Bundaberg Regional Council has entered into a three-year agreement with Sports Marketing Australia (SMA) to significantly boost the region’s capacity to attract major sporting, entertainment, cultural and conference events.
Approved in last week’s Ordinary Meeting, Mayor Helen Blackburn said the partnership positioned Bundaberg to take advantage of growing national and international interest in regional event destinations.
“Bundaberg has the facilities, the talent and the community spirit to support more high-profile events,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“This partnership will help us bring new opportunities to the region and strengthen our local economy.”
SMA, which partners with 64 Local Government Areas and tourism organisations across Australia and New Zealand, will work with Council to attract a broad range of national and state-level events, high-performance training camps, conferences and festivals.
SMA Director Jason Sleeman said the agreement would provide meaningful benefits for the Bundaberg Region.
“Engaging SMA to assist with event attraction will mean more events in the calendar that will benefit businesses and the general community of Bundaberg,” he said.
“The region’s strategic location, high quality facilities, proven track record hosting major events, good range and number of accommodation options, tourism attractions and within driving distance from key population centres of Brisbane and Sunshine Coast is what makes it such a great destination for hosting high-level events and training opportunities.”
Mr Sleeman also noted the opportunity ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
“SMA is seeing an increase in event owners who are wanting to hold events in Queensland leading into Brisbane 2032,” he said.
“There will be an opportunity between now and 2032 for regions such as Bundaberg to host more state and national events that are unable to be accommodated in these regions.
“SMA has also recently seen a dramatic increase in the number of international high performance training camps… we see this as a huge opportunity for regions such as Bundaberg that are a short drive or flight away from Brisbane to host international sporting teams and groups in the region and capitalise on the Olympic spirit and legacy outcomes that the Games will bring.”
Mayor Blackburn said Council looked forward to working closely with SMA as the partnership begins.
“This agreement will help elevate Bundaberg’s profile and bring valuable new events to our community,” she said.
More news: Sports club to expand parking
There are already a lot of regional QLD Councils signed up with these guys, so it makes one wonder how they represent Bundaberg’s interests under the agreement ahead of Rockhampton, or Gladstone, or Mackay, etc.
Also, why is the cost not divulged in the Council Minutes? Is it because the fee is not palatable to the average ratepayer?