NZAEP Events Update August 2015

EventsUpdate AUGUST 2015

editorial@nzaep.co.nz ­— New Zealand Association of Event Professionals, c/o P O Box 3798, Auckland 1140 ISSN 1179-3678 — Subscription is a member exclusive event — contact info@nzaep.co.nz for details

Event Awards dinner photo spread — See page 5

ETF15 Conference Summary — See page 7

Olympics insurance plans — See page 9

FROM THE CEO

Passion the Key Ingredient for Events Sector

Passionate: Definition: having, showing, or caused by strong feelings or beliefs.

Also – fervent, zealous, emotional, heartfelt, spirited, energetic, fanatical, consuming, uncontrollable.

There’s nothing like a conference and some gongs to make you feel energised and inspired, is there? After attending my first Eventing the Future Conference last month, and the NZAEP Event Awards dinner, there was one word that kept rising to the surface for me and reflected the achievement in our sector - passion.

Time and time again, when each presenter spoke or each recipient of an award gave their thoughts – there was an in-depth, entrenched, almost cult-like commitment to each of their events. I observed true passion for what we do - to ensure that events were not just successful, but made a

difference to people’s lives.

Which got me thinking NZAEP’s vision is to inspire a world class events industry - but what is the step-bystep plan, attributes and characteristics to achieve that vision? How will we know when we’re there and will it make a true difference to the future of events, our economy, our communities and the livability factor of residing in Godzone?

By every measure and at every level we can see shining examples of the New Zealand events industry delivering to an international standard and, in my opinion, already leading the world in many aspects. Look at the comments received from our recent hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race Auckland Stopover, The Cricket World Cup and FIFA U20 tournament for example. And look at the growth and impact on

New Zealand’s reputation that events like WOW, the Tremains Art Deco Weekend and Crankworx are making internationally.

The limited nature of funding in our market and a majority of resources in general, means our professionals are innovative in everything from how we approach sponsor engagement to fine tuning participant experience. Our relative isolation means we work harder to attract international attendees and often an individual commitment to get something up and running has meant personal financial stress.

So whilst we collate that list of attributes and start to form a plan to work with you on, know this –‘passion’ is absolutely key to our success.

And already having it in our events sector puts us streets ahead on the international stage.

Devorah Blumberg, Manager of NZ Major Events summed it up in her speech at the awards, “Whether it’s building an iconic New Zealand event from the ground up, or attracting iconic international events to our shores, the success of the New Zealand events sector comes down to hard-working, creative, entrepreneurial and doggedly determined people as yourselves.”

Congratulations to all of the NZAEP Event Award winners and finalists – simply putting up your event to be scrutinized and peerreviewed and seeing it rise to the surface, confirmed you have the right attitude to achieve your ultimate goal for greater success.

Vicki Watson CEO, NZAEP ●

Front Cover Photo: The coveted NZAEP Event Awards Events Update, August 2015

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NZ Major Events Development fund update Major Events Strategy vision: New Zealand is a worldclass events destination where major events generate economic, social and cultural benefits to New Zealand.

2015 has been and continues to be a busy year for New Zealand in terms of hosting international and homegrown major events. With the recent successful completion of two major international sporting events - the ICC Cricket World Cup and the FIFA U-20 World Cup - and the opening of home-grown major event, the fourth Audi Quattro Winter Games New Zealand later this month, it is a good time to contemplate on the reasons Government supports these and other major events.

No two events are alike and expectations of what is ‘major’ differ from one person to the next. Therefore, to guide its investment decision-making, the Government established a ‘major event’ definition. From the Government’s perspective, a major event is something that: • generates significant immediate and long-term economic, social and cultural benefits to New Zealand, • attracts significant numbers of international participants and spectators, • has a national profile outside of the region in which it is being run, and • generates significant international media coverage in markets of interest for tourism and business opportunities.

A number of sport and nonsport events are organised and delivered by the private sector without the need for Government involvement.

Events Update, August 2015

However, in some instances Government involvement is required to secure an event through a bidding process.

In others, Government investment helps generate greater amounts of wider benefits for New Zealand.

Ensuring that these benefits are realised to their full potential by accelerating and extending their impact is the main reason the Government invests in major events.

• Tourism revenue e.g. will attract international visitors and expenditure to New Zealand.

Through the Major Events Development Fund, a contestable fund administered on behalf of the Government by the New Zealand Major Events Team within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Government seeks to proactively attract, retain, grow and enhance major events. The Government invests in major events that generate significant immediate and long-term benefits and align with wider Government objectives through leverage and legacy opportunities. Since 2005, the Government has invested $77.5 million in 160 events.

• Increased participation in sports, arts or culture e.g. growth in participation and high achievement in event field.

In order to make the most of potential wider benefits from hosting a major event, central Government agencies work together with appropriate local Government agencies to ensure New Zealand stakeholders and businesses have opportunities to be involved in staging the event, as far as is made possible by hosting agreements.

