International events expert coming to Toowoomba
Published Wednesday, 24 October, 2007 at 11:33 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
The Queensland Government is bringing an internationally-renowned regional events manager to Toowoomba to share his expertise, Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle announced today.
Ms Boyle, in Toowoomba today for the Queensland Wine Industry Association AGM at Preston Peak Winery, said the Queensland Government was bringing Paul Gudgin - the Director of the successful Edinburgh Festival – to speak at the South East Queensland Country Conference in Toowoomba in November.
“The Edinburgh Festival is recognised as one of the biggest and most successful regional events in the world, significantly boosting local and international visitation and spending every year,” Ms Boyle said.
“Mr Gudgin has run the Festival for the past eight years, so this will be a great opportunity to see what we can learn and adapt to suit events in regional Queensland.
“One of the best ways to attract new domestic and international visitors to a region is by holding a major event,” Ms Boyle said.
Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine said Toowoomba already had its wonderful Carnival of Flowers, which attracted about 100,000 people a year
“The SEQ Country Conference will be a great chance for event organisers, local government representatives and tourism operators to gather new ideas or ways to build on their current successes,” Mr Shine said.
“Speakers will outline best practice case studies on regional events, bundling projects, regional cuisine, business mentoring, and Visitor Information Centre networking,” Mr Shine said.
The conference will be held at Picnic Point, Toowoomba, on November 1.
It is an initiative of the Bligh Government, through Tourism Queensland and the five regional tourism organisations of South East Queensland Country.
“Since 2001, the Queensland Government has invested more than $7.8 million into more than 370 events through the Queensland Events Regional Development Program,” Ms Boyle said.
“This has created the most comprehensive portfolio of supported events of any state in Australia, including music, fishing, food, camel races, kite surfing and cultural celebrations,” she said.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2004
24 October 2007
Ms Boyle, in Toowoomba today for the Queensland Wine Industry Association AGM at Preston Peak Winery, said the Queensland Government was bringing Paul Gudgin - the Director of the successful Edinburgh Festival – to speak at the South East Queensland Country Conference in Toowoomba in November.
“The Edinburgh Festival is recognised as one of the biggest and most successful regional events in the world, significantly boosting local and international visitation and spending every year,” Ms Boyle said.
“Mr Gudgin has run the Festival for the past eight years, so this will be a great opportunity to see what we can learn and adapt to suit events in regional Queensland.
“One of the best ways to attract new domestic and international visitors to a region is by holding a major event,” Ms Boyle said.
Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine said Toowoomba already had its wonderful Carnival of Flowers, which attracted about 100,000 people a year
“The SEQ Country Conference will be a great chance for event organisers, local government representatives and tourism operators to gather new ideas or ways to build on their current successes,” Mr Shine said.
“Speakers will outline best practice case studies on regional events, bundling projects, regional cuisine, business mentoring, and Visitor Information Centre networking,” Mr Shine said.
The conference will be held at Picnic Point, Toowoomba, on November 1.
It is an initiative of the Bligh Government, through Tourism Queensland and the five regional tourism organisations of South East Queensland Country.
“Since 2001, the Queensland Government has invested more than $7.8 million into more than 370 events through the Queensland Events Regional Development Program,” Ms Boyle said.
“This has created the most comprehensive portfolio of supported events of any state in Australia, including music, fishing, food, camel races, kite surfing and cultural celebrations,” she said.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2004
24 October 2007