AFL commercial managers appraise new Adelaide Oval's tourism potential

Commercial managers from each of the 18 AFL clubs have visited Adelaide to get a first hand look at the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval.

Throughout 2013, the South Australian Government has been engaging interstate AFL clubs to ensure that they bring their fans, and in particular their corporate sponsors, to Adelaide next year.

The two day meeting is being held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, the first time this group has gathered outside of Melbourne, and will include a tour of the Adelaide Oval and a visit to McLaren Vale.

South Australian Tourism Minister, Leon Bignell, says the meeting will give AFL club managers an insight into what will be on offer in Adelaide in 2014, stating "this gives us an opportunity to showcase not just the stadium but the broader South Australian tourism experience.

"We want to encourage club members, corporate backers and AFL coterie groups to come to a game, stay an extra day or two, and enjoy McLaren Vale, the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa.

"Each weekend for at least 20 weeks of the year we will have hundreds, if not thousands of interstate visitors, coming to Adelaide and this will provide a huge economic boost for Adelaide and our regions.

"This year Collingwood took 6,000 fans to the Gold Coast to watch the Pies play the Suns and we want a slice of that action from next year.

"We also want visiting clubs to bring their corporate sponsors who are some of the key leaders in Australian business. By bringing them to a game at the Adelaide Oval, we hope they will see Adelaide is a vibrant city with so much to offer them and their business.

"This year I have met with Collingwood, Carlton, Geelong and Brisbane CEOs and it was clear their fans and sponsors weren't interested in coming to Adelaide to watch football at Football Park. That will all change with AFL moving to Australia's newest stadium.

"Through football tourism and associated activities we will see millions of dollars flow into our state and the economic activity will start repaying the investment in what will be an amazing stadium by world standards."

The two day meeting is including a presentation on the AFL's travel and tourism platform, which is run in association with Virgin Australia's 'Any Game, Anywhere' program.

AFL Commercial Operations Manager, Darren Birch, says interstate clubs are keen to explore new tourism opportunities at the Oval, adding "we are excited about the chance to visit the redeveloped Adelaide Oval to see first-hand the opportunities to host corporate partners and hold functions during next year's AFL season.

"We are looking forward to getting a taste of South Australia's famous hospitality and tourism.

"Adelaide Oval's re-birth will add new life to AFL matches in South Australia's capital and will kick off a host of event options for commercial partners of the AFL and individual clubs."

Images shows how the Adelaide Oval redevelopment will look when complete.

11th July 2013 - NCR VENUE MANAGEMENT SOLUTION TO BE INSTALLED AT REDEVELOPED ADELAIDE OVAL