Government seeks to meet key targeted outcomes so event organisers looking for investment will be required to show evidence that the event will significantly and measurably impact on the following areas in the immediate and long term:

• New Zealand brand promotion e.g. opportunity to showcase New Zealand through international media.

• Business and trade opportunities e.g. investment and export opportunities created.

• Increased employment opportunities e.g. short and long-term employment created by the event.

• National identity and pride e.g. opportunities to celebrate New Zealand culture and heritage and include local communities in event delivery.

• Event sector capability e.g. building additional event governance, management and delivery skills.

For more information about the Major Events Development Fund criteria and preferential consideration click here.

Even when publically things appear to have quietened down in the major events space, the New Zealand Government is hard at work behind the scenes fostering international relationships and signalling ambition to host future major events.

The Government utilises New Zealand’s good reputation internationally as a safe world-class events destination to promote New Zealand to the world.

Through international

promotion, including editorial advertising and the fostering of relationships with international bodies and organisations, the New Zealand Government actively encourages international organisations to consider New Zealand as an events destination and promotes home-grown events internationally.

“Our focus is not just on attracting international events, but also looking to build up New Zealand events that can offer significant tourism and trade benefits.”

Last but by no means least, our focus is not just on attracting international events, but also looking to build up New Zealand events that can offer significant tourism and trade benefits.

The New Zealand Golf Open is a good example of an event that celebrates the fact that business and golf go hand-in-hand in key Asian trade markets and through proactive business hosting, trade relationships can be built while showcasing the stunning landscapes of Queenstown to the world.

Successfully bidding for, hosting and developing events will continue to improve our reputation as a world-class events destination which will in turn enable us to continue to aim higher for international events and attract international visitors to our shores for events. This will allow us to continue to leverage off these events to achieve wider benefits for New Zealanders.

Devorah Blumberg Manager, New Zealand Major Events ●

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Awards honour New Zealand’s best events New Zealand event professionals are producing world-class events that are driving tourism and directly benefiting regions and boosting the national economy, if the winners of the New Zealand Association of Event Professionals Awards are anything to go by.

Held in Wellington on Wednesday, July 22, the awards recognised 10 of the country’s leading events and event professionals and celebrated industry excellence.

Spokesperson for the judges and CEO of Tourism New Zealand, Kevin Bowler, says the judges were impressed by the quality of New Zealand events.

“The economic and social impact of these events is phenomenal. They bring communities together, entertain hundreds of thousands of people, and drive national and international tourism.

Best Emerging Event

“Picking winners from such a strong talent pool was really tough.”

Best One Off Events Christchurch Stands Tall

Bowler judged the awards alongside Creative New Zealand’s Stephen Wainwright, award-winning journalist Amanda Millar, Brown Bread director Jo Blair and event consultant Chris Simpson.

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Wellington New Year’s Eve – Evening at the Movies Highly Commended Award for Best Emerging Event presented to: The Press Summer Starter Fun Run and Walk

Best Partnership for an Event The Partners Life DUAL Motutapu – Rangitoto Traverse Best Emerging Event Professional Lucy Ryan Best Established Community Event Balloons over Waikato

Best Established Regional Event Cemetery Circuit Best Event Professional Trina Tamati Best New Zealand Owned Major Event (two winners) Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines Best New Zealand Hosted Major Event Volvo Ocean Race Auckland Stopover Rae Finlay was recognised with a special Lifetime Achievement Award.

Register your event in 3 easy steps! volunteernet.org.nz Page 4

The 2015 NZAEP Event Awards Dinner, held Wednesday 22 July in Wellington.

Professor Gang-Hoan Jeong and Jason Cameron.

Jamie Fitzpatrick and the Total Sport Team (Aaron Carter, Nicola Carter, Mark Fordham, Kezia Trask, Vicki Fowler and Dave Franks), winners of the Best Partnership for an Event Award.

Jo Blair of Brown Bread and Denise Armstrong of Fairfax Media Events with the Highly Commended Award for Best Emerging Event (The Press Summer Starter Fun Run & Walk 2014).

Lucy Ryan, Winner of the Best Emerging Event Professional Award, with the Honorable Steven Joyce.

Martin Sneddon, joint winner of Best New Zealand Owned Major Event.

Events Update, August 2015

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Devorah Blumberg, Manager, New Zealand Major Events.

Jo Blair, Nick Davion, Lara Middleditch & Ash Lomberg.

Terri Van Schooten and Rae Finlay, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The 2015 CFEE Graduates: Kay Brake, Jason Cameron, Benjamin Hemi, Drew Naika, Andrew Hansen and Jodi PrestonThomas.

Helen Isbister of Creative New Zealand and Trina Tamati, winner Best Event Professional.

Some of the evening’s great entertainment.

Events Update, August 2015

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ETF15 Conference Summary – Day 1 It was so big that we have to break it into two stories over two Events Updates.

With over 200 delegates, the 2015 conference was the largest to date and included a wide mix of people from private event companies, charities, government departments, corporates, education, arts and sport organisations.

