Audi Victoria Week handed over to new event management team

by Jeni Bone on 17 Aug 2010 It is the end of an era as the 15-year veteran event management team of Audi Victoria Week, Doug Jarvis from Rhumbline Marketing, credited with growing the traditional meet from a humble regatta to the one of the state’s Top five major events, is replaced by a new company.

Says Jarvis: 'On July 30 Rhumbline made application for early disengagement. Royal Geelong Yacht Club subsequently granted permission and an amicable settlement was finalized on August 12'.

The partnership began in 1996, when Jarvis says 'Rhumbline tabled a grandiose plan for expansion of the annual regatta'.

'We had the vision of creating the excitement and community event of the scale of the Melbourne Cup. That attracts 400,000 people, nobody knows anything about horses or racing, they go for the festivities and the atmosphere. We wanted to create that atmosphere and inspire people to wander through the marina and marvel, and dream. The event really achieves the aim of bringing sailing to the city.'

Jarvis says that while there is 'a degree of sadness' to his decision, he is leaving with a smile on his face. 'We have had so many achievements over the past 15 years. The event contributes $10m in economic impact to the community and attracts more than 100,000 people. We wanted to show sailing that our sport can make a difference and involve many people beyond its participants. People of all walks of life can embrace it.'

Above all, Jarvis says he is thrilled with the event’s position in the global market. 'It is highly respected, which is a credit to everybody involved, so many people who have given so much over the years.'

Jarvis cites the comments by Dave Ullman, five times World Champion and twice Rolex International Yachtsman of the Year, who said of the 2010 event: 'This is now one of the greatest sailing events in the world'.

'That means more than anything else we’ve achieved along on the way. He came to this year’s event and was gobsmacked by it! He said: ‘There ain’t nothing half as good or half as big in the US’. And that’s from a respected and seasoned sailor who has seen everything the world has to offer.'

Over the years there were plenty of challenges and assorted low points, admits Jarvis. 'The main hurdle is the burden of responsibility of raising the money you need to run an event of this caliber. Then there’s the effort, the time invested. You have to be totally focused to the point of ignoring everything else around you. I haven’t had a family Christmas for a long time. My family deserves me this Christmas.'

Jarvis is adamant that nothing tipped the scale, 'it was just time to move on'.

'It’s all about passion. I genuinely think we have given our all to the event and I will have passion for many more things in the future. There are thousands of things out there.'

In the company’s statement, Jarvis and Rhumbline thanked past and present RGYC committees 'for the opportunity to mastermind and coordinate the regatta'.

'In particular we acknowledge the unwavering support of the current Chairman, Andrew Neilson.'

'We thank the generous sponsors and event partners for sharing our vision. We thank the competitors and patrons for their tremendous support. Above all we thank the incredible team of dedicated people who have played their respective roles in delivering the multi-award winning regatta.

'It has been a memorable voyage. We will forever cherish the experience and the lifelong friendships that have been developed along the way.

'The event has been around for 166 years – with your continued support it should be around for at least another century or so.'

Phil Clohesy, General Manager RGYC, emphasises that the Club has been thoroughly satisfied with the performance and achievements of Rhumbline over the past 15 years. 'We really appreciate what Doug has created. It is a massive event and one of the Top 5 in the state. The parting is amicable and seamless.'

In fact, at midday today, Clohesy is meeting with a new event coordinator, which he states is 'experienced in event management and is particularly, strongly-connected to Rhumbline and Audi Victoria Week'.

'I am meeting with them today, with the full endorsement of Doug Jarvis. This is not something the Club could hope to run ourselves. We just don’t have the resources. Our aim is bring on those experts who do to maintain the event’s quality, diversity and connectedness to the community for the short term, then we will be working on a plan to expand and evolve the event. There is scope in the future to have even greater community involvement.'

The new management group will be announced in the next few days, says Clohesy, subject to discussions today.

More at www.victoriaweek.com.au