Table of Contents 6 2012 OVATION Awards Winning Entries

Council Meetings and social media announced this special event. Key messages in promotional material
invited guests to the two‐part event: Council on the Square and a lunch‐time celebration. All messaging
reinforced that MCS is “Mississauga’s newest state‐of‐the‐art multi‐media event destination for special
events, festivals, activities and unique programming.”
The official opening was designed to showcase the many features of the multi‐faceted venue and put
Mississauga Celebration Square in the limelight. An invitation‐only breakfast to gather participants and
stakeholders prior to the Council Meeting showcased the Square’s new Glass Pavilion. To showcase the
large permanent stage and to place City councillors in the spotlight, the Council Chamber dais was recreated
on the main outdoor stage. Each level of government provided a representative to speak. Staff
presentations included an audio‐visual presentation focused on the project’s background from idea to
inception and an overview of the Square’s impressive features. To visualize the Square’s transformation,
a time‐lapse video of the Civic Square’s destruction and Mississauga Celebration Square’s construction
was produced with images that were captured on Web‐cam during a 20‐month period, which was then
premiered on the large digital screens. To generate excitement about future plans for the Square, an
overview of upcoming events, including the Canada Day/grand opening celebration, was geared to
media. The entire ceremony was live‐streamed by Rogers TV for local residents and general City staff.
“Youth,” “heritage,” “City pride” and “community” were integrated into the ceremony via participation
by children, first nation leaders, and international sports champions from Mississauga. A unique Water
Ceremony, incorporating water from the city’s three surrounding water bodies, was developed to
showcase the Square’s significant water feature and to symbolize the bringing together of Mississauga’s
communities to the City’s new “focal point,” as the waters were poured together into the Square’s
fountain.
As it is challenging for Mississauga to get media attention outside of the city due to the city’s proximity
to the larger, higher‐profile City of Toronto, it was important to contact GTA news reporters directly to
advise them of this unique opportunity to preview the Square and offer interviews, guided media tours
and a selection of photo ops. Media were given direct access to the Mayor and key spokespeople. As
well, information regarding the new venue was released to the public and media via Web and print
publications in the months leading up to the official opening.
To thank employees and showcase the upper Square’s smaller outdoor stage, a lunch‐time special event
was planned with a complimentary lunch, roving entertainment, souvenir photo booth and a concert by
local musicians in the new Amphitheatre. To salute participants and guests, MCS‐branded umbrellas,
which could be used for protection from rain or shine at an outdoor event, were given out as souvenirs
to commemorate this special occasion.
The event budget was $17,000. The entire budget was required to rent the audio equipment necessary
to stage a Council Meeting outdoors; breakfast and lunch catering; flowers/décor; equipment rentals;
technical production; live entertainment; honorariums; photographer; souvenirs; print/promotional
material; and miscellaneous supplies.