The 2015 Conference got off to a great start with Wellington City Council hosting the opening event which started with an exclusive tour of he moving Gallipoli: The Scale of our War exhibit in Te Papa.

Delegates had a private viewing of this exhibition, which was an important event in our history.

Wellington City Councillor, Paul Eagle, then welcomed guests to the networking part of the evening with a humorous overview, after which delegates mingled with steampunk characters, and were entertained by the electronica extraordinaire DJ -The Nomad and treated to sampling of Wellington’s famous craft beers.

Over 100 delegates attended the opening event, which

kicked off the following two days of conference with international and national presenters.

Peter Biggs in the opening keynote told us that events have come of age. In his wonderful delivery style, Peter talked about how “Events bring brands Alive!” through memorable experiences. Our role is to create an experience that is unique and memorable.

It’s important to have strong brand values and carry across the small and big things – across everything we do.

We are the most vulnerable when we are doing well! Peter challenged event organisers that we need to be continually developing and reshaping our events rather than bask in their success. Your event is most at risk when it is doing well – at that point we should be planning for the next phase.

Another challenge thrown out

by Peter was how we achieve brand recognition in the consciousness of customers when we are bombarded by 7000 messages a day and have the capacity of only retaining ten of them. Actions speak louder than words and events provide the experience

that they remember.

In his follow-up afternoon workshop Biggsy challenged the group to discover the “verb” for our events. This is the core of what the event is about (its purpose) described in a couple of words – quite a challenge.

Our international guest , Professor Gang-Hoan Jeong was next up giving insights into the different funding systems across the world where NZ sits in the centre with South Korean events 100% funded by government through to the USA with the majority corporate funded while NZ sits in between.

This funding shapes the events and the Professor took us through a journey of major events attracting large international audiences both in South Korea and across the globe.

The changing external environment and response across sectors was a key topic of discussion.

Increasing the links and working partnerships between Sport NZ, Creative NZ and Ministry of Arts & Culture was a move that received positive endorsement from the conference delegates.

Sport NZ’s Peter Cox shared examples of game changing partnerships where passion is important, not just the process.

We live in a time of increasing competition with event saturation, change in consumer behavior, oversubscribed funders, and more demands from investors.

Peter Biggs, Chair, WREDA

Events Update, August 2015

We all want the same things, which are to make a fair living, benefit people and communities, deliver excellent and growing events.

Some of the ways proposed included: • Convergence of partners • Audience and community commitment & utilize better • Special value – deliver at least one kind of benefit powerfully • Brand/purpose building • Events that energise (interesting stuff gets noticed) • Event design and strategic partnership more important Jude Chambers from Creative NZ talked about some of the activities that they are involved in on a global scale and how they are working with artists in the international space.

Case studies included Venice Biennale, New Zealand at Edinburgh, which talked about the programmes and the value to NZ in media generated and exposure of our tourism and culture.

Lessons from Events in New Zealand Dave Beeche – FIFA U-20 World Cup NZ 2015 talked about the goals of the event which were to: 1. Fill the stadia - 300,000 attendees 2. Create a social phenomenon – ethnic community support and travelling fans high, over 500 schools signed up to school programmes, 420 thousand Facebook followers/ 2.5m unique website visitors 3. Operational excellence highly positive feedback from FIFA team 11/10 4. Leave a legacy – achieved $5 million of new football infrastructure Lessons shared were focused

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around people management, working with an international organisation, working with partners combined with a number of management area learning’s.

Drew James & Emma Giesen of Cuba Dupa shared the lessons learnt from an event rebirth.

The vision for the new carnival is to be the most extraordinary, diverse, participatory and creative inner-city celebration in NZ. The launch of a new brand had to be brave and describe the event now, so they chose an upside down concept based around ‘turning things on its head’.

Key developments/learnings were; • Lobby by design to motivate upper Cuba St around road closures

• Reduction of external vendors – collaborated with Wellington on a Plate • Creating a different experience for everyone who attended depending on time of arrival • 5 key commissions around bands, music, dance, and opera.

• A short programme released 5-7 days prior to keep the content real and fresh.

Day 1 finished with short presentations from the winners of the 2014 NZAEP Event Awards showcasing the elements that make their events unique and successful.

A fascinating mix and focus made an interesting session particularly seeing the visual context of the events.

The ETF15 Team: Jeannie Dyer, Peter Burley and Anne Hindson.

Watch out for Day 2 summary in the next edition.

Peter Biggs, Chair, WREDA

Where can I get great Guidelines?

Over 850 volunteers ready and waiting... volunteernet.org.nz

Events Update, August 2015

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Olympics organisers release details of insurance plans SOURCE: NZ Herald, 24 July 2015 Leaders of Boston’s bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics released details Thursday about insurance proposals they say will provide unprecedented coverage for Massachusetts taxpayers.

The Boston 2024 bid committee released a document that described at least eight types of insurance it promises to purchase to minimise the risk to taxpayers in the event of unanticipated costs.

