Chairman of the Dominica Festivals Committee (DFC) Colin Piper claims that based on studies, in terms of consumer spending during the event the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) returns nine times the investment that is put into it.
Piper was speaking at the official media launch of the WCMF, last evening, where he pointed out that despite the Festival being profitable only on two occasions, in 1998 and 1999 when the WCMF recorded profits of $16,000 and $500,000, respectively, the festival still remains relevant.
“The question of the relevance of the Festival is posed every year around this time and we respond again, in advance, with the response that we have given before, which is that on two occasions, we have done a value for money audit and the results have indicated that the return to government on its expenditure is up to nine times. So we will continue to speak to the relevance of the Festival economically,” Piper affirmed.
Government subvention for the WCMF for the last three years has remained constant at $700,000, despite fiscal challenges, but Piper says that the WCMF needs a budget of some $3-million but maintains the need for fiscal responsibility, as challenges loom and linger.
He said, “The Festival needs a budget of $3-million but every year we have about $2-million that we can count on, $700,000 in government subvention, $300,000 in sponsorships and we also project about $1-million in gate receipts, for which we are thankful to the patrons. That means that we are in search of another $1-million in kind sponsorships. So when patrons ask why can’t we afford a [Carlos] Santana or Shakira, or a Ziggy Marley, I would just say that it is not for the lack of wanting to bring such fine artistes to Dominica but we have to be fiscally responsible in these times.”
Much to the delight of WCMF patrons, Piper also announced that ticket prices for the Festival will remain the same as last year and the DFC will, again, offer season tickets at $250 during the month of August, $300 during September and will not implement the full $325 price until October.
pardner,
if i give you $10 then ask for $15 in VIP freebies who makes a profit???
VIP is as said,Very Important Person not for everyone.
VIP non transferable and valid for one night only
Sunday kicks off at 3pm for kids/families
The list is endless.
It’s one of our major events so the idea of having it totally subsidised should be explored.
If subsidised, the ticket price could be cut in half, attracting even more patrons, boosting tourism.
In the end, ticket sales and even the same level of sponsorship, and other fund raisers could potentially offset a percentage of the subsidy.
A win-win for all involved, even the tax payer in terms of tourism receipts. Seriously!
Mr. Piper, cut the VIP passes please! Isn’t it folly that most people who receive them are those affluent enough to pay for their tickets?
What of the VAT payment that is a killer too
You’re trying to do a great job, Mr. Piper; and I applaud you for that. However, you are telling me the “whats” instead of the “hows”. I’m sure you’re a solution-driven person who wants to see a healthy balance sheet in your next fiscal report. However, you need to focus on the “hows.” You can’t continue to operate a business that is losing money.
Have you thought of the following?
1. Until we are fiscally sound, let’s cut the major events to two nights.
2. Let’s supplement the third night with acts or events that are not so fiscally demanding
3. Let’s develope an aggressive promotional campaign that targets sponsors, tourists, ex-pats, etc.
4. It will be painful for some, but some other areas will have to be streamlined or cut.
5. Let’s entice people back so that we have repeated customers. Give discount tickets to next year’s events.
6. For businesses that can’t sponsor, let’s see if they can provide discounts to event ticket holders (hotels, restaurants, car rentals, etc). All of this will entice people back.
7. Let’s begin our promotional campaign sooner.
Of course, there are things that are beyond our control that continue to present problems: (1) air access (2) hotel accommodation (3)infastructure, etc, etc, etc.
It is better that we operate on a slimmer scale than to go under.
I’m sure my fellow Kubulians have suggestions they can add. let’s be proactive.
ne porte de croix
Such indifference by you for an issue that affects DA’ans. You must be a Kubulian pretending to be French. I think the actual expression is “N’importe quoi, or N’importe de quoi. Which means “whatever” or that a person is talking rubbish.
Then Colin it is simple – reduce the number of nights and do what you were forced to do last year – have the festival run on Sunday from around 3PM in the afternoon – packing the festival with reggae bands simply maybe because they are affordable does nothing to protect the relevance of the festival.
Do something different – u complain about money each and every year – yet you continue to do things the same way – wake up my brother – propose something different!!!!.
3 Quarters of the stadium is VIP, VIP, VIP.
You all planning, sponsoring etc and etc., so your friends, bon gents, met bom, cousin, aunty, nenen, cousin boyfriend, boyfriend sister and mother etc. etc. etc. have VIP.
If corporate sponsorship is to the detriment of the profitability of the festival, then the way agreements are made need to be urgently reviewed. It’s not because a bank or phone company sponsors, that their employees and the employees generation and the generation of the generation supposed to have VIP. MADNESSSS!
day three missing something Piper, last year cross fire did not get to play because of weather; i feel it fair that they come this year; already the sunday lineup not looking good and impressive, bring dem nuh
Creole festival will never generate any profits. Why!! too many people with VIP tickets and passes, 50% of people in the park have VIP passes. How does the DFC expect to make any money. Control the VIP tickets and passes.
wat is the line up for this year and u all always loosing money but again nn body know wat the real money u all are making ok
Stop giving free tickets to sponsors like that. All you would never make money that way.
Are they actually ‘looking forward’ to operating at a loss? I don’t like that attitude.