Events revival pumps up city coffers

GEELONG has welcomed a $24.8 million boost to the local economy from events sponsored by the Geelong Major Events (GME) initiative.

The City of Greater Geelong said its 13 sponsored events from November 2021 until June 2022 supported the equivalent of 198 full-time jobs.

The events catalogue drew a combined 183,000 people, of which almost 60 per cent were from outside greater Geelong.

Last year’s Archie 100 exhibition at Geelong Gallery ($4.73 million), the Festival of Sails ($4.1 million), Geelong Revival Festival ($3.59 million) and the Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta ($2.35 million) were among the most profitable events in Geelong during the
reporting period.

Nine other events – including the Victorian Open golf tournament at Thirteenth Beach, Surround Sounds Geelong and the Bellarine Music Festival – also delivered a combined $10 million.

The strong result came despite a host of events being rescheduled or cancelled in the last financial year due to the pandemic, including White Night Geelong, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and Portarlington’s National Celtic Festival.

The city’s GME committee consists of councillors, city executive staff, tourism leaders and community members to attract and support major events in
Geelong.

It supported the $24.8 million windfall with $1 million of council funding.

GME chair Cr Ron Nelson said the figures showed a “reawakening” of the city’s events industry.

“GME’s support of event organisers through changing restrictions and its work to attract major national and international events continues to strengthen Greater Geelong’s reputation as a reliable and innovative events destination,” Cr Nelson said.

“GME is proud to have invested more than $1 million in sponsorship, with the success of these 13 major events leading to significant economic and reputational benefits for the region.”

Geelong mayor Peter Murrihy also congratulated the industry for delivering such a successful program despite challenges from COVID-19.