Insight: Taking 'a proactive approach' to events
"We take a proactive approach in supporting them via a range of channels including donations, accommodation rates and being part of the organising committee – or even organising them ourselves."
Welcome to The Southland Tribune’s weekly column spot called “Insight”. This week ILT chief executive Chris Ramsay touches on the importance of holding events for Invercargill.
Kia ora,
Winter is well and truly upon us, but that hasn’t stopped us from keeping busy here at ILT.
This weekend, we’re excited to be hosting our ‘Not the Bluff Oyster Festival’ Mystery Bus Tour. We relaunched this event following the cancellation of the 2023 festival. It’s an opportunity for our visitors and us as locals to celebrate oysters in style.
Like many of you, we were disappointed the iconic event couldn’t go ahead this year, but fingers crossed it will be back in Bluff in 2024!
We recognise that major events are a key economic driver for the region. They help bring visitors to our town and inject vibrancy into our city. That’s why we take a proactive approach in supporting them via a range of channels including donations, accommodation rates and being part of the organising committee – or even organising them ourselves.
From the internationally renowned Burt Munro Challenge to the beloved ILT Kidzone, we proudly back both big and local events.
One of our favourites is the Southland Business Excellence Awards, which celebrates businesses that are succeeding in their sector. We’re thrilled to sponsor the not-for-profit category once again; this sector is filled with hard working people achieving some incredible results. The finalists were announced this month and we can’t wait to recognise them at the awards being hosted by the Southland Business Chamber, later this year.
But it’s not just business success that’s being celebrated, the ILT Southland Sports Awards finalists will be announced later this month too. We love being involved in this event as it acknowledges both those people that have excelled in their sporting field and the volunteers behind the scenes. Those people that give their time and expertise to help athletes and teams compete on a local, national and international level.
Without these dedicated individuals, the sporting success Southland enjoys wouldn’t be possible.
Of course, you don’t need a big event to celebrate in Invercargill. Each weekend our establishments are humming with the sound of local musicians sharing their considerable talents – you can bet a future ILT Southland Entertainer of the Year is among them. Like any artists, they feed off the vibe of the crowd so make sure you head into town for a great night out!
Ngā mihi,
Chris