The first monthly business breakfast hosted by Narooma Rotary was a success with 30 Narooma business people who went to The Inlet on Thursday, April 15 and discussed upcoming events in the region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Narooma's upcoming Oyster Festival was a big topic of conversation, and festival chair Cath Peachey took the opportunity to talk about the festival's considerable impacts on Narooma and the region.
"Our primary goal is to get people here in May, a traditionally quiet time for tourists, and to promote our region's wonderful fresh produce, our unique area and showcase the lifestyle here," Mrs Peachey said.
"Our strategy is to target high value visitors from elsewhere, particularly Canberra and Sydney, and encourage them to stay four to five days and experience Narooma and our region.
"We want to grow awareness of our region as a year-round destination."
The 2019 Festival attracted more than 5,000 people to the area with 71 per cent coming from outside the Eurobodalla Shire and post-event surveys showed excellent satisfaction levels.
"We work hard to try to engage with as many elements of our community as possible, including having strong Indigenous involvement, and this year the River of Arts section," Mrs Peachey said.
"Our marketing budget is much larger this year thanks to Government grants to assist with the region's recovery.
"Part of the budget will host top media who will be treated to an experience of the area as well as the Festival and the value of such extensive media coverage exceeds $1 million."
Mrs Peachey paid tribute to the Chamber's vision in establishing the festival in 2007, and acknowledged the support of festival partners, the volunteer team behind the festival, and of the many volunteers who work at the festival each year, which now costs around $250k to stage each year.
Rotary president Ange Ulrichsen and president-elect Andrew Lawson were delighted with the response and widespread support the club has received for the Business Breakfasts.
The next breakfast on Thursday, May 20 will feature Narooma Chamber of Commerce president Jenny Munro who will talk about the Narooma and district community plan.