Calgary's favorite time of year: Stampede time !!!

So it is that time of year again. The hay bails are out and the entire city has been transformed into an urban western metropolis! Yes, it is Stampede time once again. For the past few months I've been working like mad to ensure that all the media's needs are met. That means that everything to do with entertainment (Nashville North, Coke Stage, Saddledome), Midway and Attractions, the Acrobatic Ice Show, Queen & Princesses, sponsorship and special days I take care of. It's a job that could be split between two for sure. Not this year though, Anna Melnick Media Coordinator supreme will attempt to survive this on her own. I feel like I will need a steady supply of Red Bull and possibly even Vodka!

Perhaps the most exciting thing for me during the next three weeks is the fact that I get to host Canada AM, ET Canada, CMT, Foxtel Australia (Australian CMT), BT Toronto and all of Calgary's local stations while they are on park. I've been playing producer by pitching and planning each of their segments. Honestly, I should consider a career change...it's so much fun. While the hours are going to be insane (set up at 3 a.m., shoot until 6 a.m. and then carry on with my daily duties) it's going to be so rewarding. I can't wait for Stampede to start!

The Power of Postive Thought!

I just saw this little girl on YouTube and thought she was adorable. I think we should all take lessons from her and do this in front of the mirror each morning! ha ha

To see the video please follow the link below:

http://tiny.cc/jpxaf

Calgary Stampede Meets the Amazing Race

Disclaimer: Since leaving Whistler I've taken a position as a Media Coordinator with the Calgary Stampede. I have taken off my Team Canada touque and put on my blingin' belt n' white cowboy hat! Good thing I am a Gemini who lives for this kind of diversity and can handle the lightning speed pace! Yeehaaww

Today the Calgary Stampede announced that Jet & Cord McCoy of "The Amazing Race 16" will be this year's Calgary Stampede Parade marshals. Joining them on July 8th will be the Calgary Police Force, Fire Department and some of our most celebrated Olympic athletes.

Now, I am sure you are all wondering why they chose American reality TV celebrities over our athletes but after some thought I fully understand and support their decision. The Calgary Stampede celebrates western traditions and heritage and these two cowboys live and breathe these "cowboy ethics" every day so they make complete sense. Not only are they inspiration to many young rodeo hopefuls around Alberta and the world, they are two of the sweetest, most polite cowboys you could ever meet.

Bring on the stampede, yahooooooo!!!

Olympic Memories!!

So I must admit that I completely neglected my blogging duties whilst in Whistler for the Olympics, so sorry! I can promise you though that my reasons were legit. I was working 25 days straight from 8 a.m. until at least midnight (when we won a medal that was another story). By the time March 1st hit, I was a complete and utter zombie...but a happy zombie to say the least.

Looking back on it now I am so incredibly thankful for the opportunity to work alongside some of the countries most amazing communicators and the worlds most elite athletes. I was hired to be an assistant in the Canadian Olympic Team's media office but with most of the journalists needs being met down in Vancouver at the PanPacific my role changed drastically. Suddenly, I was taking athletes to interviews with TSN's very own Jen Hedger and Michael Landsberg, being a security guard during impromptu media scrums in the streets, and on one occasion I was a guest on Much Music's MOD. Yes, I got in a hot tub with hot Olympic athletes and a Much VJ....some may think I am crazy, believe me it was not easy! haha BUT, when was I ever going to have that chance ever again? I had no choice in my eyes. I was going to suck it up, slap a smile on my face and enjoy the company (Canadian female Luge team) while chillin in a hot tub on national television at the freaking Olympics!!!!

