Led by women - StayBillety launches on International Women’s Day
Ottawa. March 8, 2016. International Women’s Day is the perfect time to shout COME ON IN and explore StayBillety.com. This online accommodation service, created by Barbara Jones (Waterloo Region), is led by four businesswomen including Ottawa’s Carolyn Waldo. StayBillety connects like-minded guests and hosts and offers one-stop billeting for events, groups and organizations. The immensely popular Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend is Staybillety’s first affiliated event!
Guests can use StayBillety leading up to, and during, affiliated events like Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend (May 28-29). The Canadian founder of StayBillety, Barbara Jones, created the affordable community-driven accommodation service pairing guests and hosts for major events like the Race Weekend. As Ottawa’s largest tourism event, Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend attracts approximately 50,000 runners, with 64% coming from outside the National Capital Region. A percentage of each Race Weekend transaction booked on the site will go back to the event’s organizer, the not-for-profit Run Ottawa.
StayBillety CEO and Founder, Barbara Jones, has one goal in mind: "to provide a service connecting communities that opens doors for people who may have shied away from other accommodation services. With StayBillety, race participants can stay with other runners or supporters of the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. The StayBillety leadership team, through their own sports and arts involvement, has billeted, been billeted and has made life-long friends through communities of interest. Collectively, we have had great experiences we’ve used to develop StayBillety."
Jones works with two-time Olympic gold medalist Carolyn Waldo who brings an athlete’s perspective to StayBillety. Waldo realizes the service would have been a benefit when her parents were travelling to see her compete: "I’ve always been passionate about bringing down walls for people to participate. StayBillety will provide that service, allowing people a more affordable option of accommodation. Events and organizations, like Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, will benefit greatly. It allows people to build stronger communities, while positively impacting organizations financially."
"We were very happy that StayBillety approached us to be their first affiliate," said John Halvorsen, President/Race Director, Run Ottawa. "It’s a perfect fit. As the region’s largest tourism event, we are always looking for innovative ways to improve our out-of-town runners’ experience. StayBillety is not only a cost-effective way for out-of-towners to take part in Race Weekend, but it will be a great way for them to connect with the local families and runners who will welcome them into their homes."
StayBillety collaborators include the University of Waterloo (REAP Centre), Ryerson University (Housing Dept), Syracuse University (S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Whitman School of Management, CASE).
About StayBillety
Founded in May 2015 and based in Cambridge, Ontario (Waterloo Region), StayBillety is an international, affordable, online accommodation service connecting like-minded guests and hosts. Celebrating community with its unique affinity-based affiliate model, StayBillety is also a social enterprise whose business supports charitable organizations. With StayBillety, guests traveling for concerts, commencements or competitions connect with enterprising hosts who share their common interests. Follow StayBillety on Facebook, @StayBillety #ComeOnIn StayBillety.com.
About Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend (and Run Ottawa):
The 2015 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend welcomed more than 49,400 participants in six races, including the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon, the Scotiabank Half-Marathon, the Ottawa 10K, the HTG Sports 5K, the 2K and Scotiabank Kids Marathon. The Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend is one of only two running events in the world to host two IAAF Gold Label races – the Ottawa 10K and the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon. The 2016 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend will take place on May 28-29, 2016. Visit us at RunOttawa.ca #RunOttawa2016
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