2009 NC and SC Festivals and Events Planner Survey

Wayne W. Smith, Ph.D.Andrea S. Canberg, Ph.D.

College of Charleston

Stacy R. Tomas, Ph.D.

Samantha Rozier-Rich, Ph.D.

NC State University

Introduction

Purpose: To gain a better understanding of festivals and events in NC and SC General Questions: Size, Type Financial: Budgetary Issues, Revenues Operational: Partnerships, Trends and Support

On-line survey developed College of Charleston and NC State University NC and SC Festivals and Events Associations

Survey link sent electronically to all members and other known festivals/events Three week data collection period, two reminder e-

mails sent

Festival Profile

Are you currently a member of:

2008 = 66% Reported being a member.

What three key words or phrases best describe your festival/event type?

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Family

Entertainment

Arts/Crafts

Culture/History

Music

Food

Festival/Outdoors

What category best describes your event?

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Holiday Celebration

Parade

Agricultural

Fine Arts

Fair

Cultural/Heritage

Culinary/Gastronomy

Arts & Crafts

Performing Arts

Run/Walk

2009 Attendance

~73% of sample had an attendance under 20,000. Smallest: 100 Largest: 321,728 Average: 26,473

2008 avg. (29,860) Mode: 15,000

2008 mode (15,000)

2009 Attendance

Out of 153 responses: Smallest: 100 Average: 26,473 Largest: 321,728 Mode: 15,000 Median: 10,000

Length of Event

•Mean: 2.8 Days

• 2008 avg. = 3.5 Days

What is your organization’s tax status?

Open ended answers given for category “Other” included:

-Municipality/Local Government-Government Agency-Non-Profit-LLC

-University-501 (c) 5-Federal Government/Military

What was your organization’s operating budget for this festival/event?

What was your gross food & beverage revenue?

Out of 71 responses:– Smallest: $0 Average: $34,214.03 Median: $2,500– Largest: $947,000 Mode: 0

Budget cont

2009Avg. Budget = $136,549.60

Median Budget = $31,375.00Mode Budget = $40,000.00

Est. operating budget = $5.16 per visitor 2008 - Est. operating budget = $7.08 per visitor

-27.1%

Est. Total Spending = $22,715,500.00 2008 - Est. Total Spending = $34,613,056.00

-$12 M / -34.3%

How many paid staff does this festival/event employ?

How many volunteers work with your festival/event?

How many people are on your organizing (executive) committee?

How many festivals/events were you involved in planning in 2009?

Out of 166 responses:– Average: 5– Median: 3 Mode: 1

2009 Est. Total Human Resources

2009

Est. Number of Paid Employees = 1,448 (FTE) Median = 2 (FTE) Employees per Festival

Est. Number of Board Members = 5,792 Median = 8 Board Members per Festival

Est. Number of Volunteers = 25,340 Median = 35 Volunteers per Festival

Est. Total Human Resources = 32,580 Avg. = 45 People per Festival

Trends

What do you feel are the most important trends related to managing events/festivals?

2009 Top Five Trends

1. Sponsorship

2. Cost Containment

3. Greening

4. Volunteer Management

5. Advertising

2008 Top Five Trends

1. Sponsorship

2. Advertising

3. Economy

4. Technology

5. Development of New Product

What issues/topics would you like the NCAFE and/or the SCFEA to address in the next few years?

2009 Top Five Topics

1. Revenue Generation

2. Marketing Trends

3. Insurance

4. New Product Development

5. Greening Events

In each of the following areas, how did last year’s economic downturn affect your festival/event?

In each of the following areas, how do you anticipate next year’s economy will affect your festival/event?

What donated or subsidized city or town services do you receive (select all that apply)?

73%

57%

71%

63%

54%

38%

2008 = Police – 82% Parking – 45% Fire 63% EMS – 73% Trash - 75%

Does your event carryliability insurance?

2008 = 91% Reported carrying insurance.

In 2009, has your insurance premium:

Do you receive financial support from state grants?

2008 = 21% received support.

Do you receive financial support from state agencies (e.g. the NC Division of Tourism or the SC Accommodations Tax)?

2008 = 33% received support.

What currently does your event or festival do to reduce environmental impact?

72%68%

40%

48%

76%

4%9%

32%

44%

0%

What new initiatives have you done to make your festival/event more “green” (environmentally friendly)?

Is this festival/event a fundraiser for a not-for-profit charity?

Out of 17 responses:

•Minimum: $500

•Maximum: $530,000

•Mode: $5,000

•Mean: $530,000

Does your festival/event make donations to charitable causes post event?

Giving to Not-For-Profit

2009 est. giving to Not-For-Profit

$3,899,450.00

When was the last financial audit of your event?

Have you conducted an economic impact analysis related to your event?

2008 = 15% conducted an Economic Impact Analysis.

What issues/topics would you like the NCAFE and/or the SCFEA to address in the next few years?

0

5

10

15

20

25

Mark

eting/Adve

rtisin

g

Sponso

rship/G

rants

Insurance

Go Green

New Eve

ntsOth

er

What do you feel are the most important trends related to managing events/festivals in the next five years?