Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 2020

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Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 2020
Event Wales:
A Major Events Strategy
For Wales 2010 – 2020
Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 2020
2010 Ryder Cup, Celtic Manor, Newport

The 2020 Vision for Wales
Wales recognised as a consistently outstanding destination for major events.

Mission Statement
Developing a balanced and sustainable
portfolio of major events which enhances                                   ISBN 978 0 7504 5718 7
                                                                                    WAG10-10116
Wales’ international reputation and the                                          G/MH/3821/09-10
                                                                                        September

wellbeing of its people and communities.                                            Typeset in 12pt
                                                                           © Crown copyright 2010
Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 2020
Ministerial Foreword

The cherished milestones in all our                     England and the cricketing world in its       and cultural legacy for Wales. To position
individual lives are marked by events. They             greatest showpiece occasion, an Ashes Test    ourselves astutely so that we can continue
are the moments that shape our destinies                Match, where the remarkable capacity of       to stand out amongst the global crowd is
and remain etched in the memory. There is               events to make statements that resonate       what this Major Events Strategy sets out to
a similar dynamic involved in the evolution             so spectacularly beyond the field of play     achieve. While events by themselves do not
of communities and of nations. Events                   was so thunderously demonstrated. With        define our ambition they can make a real
bring us together. Major events have a                  perfect timing, Wales played an exquisite     impact on prosperity and well being in all
powerful, almost indefinable quality to                 cover drive that crossed many boundaries.     its integrated dimensions. On behalf of the
capture the essence of both individual                  With a Welsh flourish a new player had        Welsh Assembly Government we commend
and collective expression. They connect us              announced an arrival on the international     it to you and endorse it wholeheartedly.
with our past and point to the future. They             stage.
are a mirror in whose reflection we learn
                                                        As our nation now hosts the Ryder Cup
something about ourselves as a people.
                                                        for the first time we do so with a new
They are also a prism through which other
                                                        found sense of confidence that has been
nations and peoples in these islands and
                                                        forged in our most recent history. We
around the world see us, recognise us and                                                                              Ieuan Wyn Jones
                                                        know the eyes of the world are upon us
engage with us.
                                                        and that many tens of thousands will cross                     Deputy First Minister &
A decade and more has now passed since                  the Severn Bridge to visit us. We do not                       Minister for the Economy
the historic devolution settlement for                  underestimate the enormous challenges                          & Transport
Wales. Nation building is a process not an              past, present and future and what has and
event. But events illustrate and illuminate             will be required to meet them. But Wales
that journey as it is mapped into the                   does not doubt its ability to deliver.
future. At their best they are not simply
                                                        In these difficult times there is an even
a barometer of progress. They accelerate
                                                        greater responsibility on Government to
it: delivering and demonstrating what
                                                        clearly articulate its strategic priorities
is possible; challenging and changing                                                                                  Alun Ffred Jones
                                                        and to work in a smart, proactive and
perceptions; opening up new possibilities.                                                                             Minister for Heritage
                                                        cost-effective way with our many partners
Some may register more than a twinge of
                                                        both within our borders and without to
ironic pleasure in the fact that it is arguably
                                                        deliver the best possible economic, social
a cricket match where Wales hosted

Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 – 2020                                                                                          1
Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 2020
1. Introduction

    Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

2
Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 2020
1.1	The 1999 Rugby World Cup, six FA                   1.3	We now have a sound platform on                 forward with the establishment of a
     Cup Finals, the 2009 Ashes Test, the                    which to build Wales’ position in a             dedicated Major Events Unit (MEU)
     2010 Ryder Cup, the Hay Festival and                    fiercely competitive global market.             located in the Assembly Government
     the Llangollen International Musical                    The 2010 Ryder Cup will put Wales               to lead the drive for a more coherent
     Eisteddfod have earned Wales a                          under a global spotlight as never               and strategic Welsh approach.
     growing reputation as a world class                     before, and the London 2012 Olympic
                                                                                                         1.5	The global recession does of course
     major events destination. It is no                      and Paralympic Games will have a
                                                                                                              present a major challenge to
     accident that this has occurred during                  similar effect for the UK as a whole.
                                                                                                              achieving our vision. While we must
     the historic decade in which Wales                      New opportunities will be created as a
                                                                                                              be ambitious, we also have to be
     has taken control of its own Devolved                   result. This integrated strategy, aligned
                                                                                                              realistic about what can be achieved
     affairs and where government in                         to the Welsh Assembly Government’s
                                                                                                              particularly with regard to potential
     Wales has acquired a new capacity to                    One Wales agenda, sets out how we
                                                                                                              bids for Mega Events as defined in the
     react effectively to opportunities.                     will work more proactively to achieve
                                                                                                              next section. In the current financial
                                                             our potential. It describes how we
1.2	Major international events influence                                                                     climate, where budgets are under
                                                             will lead a more co-ordinated and
     the way we see Wales and the world,                                                                      intense scrutiny, it is important that
                                                             coherent approach, by putting in place
     and how the world sees Wales.                                                                            this strategy sets out the framework
                                                             a robust strategic framework which
     Building a positive external reputation                                                                  that will enable us to work smarter
                                                             will harness and develop the skills,
     and brand image for Wales is an                                                                          in ensuring that our investments in
                                                             knowledge and expertise of all the
     important challenge recognised by                                                                        major events are targeted effectively
                                                             individuals, groups and organisations
     the Welsh Assembly Government.                                                                           to help to increase the prosperity and
                                                             involved in major events delivery
     A successful strategy for building a                                                                     long term well being of the people
                                                             across the nation.
     sustainable and balanced portfolio of                                                                    of Wales.
     major events will contribute directly to           1.4	The overarching aim is to create a
     achieving this outcome and deliver a                    systematic, balanced and sustainable
     series of economic, social, cultural and                portfolio of world class events that
     legacy benefits to Wales1.                              deliver a long term economic, social
                                                             and cultural legacy for the people
1	Economic Renewal: a new direction                         of Wales, as well as ensuring best
   (July 2010), Welsh Assembly                               value for the Welsh public pound. We
   Government.                                               have already taken a significant step

Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 – 2020                                                                                             3
Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 2020
2. What do we mean by major events?

    National Eisteddfod

4
Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 2020
2.1	It is important to be clear about the              2.3	Similarly conferences, exhibitions and           Cup Final and the MOBO (Music of
     purpose and scope of this strategy.                     trade fairs are also valuable, but are           Black Origin) Awards.
     Its aim is the development and                          outside the scope of this strategy.
                                                                                                          •   Signature Events – these events can
     exploitation of a portfolio of events                   Typically, these commercial events
                                                                                                               also have a strong international
     designed to achieve positive outcomes                   are unlikely to make a significant
                                                                                                               dimension but unlike the category
     for Wales in improving the wellbeing                    contribution to the delivery the
                                                                                                               of major events described above
     of its people. Supported events                         wider economic, social and cultural
                                                                                                               they are recurring. They are
     should ‘run with the grain’ of our                      objectives of this strategy.
                                                                                                               also either unique to Wales or
     communities, making connections
                                                        2.4	There are four categories of event                distinctively Welsh in flavour, and
     with the needs and aspirations of the
                                                             which will be supported through                   reflect our culture, traditions and
     people of Wales in the twenty first
                                                             this strategy.                                    values. They enhance the image
     century. That will mean assimilating
                                                                                                               and cultural identity of Wales and
     the best of our cultural heritage and              •    Major Events – these are peripatetic
                                                                                                               provide a high quality experience
     traditions in a vibrant, contemporary                    events defined by their scale and
                                                                                                               for visitors. Successful Signature
     outlook balanced with the need                           appeal to attract and influence
                                                                                                               Events continuously re-invigorate and
     to support the innovative, the                           large scale international audiences
                                                                                                               replenish their audiences. Examples
     experimental and the quirky.                             and extensive media coverage, and
                                                                                                               include established events such as
                                                              to deliver economic impact and
2.2	We recognise that there are hundreds                                                                      the Hay Festival, the National and
                                                              significant visitor numbers for the
     of small events and festivals which                                                                       Urdd Eisteddfodau, the Llangollen
                                                              host destination. They can command
     make a valuable contribution to local                                                                     International Musical Eisteddfod and
                                                              global TV audiences and involve major
     communities and local economies                                                                           the Royal Welsh Show, as well as
                                                              international sponsors. They can have
     across Wales2. However, they are not                                                                      newer events like the Green Man and
                                                              a positive impact in influencing specific
     the focus of this strategy because they                                                                   Wakestock festivals.
                                                              market segments and in changing
     are unlikely to have wider economic
                                                              attitudes and behaviours. These             •    ega Events – like major events, these
                                                                                                              M
     and socio-cultural impact at an all-
                                                              international events are not “owned”            are peripatetic events with a global
     Wales level.
                                                              by Wales and would have to choose               reach. They are distinguished by the
                                                              Wales in the face of international              fact that they are normally preceded
2	Making Fun (2009): Welsh Enterprise
                                                              competition. Examples include an                by large scale capital projects, often
   Institute and Welsh Assembly
                                                              Ashes Test Match, rugby’s Heineken              involving building new venues and
   Government.

Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 – 2020                                                                                              5
Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 2020
Ashes Test, SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff
6
Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 2020
supporting infrastructure. They involve            2.5	The specific role of the MEU in
     a major bidding effort and demand                       supporting these events is described
     a high level of government resource                     more fully later in section 6, but it is
     and support at all stages from bidding                  clear that the MEU must operate as a
     to delivery. Typically, this means the                  time – limited strategic investor, not
     creation of a stand-alone organisation                  as a recurring grant giving body or
     with a dedicated budget to manage                       sponsor. The financial support which
     the entire process from start to finish.                it provides cannot be a substitute
     Examples include the Commonwealth                       for core funding provided by other
     Games and the Ryder Cup.                                public bodies such as the Arts Council
                                                             of Wales, Sport Wales and the Welsh
•     rowth Events – these are smaller
     G
                                                             Language Board.
     events, often new, with a footprint
     and focus that is regional, local or               2.6	Any financial support provided by the
     sector led and which demonstrate the                    MEU will be limited to that which is
     ambition and potential to evolve and                    necessary to achieve the specific major
     grow to become Major or Signature                       event-related objectives set out in
     Events for Wales. These events can                      this strategy.
     also act as milestones in growing the
     capacity, experience and credibility
     of destination Wales, acting as a
     necessary precursor to the hosting
     of targeted major events. These
     will be considered for support. An
     important dimension of this ‘added
     value investment’ is in creating and
     nurturing home grown events, thereby
     supporting efforts to build a strong
     and sustainable events industry in
     Wales. Examples include the Cardiff
     Half Marathon.

Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 – 2020                                              7
Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 2020
3. Why invest in major events?

