AOIFE Annual Conference 2003

1. AOIFE Annual Conference 2003 Geraldine Jeffers Festivals and Cultural Events Officer Fáilte Ireland

2. Who is Fáilte Ireland? • National Tourism Development Authority formally established in May 2003. • Responsible for administering the functions of Bord Fáilte and CERT by working in partnership with the tourism industry.

3. What can Fáilte Ireland do for me? • Administers the Festivals and Cultural Events Initiative. • Promote Festivals/Events through their website www.failteireland.ie • Produce Calendar of Events – distributed internationally through Tourism Ireland and within Ireland through the Regional Tourism Authorities/Shannon Development. • Publicity – support visits by overseas media. • Photoshoots – producing and providing video footage and still photography to support overseas marketing.

4. Festivals and Cultural Events Initiative • Announced in December 2001, the scheme is envisaged to be in place for a period of five years (2002 – 2006) . • Main objectives: • To promote existing and new festivals and cultural events throughout the regions. • To support activity in the tourist economy and favour events which generate most bednights and related businesses. • To impact positively on seasonality. • To emphasise events with international market impact.

5. How do I apply? • Applications invited once a year in October • Application forms are available on www.failteireland.ie and www.aoifeonline.com . • or by emailing geraldine.jeffers@failteireland.ie or ailis.quigley@failteireland.ie. • In writing to Failte Ireland, Baggot Street Bridge, Dublin 2.

6. Who will evaluate my application? • Applications seeking funding up to €10,000 are evaluated by the Regional Tourism Authority/Shannon Development. • All other applications are evaluated by Fáilte Ireland.

7. How is my application assessed? • All applications should be accompanied by the relevant documentation and a fully completed application form. • The following events get priority: • Events taking place outside the peak season. • Locations where there is sufficient available approved accommodation. • Events which generate significant staying visitor traffic • BMW Regions. • Level of overseas interest and potential to attract overseas visitors.

8. What exactly can be funded? • Primarily a marketing fund, funding incremental marketing activities, e.g.: • Advertising • Print, Design & Distribution • Website • Promotions • Direct Mail • Other activities which have a long term impact on the festival e.g. Business Plan, Marketing Plan, Audience Survey etc. • Only a percentage of expenditure on eligible activities is funded under this Initiative.

9. 2004 Applications • Advertisements in the Irish Times, Irish Independent & Irish Examiner on Friday 31, October 2003. • Closing date for receipt of completed applications is: 28 November 2003.

10. How do I avail of the other services? • Website – all events notified to Fáilte Ireland will be included on the site. • Calendar of Events – all larger events are included. The 2004 publication will be available in December 2003. • Publicity – prior notice of your event is required in order to gain maximum publicity, this is done in consultation with the Fáilte Ireland Publicity Department. • Photoshoots – Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland undertake photoshoots in different parts of the county on an annual basis.