I believe the overall effect would be a
win-win for everyone. Festivals who participate in the program would have
better events, would draw more visitors and have fewer disappointed attendees. Visitors
going to these festivals would know in advance what to expect. This would mean
happier attendees and happier attendees usually spend more.
If Festivals and
Events Ontario were to spearhead this program, they could use it as a
membership recruitment tool and it would give them the opportunity to educate
and upgrade their existing festival and event members. The standards should be
detailed, but not be too complicated. The program could start out by standardizing
simple amenities, ones that every attendee would appreciate knowing about. Amenities
such as washroom facilities and their placement, seniors and disabled
facilities, children’s facilities, first aid, shuttle services and “green”
programs could be the first ones standardized, others could follow later. With
gas and food prices drastically increasing, people are becoming more and more discerning
about where and how they spend their money. They want value for money spent.
They don’t want to drive long distance to events that have no appeal. They are
using the internet more to select the festivals and events they are going to
attend. Our Ontario Visited website attests to that, as does the
Ontario Travels site.
It is important that festivals
understand the changing dynamics and take advantage of them as new
opportunities. Those that don’t will ultimately fail. Standard guideline, I
believe, will help festivals achieve their potential.
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