Top speakers for SCU forum on festivals and events

A forum on festival and event organisation, to be held at Southern Cross University's Lismore campus on April 13, has attracted some of the most experienced event organisers in NSW and Queensland.

The Northern Rivers Regional Festival and Events Forum aims to enhance and better coordinate festivals in the Northern Rivers. It is being organised by SCU's Centre for Regional Tourism Research, with support from the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management.

The one-day forum is for festival and event organisers, local government representatives and community agencies in the region. Sessions include planning, marketing and managing regional events; networking and resource sharing; opportunities through the NSW Festivals and Events Association; and updates on research into regional events.

Neil Cameron, with 30 years of theatre experience and 250 major project achievements in Australia, Britain, Europe, North America and Japan, is the keynote speaker. Mr Cameron is known for his large-scale theatre rituals, fusing music and visual arts. Recent productions include Brisbane's Centenary of Federation event "River of Light", 2001; the Ulladulla Easter Blessing of the Fleet festival; and the Woodford/Maleny Folk Festival closing ceremonies. He is also working with Jyllie Jackson and the team producing the award winning Lismore Lantern Parade in June.

The second keynote speaker is Mary-Clare Power, who works with Events Queensland to develop events in regional Queensland. She has previously worked with Tourism Queensland, the Queensland Events Corporation, and organised city and regional events including World Expo '88, IndyCar, World Masters Games, the Great Barrier Reef Dive Festival and the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.

Other speakers include Meredith Lawrence and Jo Mackellar, lecturers with SCU who are currently undertaking research on regional events. Jeremy Miller, from the Management Committee of the NSW Festival and Events Association and an events coordinator in the Manning Valley, will also speak on successful regional events.

Mr Miller said the Northern Rivers Regional Festival and Events Forum at SCU was an opportunity for event organisers to network and increase professionalism. He said the forum would also include an update on the issue of festival insurance.

"There's been peak coverage in city and regional media lately on festivals and insurance premiums--there's also been some panic," he said. "We are finding with a professional approach, education, examination of risk management issues, a good risk management plan, and careful reassessment of activities offered-there often is a way to proceed."

The Northern Rivers Regional Festival and Events Forum will provide an opportunity for participants to raise issues and questions. Organisers also expect some regional actions and decisions to be taken in relation to improved future event management in the Northern Rivers.

The Northern Rivers Regional Festival and Events Forum is open to all those involved in local event organising. It will be held at Southern Cross University, U- Block, Military Road, East Lismore on Saturday April 13 from 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. A fee of $25 covers registration, morning tea, lunch and any handouts.

For enquiries and registrations please contact Donna McIntyre on (02) 6620 3503 or email dmcintyr@scu.edu.au or Kate Benecke on 6626 9114 or Robin Osborne, Media Liaison, Marketing & External Relations, Phone: (02) 6620 3039 Mobile: 0418 431 484 Email: rosborne@scu.edu.au