Hawke’s Bay To Get Regional Event Strategy

Venture Hawke’s Bay is developing a regional event strategy in partnership with Sport Hawke’s Bay and Hawke’s Bay Wine Country Tourism Association.

The purpose of the project is to review Hawke’s Bay’s activity in relation to the events sector and to develop an event strategy that delivers future economic growth to the region.

Venture Hawke’s Bay Regional Promotion and Marketing Manager, Michael Wan says “Supporting a coordinated stream of events is hugely important to the regional economy, attracting new visitors to the region and making the most of the tourism opportunities and the infrastructure we already have in place.”

Scheduled for completion at the end of September 2010, the strategy will include recommendations for its effective implementation, using a governance and operational structure with the best fit for Hawke’s Bay.

Peter Burley of Sport Guidance Ltd and Anne Hindson of Via Training Ltd have been contracted to assist with the development of the strategy.

Michael Wan says “Peter and Anne bring considerable experience to the table having developed similar strategies for other regions. It’s important to get a credible outcome that works for all of us.”

An extensive consultation process with regional stakeholders begins on 25 August 2010. This stakeholder group includes territorial local authorities, the accommodation sector, iwi groups, the sports sector and regional event managers. The views captured will be considered with external research to form the future direction for events in the region.

A regional workshop will take place in mid-September to test the direction with a wider group of stakeholders.

“The outcome will be a robust strategy that we hope will have regional buy-in and appeal, particularly for those making planning or investment decisions around events,” says Michael Wan.

Sport Hawke’s Bay Commercial Manager, Kevin Murphy says “It is exciting for the region to be creating an event strategy – something we have needed for a long time. It will be important to get an end result that unites the region for the benefit of growing the event sector in Hawke’s Bay.”

ENDS

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