Request for Proposals - Development of Events and Festivals Strategy

⁠⁠⁠Parkes Shire Council is inviting Proposals from suitably qualified, skilled and experienced Consultants to develop an Events and Festivals Strategy and Action Plan.

The objectives of the Strategy and Action Plan are to:
1. Promote the Parkes Shire's capacity for hosting events and support Council in attracting events that provide maximised benefits from a social, cultural, economic and/or environmental perspective.
2. Provide a clear strategic direction for Council's Events and Festivals portfolio and improving the long-term sustainability of the Parkes Elvis Festival and Trundle ABBA Festival.
3. Provide a framework for events selection that will enable Council to develop a balanced and strategic portfolio of events.
4. Provide a platform to develop and sustain a vibrant events calendar that increases visitor nights and spend in the Parkes Shire.

The Strategy and Action Plan should:
1. Include a current situation analysis of the NSW events industry, including trends, opportunities, challenges and risks, and commentary around how Council should respond to these factors to attract the "right" events to the Parkes Shire, and facilitate the ongoing development, implementation and sustainability of Council's Events and Festivals portfolio.
2. Include a review and analysis of Council's Events and Festivals portfolio, including existing audiences, with recommendations on how to grow the audiences for those events.
3. Include a review and analysis of events infrastructure in the Parkes Shire, including key precincts and public spaces, with recommendations on how they can be leveraged to achieve the objectives of the Strategy and Action Plan.
4. Establish a clear strategic direction, including accompanying objectives and performance measures, for Council's Events and Festivals portfolio, including its two signature events, the Parkes Elvis Festival and Trundle ABBA Festival, with a key focus on improving the sustainability of those events.
5. Establish a framework for events selection that will enable Council to develop a balanced portfolio of events that will complement the Parkes Shire's strengths, foster local talent, activate local precincts and public spaces, and deliver strong economic and social return on investment.
6. Include a detailed Action Plan, summarising the strategies and actions to realise the objectives of the Strategy. The Action Plan must be presented in a SMART format, ensuring that all actions listed are specific, measurable and achievable, with responsibility for delivery (and accompanying timeframe for delivery) of each action clearly defined.