The private organisation has estimated the insurance will cost about $128 million, which it said it would pay for fully.

Items covered by the insurance policies include: -Events that are canceled due to unforeseeable occurrences like natural disasters, terrorism or labor strikes.

-Costs if the sponsor of a game is unable to meet its financial obligations.

-Costs for reduced ticket

NEWS BRIEFS Nelson Convention Planner now out The 2015-17 Trade Directory and Convention Planner is now available from Nelson Convention Bureau, providing an overview of the region and its three national parks, activities, venues, accommodation, transport and support services.

The Bureau has also just

Events Update, August 2015

sales and attendance if events become less appealing because a competing country drops out, impacting advertising or broadcast revenues.

But a local group opposed to the Olympics said the multi-layer insurance plan still would not protect taxpayers from overages if Boston 2024’s budget underestimates building costs or the scope of the planned projects changes over time.

Christopher Dempsey, co-chair of the No Boston Olympics group, said those have been the main drivers of overruns in previous games.

“Boston 2024 remains a risky plan for Massachusetts taxpayers,” he said.

Richard Davey, CEO of Boston 2024, said any hypothetical cost overruns would have to be dealt with by adjusting expenses elsewhere. He also noted other protections outlined Thursday.

Among them were requirements that contractors

released its updated Delegate Passport: the DL-sized publication promotes the services and activities most relevant for business visitors, and is used by conference location decision-makers, placed in delegate packs at the time of conferencing to drive attendees into local businesses, and encourages return additional business in the future.

Both the Planner and Delegate Passport are

and developers purchase insurance plans covering specific building projects, like the Olympic stadium, athlete’s village and other venues.

Also included were surety or performance bonds, which would guarantee a project will be finished in case the contractor defaults.

“This is not just about insurance,” Davey said. “It’s about a multi-risk mitigation package that’s one of the most extensive the Olympics have seen.”

Boston 2024 said it consulted insurance experts, including two companies that have worked on the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the NCAA Tournament, the Tour de France and other high-profile events.

The group plans to issue a request for proposals to insurance brokers by Aug. 1.

The issue of how taxpayers will be protected financially if the games go over budget has been a central concern to Olympics opponents.

Boston 2024 organizers have struggled to turn public opinion in their favor ahead of a critical Sept. 15 deadline for the U.S. Olympic Committee to officially submit a bid to the IOC. The insurance proposal was released hours before Boston 2024 leaders were set to square off Thursday night against No Boston Olympics representatives in a primetime televised debate.

The release also followed controversy Wednesday over the group’s reluctance to reveal at least two chapters of its original submission to the USOC. Boston 2024 said it would release a full version of the proposal early next week, after Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh and City Council members publicly called on the privately-funded group to release the information, which opponents say includes critical financial details impacting taxpayers. ●

available in electronic pdf, downloadable from the Nelson Tasman Tourism website – www.nelsonNZ.com – or available in hardcopy on request – assistant@nelsonnz.com.

In the latest issue of Equine Disease Quarterly, Meteorologist Matt Dixon and equine specialist Roberta Dwyer stated the dangers of sitting upon a metal-shod horse during a lightning storm.

Horse events to have lightning plan

The pair encouraged all equine events to develop and communicate a severe weather plan to avert the risks to animals and people.

Equestrian event organisers are being urged to consider the risks posed by thunder storms in their safety planning.

Read more here.

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Christchurch Marathon: Workshop addresses traffic issues

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The 35th running of the Christchurch Marathon event, and its return to the central city, was the subject of many complaints from members of the public. CREDIT: Joseph Johnson SOURCE: Excerpts from The Press, 2 June 2015 A successful workshop involving key stakeholders was commissioned after the Christchurch Marathon’s return to the central city was marred by traffic chaos.

Several hospital staff, ambulances, patients and a woman in labour were among those stuck at an intersection near Christchurch Hospital for up to an hour during the marathon, as race marshals refused to interfere with the steady stream of runners.

Traffic across the central city was brought to a standstill during the event.

A 4-hour workshop, commissioned after the high number of complaints, took place on Thursday. It involved Ballantynes, the Canterbury District Health Board, St John, police, the city council’s events team, Christchurch Transport Operations Centre (CTOC), Environment Canterbury and the marathon’s temporary traffic management provider.

CDHB executive director of

Events Update, August 2015

nursing Mary Gordon said the workshop was “very useful and well organised”.

The CDHB aired their concerns that congestion around the hospital had “significant impacts on health staff as well as potentially life-threatening consequences for the public trying to access the hospital in an emergency”.

As a result, the CDHB has asked planning for next year’s marathon to begin now, and a final route be decided and signed off by September.

Gordon said the DHB would not agree to “any route that potentially affects access to the hospital or if actions points from the workshop aren’t actioned”.

CTOC manager Ryan Cooney said feedback from about 30 phone interviews and emails were reviewed and a “programme of prioritised actions developed”.

