How can Australia’s regional events survive COVID-19?
Announcement posted by Tilma Group 19 Mar 2020
Australian events forced to cancel or postpone as public gatherings banned
Australians will lose forever some treasured, iconic events to bankruptcy
Event manager survey launched to measure impact of COVID-19 on events to inform government response and educate public
A survey of Australian regional event organisers has been launched to determine what support events need to bounce back following the current crisis around COVID-19.
Events make a significant contribution to local economies as important drivers of tourism, particularly in regional areas. University of Wollongong research indicates three-quarters of event attendees would not have gone to a destination if not for an event.
However, events are risky businesses, often earning all of their annual income on one weekend of the year. Events incur fixed costs whether they are held, cancelled or postponed. Because large gatherings have been banned to slow the spread of COVID-19, event organisers are abruptly in dire straits financially with enormous sunk costs. Some events will not survive the pandemic and will be lost forever to bankruptcy, which will have widespread economic and social impacts on many regional communities.
Regional tourism consultancy Tilma Group and event management training program rEVENTS Academy are jointly running a survey to ascertain what will support events to bounce back after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s devastating to see such widespread impact on the events and tourism sectors across regional Australia. While the immediate focus is on acting responsibly and playing our part in reducing the spread of this virus, it is critical that we start to look to the future and start planning how our regional events will bounce back post COVID-19. The last thing we want is to lose many great events that form the economic and social fabric of our regional communities,” commented regional event expert, Linda Tillman of Tilma Group.
The survey results will be used to inform and lobby government as well as to educate the public on the impact of events on the Australian economy. Many in the public are not aware of the significant costs involved in running a festival or event.
The survey can be taken by event organisers at bit.ly/CovidEventSurvey
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About Tilma Group
Tilma Group provides strategic tourism development planning support to local governments across regional Australia.
About rEVENTS Academy
rEVENTS Academy provides event management training to support the long-term viability of regional Australian events and festivals.