‘Wanderful’ weekend events deliver in fine fashion
From fine fashion to lifestyle, culture and sport – there’s an event to suit everyone’s taste across the Sunshine Coast this weekend.
From fine fashion to lifestyle, culture and sport – there’s an event to suit everyone’s taste across the Sunshine Coast this weekend.
Tourism, Sport and Major Events Portfolio Councillor Jason O’Pray said the Wanderlust Lifestyle and Yoga Festival headlined a list of council-supported events that will deliver more than $2million into the local economy over the coming days.
“Wanderlust is the largest lifestyle event in the world and will bring more 4,000 participants and visitors from around Australia as well as New Zealand to our region across the weekend,” he said.
“This event will generate an economic impact of around $1.2million and it’s also offering people from other parts of Australia and across the world a wonderful sample of what the Sunshine Coast has to offer,” he said.
“This is only the second time a four-day Wanderlust Festival has been staged in Australia and the first time it’s come to the Sunshine Coast but it certainly won’t be the last time.
“Council along with Sunshine Coast Destination Limited and Tourism Events Queensland has secured Wanderlust on the Sunshine Coast for the next three years.
“This is a terrific coup for our region and council’s arrangement with Air New Zealand for flights into the Sunshine Coast Airport will provide easy visitor access for festival participants from New Zealand and the west coast of the USA.”
Wanderlust Festival Director Jonnie Halstead said the Sunshine Coast was an ideal setting for an event that globe-trots to some of the world’s most stunning locations.
“Wanderlust is excited to partner with Sunshine Coast Council, Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd and Tourism Events Queensland to bring our fantastic festival here for the next three years,” he said.
“We’re extremely selective when it comes to choosing suitable places to hold Wanderlust Festivals and the Sunshine Coast ticks all the right boxes.”
Around 500 visitors will also converge on Coolum for this weekend’s first round of the Summer Surf Series.
Further south, the Caloundra Indoor Sports Stadium will play host to the Australian Veterans Table Tennis Championships from tomorrow. The council-supported event will involve more than 700 participants and visitors and deliver an economic impact of around $1million.
Caloundra Chamber of Commerce Tourism and Events Chair Bill Darby said the week-long tournament would help to prolong a prosperous post-school holiday period for local businesses.
“Our tourism operators, accommodation houses and local retail businesses are have enjoyed a fantastic period even after the school holidays through the influx of visitors that have come to town for council-supported events like the Caloundra Music
Festival and now with the Australian Veterans Table Tennis Championships.” he said.
Saturday’s Sunshine Coast Fashion Festival has also been given a helping hand by council after finding a new home at the Events Centre Caloundra. Festival Founder and Director Jacinta Richmond said the move to council’s largest community venue had provided a major boost.
“The Event Centre’s staff have been absolutely incredible in terms of the level of service and professionalism that they’ve provided us with for this year’s Fashion Festival,” she said.
“They’ve also provided us with contacts that have enabled the event to spread its wings even further for this year and already for next year.”
Major events are set to generate nearly $50million in economic activity on the Sunshine Coast during the 2014-15 financial year.
Local businesses can capitalise on major events that are held in the region through the events+ program. An initiative of Sunshine Coast Council and the Sunshine Coast Events Board, events+ aims to provide local businesses with the tools to leverage major and regional events.
To find out more about joining the events+ campaign contact dtb Advertising on 5458 5600 or email [email protected]