We need to get back in the events race
Ed-fest over Easter shows the value of worldclass acts. By Joanna Norris.
OPINION: When a city parties it says a great deal about the spirit and character of its people. This was demonstrated by Dunedin last weekend, as the southern city loudly – and with no sign of cringe – went Ed-over-heels.
Meanwhile, Warbirds zoomed over Wanaka, the Gold Coast is cranking into the Commonwealth Games, people flocked to Christchurch’s Hagley Park for the Black Caps test, and the Christchurch Casino Golden Oldies has begun.
This has sparked an important conversation in Christchurch about the role events will play in our future – as well as the conversation about the city’s priorities right now.
As the capital city of the South Island, our city needs to assert itself as the major events capital, attracting world-class artists and events and the social and economic benefits they bring.
We saw about 65,000 Ed Sheeran fans flock to Dunedin over the Easter long weekend, with an estimated economic impact of $34 million pouring into Dunedin’s shops, restaurants and bars as crowds revelled in Ed-mania.
Data from electronic payments company Paymark showed one of the biggest spikes in Easter retail spending was in Otago.
But Sheeran didn’t choose to play in Dunedin because he loves the city – a competitive bid sealed that deal. Suitable facilities were part of the package.
Christchurch people can benefit from the same energy, excitement and economic benefit – which leads to better support for our cafes, restaurants and shops – if we also bid for events and conferences that bring our city alive.
But it’s about more than just economic benefit. It’s also about what kind of city we want to live in and how we come together.
We have a great many important and urgent issues to address right now including ongoing road repairs, settlement of outstanding insurance claims and repairs and dealing with the mental health burden created by the quakes.
We must deal with these issues and wrap our care and resources around our most vulnerable, but we can at the same time create the right environments to enable people to celebrate, have fun and connect with one another and the city.
Events need to be bid for and planned several years in advance. Due in part to the obvious and pressing rebuild needs that have been in front of us, we are behind other cities.
Under-investment or a lack of ambition will significantly disadvantage Christchurch and our ability to become a major destination for the world-class headline gigs and events that enhance our city’s profile and directly shape our image as attractive in tourism, business and investment.
In order to set Christchurch on a path to vibrancy and exploration and to enjoy the same kind of economic return Dunedin has seen, we need to be bidding and planning now.
With Dunedin still basking in Ed-mania, Christchurch needs to get back in the race to host major events of national and global significance.
We know Christchurch has missed out on hosting many events that would have brought great things to our city and that needs to change. We deserve this.
As a city we are brave and ambitious; we’re not afraid to try new things and challenge the status quo. And as Christchurch’s city economic development and promotion agency, we at ChristchurchNZ want to do our very best for you.
Let’s talk about what kind of Christchurch we want. And what kind of events do we need to connect us and represent our spirit?
To enjoy the same kind of economic return Dunedin has seen, we need to be bidding and planning now.