Several recommendations had been made including the development of event delivery and risk management

processes, the activation of an operations centre for events considered “high risk”, and the earlier organisation of a draft route.

The training and briefing of course marshals was recommended to be “thoroughly investigated”.

St Johns spokesman Ian Henderson said the meeting was “positive and a good opportunity to share our concerns and views with all parties involved”.

“We feel our concerns were taken on board, including concerns we had about access to the hospital for our ambulances in emergency situations.”

Race director Chris Cox said the workshop was an “excellent session and facilitated very well”.

All key stakeholders wanted to work together to ensure the marathon stayed in the city, he said.

“Of course we need to review the section of the course that includes the hospital,” Cox said.

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Hawke’s Bay winter food …While more winter event paying off… events are needed for SOURCE: Hawke’s Bay Today, 22 July 2015 Gisborne tourism SOURCE: GisborneHerald.co.nz, 15 July 2015

HB Tourism general manager Annie Dundas is happy with the growth of F.A.W.C! CREDIT: Hawke’s Bay Today Winter F.A.W.C! is proving a nice little money earner for the region during quiet, cooler months.

exact figures on how many flocked from out of town, but it was clear numbers were steadily growing.

The event, which featured 50 individual offerings for four weekends in June, made a total of $235,000, according to figures compiled by Hawke’s Bay Tourism.

“We are happy, it’s just building, which is really nice. There’s not much on in June so it gives Hawke’s Bay a chance to stand out,” Ms Dundas says.

Ticket sales were “well up”, reaching 3458 “ almost double the previous year and 87 per cent of the total available not including F.A.W.C! by 5 offerings - showing more people were savouring unique wine and food experiences.

“Twenty per cent of locals bought tickets from outside Hawke’s Bay, 25 per cent of locals bought tickets for visiting friends or family. Those statistics are about the same as last year, but you have to remember there are more people coming.”

A new survey revealed an impressive 81 per cent of visitors stayed for two nights or more - 29 per cent in hotels, 19 per cent in self-contained units and 19 per cent in motels.

Organisers were now looking ahead to a F.A.W.C! summer series from November 6 to 15 - with a bulked up programme and some exciting new prospects.

“That’s 67 per cent of people who stayed paying for accommodation,” HB Tourism general manager Annie Dundas said, “and 97 per cent of attendees ranked events excellent or good, which is also great news.”

People could expect a change to the opening, return of some old favourite chefs, as well as a few new faces.

There were fairly even numbers of people buying tickets across all age ranges and 27 per cent paid between $100 and $300 for events.

It was difficult to determine

Events Update, August 2015

The free Electrolux kitchen will open its doors again at Napier’s MTG, with some extra surprises in store, and Cranford Hospice will benefit from the Charity Wine Auction.

A full programme should be available within the month.

-For more, visit fawc.co.nz

GISBORNE needs more off-peak events if it is to stop losing winter tourists to neighbouring Hawke’s Bay, new statistics suggest.

However, the region’s spending on marketing was overshadowed by the “huge sums” spent by neighbouring regions.

Statistics New Zealand figures released this week show the number of guest nights in Gisborne fell by 3.7 percent.

Mr Perry said the recent announcement that Hawke’s Bay Regional Council would give an additional $900,000 on top of the current $850,000 for tourism marketing was an indication of how seriously they took tourism as a key to regional growth.

Hawke’s Bay saw a massive 20.4 percent year-on-year rise and Tourism Eastland chief executive Stuart Perry said while each year numbers continued to rise, more effort was needed to attract visitors here in the quieter months.

“While the annual visitor flows into the region remain on a steady increase, the drop in numbers in the winter months reinforces the need to keep our foot on the accelerator.”

“The 8.6 percent growth over the year was encouraging but the 3.7 percent drop in May shows we have to focus on these quieter months. Event tourism can play a key role in that.

“We have to be more adventurous in our marketing to build up these shoulder seasons and keep the industry viable during the quieter months.

That can be done by introducing more sporting events such as the Motu Special mountain bike race in August — a good example of an event that can be run off-season.

“The strong performance in the Bay reflects that marketing spend and the same applies to Rotorua where their marketing spend is reflected in a 20 percent increase.

“If Gisborne, Opotiki and the East Coast are to be heard above the noise of massive campaign spending from Taupo, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty and Waikato, as well as Hawke’s Bay, then we will have to make greater commitment to the tourism spend.”

Although Gisborne District Council last month agreed to provide $50,000 to jointly promote the Wellington to Gisborne air route with Air New Zealand was “excellent”, it fell “well short” of the funding needed for serious competitive regional marketing activity.

“However, the key is a greater commitment to regional marketing so the East Coast is constantly at the forefront of the domestic and international visitor’s mind.”

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ASB Auckland Marathon motivates

Pasifika Festival returning to Western Springs

SOURCE: ASB Auckland Marathon, 29 July 2015

SOURCE: NZ Herald, 22 July 2015

The forthcoming ASB Auckland Marathon will attract thousands of enthusiastic runners all with a different story to tell and countless motivations to take to the start line. Take Alan Phillips, for example.

