We didn’t expect to catch it, in fact Touchpoint was entirely caught off guard with Olympic fever.

It started in the lead up to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games as we assisted clients with their communication initiatives. We worked to find the stories that linked Kelowna and the Okanagan to the Olympics for an international media audience. We visited the Robson Square venues and talked with the BC Government organizers as they explained the part government would take in assisting to showcase the businesses and communities of British Columbia. Their excitement was infectious. The depth of planning and programming was immense and impressive.

Then the Opening Ceremonies. Who didn’t watch, first with amazement and then with that terrible ‘O No’ feeling instead of an ‘O Canada’, as the fourth ice tower didn’t raise out of the floor to cradle the cauldron. A quick layover at Vancouver International Airport, the day after the Games began, provided the opportunity to see how ready everything was. The Airport looked fantastic and was firing on all cylinders as the lineups of people were processed so quickly as they moved through the terminals.

As the days progressed our entire advertising agency became increasingly distracted by the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. Part of it was the client work and the communications programs we played a part in, and the other was the mounting enthusiasm as the Games wore on. We couldn’t get enough.

For an agency staffed predominantly with females, it took us by surprise when hockey jerseys replaced our suit jackets. We found ourselves sneaking out early so we could go watch hockey games and curling matches. A quick unplanned trip to Vancouver, just to be in the middle of it, to see it and feel the patriotism as our national anthem spontaneously broke out on Granville. To be in the midst of the crowd as LiveCity put on Ignite the Flame.

And then the pride, as we won medal after medal. Gold mostly. And the final game for all the marbles. It is documented that the Olympics are only considered a success, and that the entire attitude of our country is determined by the outcome of the Men’s Hockey. Let’s just say that in our eyes, the Games couldn’t be a greater success and other than the Olympic hang-over, we’re in a great mood. As we drove around honking our horns, waving our flags and singing O Canada, we couldn’t be more proud or more Canadian.

If we had it to do over again we would do a few things differently.

1. We would take more time to understand the opportunities.
Some businesses and communities did a great job capitalizing on the opportunities at the Vancouver Olympics. Not by inflating prices and gouging visitors, but instead by being really great hosts and by thinking about what the fans and supporters would need and want. London 2012 is a huge opportunity for those who learn from the experience of Vancouver 2010.

Emerging social media played a big part in the communications of the Games. From informing people about what was happening with transportation to the score of the game to what restaurants to eat at. Being on the leading edge made a big difference. Talk to those of us that have been there, we get it.

2. We would get our gear earlier.
The iconic red Canadian mittens were brilliant. Marketing at its best. At an affordable $10 bucks, everyone could play. Oprah, Ellen, Biden, not just Canadians, but everyone wanted them, almost 2 million and counting. Suddenly a wave showed your Canadian spirit with a maple leaf emblazoned on the palm of your hand.

3. We would not apologize for closing early.
We would plan for the event. The seamless presentation of the Games took years of careful planning. We would make space in our calendar to plan for it, seize the opportunity and the time to enjoy the party.

4. We would remember to laugh at ourselves.
The Closing Ceremonies were the perfect response to the issues at the Opening Ceremonies and the media reporting throughout. Yeah, stuff happens, but when you have the confidence to shrug it off and not take yourself too seriously it all works out.

5. We would not underestimate the strength of a vision or the power of the audience.
Own the Podium was chided for being unrealistic and unsportsmanlike and even worse… un-Canadian. But without that vision, we would never have had the support to lead the world in Gold medals.

Vanoc had a tough road to this place, many were against the Olympics and the spirit of it seemed to be absent in the months leading up to the games. Then with the tragic death of the Georgian luger and questions around snow, and the media… it seemed as though the Games were somehow doomed. And then something happened. The community took over the games. A community embraced everything that is good about the Olympics and once that authentic, organic momentum started there was no stopping it.

Congratulations Canada on a job very well done.
Thanks for having the courage to dream big. Real big.