Gary Fitz-Roy
Last chance for Tasmania to keep Australia’s No. 1 craft event coming back
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
Date: JUNE 12, 2008
USE IT OR LOSE IT
Last chance for Tasmania to keep Australia’s No. 1 craft event coming back
The ongoing and seemingly pointless imaginary segregation between Launceston in the North and Hobart in the South of Tasmania, is now threatening to put an end to the return of the annual Craft & Quilt Fair – which is intended for all Tasmanian’s, regardless of geographical location.
In what now appears to be little more than petty rivalry – Tasmanian craft enthusiasts as a whole, stand to lose Australia’s only national and international annual craft event, returning to their shores. Fair organiser, Expertise Events is considering scrapping the event from Tasmania altogether if attendance numbers do not increase this year.
The saga seems to have materialised when Expertise Events relocated the annual fair from its 2001 launch location in Launceston, to Hobart in 2005. Various factors contributed to the relocation from Launceston, including the lack of an exhibition venue large enough to host the fair – and so the decision was made to utilise the facilities provided by the Derwent Entertainment Centre in Hobart.
Expertise Events has dedicated time and resources to addressing the concerns of Tasmanian craft enthusiasts – to ensure the fair is catering to their needs. Following feedback from the 2007 Craft & Quilt Fair, the following are examples of some of the changes that have been implemented for the fair in 2008:
1. The date of the fair has been moved to June following complaints it clashed with other local events throughout the state and also in hope of better weather
2. Pre-show workshops have been reinstated despite a lack of attendance in previous years
3. An evening workshop has been introduced to afford workers unable to attend the fair during standard trading hours, the opportunity to participate
Expertise Events hopes that these changes along with the world class standard of exhibits, displays and instructors at the 2008 fair, will suffice in increasing visitor numbers. If, however, support for the event in totality is still meagre – then the reality is that it won’t be back in 2009.
Managing Director of Expertise Events, Gary Fitz-Roy is at his wits end, stating, “The petty politics of this whole situation is beyond a joke. Expertise Events runs this exhibition in Tasmania for the benefit of all Tasmanian craft lovers. Perhaps we could host it on the roadside exactly half-way between the two cities – maybe then they will come together as a state to support it.”
He continued, “The fair literally can not return to Launceston. Firstly, the previous venue, Silver Dome, which we had outgrown anyway, declared itself as a sporting facility only. Secondly, there are no other venues large enough to host us – the only option we have to keep the fair coming to Tasmania, is to host it in Hobart.”
Expertise Events’ main concern is that the fair will not be commercially viable for exhibitors if local support is not ramped up and visitor numbers increased. With hundreds of exhibitors, the fair affords Tasmanian crafters the chance to browse the latest products, learn new techniques and stock up on supplies that are otherwise not readily available on the island.
“What I fail to comprehend is how eighty five percent of our exhibitors willingly travel from the mainland with all their products, materials and staff and yet the locals won’t even travel to Hobart to support them,” Mr Fitz-Roy said.
The purpose of the fair is to provide Tasmanian’s direct access to world renowned craftspeople and displays of unique and exclusive exhibitions from around the world. With the future of Australia’s No. 1 craft event hanging in the balance for Tasmania, Gary Fitz-Roy thinks they need to start looking at the bigger picture.
“The Craft & Quilt Fair aims to deliver the best of all things craft to people nationwide and beyond. The fair travels to Tasmania, as a state that represents the nation of Australia, yet they won’t come together as a state to support it. It’s all a bit ironic – don’t you think?”
Where & When: Derwent Entertainment Centre, Brooker Highway, Glenorchy, Hobart
Friday, June 27 – Sunday, June 29, 2008
Open: 10:00am – 4:00pm daily
Tickets: Tickets available at the door or online at www.craftfair.com.au/hobart08.php
Groups: Pre-booked tickets are available for groups of a minimum
of 10 people at a discounted rate.
To arrange a group call (02) 9452 7575.
Information: Visit http://www.craftfair.com.au/hobart08.php or call 02 9452 7575.
