Property is one such organisation, setting up accommodation for overseas visitors and advertising for local establishments. Hot Property's Peter Gunn said they had started receiving a stream of inquiries last June.
"We know of people who are making holiday arrangements so they can rent their houses out. We also have an agreement with some places, that if people put a deposit down early next year, they can pay that year's rate," said Gunn.
How to make the most out of your family vacation
We Planning the much-awaited vacation with your family? Well, here are few tips that will help to make the most out of the getaway sans intrusions. Edythe Harvey, MD, a psychiatrist with Menninger has offered five suggestions to alleviate stress during ones vacation and enjoy the holiday time to the hilt.
Going on vacation is a time to get away and relax, not stress out about. So start making plans now to leave work at work and focus on the most important peopleyour family, Harvey said.
The suggestions are - Try something different. Vacationing when kids are out of school is certainly a convenient time but can be the most expensive time to go on vacation, as well as the most crowded at popular destinations, adding the unwanted tension youre trying to leave behind. Consider roads less traveled, especially if youve already been to Disney, for example.
And by roads, I mean think literally. Get in the car instead of on the plane for your next trip, but only if that is something you know your family will enjoy. You know your family and whether a car journey will help you achieve your goal of relaxing or not. Discuss options together and come up with something everyone has agreed they think they will enjoy, Harvey said.
The second mantra of a happy holiday getaway is - do your homework. Having to plan can be one of the most difficult things about vacations, but planning in advance helps you not to worry. Making plans ahead of time, at least a month in advance, and researching what to expect upon arrival will help save headaches when you arrive. Involve your family in the planning, thinking through whats going to happen when you get there.
Leave work at home. This is your time to relax, make memories and have a good time. This means turning off your cell phones. If you are all together, you dont need a cell phone.
Plan for anxiety. Everything isnt going to be perfect all of the time, but being of the same mindset can help everyone get through the anxious times. If there has been a change in plans, communicate this with your family as soon as possible.
According to Harvey another important point to note is - make time to bond.
Be mindful of how your reactions affect your childrenits good for kids to see how parents respond to new things. Its okay to be anxious.