Vancouver Looking For Someone To Take 80-Day Storytelling Assignment

There's "living at the airport," and then there's this. Vancouver Airport Authority has announced a contest to find a storyteller "who's got what it takes to come live at YVR for 80 days and 80 nights and tell the unique, interesting and little-known stories of Canada's second largest airport." The only catch: the special correspondent can't leave YVR and its Sea Island home for the entire duration of the gig, which begins on the heels of YVR's 80th anniversary on July 22, 2011.

In a news release, the airport authority says the Live@YVR assignment focuses on covering the unique people, places and stories that make the airport so unusual - from the midnight cargo flight full of blueberries to the mid-afternoon cleaning of an aquarium that's home to a pair of breeding wolf eels.

"We know that nearly 90 per cent of Metro Vancouver residents come to YVR at least once a year, but most of those people only get a very superficial view of what happens here," said Rebecca Catley, Director of Communications for Vancouver Airport Authority. "We're looking forward to welcoming a special kind of storyteller who will become immersed in fascinating airport stories and share them with the world. YVR is a small city: with 23,600 people working here — from emergency responders to environmental specialists — the stories are endless and we hope people will tune in to find out more about their airport." 

The contest is open only to residents of B.C. Prospective correspondents will submit a video online that highlights their storytelling savvy. After a short list of finalists is chosen, the public will have the opportunity to vote its favourite applicant onto Sea Island, where he or she will begin an 80-day assignment on August 17, 2011. The correspondent will sleep at The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel, live in the YVR community and experience its shops, services and restaurants. He or she will receive a living allowance during the 80 days at YVR and an honorarium upon completion.

The Live@YVR correspondent will be equipped with a camera and editing equipment and will act as an all-in-one producer, director, reporter, editor and post-production supervisor. He or she will uncover stories and share the triumphs - and trials - of living at an airport full time on liveatYVR.ca, Facebook and Twitter.

"When we heard about this idea we wanted to be a part of it," said Craig Reaume, General Manager of The Fairmont Vancouver Airport. "The Fairmont Vancouver Airport is one of the many special features at YVR for locals and visitors alike to experience, and we're excited to highlight our unique and unexpected stories as part of Live@YVR."

No word on where this special correspondent will sleep or shower during their 80 day stay.

FMI: www.yvr.ca