Floriade a spring bloom for Canberra Tourism

Opening today, Canberra's Floriade is Australia's biggest celebration of spring and is a major drawcard for ACT tourism.
Running from Saturday 15th September to Sunday 14th October at Canberra's Commonwealth Park, the event showcases one million flowers in bloom. Free to enter, Floriade attracts over 400,000 local, interstate and international visitors and, according to peak national tourism body, Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF), drives millions of dollars in expenditure.
Explaining his belief that Floriade is a key event on the ACT events calendar, TTF Chief Executive John Lee states "Floriade attracted just over 412,000 visitors last year ... injecting $30 million into the local economy.
"Government investment in events like Floriade delivers significant dividends to the ACT economy, with every dollar increase in tourism output generating an additional 92 cents in the rest of the economy.
"These figures show just how valuable this event is to Canberra's economy, supporting jobs and local businesses, and encouraging people from around Australia to visit the nation's capital.
"Events like Floriade drive visitation in different segments of the market at times of the year which may otherwise see lower demand."
Lee said properly planned, promoted and managed events are a vital element of the ACT's tourism offering, adding "the ACT government's support of Floriade and other festivals is central to delivering a successful events calendar.
"Having an integrated tourism and events calendar can boost overall tourism activity and facilitating private investment in complementary attractions.
"Floriade also creates interest and awareness of the ACT as a tourism destination, broadening its tourism offering and helping to highlight the variety of activities available to visitors."
Floriade presents the richness of spring over four distinctive weeks:

Week One Spring Palettes

Headline: MasterChef 2010 finalist Courtney Roulston

Welcome in spring with colour and inspiration through a kaleidoscope of activities. Learn the art of floral design when awardw inning florists Richard Go and Michael Wood demonstrate how to create breathtaking floral displays.

See the stunning display of style and creativity when fashion and flowers come together at the Passion for Fashion exhibition in the ActewAGL Look 'n' Learn Marquee. Join gardening expert and author Jackie French and award winning local chefs with the Yellow Van food rescue service in the Gourmet Garden, the place for learning how to grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh seasonal food. Up bright and early? Experience the health benefits of exercising in the gardens before they open to the public with the Heart Foundation Earlybird Walkers.

Week Two Fashion & Design

Headline: Jayson Brunsdon and Wayne Cooper

Spring fashion and stylish design will steal the spotlight this week as Floriade joins forces with Canberra Centre to host runway shows, style workshops and special appearances by some of Australia's most iconic fashion designers between Canberra Glassworks demonstrations at the ActewAGL Look 'n' Learn Marquee. Empress Stiltdancers will entertain from up high while in the Gourmet Garden, fresh and flavoursome food takes centre stage with passionate local chefs from the Yellow Van and local gardening expert Keith Colls demonstrating how to grow organic produce.

Week Three His & Hers DIY

Headline: Polly and Waz, winners of The Block 2011 and Better Homes and Gardens presenter Jason Hodges

Be inspired by the infinite possibilities to transform your home into an indoor and outdoor oasis. Ask our panel of local gardening gurus, including Diana O'Brien, Merylyn Condon and Keith Colls, questions about gardening in the ActewAGL Look 'n' Learn Marquee. Learn how to transform your backyard with daily DIY presentations from Bunnings and meet chefs and gardening experts in the Gourmet Garden for tips for growing and cooking the fruit

http://www.floriadeaustralia.com