David G. Wilkinson is president of The Wilkinson Group, a Toronto-based international event marketing, education and strategic planning company.

Angela R. McKenzie is the primary researcher for the Event Marketing column. Contributions, ideas, media releases and feedback should be directed to Angela at (416) 510-1692 or (416) 923-9446. Fax (416) 510-1694.

Benson and Hedges staged the sixth annual ‘Symphony of Fire,’ which is the world’s only musical fireworks competition, from June 27 to July 11 at Ontario Place in Toronto.

Entitled ‘Pyro Passion,’ the biggest blasts went up on July 1 to celebrate Canada’s 125th birthday, and on July 11 for the grand finale.

Participants from the U.S., Spain, Italy and Hong Kong were hosted by Toronto’s Royal York Hotel, and judged by local media celebrities such as Brian Linehan, Rita Zekas, Robin Ward and Marlene Oliver.

The Toronto Star, Toronto radio stations cfto-tv and CFRB 1010 supported the promotional aspects of the event.

For those who did not have close-range seating, Toronto radio station The Mix 99.9 simulcast the audio portion of the presentation.

With a classy twist to ‘follow the yellow-brick road,’ spectators were guided to the observation area by golden Benson and Hedges glass poster boards and helpful staff members of Ontario Place.

At 10 p.m. sharp each night, competitors lit up the sky by launching glorious displays of artistic pyro technology, from a 500-square-foot barge, set 1,000 feet from shore, bearing the Benson and Hedges logo in golden lights.

After five nights of heated competition, the prestigious Benson and Hedges gold trophy was captured by Italy, while the u.s. took the silver.

Do not miss the 1993 ‘Symphony of Fire,’ to be staged in Vancouver.

For more information, contact Wende Cartwright at (416) 530-0401, or Doug McPherson at (416) 442-3667.

Sand castle sponsorship

In an effort to promote Ile Notre-Dame, Montrealer Christian Plessis-Belair is seeking sponsorship for the second presentation of his most creative project, ‘Concours international de chateaux sable.’

The sandcastle building competition targets beach enthusiasts, adults aged 25-40 with children, and will attract more than 25 teams of sand architects, including 20 Quebec teams and at least six international teams from countries such as Italy, the u.s., Germany, Spain and the Dominican Republic.

Competitors will vie for prizes that range from $1,000 to a magical trip to Spain, with accommodation in a real castle.

Over the four-day period of June 6-7 and Aug. 8-9, the projected attendance at the competition is more than 30,000.

Potential sponsors have the options to buy into this event as a principal sponsor at a cost of $30,000, an official sponsor at a cost of $15,000, and on official supplier at a cost of $5,000 in products and/or services.

Organizers will also consider any other proposals that are mutually beneficial.

Marketing benefits will include creative and strategic signage, extensive media coverage and vip privileges at the event.

For more information, contact Christian Plessis-Belair by fax at (514) 393-3270.