Exploring the Event Industry's Role in Sydney's Regional Development

This essay explores the intricate relationship between the event industry and regional development in Sydney, focusing on the economic, social, and environmental impacts of various events. It examines key events like Mardi Gras, Sydney Harbor Regatta, and the Sydney Royal Easter Show, highlighting their contributions to the regional economy, cultural enrichment, and environmental awareness. The essay also discusses the importance of balancing economic benefits with the need to maintain the original objectives of the events, ensuring community involvement and long-term positive regional development outcomes. Furthermore, it addresses the growth of the special event sector in Australia since World War II and the potential exaggeration of economic benefits to secure government funding, emphasizing the need for a well-devised framework for event management.

Relationship between Event Industry and
Regional Development in Sydney

According to Luonila and Johansson (2015), tourism and major event agencies are enhancing the
State’s economy through securing major events and attracting no. of visitors to Sydney. The
present essay is focused on amalgamating the economic, social and environmental form of
evaluation into one framework regarding the events of Sydney. Moreover, the manner in which
significant international exposure is provided to the county which hosts international events and
reaps the advantage of perceived monetary awards.
Main Events in Sydney and its impact on regional economic development
It has been confirmed by CEO Business Events Sydney that regional NSW is attaining economic
benefits from global events. The international caving community is holding the 17th International
Conference of Speleology in this week as part of which explores the Blue Mountains.There are
many events held in Sydney to cater to the requirement of regional, economic and cultural
development of the city. The main events of the area are-
Mardi Grass- the Mardi Gras event is always Colorful and cheerful, characterized by an
optimistic and party like mood, and the Liverpool Street is one of the best vantage points of the
city in this event, and same provide jobs to local people. Funding and sponsorship of the event
come from local government, private business and entrepreneurs.The event is conducted to
restore the classic beauty of the area by giving the message of preservation of natural beauty
which supports environmental development.
Sydney Harbor Regatta- the event is very much similar to the yacht race from Sydney to Hobart
that begins on any day of boxing in any given calendar year. The Sydney Harbors Regatta is held
in March every year and is an iconic event in the area. The regatta event showcases
approximately more than 300 yachts with an average of 2500 yacht crew. It is the main source of
income for local people living there as many people living in nearby places earn excess income
from tourist and visitors to the event. The same leads to economic sustainability in the life of
people living there.
Sydney Royal Easter Show- a few years ago the Sydney Royal Easter Show was discontinued
from the Moore Park at one stage. However the show was relocated to Sydney Olympic Park.
The show was welcomed in the city and was embraced by the residents of the area. The event
offers the Great animal show, along with a different range of showbags. (Destination NSW.
Events. 2017)

Relationship between Economic Development and Event Industry in Sydney
The events industry in Australia offers significant economic benefits to Sydney. Every event
generates a strong tourist yield, given the fact that any event leads to the high daily expenditure
of participants. According to the views of Rogers and Davidson (2015), the contribution of
events in business is much more than tourism expenditure. Apart from the tourism benefits,
events also have wide and enduring benefits related to employment and industry development.
Events help many companies operating in the area to deliver their goals; launching new ideas,
identifying festival trends, and equipping people to meet the challenges. Festivals and events add
to the well being of the community in a number of ways; this ranges from creating and
enhancing the sense of nationalism which further contributes to recognition of social identity
among people and provides various other opportunities for building relationships and networks
that generate social capital. It can also be suggested that community involvement in festivals and
events support learning and skills development which contribute to increase the community
capacity as well as enhancing economic development. Many events are held just to imbibe the
culture of the area for generations to come.
Role of Events/ Festivals in regional, environmental and cultural development
Regional Development
The relationship between event industry and regional development can be specified simply
economic. As per the words of Mairand Whitford (2013), the factors which mainly are
influenced by these events are increased employment, education, welfare, equity and another
cultural dimension of community life. It has also been assessed that successful event planning
enhances positive economic stimulus in the region. Thus, the same leads to the fact that
increasing expenditures, development and maintenance of employment and labour supply
continuously enhance the standard of living. In January 2500 Amway China gated will enjoy
Dolphin watching and sand boarding in Port Stephens.The last year 2600, international delegated
visited Hunter Valley for enjoying motorbiking, hot air ballooning and sampling wine in
vineyards. The advantage which is attained through these events is that social and cultural
elements meet the events of the city. These interactions lead to social inclusion enhanced mental
health and well being, strong community relationship and attainment of a higher level of
collective identity.

Events create opportunities for employment by increased government expenditures in the area.
Events also attract tourists from across the world which in turn leads to increased business in the
area.
Cultural Development
Food is a major drawcard as an event such as Kidopia Festival; which is a festival for families
with music, food, rides and much more; Orange wine festival; which is known for cool climate
wines, talented chefs and delicious local produce; Sydney festivals; which celebrate the arts.
These festivals contribute economic stimulus to the region and enhance cultural and social
interaction. The art and culture of Sydney are exhibited in these events in an appropriate manner,
and the same provide strength to regional development. It is often witnessed that many events
held in Sydney promote the culture of the city by demonstrating the same in events.
Figure 1: Conceptual Model of Significance of Events
(Source: Getz and Page, 2016.)
Environmental Development
Many events in Sydney are conducted to issue awareness regarding the environmental dangers
that are posed by mankind. According to the words of Bernus and Nemes (2013), the
government of Sydney organizes various rallies and stage shows in order to make the people
aware of their activities. The Government is planning to make “Sustainable Sydney” by 2030.
For the purpose of responding effectively to the environmental challenges faced by Sydney, the
government aims to detail various activities and operations in the local area. The main objective

is to lead by example in areas by playing an influential and engaging role by strong collaboration
from government, the private sector and the community.
Figure 2: The positive and Negative impact arising from various events and festivals
(Source: Page and Connell, 2014)
The Growth of Special Event Sector
As per Getz and Page (2016), since the World War II, Australia has experienced a boom in
festivals and parades that were staged in the respective communities. Although there is very little
available International data on the growth of special event sector, statistics available from across
the globe indicate that the size growth has been escalating since then. There is also increase in
the number of events that are now being staged in Sydney. Moreover, the value of sponsorship
for the commercial event has increased significantly over the last decade. Similarly,events,
particularly mega-events such as the sports event, have escalated since the 1960s. It must be
noted that many times the economic and regional benefits accounting from hosting of any event
are often exaggerated in order to receive funding from the government. This lashes out all the
significant benefits accounting for any event. The foremost objective of the event is to address
the issues of a particular area and to promote the economic motive of the city. In the race of
receiving funds, the organizers often distract from the main objective.
This essay showcases the relationship between Event Industry, and regional development
presents an analysis of some events and their contribution for the same purpose. In particular,the
report explores the factors that are associated with the efficiency of festivals and events to
enhance the social and cultural facets of the regional community. In some cases, it also appeared
that in need to display economic benefits of some events and gaining and maintaining

government funding resulted deviating the event from its main objective. Thus, it is important
that the events are carried out within the framework devised for them so that they involve
community involvement and long-term positive regional development outcomes.

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