Attracting promoters to Marlborough's venues

Entertainment venues in the Marlborough region on New Zealand's South Island are trying to convince entertainment promoters that events in Blenheim will be financially viable.

According to a recent report in the Marlborough Express, Floorpride Marlborough Civic Theatre and Ticketdirect Tasman General Manager Alana Cairns said it was all about "getting the numbers" for promoters.

The Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000 and the new ASB Civic Theatre, under construction and set to open next year, have been developed to provide extra venue capacity in the region.

Cairns is encouraged by the Billy Connolly's upcoming show at the Stadium on 9th May, part of a 12-city tour, that will offer 'reserve premium' seats in addition to general admission.

She explained "it's a matter of showing promoters it is worthwhile coming to Blenheim because you can get the numbers."

Connolly's Blenheim show will be the same weekend as the St Clair Vineyard Half Marathon, with Cairns having told the promoter that there will be an extra 5,000 people in town that weekend.

As a result, Cairns added "the town is going to be alive, accommodation is going to be stretched but it will be good for the town."

Marlborough District Council Regional Events Co-ordinator Susan Witehira believes that attracting people to Marlborough and making them stay an extra night has benefitted the whole community, adding "(its) really exciting and (is) good timing."

Recalling interest in a Stan Walker performance at the Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000 in September last year, Witehira added "we worked hard to convince promoters to come here and that was his fourth-highest selling gig in New Zealand, behind Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch."

Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000 is an international standard sports and events centre, aquatic centre and health and fitness centre.