Enterprise and Innovation

Co-ordinator Regional Food & Drink Festival

"Carrying out the groundwork for the festival in October 2004"

The co-ordinator supports a consortium representing local and regional food interests, led by Melton Mowbray Food Partnership, to enable Leicestershire to host the next East Midlands Regional Food and Drink Festival at Melton Mowbray in October 2004.

Organisation: Leicestershire County Council

Completion Date: 29/04/2004

Location

Whole of the East Midlands, particularly Leicestershire

Project Description

I have worked in the exhibition industry for over 14 years organising exhibitions aimed at the catering and licensed trades. I pride myself on having established a good reputation for providing quality events for both exhibitors and vistors alike, offering a friendly, yet highly professional, service - Sheila Davenport, Managing Director, Infodex

Background
The co-ordinator has worked since January 2004, so that the project can develop to its full potential. The chosen firm, Infodex, is jointly funded by Leicestershire County Council and in addition the County Council are contributing staff resources to servicing the East Midlands Food and Drink Festival.

Key roles
The role of the co-ordinator is to act in concert with the consortium members including Melton Mowbray Cattle Market, a key partner, to implement an agreed festival structure. The key roles include:

1. Liaison with key organisations such as:

• Local authority economic development, regeneration and health and safety staff;
• Police and Highway authority to discuss traffic movements, signage in town, and parking;
• Local and regional tourism officers and associations to enlist support with promotion;
• Potential sponsors, private and public sector;
• Local food groups for help in contacting potential exhibitors and arranging trade event;
• The local education authority and local schools to ensure participation of school children;
• Local shops, pubs, hotels and other businesses and organisations to encourage supporting special promotions and events.

2. Developing the festival programme of demonstrations and other activities and contacting and booking potential exhibitors.

3. Managing contracts for key services and equipment such as marquees, support services, car parking, signage, medical services, security and entertainment.

4. Managing promotional arrangements including press releases, banners, leaflets and website, press and TV advertising.

5. Securing necessary licences, permits, insurances, risk assessments to ensure a safe and legal festival.

Outcomes

The guiding principle of the festival is to establish the East Midlands as a centre of gastronomic and culinary excellence. The festival should contribute to the following outcomes:

Stimulating innovation and investment

• Fostering food and drink businesses to help achieve the East Midlands Development Agency's objectives of a strong culture of enterprise and innovation and diversification of the industrial base of rural areas.
• Enhancing productivity of businesses in the food and drink cluster by activities which stimulate increased investment and improved innovation.

Boosting tourism, jobs and cooperation

• Maximising the potential economic benefits from tourism by focusing on the development of quality food products, which increase commercial and social benefits for visitors and destinations;
• Stimulating the formation of a network of firms within the food and drink cluster to enhance their competitiveness;
• Contributing to the enhancement of Melton Mowbray market town as a commercial centre;
• Attracting new job opportunities and income to rural areas in response to the decline of agriculture and its supporting industries.

Project Contacts

Project manager:
Richard Thumpston
Tel: 0116 265 7132
E-mail: rthumpston@leics.gov.uk
Website: www.eastmidlandsfoodfestival.co.uk

LSEP contact:
Niloofar Sarkari
Tel: 0116 257 5678
E-mail: niloofars@lsep.co.uk
Website: www.lsep.co.uk