Major Events Sponsorship Programme Lends Support to Six Events.

Six events from around the Coromandel will benefit from an extra $120,000 over the next two years thanks to the latest round of the Major Events Sponsorship Programme.

For the first time since our 2013 Events Strategy was adopted by the Council, the Economic Development Committee has had the opportunity to invest in Major Events longer than one year because funding was secured in our 2015 Long Term Plan.

"This gives event organisers more certainty to grow their events and to attract more corporate and community sponsorship because of Council's longer-term support," says our Council's Deputy Chief Executive Benjamin Day.

"There were 14 applications for Major Events Sponsorship and it's unfortunate that we can't fund everything," says Mr Day. "While we may not be able to provide financial support to all events we do help out in other areas with concessions, licences and permits as well as promotion and marketing, which our Regional Tourism Operator Destination Coromandel also supports."

This week our Economic Development Committee approved grants to help grow the following events:

1. ILLUME FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS will receive $25,000 over the next two years, $15,000 in 2015-2016 and $10,000 2016-2017, subject to a performance measure being achieved at the 2016 event. The Illume Festival has run for the past two years and is a free, family friendly event held in the first week of the July school holidays in Coromandel Town. Festival highlights include a night market, a street light parade, fireworks, live music, lanterns and entertainment for the children.

www.illumefest.co.nz

2. BRITS ON THE BEACH had $24,435 approved for the next two years, $12,000 in 2015-2016 and $10,000 in 2016-2017, subject to a 15% increase in participation in 2016. Celebrating all things British, this event runs from Thursday 8 October - Sunday 11 October from Whangamata, showcasing British cars, motorbikes, music and food.

www.britsatthebeach.co.nz

3. STEAM PUNK THE THAMEs receives $15,000 in 2015-2016 and $10,000 in 2016-2017, subject to a performance measure being achieved in the 2015 event. Held on November 13 - 15 2015Steam Punk the Thames is a new festival which will have an array of public Steam Punk art on display, a Steam Punk Circus, street carnival and freak show. This is a free event.

www.thecoromandel.com/new-zealand/events

4. THUNDER BEACH successfully obtained $10,000 2015-2016 and $7,000 in 2016-2017, subject to hitting 1000 riders in 2015. This is a Motorcycle New Zealand bikers' rally where riders tour the Coromandel loop, overnighting in Whitianga. Last year up to 300 riders participated in the event which is gaining in popularity.

http://shop.thunderbeach.co.nz/

5. MINDSPORTS FESTIVAL receives $15,000 in 2015-2016 and $10,000 in 2016-2017, subject to a 15% increase in participation in its 2016 event. Now running for two years the Mindsports Festival based out of Thames is an enticing week full of games and activities for all ages, celebrating our nation's love and interest in a large range of board and card games alike. Next year's event is planned for June.

http://mindsportsfestival.co.nz/

6. RISING CAN BEER FESTIVAl will receive $4000 in 2015-2016, subject to further detail being provided by the event organisers to Council staff. The Hot Water Brewing Company out of Whenuakite makes its own craft beer and this event gives you a chance to enjoy good food, good music and canned beer. The event is on Saturday 21 November and you can find out more detail at the following link

http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2015/rising-can-2015/hot-water-beach

A second round of the Major Events Sponsorship will open in September 2015.

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