Set to compete in his eighth successive Auckland Marathon, the 53-year-old real estate agent has long supported the event since he arrived from his native South Africa to live in the city more than a decade ago.

However, despite his longstanding backing of the iconic race, “a number of bad choices” has seen his weight balloon to 130kg and earlier this year he received a stark health warning.

“Doctors said I had high cholesterol levels and that I was heart attack material,” admits Alan. “It was a big wake up call.”

To counter his obesity issues he started working with a nutritionist and in an effort to improve his fitness ahead of the 2015 edition of the ASB Auckland Marathon he set himself the goal of completing the gruelling six-day 250km Gobi Desert March earlier this year.

Competing in extremes of temperature which fluctuated

between -8c and 45c, Alan admits finishing the endurance-sapping challenge was “the hardest thing I’ve ever done” but it also enabled the father-of-two to shed 27kg.

Alan, who finished last year’s ASB Auckland Marathon in a fraction under seven hours, is like a man re-born. Fitter and healthier than for many years and now weighing 103kg he is relishing the prospect of competing in his favourite marathon on November 1, where he has set himself an ambitious goal.

“I’m hoping to do a cracking time for this year’s race,” he adds. “I’m thinking around 4:15.”

Yet why does the event hold so much appeal?

“To run over the Harbour Bridge is quite special,” he adds.

“The support you get from the course is amazing and if you are going to run a marathon in New Zealand, it is the event to enter.”

The ASB Auckland Marathon takes place on Nov 1 from 6am.

The half-marathon starts at 6.50am with the 12km Traverse at 9am. The Heart Foundation 5km Challenge begins at 10am with the 2km Kids Marathon at 11am. Entry details at www.aucklandmarathon.co.nz

Alan Phillips completing the six-day 250km Gobi Desert March earlier this year Events Update, August 2015

Cook Islands dancers during the Pasifika Festival held at Hayman Park, Manukau in 2015.

CREDIT: Peter Meecham Auckland’s Pasifika Festival is returning to Western Springs next year, after this year’s event was moved to South Auckland for the first time.

The festival, which celebrated its 23rd birthday in March, was forced out of its usual venue due to restrictions placed in the Queensland fruit fly emergency in the area at the time.

The event was taken to Hayman Park, in Manukau, and proved to be hugely popular still - with many locals later gunning for the event to stay in South Auckland, where there is a large Pacific population.

Auckland Council has released a statement today saying the festival’s return to Western Springs was based on feedback and recommendations made to the council’s arts, culture and events committee, as well as the Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (Ateed) group.

“Our recommendation for the festival to return to Western Springs Park is based on feedback from the Pacific Island community via the Pacific People’s Advisory Panel and the Pasifika Village Coordinators,” Ateed communications manager Charmaine Ngarimu said.

The council said it will continue talks with Pacific community leaders, including the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board’s chairman, Fa’anana Efeso Collins, who earlier this year rallied for the festival to remain in South Auckland.

“Obviously I would have liked to see Pasifika stay in the south,” Mr Collins said.

“But now I’m focused on working with the Pacific Island community to have input into the direction of the festival and I look forward to being involved, on behalf of the community, in the longterm future of Pasifika.’’

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Queen Charlotte Classic to race new course in 2015 and beyond SOURCE: Stuff.co.nz, 22 July 2015 The Queen Charlotte Classic has seen several changes over its lifetime and in 2015, its 22nd year, it will evolve once again, moving from a multisport race to a running and swimming event.

The new concept will be part of a transition period for the popular Marlborough Soundsbased race, with Blenheim companies Top of the South Events and Go Marlborough to take over running the event in 2016 from previous organiser Peter Yarrell.

In 2015, as it has been since 2007, the race will be held in the Marlborough Sounds. It will feature a 21km run from Tirimoana, near Anakiwa, to Lochmara Lodge and a 500m swim across Lochmara Bay. That is a departure from the run, cycle and kayak concept which has been the norm since the event relocated from Christchurch nine years ago.

“Competitors love new adventures and fresh challenges,” Yarrell said this week. “The Classic Lochmara Lodge half-marathon will be a true off-road event.”

Yarrell had planned for 2014 to be his final year in charge of the Classic, but to aid the handover to the new race organisers and give the event some continuity he will again take control in 2015, with the help of Duncan McKenzie of Go Marlborough and Pete Halligan of Top of the South Events.

The pair are planning further changes to the Classic from 2016, according to Halligan.

“We are going to use the Marlborough Sounds,

Events Update, August 2015

which is the best adventure playground on the planet,” Halligan said.

“There will be a standard option for those to enter, where they will know exactly what they are doing and where they will be going … then there will be a part where competitors will know the distance, but they will not know the course until the day before racing. A rogaine-type adventure race.”

