Skandia Geelong Week – On the right tack

by . on 16 Sep 2008 Organisers of Skandia Geelong Week were elated when the City of Greater Geelong released data showing Geelong Week produced an economic impact close to $11m.

According to council data the investment produced a return greater than 70:1. 'It is a phenomenal return on investment and clear evidence the community is benefitting greatly', a delighted Commodore of Royal Geelong Yacht Club Graeme Ritchie said.

'We are very pleased the City has made this information public. The expanded festival format has placed enormous pressure on our club and this statement goes a long way towards justifying the expansion', Ritchie continued.

The Australian National Anniversary Regatta, or ANA Weekend as it was affectionately known, was transformed into a maritime festival in 1996. Since then the burgeoning event has grown into the largest sailing regatta in the southern hemisphere.

In the past twelve months the host club and the appointed event management company, Rhumbline Marketing, have received major awards; including national industry awards for the Sporting Event of the Year and Festival Event of the Year.

The Event Coordinator and principal of Rhumbline Marketing, Doug Jarvis said the announcement could not have come at a better time. 'Data such as this provides council with the justification to invest. We desperately need to increase the berthing capacity in Geelong and it must be done as quickly as possible'.

Organisers believe Geelong Week produces other social and commercial benefits that should bolster the case for even greater investment. 'Economic return is only one scale of measurement. This is a passive event that generates an enormous amount of national and international publicity. We also do well when it comes to placing smiles on faces and engendering pride in our City' Jarvis said.

'We have had some tough times convincing parties that a sailing event can produce dividends for the wider community. Let’s hope this latest data helps our cause, because we need to lift our game when it comes to housing the visiting fleet' Jarvis added.