Each day was a new and exciting adventure, and when we finally started winning medals in Whistler the atmosphere went from bumpin to party central. You couldn't walk down the streets without hearing people singing "O Canada" at the top of their lungs. Jon Montgomery was the first to win in Whistler and he is by far one of the coolest people I've ever met (well other than Sir. Richard Branson who was there with us when Jon-o won Gold). Not only was he an amazing athlete, but he was one of the nicest men ever. Take for example, the Saturday after his Olympic Gold, Joe our driver was down in Vancouver enjoying a hockey game, Kendra the office Manager was from Toronto and had never driven a car in her life, so by default I was now Jon's driver! Well first of all, I got lost trying to find the VISA reception he was to be the guest of honour at "No problem" he said. Then, after dropping tickets off at his family's condo for the medal ceremony that night I was having a minor heart attack trying to back our big black SUV back down possibly the most steep and narrow driveway I had ever seen, when he looked at me and said " You're not cool with this are you??" I looked at him trying to keep a straight face and said " Honestly, no I am not. I drive a VW Golf every day!" and with that he burst out laughing and demanded that I get out and he back "This puppy up". So that's exactly what I did. He is from Manitoba after all... just a good farm boy who knows how to drive a big rig. From that moment on he would become my favorite.

I have nothing but praise for VANOC, the COC and the thousands of volunteers who helped make this the best Olympics the world has ever seen. I can only hope that come 2012 in London I am a part of the team once again!

CANADA WINS GOLD!!!!

Congrats to Alex Bilodeau, winner of Canada's first Gold medal ever in the history of the Olympics in Canada! Last night he dominated the men's moguls finals and it was a sweet day in Canada. I am so proud to call myself a Canadian. Our sport programs are seriously picking up speed and I think it's about darn time we start investing in such an important initiative. To be around olympic athletes and see how much sport has changed their lives is amazing. I am so thankful for this opportunity.

The atmosphere in Whistler is incredible. When I left the Whistler Media Centre last night there was a crowd of 8000 people in streets partying and cheering Canada's victory. It was a sea of red!

The men's luge team hit up CTV and Much Music after their competition yesterday afternoon and it was a hoot. They are going to go back now that they are finished competing and chill in the Much Music hot tub with the VJ's! Maybe do some body shots? who knows! It's time to celebrate the great job they did. It was Sam Edney who came out on top with Canada's best ever finish at the Olympics for the luge at 7th. Next was Jeff Christie who remained in 14th place, same as Torino in 2006. Last but not least was Ian Cokerline who paid a special tribute to his girlfriend by writing "Happy Valentines Day" on his gloves and as he crossed the finish line he gave a wave for the whole world to see. I think it was an extreemly cute gesture. What girl wouldn't want their olympian boyfriend to spoil them on national television?? haha. After the boys hit up the rights holder's studio's they headed down to the unaccredited media centre where they were interviewed by Yahoo! Sports, CBC, Global TV and many other media outlets. They were all so calm and cool, totally comfortable in front of the camera. Their Press Attache Chris Dornan prepped them well! GO CANADA GO!!!

Olympic Mania!

Hey guys!

So it is finally here, the Vancouver 2010 Olympics have begun :) I said I would keep a blog of my adventures so I am going to do my best to keep you all up to date. I arrived on Thursday, February 4th here in Whistler, BC to meet my boss (Caroline Sharp, Assistant Press Chief) and colleague (Kendra Swallow, Executive Assistant to Canadian Olympic Team's CEO). Our office is located in the main press centre right next to Sports Illustrated, Reuters, and the New York Times. I am totally in awe of all the international media. Overall there are 200 international media accredited to use this media centre as well as another couple hundred more at the Whistler Media Centre which acts as the unaccredited media centre. After the athletes did their official press conference's they went down to WMC for one on one interviews. As a member of the Canadian Olympic Team's communications team I have been given the opportunity to tour all of CTV's locations up here in Whistler and let me tell you, they are amazing! Much Music has a sweet set up complete with Hot tub for hosts and guests to use while broadcasting live from the bottom of the gondola.

This past week has been devoted to preparing for the games. We had to set up the office and then hold all the opening press conferences. Biathlon, Luge, Bobsleigh, Skeleton, and Cross-Country were all held up here. It was incredible to be able to meet so many of Canada's Olympic athletes. They are all so down to earth and nice. I will be cheering hard for them these next 17 days!! I will be sure to keep you updated as much as possible however, it's pretty darn crazy up here!!