Official Vancouver 2010 lapel pins coming soon
VANCOUVER (October 24, 2005 -- Some call it the most popular sport at the Winter Games - pin trading. Now, Olympic Games fans are one step closer to starting their pin collections with the announcement today that the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) has awarded its exclusive pin license to Laurie Artiss Ltd.Based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Laurie Artiss Ltd. will manufacture, distribute and sell lapel pins, related products and accessories bearing the Official Marks of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. It is expected that pins will be available for purchase at select retailers including Hbc, souvenir and gift shops and ski resorts starting in December 2005.
"Pins are one of the most popular, accessible and collectible products associated with the Olympic Winter Games," said Dave Cobb, VANOC Senior Vice-President of revenue, marketing and communications. "Working with a company like Laurie Artiss Ltd. that has major Games experience will result in a unique line of pins that will capture the spirit and passion of Canada's 2010 Winter Games."
In 1896, when the Olympic Games were revived in Athens, pins were made of cardboard and were issued exclusively to athletes and journalists. Metal pins were introduced at the 1900 Paris Games, with the earliest evidence of pin trading dating back to the 1924 Olympic Games when athletes began exchanging pins in the spirit of friendship. In 1988, the IOC officially recognized pins as Olympic Games memorabilia, and it is estimated now that more than 30 million pins are traded at Olympic Games in Coca Cola Pin Trading Centres alone.
"We're delighted to continue our longstanding association with the Olympic Games in Canada and are absolutely thrilled to be part of the Vancouver 2010 Games," said Chris Pasterfield, Vice President of Laurie Artiss Ltd. "Each and every pin we produce will reflect our enthusiasm for Vancouver, Canada and the 2010 Games, resulting in a range of pins that people will be proud to collect and wear."
Laurie Artiss Ltd. has 37 years of experience, including the Calgary 1988 Olympic Winter Games pin program, as well as being a Canadian Olympic Committee pin supplier from 1988 to 2004. For the Vancouver 2010 pin program, Laurie Artiss Ltd. will partner with Aminco International (USA) Inc. of Lake Forest, California to form a new company to fulfill the license. Aminco has 28 years of experience and was the pin licensee for the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Games.
"We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with Laurie Artiss Ltd. and to be involved in the Vancouver 2010 Games," said Adrian De Groot, Chief Operating Officer of Aminco International (USA) Inc. "We have a strong track record for developing Olympic pin programs and look forward to delivering high-quality, innovative products to pin collectors, sponsors and Canadian consumers alike."
The Vancouver 2010 exclusive pin license was awarded through the Organizing Committee's Request for Proposals process designed to ensure a fair, equitable and open selection of the successful applicant. Each application was independently evaluated and three companies were short listed and independently evaluated to determine the successful company.
The sale of Vancouver 2010 pins and all official licensed products contribute directly to Games revenues and thereby support the financing and staging of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.
About Laurie Artiss Ltd.
Laurie Artiss Ltd., the Pin People, has been designing and producing custom lapel pins for local sports teams, schools, towns and cities since 1968.
About Aminco International (USA) Inc.
Aminco has been in operation since 1977 and has grown to be one of the largest manufacturers and designers of licensed pins in the United States.
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