This week our region participated in a statewide initiative by Tourism & Events Queensland (TEQ) to bring Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) and Local Government Authorities (LGA) together to discuss the new state Events Strategy and how our region can be as involved as possible. Capricorn Enterprise was thrilled to be able to host an excellent roundtable discussion with TEQ, RRC and LSC this week. The TEQ and Capricorn Events Strategy and Roundtable provided an opportunity for open discussion about the TEQ Homegrown events program as well as challenges that events are facing to grow or continue sustainably.
Key issues raised included increased cost of delivery of events (labour, freight, fuel, accommodation, security, traffic management and compliance), with ticket prices and sponsorship opportunities not necessarily keeping pace. Heavy reliance upon both Sponsors and Volunteers is also becoming more challenging, without which events are just not possible. The importance of production and technical traineeships to grow future skills for our region was also discussed as critical.
We also have amazing opportunities for our region’s future, particularly with sporting events, leaning on Queensland’s “State of Endurance” brand. Our regional events calendar is diverse and extremely busy particularly over the winter months, and we are grateful for a number of events receiving funding from TEQ. Capricorn Film Festival and CapriCon Pop Culture Convention receive Destination Signature Events funding, while Rockynats and Capricorn King of King Fishing Tournament receive Destination Significant Events funding for which we are most grateful. We need 1200 additional short term accommodation rooms in Rockhampton and Yeppoon to meet current and future demand by 2032 in our region, so if we can expedite this realisation, there will be no stopping us!
Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll was pleased to show our TEQ guests a number of regional events spaces including the Rockhampton Riverfront, Sporting Precinct, Showgrounds and Rowing course while discussing Beef27 and Brisbane32 Olympics and Paralympic Games. We also visited the Yeppoon Foreshore, Cooee Bay sporting precinct, Great Keppel Island and Capricorn Caves, which all play host to a number of events and festivals each year. A visit to Mount Archer Nurim Skywalk provided the perfect overview to their 36 hours visit in region before departing for Brisbane!
