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Regional Events Strategy Coordinator Appointed

Friday 8 February 2013, 1:36PM

By Marlborough District Council

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MARLBOROUGH

Marlborough woman Susie Witehira has been appointed to the new role of Regional Events Strategy coordinator.

Mrs Witehira was the regional project manager for Marlborough in support of the Rugby World Cup 2011.
The new role has been created to support the tourism, business and events sector and build Marlborough’s ability to attract and retain events. Communication and coordination, including the establishment of an events framework for the region, are key responsibilities of the new role.

The coordination job was established in response to a request from Grow Marlborough, a forum of business and visitor industry representatives brought together last year to help build the economic returns from visitors to the region. The Council is funding the new role through a levy on commercial and industrial ratepayers while Grow Marlborough will provide support and guidance to the coordinator role.

Destination Marlborough General Manager Tracy Johnston said the establishment of this role was at the top of the agenda for the Grow Marlborough forum participants for 2012.

“There is a real desire to work together across the sector groups to align activity and communication. We welcome Susie's appointment and look forward to working alongside the Council to maximise every opportunity that events create for this region."

Mrs Witehira is a local woman who has returned to raise a family here after gaining commercial experience in the Auckland events market.

Council manager of Strategic Planning and Economic Development Neil Henry says the RWC experience extended Mrs Witehira’s connections with the national network of events professionals and, in the months of planning that went into the Rugby World Cup, she got a good insight into the local events sector.

Part of the job brief will be to develop a plan for supporting and building on existing events and improving the communication between all sectors. However the role does not include actual event organisation.
Mrs Witehira will begin work next month. She has been appointed for a term of three years.