    Heineken Cup Final, Cardiff

8
3.1	Major events capture the imagination                    and give people real life experiences        the environment for developing the
     of people around the world, while                       that encourage healthier lifestyles.         skills to support a modern, creative
     research has shown that they can                        For example, mass participation              economy.
     provide significant economic benefits                   sporting events can help to raise
                                                                                                      •    Fair and Just Society – successful
                                                                                                          A
     and improve the international                           public awareness of the importance of
                                                                                                          major events can help people
     reputation and profile of the host                      regular exercise.
                                                                                                          and communities to achieve their
     country and venue3. There is also
                                                        •     Prosperous Society – major events
                                                             A                                            full potential, including outreach
     growing recognition that major events
                                                             can stimulate new enterprise and             programmes targeted at hard to reach
     have the power to inspire and engage
                                                             business growth, leading to the              and minority groups.
     diverse individuals and communities
                                                             creation of quality, long – term jobs.
     and to thereby enhance social,                                                                   •    Sustainable Environment – major
                                                                                                          A
                                                             They also help to showcase and
     environmental and cultural wellbeing,                                                                events that proactively embrace
                                                             promote tourism in key markets,
     including an enhanced sense of place.                                                                the sustainable event management
                                                             and can support diversification of
                                                                                                          agenda can help to raise awareness
3.2	The Welsh Assembly Government’s                         the rural economy.
                                                                                                          of sustainability, and showcase
     vision is for a prosperous, confident
                                                        •    Living Communities – successful major       good practice such as in the use
     and outward looking Wales. Our
                                                              events engage communities through           of renewable energy , integrated
     programme for delivering that vision is
                                                              local voluntary action, through             transport, waste recycling and the
     set out in One Wales. Major events can
                                                              participation and through the live          procurement of local goods and
     make a significant positive contribution
                                                              spectator experience in particular          services.
     to achieving that vision, delivering
                                                              as well as through various media
     benefits across a range of policy areas.                                                         •    Rich and Diverse Culture – major
                                                                                                          A
                                                              platforms.
                                                                                                          events showcase Wales’ unique
•     Healthy Future – major events
     A
                                                        •    L earning for Life – major events           cultural identity and heritage, are a
     can provide a high profile platform
                                                              is a dynamic, knowledge-based               catalyst for cultural innovation and
     to communicate positive messages
                                                              creative industry, which requires           expression and provide valuable
                                                              a range of high quality skills,             opportunities for our leading artists
3	Millennium Stadium, Cardiff and                            from project management and                 and athletes to display their talents on
   Wales: The Economic Impact                                 finance to marketing, media and             the world stage.
   (November 2007). Econactive Ltd                            communications. Events can enhance
   and Strategic Marketing

Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 – 2020                                                                                           9
4. Guiding Principles

     Wakestock Festival, Abersoch, Gwynedd / © Sim Bradley

10
4.1	This strategy is based on a set of basic           •    s trike a balance between attracting
     principles that the portfolio of major                   one-off international events; nurturing
     events to be supported by the MEU                        and growing existing events; and
     will, collectively:                                      stimulating and creating new events;
•     eliver clear and measurable benefits
     d                                                  •     ake effective and efficient use of
                                                             m
     to Wales in line with One Wales and                     Wales’ resources, including built
     complementary Assembly Government                       facilities and our outstanding natural
     strategies and priorities;                              environment;
•     eliver a demonstrable return on
     d                                                  •     e soundly based on the principles
                                                             b
     public sector investment;                               of sustainable development, in
                                                             line with British Standard 8901:
•     nhance the recognition and
     e
                                                             Sustainability Management Systems
     reputation of Wales in the World;
                                                             for Events, including deliverability
•    c reate a strong sense of place                        based on robust business planning
      which celebrates the diversity and                     underpinned by sound governance
      distinctiveness of Welsh culture and                   and management structures; and
      enhances the use and profile of the
                                                        •     xploit opportunities for developing
                                                             e
      Welsh language inside and outside
                                                             new strategic alliances, new
      Wales;
                                                             partnerships and new forms of
•    s upport the development of a strong                   collaboration and ensure that
      and sustainable events industry in                     the major events agenda is fully
      Wales;                                                 considered where appropriate in
                                                             capital expenditure programmes.
•     ncourage a fair and equitable spread
     e
     of opportunities across Wales, and                 4.2	These guiding principles will underpin
     an even spread of events across the                     the clear and transparent assessment
                                                             framework for selecting events to be       Cardiff Half Marathon
     calendar;
                                                             supported set out in the next section.

Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 – 2020                                                                      11
Glanusk International Horse Trials, Crickhowell, Powys

     5. How will we decide
         which major events
         to support?

12
5.1	The first step in the decision making              5.3	For example, Major Events would             5.6	Events must be affordable and as
     process, will be to assess each event                   be expected to deliver significant               demand for funding will almost
     against criteria aligned to One Wales.                  benefits to the Welsh economy and                inevitably exceed supply, it will not be
     An appropriate selection of the                         to raise Wales’ profile in the world.            possible to provide financial support
     criteria set out in the following table                 Growth Events on the other hand                  for all events.
     (overleaf) will be used at an early                     will be expected to deliver outputs
                                                                                                         5.7	It is appropriate that this Major Events
     stage of discussions with event owners                  linked to community engagement, the
                                                                                                              Strategy for Wales acknowledges
     to determine the strategic case for                     development of skills and improving
                                                                                                              the important role which our Capital
     investment. This will ensure that full                  access and participation.
                                                                                                              City Cardiff plays in building Wales’
     consideration of the impact and legacy
                                                        5.4	While the balanced portfolio of                  reputation as an international
     of the event is an integral part of the
                                                             supported events will be expected to             location for major events. We must
     planning process from the outset.
                                                             generate a positive economic return              recognise that event owners will
5.2	This assessment framework will not                      for Wales, we will seek an appropriate           often prioritise Cardiff as a host
     simply be a tool against which req uests                mix of investments between those                 destination. Appropriate investments
     for funding are assessed. It will also be               which generate substantial economic              in events which showcase Cardiff as
     used proactively to research and identify               benefits and those which deliver wider           an exceptional capital city will be a
     events which Wales can develop, attract                 socio – cultural benefits. A range of            key feature going forward. However,
     or bid for. It will enable us to assess                 quantitative and qualitative measures            we will also encourage an equitable
     the value of events in an objective and                 will provide the degree of flexibility           spread of opportunities across Wales.
     equitable way. It is not a checklist –                  needed to effectively respond to                 The strength of commitment from
     events seeking MEU support will not                     different types of events in different           local and regional partners throughout
     have to ‘tick all the boxes’. Given the                 locations at different times of the year.        the country will be a key factor in all
     different characteristics which define                                                                   our investment decisions.
                                                        5.5	We will publish more detailed
     the various categories of events, and
                                                             guidelines for event owners and
     the variety of impacts which they will
                                                             organisers setting out clearly
     have in delivering outputs aligned to
                                                             and concisely how we will assess
     One Wales, we will adopt a balanced
                                                             applications for funding and our
     portfolio approach which can mean
                                                             decision making processes.
     applying different sets of criteria to the
     different categories of events.

Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 – 2020                                                                                               13
World Championship Sailing, Pwllheli, Gwynedd / © Paul Todd www.outsideimages.com
14
One Wales Policy Area           Assessment criteria
A Healthy Future         •                                S upports social and physical environments that encourage health and wellbeing
A Prosperous Society     •                            Supports long-term high quality jobs
                         •                             Stimulates new enterprise and business growth
                         •                              Promotes tourism in key markets
                         •                               Supports diversification of the rural economy
Living Communities       •                          Supports local voluntary action and volunteering
                         •                           Promotes and supports social or community businesses
Learning for Life        •                         Enables people to develop the life skills to support a modern, creative economy
A Fair and Just Society  •                        Supports outreach programmes targeted at hard to reach and minority groups
A Sustainable            •                 Raises awareness of sustainability issues
Environment              •                  Contributes to a reduction in ecological footprint
                         •                   Minimises waste through reduction, reuse and provision of onsite recycling facilities at the event venue
                         •                     Makes a neutral or positive impact on the environment
                         •                       Demonstrates progress towards achieving BS8901: Sustainability Management Systems for Events
A Rich & Diverse Culture •          Promotes, supports and makes use of the Welsh language
                         •          Widens access to, and encourages sustainable participation in, the arts, sport or phy sical activity.
                         •           Supports the development of a high quality arts sector in Wales
                         •            Gives Welsh artists and athletes high profile opportunities to perform and to compete on home soil
                         •             Promotes Welsh arts and artists on the UK and world stage
                         •              Supports Welsh sporting success on the World stage
                         •               Promotes the Wales brand in key overseas target markets
                         •                Provides Welsh audiences with world class experiences

Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 – 2020                                                                                                15
6. Working together for Wales

