Editorial Scott Stevens Issue 477 Six thousand entrants for a first up event is a pretty good effort. The Queenstown Marathon is yet another signal to budding entrepreneurs that there is always another good idea to be had and Queenstown is the best place in the country to give those ideas a go. Choose to run these events at this time of year, and expect a lot of support from grateful businesses who really notice the lift in trade at an otherwise flat time. Despite the atrocious weather, the success of the Queenstown Marathon also acts as a signal to QLDC that further support of event tourism outside of peak holiday periods should be the priority, not necessarily investing tens of millions on a conference centre as a means to bridging the gap between peak seasons. My personal opinion is still in favour of a CBD conference centre, but not at any cost and significant ongoing risk to ratepayers. Like a kid who wants the flashiest new bike, the teenager who wants their first car and the guy like me who wants a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, some things you wish for until financial ability to fund such dreams force you to face reality. Such is life. Supporting events with financial and regulatory assistance is something QLDC can afford and are currently making a reasonable job of through their event funding scheme. Yes a few disappointments are still had, like missing out on being a host venue for the Cricket World Cup next year, and the loss of the National Rugby Sevens a few years ago. But more success than failure is a pass mark and word on the street tells me businesses across the spectrum from accommodation, to hospitality and adventure tourism have felt the positive effects large events like the recent Targa Rally of New Zealand and Queenstown Marathon have had during our traditional spring shoulder season. The key to the argument is to keep building a busy schedule of events in the shoulder season. The enthusiasm of locals wanes when a large event causes disruption at a peak time of year. It is hard enough to deal with peak congestion without event related issues. And the enthusiasm of business owners more than wanes, when events pull away from their cash registers existing holidaymakers rather than draw new people to town. When town is full like over New Year, what benefit to the wider business community does an event bring that actually pulls tens of thousands of dollars out of the local economy rather than pumping it in. Some advice for event entrepreneurs - chose your dates carefully. Off peak we are all behind you, in peak season however do not expect the same level of enthusiasm. lwb.co.nz
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 20:00:01 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015