SUMMERSIDE – The successful Choose Summerside 2017 event is asking city council for a $25,000 contribution to the 2018 event.
Nancy Quinn, one of the organizers for the business expo event, presented to Summerside City Council on Monday proposing a minimum of $10,000 cash contribution and $15,000 in kindness, which would include the space, set up and tear down and anything they need to run the event that the city will not charge them for.
The inaugural event was the product of the Way Forward conferences where delegates decided the most effective way through prosperity for businesses in Summerside was to go forward together. It featured upwards of 75 booths and other attractions on the main ice surface of the Credit Union Place.
Next year’s event would expand the initiative.
“Choose Summerside 2018 will be likely expanding to not only include the main floor of the arena but also the second ice space on the other side,” said Quinn.
“We will effectively double the initiative and we believe the only way to do that is to include all businesses under the auspices of full partnership with the City of Summerside.”
Last year, the organizing committee spent about $50 for balloons and streamers, while no carpeting or table linens were put down, leading to a very basic look, said Quinn.
“Another part I think we were lacking was in our marketing. While we used every opportunity that we could, we didn’t really have the budget to make a strong market statement, and that was a challenge for us.”
Coun. Gordie Whitlock asked during the presentation if any money was made by the event.
Quinn said they came out ahead by $34.
“When the Way Forward/Choose Summerside group asked me to produce the show, the chamber had seed funding of $15,000 and they asked for as much of it to be replaced as possible. They were looking for a break even.”
Whitlock continued to press: “So by expanding the show, wouldn’t you be technically losing more money?”
Quinn answered, “I don’t think so. The way that I’ve set up the budget this year we will be charging a fee at the gate and increase the rate on the booth sale.”
This year there was a complete introductory rate of $150. Next year it will increase to $250.
Quinn doesn’t think doubling the price will deter participants, but she also wants to see a new vitality brought to the event.
“The inaugural event was done on a very basic look. And, in comparison to other events I’ve attended, here in Summerside and in Charlottetown, while the event was successful and people enjoyed themselves, it looked… a little down at the heels, and I think it would be nice to put on an event that showcases all of us better.
Mayor Bill Martin enjoyed the event because of its simplicity.
“It was a nice down-home event. This one impressed me not so much because it was shiny, but it was down-home and felt very comfortable. So the bottom line is that we’re waiting for a set of financial projections to determine where the ask of the City fits the overall budget.”