16
6.1	There are many distinct advantages in              6.3	The development of strong external          •    llocate funding in an open and
                                                                                                             a
     being a ‘smaller’ nation in population                  (to Wales) relationships and                    transparent manner using criteria-
     terms, not least the ability to move                    partnerships will also be critical to the       based assessment and evaluation;
     quickly and effectively to establish                    successful delivery of this strategy.
                                                                                                         •    arness existing expertise in Wales
                                                                                                             h
     ‘Team Wales’ partnerships either led or                 Those partners need to be confident
                                                                                                             to develop a more professional
     closely supported by Government. Agile,                 that a ‘Team Wales’ effort, guided
                                                                                                             and systematic approach to event
     cohesive and decisive partnerships are                  by this strategy and supported
                                                                                                             planning, management and delivery,
     essential in the delivery of major events               by Government is a consistently
                                                                                                             helping to create an environment that
     and are attractive to event owners as                   outstanding proposition.
                                                                                                             encourages the sharing of skills and
     they seek to locate. The demonstrable
                                                        6.4	The primary role of the MEU will be             specialist knowledge;
     success of ‘Team Wales’ partnerships in
                                                             to lead and co-ordinate the delivery
     the delivery of events such as the 2009                                                             •   s upport the development of specialist
                                                             of this strategy. It will not be directly
     Ashes Test Match and the 2010 Ryder                                                                      major event skills, knowledge and
                                                             involved in the delivery of major
     Cup are models upon which to build                                                                       experience;
                                                             events, but will support and add value
     a more systematic and strategic
                                                             to those organisations which do. The        •    xploit leverage opportunities that
                                                                                                             e
     approach to partnership working in
                                                             main functions of the MEU are to:               maximise the benefits to Wales
     the years ahead.
                                                        •    c o-ordinate major events activity         •    evelop effective UK wide and
                                                                                                             d
6.2	A clear sense of unity of purpose
                                                              across Wales, from identifying                 international relationships with
     and structure is vital to the successful
                                                              opportunities through to delivery and          major event owners, influencers and
     delivery of this strategy. There is
                                                              post-event evaluation, acting as a focal       stakeholders;
     necessarily a diverse and complex
                                                              point for event owners looking to hold
     range of organisations involved in                                                                  •    rovide strategic advice and guidance
                                                                                                             p
                                                              major events in Wales;
     supporting and delivering events                                                                        to event owners and organisers;
     in Wales. It is important that all                 •    identify local and regional events with
     organisations involved in the events                     growth potential;                          •   c hampion the importance of major
     industry in Wales have a shared vision                                                                   events and Wales’ hosting capacity
     and a clear sense of ownership in, and             •    identify major international events             to internal and external audiences;
     a shared responsibility for, delivering                  which Wales can bid for or attract;             this will include researching and
     a national strategy that works for                                                                       disseminating international best
     people and communities across Wales.                                                                     practice;

Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 – 2020                                                                                             17
•    nsure that public funding for events
         e                                              and local authorities have a leadership   •    rofessional, voluntary and community
                                                                                                      P
         is conditional upon a reciprocal               role in engaging positively with their        arts organisations
         commitment by event organisers                 communities to secure the local and
                                                                                                  •   Sport Wales
         in specific areas such as the use,             regional support that is vital for a
         integration and profile of the Welsh           successful event. They also provide       •   Police and emergency services
         language and in sustainable event              key support services such as health
         management; and                                and safety, transport and waste           •    ransport and accommodation
                                                                                                      T
                                                        management. In delivering this                providers
     •   r egularly review the strategic context
                                                        strategy, we will explore opportunities   •    ales, UK and international sports
                                                                                                      W
          for supporting and investing in major
                                                        for a consortium led approach to              federations and governing bodies
          events.
                                                        working with local government
     6.5	In carrying out these functions,              wherever appropriate.                     •   UK Sport
          the MEU will seek to build strong                                                       •    isit Wales and Regional Tourism
                                                                                                      V
                                                    6.7 Other key partners will include:
          and effective partnerships across                                                           Partnerships
          geographic, organisational and            •   Arts Council of Wales
          sectoral boundaries. We will work                                                       •   Welsh Language Board
                                                    •    ommercial (and other where
                                                        C
          closely with a range of partners and
                                                        appropriate) event owners and             6.8	We have actively engaged many of
          stakeholder groups in the public,
                                                        organisers in Wales, across the UK             these organisations and groups in
          private and third sectors.
                                                        and internationally                            the development of this strategy. It is
     6.6	Local government and planning                                                                now vital that they take account of
                                                    •    ommercial venue owners and
                                                        C                                              this document in shaping their own
          authorities are key strategic partners.
                                                        operators                                      strategic and financial approach to
          Much of the event management
          experience in Wales resides in local      •   Countryside Council for Wales                 major events.
          authorities, and many of the venues
                                                    •   The economic fora in Wales               6.9	Where bringing an event to Wales
          suitable for hosting major events
                                                                                                       involves a competitive bid process,
          are owned or managed by local             •   Environment Agency Wales                      the MEU will lead and support
          authorities. Major events have the
                                                                                                       partners (for example, local authorities
          power to instil a strong sense of place   •   Forestry Commission Wales
                                                                                                       and sports governing bodies) in
          and civic pride in local communities
                                                    •   National Park authorities                     securing new events. This will involve

18
identifying those major international
     events which Wales should bid
     for; building the most appropriate
     partnerships to bid successfully; and
     building strong working relationships
     with event owners to bring these
     events to Wales. In the majority of
     cases, the MEU will support its partners
     rather than lead the bid itself. The
     role of the MEU in respect of potential
     bids for Mega Events (as defined in
     Section 2 of this strategy), will be
     to manage the preliminary work
     including the preparation of advice
     to Ministers on feasibility, cost/benefit
     analysis and a prior assessment of
     legacy impact.

                                                             BBC Radio One Big Weekend, Bangor, Gwynedd

Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 – 2020                                                19
7. How will we measure success?

     Green Man Festival, Crickhowell, Powys

20
7.1	The MEU’s investments in major                          principles and core methodologies              definitions, methods and costs. It is
     events need to be carefully monitored                   used to develop the framework will, as         likely that emerging methodologies
     and evaluated, not only in order to                     far as possible, be applied consistently       will comprise both primary data
     measure the impact of the events                        across all events in the portfolio,            collection and modeling techniques for
     themselves, but also to assess the                      while maintaining a focus on national          larger events.
     effectiveness of our support for events                 priorities.
                                                                                                        7.7	The following table (overleaf) provides
     in delivering outputs linked to One
                                                        7.5	It will also be important to develop            a summary of the high level key
     Wales.
                                                             this framework as a resource tool for           performance indicators that will be
7.2	The diversity of the events industry in                 event owners, organisers and sponsors,          used in measuring the success of this
     nature, content and scope calls for a                   providing them with practical                   strategy.
     framework approach to monitoring                        guidelines in respect of key data
                                                                                                        7.8	This suite of key performance
     and evaluation. This will ensure that                   required as input and, where required,
                                                                                                             indicators will be further developed
     events are assessed in a consistent                     on the most effective methods of
                                                                                                             and refined over time.
     and relevant manner and also that                       gathering data.
     the scale of research and evaluation is                                                            7.9	This strategy will be reviewed in 2015
                                                        7.6	Broadly similar frameworks have
     appropriate to the scale of individual                                                                  and every five years thereafter.
                                                             been developed in other parts of the
     events in the portfolio.
                                                             UK. For example, the eventIMPACTS
7.3	The framework will effectively                          toolkit developed by UK Sport and
     comprise a suite of research and                        a range of partners involved in the
     evaluation methods in order to                          events industry across the UK4. We will
     assess economic, socio-cultural,                        work collaboratively with the relevant
     environmental and media impacts in                      organisations in order to ensure
     a holistic fashion.                                     maximum compatibility between
                                                             approaches, and, to establish, as far
7.4	Very large events may well require
                                                             as possible, a consistent approach and
     specific research and evaluation
                                                             methodology. In this way, there are
     studies to be commissioned; smaller
                                                             likely synergies in terms of common
     events are unlikely to require such
     detailed work. Nevertheless, the
                                                        4    www.eventimpacts.com

Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 – 2020                                                                                             21
Impact Area      Key Performance Indicators
     Economic         • N umber of new FTE jobs created in Wales
                      • Number of visitors from outside Wales, and outside peak
                         season
                      • Net additional contribution to the Welsh economy
                      • Other public and private sector investment leveraged
                      • Use of local (Welsh) products and services
     Socio-cultural   • Number and diversity of people attending
                      • Number and diversity of participants
                      • Number and diversity of volunteers from Wales recruited/
                         trained/deployed
                      • Provision of core activities in Welsh. Performances in
                         Welsh. Use of bilingual promotional materials, ticketing,
                         signage etc
                      • Outreach programmes and linked mass participation
                         events
     Environmental    • Carbon dioxide emissions
                      • Amount of waste produced, amount of waste recycled
                      • Environmental awareness raised
                      • Achieves accreditation under BS 8901
                      • Environmental impact assessment
     Media            • National and international TV coverage
                      • National and international print media coverage
                      • National and international internet coverage

22
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 – 2020                                                 23
8. Putting strategy into action

24
8.1	The previous sections of this strategy                  production capacity, from trainee to        8.2	Given the exceptional financial
     provide the events industry in Wales                    graduate level.                                  challenges which we face in the
     with a guide to action. This section                                                                     coming years and the need to build
                                                        •     stablish a Growth Fund with a ring
                                                             E
     outlines what the MEU will do to                                                                         Wales’ event management and
                                                             fenced budget to create or nurture
     build Wales’ position as a World class                                                                   production capacity, the focus of our
                                                             events outside Cardiff.
     major events destination. Working                                                                        investment over the first five years of
     collaboratively with partners and                  •     xamine the potential for developing
                                                             E                                                the lifetime of this strategy will be to:
     stakeholders across the entire                          the concept of a ‘Green’ event ticket,
                                                                                                         •   s upport a programme of Growth
     spectrum of the events industry, the                    building on the innovative approach
                                                                                                              Events which creates the environment
     MEU will:                                               of the ‘Cardiff Connection’ initiative.
                                                                                                              for developing specialist skills,
•     evelop and launch an ‘Event
     D                                                  •    In partnership with the Welsh                   knowledge and experience as the
     Wales’ operational identity and                          Language Board, provide a                       foundation for growing a strong and
     communications plan which will                           consultancy service delivering practical        sustainable events industry in Wales;
     incorporate:                                             advice free of charge to supported
                                                                                                         •    ork strategically with the owners
                                                                                                             w
                                                              events to improve outcomes for
      a Major Events website                                                                                and organisers of our Signature Events
                                                              enhanced profile and usage of the
      a national calendar of major events                                                                   to identify new and innovative ways
                                                              Welsh language at supported major
       a database of event owners and
                                                                                                           of extending their reach to new
                                                              and signature events.
       organisers, venues and locations                                                                      audiences both inside and outside
                                                        •     stablish a biennial International
                                                             E                                               Wales; and
       a database of research into the
      
                                                             Events Conference to promote and
       impact of major events                                                                            •    ttract major international events
                                                                                                             a
                                                             market Wales as a major events
       an online toolkit for self assessment
                                                                                                           which enhance the recognition and
                                                             destination.
       and evaluation of future events                                                                       reputation of Wales.
                                                        •    S upport events that build on and
•     o-ordinate, in association with the
     C                                                        connect to the opportunity presented
     appropriate Sector Skills Councils                       by the London 2012 Olympic Games
     the education sector and training                        and Paralympic Games and to the Pre
     providers, the development of a skills                   Games Training Camps established in
     action plan to strengthen Wales’                         Wales for international teams.
     professional event management and

Event Wales: A Major Events Strategy For Wales 2010 – 2020                                                                                                25
Heineken Cup Final, Cardiff

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