The Northern Ireland Events Company Chairman - Mervyn Elder

1. The Northern Ireland Events CompanyChairman - Mervyn Elder

2. The Northern Ireland Events Company ‘Growing Events in Northern Ireland: The Partnership Approach’ Friday 7th November 2003 The Brandon Hotel, Tralee, County Kerry

3. Established by government in 1997 Tasked with the development of a long-term strategy for events in Northern Ireland Funded by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Offices in Newforge Lane, Belfast Northern Ireland Events Company

4. “To support the promotion of major events in Northern Ireland which have the potential to: Impact positively on the image of Northern Ireland and, in particular, on the external image; Create opportunity for greater social cohesion; Bring economic benefits to Northern Ireland.” The Events Company Aim

5. Staffing Board of Directors (non-executive) Chief Executive Company Secretary Marketing/PR Manager Facilities & Finance Manager Project Manager Marketing Assistant Admin Assistant Project Assistant

6. Public Expenditure Allocations

7. 2 – 3 World Class Events 4 – 6 Major International Events Events Growth Fund The Strategic Task

8. Major Events Fund 2003/2004 budget - £1.43 million Uncapped funding limit 15 events supported this financial year Events Growth Fund Launched November 2002 2003/2004 budget - £600,000 Grants of up to £30,000 Three tranches of funding per year Over 40 events supported to date Funding Programmes

9. Funding Advice Event Management Expertise PR and Marketing Support A ‘One Stop Shop’

10. The Process Applicant Contact Application Pack Issued Application Assessed for Eligibility Request for Further Information Reject Accept Funding Agreement Issued Post Event Evaluation

11. Events Growth Fund Growth elements Potential for extensive media coverage Social cohesion/community participation Positive economic impact Tourism potential Major Events Fund International media coverage Private sector sponsorship Positive economic impact Tourism potential Status of event A Good Application

12. The Funding of Festivals • The scope of festivals – from jazz festival to draughts festival • Belfast Festival at Queen’s £658,790 over 5 years • Growing festivals under the Events Growth Fund • £263,500 invested this year so far

13. Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival £15,000 Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfast £20,000 Irish Country Sports and Living Festival, Ballywalter, County Down £12,500 Warrenpoint Blues Festival £9,000 Castlederg Summer Festival £5,000 Holywood International Jazz Festival £13,000 Craic in the Brack Rural Festival, Strabane £10,000 Celtic Fusion Music Festival, Castlewellan £11,000 The Breakdown….

14. Tommy Makem International Festival of Song, County Armagh £20,000 Lady of the Lake Festival, Irvinestown £4,000 Carrickfergus Football Festival £4,500 Fiddlers Green Festival, Rostrevor £10,000 Battlefest Living History Festival, Armagh £8,000 Féile an Phobail West Belfast Festival £20,000 Ballymoney Watersports Festival £8,000 Ardoyne Fleadh Cheoil £10,000 New Lodge Community Festival £10,000

15. Golden Link Festival, Derry City £5,000 Festival of Fish and Gourmet Seafood Trail, County Down £10,000 Festival of the Peninsula, Newtownards £10,000 The Last Laugh International Festival of Comedy,Omagh £5,000 Open House Traditional Arts Festival, Belfast £10,000 Irish International Festival of Draughts, Cookstown £6,000 The Bard of Armagh Festival of Humorous Verse £7,500 William Kennedy Festival of Piping, Armagh £20,000

16. The Partnership Approach N.I.E.C. Festival Organiser Media Event Local Authority Sponsors

17. The Lady of the Lake Festival and the Pony European Championships An extra dimension to both events Mutually beneficial – increase in profile and spectators numbers of both events Partnership between Festival Committee, local residents, local businesses, European Pony Championships Committee, Fermanagh District Council and N.I.E.C. The Power of Partnerships

18. Success StoryFestival of Racing • Spectator audiences in excess of 12,000 • Extensive TV Coverage including Channel 4 and Sky • Viewing audiences in excess of 2.5 million • Over 2,000 out of state visitors

19. Positive images on the world stage Social cohesion Boost the local economy Encourage tourism The Benefits of Events

20. Creates jobs Bigger & better events Raised profile as an event venue A real “feel good” factor Benefits for Northern Ireland

21. Started by Michael Emmerson, an enterprising young undergraduate. 2003 marks the 41st Anniversary of the festival. All art forms are covered including theatre, dance, classical music, literature, jazz, comedy, visual arts, folk music and popular music. Belfast Festival at Queen’s

22. To enhance the Festival’s international status Key festival funders Queen’s University Arts Council NI Belfast City Council N.I.E.C. exit strategy N.I.E.C. Involvement

23. 1998/1999 £220,835 1999/2000 £150,000 2000/2001 £100,000 2001/2002 £100,000 2002/2003 £87,955 N.I.E.C. Five Year Funding

24. Growing events in Northern Ireland A partnership approach Relevance to the Association of Irish Festival Events Conclusions

25. Q & A