That will not happen until 2016 though, at which time Yarrell will be able to turn his attentions to the Tour of New Zealand cycle race, a biennial event to be staged next in 2017. He also hopes to hold a marathon and mountain bike race-weekend on the proposed Link Pathway between Havelock and Picton upon the path’s completion.

He anticipates that will be some years off though, perhaps not until 2018.

This year the Classic race will include a section of that pathway, which has already been constructed, approximately 2km at Tirimoana. That is where the race begins and from there competitors will race the Queen Charlotte Track through Davies Bay, past Mistletoe Bay to Lochmara Lodge, where the Queen Charlotte Classic has started from in recent years.

“The trail for this halfmarathon in stunning,” Yarrell said. “Birdsong, beech trees, bays and 100 percent pure New Zealand with the feel of a Fijian resort when you finish at the Lochmara Lodge.”

Lochmara Lodge owners Shayne Olsen and Louise Bright discuss details of the revamped Queen Charlotte Classic multisport race with organiser Peter Yarrell, right, at the Sounds resort.

The runners will have the option to swim the 500m harbour leg, a separate race that will also include some competitors who enter the swimming portion solely.

As in previous years, competitors will be transported via boat from Picton to the start line in the morning and will be returned

in the same fashion in the afternoon. Entry will be lmited to 150 runners, opening from August 1 on the Queen Charlotte Classic website.

Since the race’s inception Yarrell has been the organiser of the Queen Charlotte Classic, which has raised over $200,000 for charities and community groups.

Big cost increase for Lower Hutt’s Town Hall and Events Centre SOURCE: Excerpts from the Dominion Post 16 July 2015.

The cost of upgrading Lower Hutt’s Town Hall and Events Centre has increased by as much as $2.9 million.

Consultants unveiled the price hike at a hastily convened meeting on Wednesday July 15.

Councillors were told the $17.6 million facility could now cost as much as $20.5 million.

The increase results from geotechnical work which found ground, under the Town Hall, is unstable and will require

extensive piling. Other cost increases involve a new Town Hall roof and design changes.

It was initially planned to open the building as early as May 2016 but it will now open in early 2017.

The politicians were told that the increase of $2.9 million was a worst case scenario and a range of potential savings could reduce the figure.

Councillors will receive a detailed report on the cost increase at their next meeting on July 28.

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Public transport integral to Major Events Planning Jim Scott, Editor of the Bus and Coach Association’s Circular magazine takes and in-depth look at the impact of public transport on both major events and on-going public transport patronage.

For the Rolling Stones concert in Auckland last year I took the train there and the bus back. Both were truly positive experiences and a billion times better, quicker and more convenient than driving.

Everyone on the train and bus was in a good mood, and it was obvious that a number of people were using a mode of transport they did not normally use.

It made me realise that, if done right, special event transport can be a great advertisement and promotion for the use of public transport.

Auckland Transport special events operations manager, Logan Christian, says AT believes that providing a positive experience on special event transport could lead to those patrons regularly using public transport in the future (for work etc).

Environment Canterbury’s public transport manager David Stenhouse agrees.

“Events are a great way of attracting customers to public transport. People who don’t generally use public transport tend to take buses to an event because of the convenience, and realise that they are a good way to get around.

“Public transport,” he says, “is very important in the running of larger events. Environment Canterbury primarily focuses on park and ride type services to larger events which means reduced traffic outside the event venue and mitigates the need for people to have to find car parking which is often very difficult to find. Christchurch’s public transport is very well utilised for larger events.”

For Greater Wellington Regional Council “great” public transport is crucial for events in Wellington. “Without it”, says Greater Wellington Regional Council spokeswoman Philippa Lagan, “the city would be gridlocked. The trains are vital for people coming in from other parts of the region and the buses are essential

for people coming from Wellington City.

“People in the Wellington region are big users of public transport for major events – during the Rugby World Cup back in 2011, where Wellington hosted some of the quarter finals, record numbers of people caught the train to these matches. There’s an increasing expectation among Wellingtonians that extra public transport will be provided for major events.”

Waikato Regional Council’s public transport operations manager, Andrew Wilson, says the Waikato Regional Council supports a range of special events through the provision of public transport services. The largest of these is the annual Balloons Over Waikato Night Glow which attracts more than 80,000 attendees.

“For the Night Glow, we provide a comprehensive park and ride service, with more than 13,000 passengers carried on the night. Due to our close working relationship with the event organisers, operator Go Bus, and traffic management planners, bus passengers often experience a quicker and more hassle-free journey than attendees who drive to and from the event.

“Supporting such public events enables increased accessibility and can minimise the impact of congestion caused by the movement of large numbers of attendees.

Public transport operations were critical to Auckland’s 2011 Rugby World Cup planning.

Events Update, August 2015

“Services to special events also provide us with broader opportunities for marketing our public transport network, as well as exposing potential non-users to the benefits of public transport use.”

In Hamilton, he says, event public transport is well supported and it’s great to receive positive feedback from users, many of whom have never used a bus in the city before.

