Grow Marlborough Forum

GROW MARLBROUGH is a forum of business and visitor industry sectors working together to grow economic return to the community from visitor spend. 

Representatives of 20 business and visitor industry sector groups have started meeting regularly to collectively brainstorm ideas and action plans that will grow economic return to the Marlborough community from visitor spend.  The Grow Marlborough Forum, established by Destination Marlborough, met for the first time on 23 February 2012 to identify and discuss ideas and initiatives for increasing business through the visitor industry.    

Recognition of the seasonal nature of tourism and the welcome boost to businesses throughout the region during key event weekends and when conferences are hosted in Marlborough has focussed the Grow Marlborough Forum on looking at new ways to work together to attract more events and conferences from Autumn through to Spring.

Picking up on previous proposals by Destination Marlborough for the region to establish and invest in a Regional Event Strategy, the Grow Marlborough Forum have made this their top priority for action.

The first meeting covered a wide range of topics including discussion around exploring the development of a new front line training initiative to increase the knowledge of staff who interact with visitors around the region on what there is to see and do in Marlborough to encourage them to stay longer or return for more. 

The Grow Marlborough forum was established in response to feedback at a tourism industry workshop in November last year where tourism businesses wanted to see more unity amongst the visitor service and experience providers and a forum to contribute to the region’s future tourism marketing plans.

The forum brought together a representative of local associations and groups from across the region in the business and tourism sectors

Businesses are encouraged to make contact with their Grow Marlborough representative to discuss ideas and contribute feedback into the forum.

Grow Marlborough Representative contacts:

Each group is responsible for nominating a representative and advising Destination Marlborough of any changes in representative. The representative does not have to be the Chairperson or Manager. Representatives should be considered for their ability to attend meetings, participate proactively and provide effective communication between their industry group and the Industry Advisory Group.

This is an informal industry advisory group that will focus on open discussion and dialogue to improve the interests of the Marlborough tourism industry.

It will be an open forum to:

Gather feedback on the how each segment of the industry is performing, the risks, and challenges and opportunities for growth.

Gather perspectives and data on how tourism development, marketing and trends are impacting on Marlborough tourism businesses.

Test new thinking and concepts for marketing Marlborough as a visitor destination to maximise future industry support of marketing activity.

Effectively mobilize a regional tourism response to external situations (example Chch earthquake).

Coordinate consistent industry messaging on industry matters.

Identify barriers to growth for the sector and explore solutionsIdentify and facilitate industry knowledge and training requirements

RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH REPRESENTATIVE:

Attendance at quarterly meetings or more frequently if required. Represent industry group interests not personal interests. Take a proactive and constructive approach to participating in group discussion. raw views and perspectives from industry sector to bring to the meeting. Report back to industry sector the outcomes and actions from the meetingsAct as advocates for the Marlborough tourism community to build the positive perception of tourism as a valuable contributor to the regional economy.

DESTINATION MARLBOROUGH RESPONSIBILITIES:

First point of contact for media on behalf of the forum.

Set and coordinate meeting dates and logistics.
Manage the list of participants.
Generate and distribute notes from the quarterly meeting.
Communicate and update participants on matters of industry relevance between meetings.
Take a proactive and constructive approach to participating in group discussion.
Share media releases and news alerts.
Consult with the group on the draft Annual Business Plan and Strategic Plan.
Facilitate communication between industry sectors to encourage new initiatives and collaboration between operators

HOW OFTEN:

The group will plan to meet four times a year or more often if agreed based on project activity.  Additional updates between meetings will be sent by email to keep representatives informed of progress.

WHERE:

Meetings will rotate between Blenheim and Picton or elsewhere as mutually agreed.

Destination Marlborough contact:  Tracy Johnston, General Manager, tjohnston@destinationmarlborough.com Ph: 03 5792375