Major and International Festivals and Events - Ottawa
October 26th - October 31st
This mission visited a destination/community that is known for its major festivals and special events as tourism generators. From the background work to the execution of these festivals and events, this destination is one that has excelled in all areas. This mission focused on topics such as partnership opportunities, marketing initiatives, effective communication between event organizers, successfully managing venues, recruiting talent, etc.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
· How to build major and international festivals and events as part of branding of city or community
· To visit a community/destination that has successfully built its tourism product around a festivals and events themed destination.
· To realize the potential of festivals and special events as an economic generator and how can the tourism industry capitalize on these opportunities
· How can a festival/event unify all tourism partners to strengthen the community and to increase the potential of the tourism industry and how to measure the economic impacts of a successful festival/event
· To learn about potential partnership opportunities surrounding festivals/events
· How to secure widespread media coverage through related events
· How to receive increased visibility through partnering and group marketing/integrated campaign initiatives
· How to tailor a community strategy to attract various markets to festivals/events
· How to benefit from website advertising and increased awareness amongst visitors and the local community
· To learn of the benefits of establishing a local festivals and events network
· How to create an effective networking environment for event members to operate more efficiently.
· How to raise the profile of festivals and special events in a particular region
· How to recruit and manage a volunteer base
· How to create a communication link between event organizers
· To learn marketing ideas for shoulder season festival and events
· How to promote a total experience within the area surrounding the festival (packaging with local businesses)
· To learn from other professionals and national events on ways to upgrade and improve our events
· Developing events that are unique and well-linked to local culture, history, environment, strong connection to place
This mission visited a destination/community that is known for its major festivals and special events as tourism generators. From the background work to the execution of these festivals and events, this destination is one that has excelled in all areas. This mission focused on topics such as partnership opportunities, marketing initiatives, effective communication between event organizers, successfully managing venues, recruiting talent, etc.
As a result of this mission, it is easy to see that there are a number of things I learned where we can and we will improve upon in regards of how we plan our event, our volunteers and incorporate things such as “greening” our events
The line-up of presenters was nothing short of impressive, with some of the best in their fields in the country sharing knowledge and offering insight into sponsorship, volunteers, festival sustainability and partnering with the greater tourism industry
Well the biggest thing I learned is that our goals and objectives are going in the right direction. Our festivals and events are some of the premier events in the country and we need to act that way as well.
As a division of the government that is both a funder and an event planner the Mission helped me to better understand the needs of Festivals and Events planners
