Regional event development and promotion

Events are an important vehicle for local governments to engage with residents, businesses and key stakeholders. Events provide an opportunity for interaction with the community and, if well targeted, can foster a sense of place by communicating values of the destination and build civic pride.

Events can also improve a destination's profile which may become a catalyst for attracting new audiences and investment to the region. Member councils in Perth's Eastern Region host and support a vibrant event program with events suited to both residents and visitors.

EMRC supports the development and promotion of two key regional festival programs; Perth's Autumn Festival and the Avon Descent Family Fun Days. EMRC facilitates regional collaboration amongst member Councils and stakeholders with the aim of leveraging partner funding, increasing efficiency, expanding market reach and cross-promotion.

Perth's Autumn Festival

Perth's Autumn Festival is a seven week program of events that runs from mid March to early May each year. The festival program comprises of various events held throughout Perth's Eastern Region as selected by member councils, including one tourism or community event and one cycling event per council.

EMRC supports event managers with business planning, event development and environmental and sustainability initiatives. EMRC also coordinates a regional marketing and public relations campaign for the festival on behalf of member councils, including online, radio and print advertising and promotion.

More information on the Perth's Autumn Festival is available at: www.perthtourism.com.au/perths-autumn-festival.html.

Avon Descent Family Fun Days

The Avon Descent Family Fun Days are a series of family-orientated events held annually along the banks of the Avon and Swan Rivers on the first weekend of August with the aim of engaging local communities and visitors with the Avon Descent white water race.

Since 2004, EMRC has applied and acquitted funding from Lotterywest on behalf of the member councils and the Shire of Toodyay and Shire of Northam. Lotterywest funding supports councils to meet costs of staging the family fun days including; event infrastructure, entertainment, community engagement activities and promotion. This funding also supports a significant collaborative regional marketing campaign coordinated by EMRC.

More information on the Avon Descent Family Fun Days is available at: www.perthtourism.com.au/avon-descent.html.

The prestigious Western Australian Tourism Awards, now in their 40th year, acknowledge and reward excellence in the state's tourism industry.

EMRC was recognised as a finalist in the 'Tourism Marketing' category of the 2012 WA Tourism Awards for the 2011 Avon Descent Family Fun Days and the 2012 Perth's Autumn Festival. EMRC thanks the Tourism Council Western Australia and Countrywide Publications for recognising the hard work of EMRC and our member councils.