Speaking generally, Auckland based Go Bus business development director Russell Turnbull agrees that special event transport does provide an opportunity for people to try public transport and when it runs smoothly can be a good marketing tool. A major tournament with very strong messaging, he says, seems to be the catalyst for higher usage of public transport.

During the 2011 Rugby World Cup Go Bus mainly provided services in Hamilton, but he says, it was the use of public transport in Auckland that caught the public eye. “The Rugby World Cup in 2011 was clearly the catalyst for a significant uplift in usage of public transport to Eden Park and after the difficulties of the opening night were sorted, usage of public transport to major events at this venue has increased steadily to over 47 per cent of all attendees for some events.

“But,” he says “unfortunately these major events can also be a source of major risk of delay or failure and therefore be a major turnoff. Failures of the train service on the opening night of the Rugby World Cup was detrimental to the objective of promoting public transport. Usage of public transport for special events where customers are encouraged to catch normally scheduled bus services or trains on normal lines will have a greater spin-off than where the public transport is running to areas or along routes that would never normally have public transport.”

Clearly, says Turnbull, each event will have its own needs

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but any big events where parking is at a premium, or access difficult, creates a more favourable environment for the success of public transport.

“The anchoring of the public transport system to the likes of Britomart in Auckland CBD provides both a destination and greater certainty of use, which improves the overall attractiveness of the product.

Go Bus’ experience from special event transport, he says, is that it takes a number of years to build up the usage of public transport. And in many cases the public have taken the usage on. Park and Ride is a good example, he says, of where it has worked successfully for Fieldays and Rowing World Cup. “Buses provide great flexibility to increase and decrease capacity as required and to make detours as required.

Buses also provide greater boarding point choice meaning more options for traffic management around big events. But because buses mix with other traffic they also need priority over general traffic to make them an attractive proposition.”

According to Turnbull, public transport at major events will only improve if bus priority is improved. “If you provide public transport but not give it any advantage over the other forms of transport you are trying to dissuade, there is not much point. Provision of bus lanes, preferential access for patrons to the stadium and preferential traffic management will make the special event public transport product more effective and attractive to use for future repeat journeys.”

Pacific Tourways company manager Paul Williams agrees that public transport is imperative to the smooth

Events Update, August 2015

running and overall experience with major events. But he agrees with Turnbull that it has to be well ‘messaged’. “The event organiser, or local body authority,” says Williams, “who is arranging the transport needs to get very clear messages out to the public early enough so they can plan their travel. In Auckland there seems to be lack of notice so people aren’t sure when, where, or if it is even running at times.”

An event isn’t going to be successful, according to Tranzit marketing manager Jenna Snelgrove, if it is not accessible – and public transport is a part of the whole experience from beginning to end.

Jenna Snelgrove says it is important that all parties involved cooperate to make a successful event. “Where possible it is crucial that we interconnect with rail and work with partners to make the whole package work.”

That cooperative element is crucial, she says, because if it is not there, things don’t go to plan. “Cooperation between all services is necessary.

Usually large events engage thousands of people, and when people have to queue to travel or travel on vehicles that are loaded to the maximum – the experience may not always be positive and confirms to those people the negative stereotype image of public transport.”

Philippa Lagan agrees that cooperation is essential.

“Issues have arisen with past events about the expectations of event organisers and the attendees for extra public transport for special events.

Often this is left up to the transport stakeholders to decide and manage although they are often not directly involved in the organisation of the event. In future we will

Public transport operations were critical to Auckland’s 2011 Rugby World Cup planning. ensure we have clear guidance and direction from the event organisers about what their expectations are and what the expectations are of their attendees.”

During the planning of the Anzac centennial events, she says, it was evident that transport was a key component and that multiple transport stakeholders were required to ensure these events ran smoothly. A transport stakeholder group was formed, comprising representatives from the key transport stakeholders. Their joint role was to ensure the transport component of the events was successful. Lagan believes the good planning of public transport for the 100th Anzac Day commemorations in Wellington this year contributed to the overall success of the weekend events. “On the Friday before Anzac Day, extra train capacity was provided for people coming in for the parade through the city. Clearly, the street closures for the parade meant there were major disruptions to bus services through central Wellington.

Very careful planning and effective inter-agency

coordination ensured people were aware of the disruptions and alternative routes, making the day a real success.”

She says a transport stakeholder group will now carry on the same role for future planned and unplanned events in the Wellington region.

Planning is pivotal not only to ensuring the effective provision of public transport services, but also to the success of the event. In the case of larger events they are impossible without a cohesive public transport plan. “The Rugby World Cup was a classic case where public transport, and in particular buses, made the event successful,” says Jenna Snelgrove. “In Auckland public transport to and from city to Mt Smart Stadium for concerts is hugely successful.

They have specific bus lanes to the stadium – with approval from Police and the Transport Agency – and coordinated collaboration makes it possible that in just 20 minutes you are at the door.”

And, for me and the Rolling Stones concert, that is exactly how long it took! ●

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