Half year attendance boost for Wellington venues

Positively Wellington Venues and the Westpac Stadium have between them had 468,201 people through their doors in the first half of this year.

Westpac Stadium has hosted 267,841 people compared with 235,910 for the same period last year, while Positively Wellington Venues has entertained 200,360 people at ticketed shows.

Both organisations bring a wide array of offerings to the New Zealand capital adding enormously to its vitality through live performance, including concerts, theatre, opera, NRL, cricket, AFL, Rugby and football.

To do this they have both been working assiduously to build a year- round calendar of events rather than relying on one-off seasons.

Positively Wellington Venues Chief Executive Glenys Coughlan explains "there is a huge beneficial impact on the city in having a strong sequence of mid-size high-selling events and building long-term relationships with promoters so that we can continue to attract a diverse range of events throughout the year."

Westpac Stadium is ahead 13.5% on the same time last year and Positively Wellington Venues are 14% up on the previous year's numbers through their doors.

Stadium Chief Executive David Gray adds "our increases can be put down to not being reliant on the one-off big ticket events or waiting for the next test, but a season of really good events that attract a wide demographic across the region, and visitors to the city.

"Anyone of the combined 50,000 crowd that attended the NRL Warrior's game or the AFL game would be able to testify to the big crowds that are not necessarily our usual rugby or football fans.

"The great thing is that we can expect more games from both codes because of the great reception they got in Wellington, the quality of the venue, and the support they get from 'Team Wellington' in terms of the City Council, Stadium management and the hospitality industry."

Positively Wellington Venues can also attest to the good relationships with event organisers.

Here Coughlan explains "we have found when we work with promoters to deliver the goods, they are keen to bring more product to the market.

"When new promoters experience the 'Team Wellington' approach, the marketing, and the support they get from the Wellington region's audiences, as well as the way in which the City embraces new events, they want to come back for more.

"A good example is the response we got from Feld Entertainment, when we attracted Disney on Ice to the Capital for the first time this year; their experience was so good we are already holding space for them for next year. Again, this show tapped into a younger audience, adding to the array of events appealing to different demographics throughout the region and the country."

Both organisations can boast not only adding to the vitality of the city, but also to its coffers. Positively Wellington Venues events have collectively attracted 59,000 out of town visitors to the city, while the Westpac Stadium has hosted 60,000 non Wellingtonians to just four major events alone.

Coughlan concludes "we know that out of town visitors spend an average of $258 per day and normally stay for two days, and so the 119,000 to ticketed events at the Stadium and our venues means a boost of over $30 million to Wellington's economy.

"What is important is to keep delivering: what people want to see; of such quality we attract visitors to the city; events that appeal to a wide demographic; and provide to codes, promoters and supporters an experience they want to enjoy again."

Visit the Positively Wellington Venues website at http://www.pwv.co.nz/