The Den of Dragons competition to find a new event for Whanganui, and the competition sponsors line up before organisers Lyn Cheyne and Kathy Cunningham.
The Den of Dragons competition to find a new event for Whanganui, and the competition sponsors line up before organisers Lyn Cheyne and Kathy Cunningham.
Entrants in Whanganui's "Den of Dragons" public event competition have just a few days to get ideas in to the organisers. Entries must be in by July 10 with organisers looking for creative ideas for an event that could become a regular on Whanganui's calendar. Whanganui and Partners promotion and marketing managerLyn Cheyne and Whanganui Events Trust chief executive Kathy Cunningham are organising a competition using a format similar to television show Dragons' Den, and inviting individuals and groups to pitch an event idea. The Den of Dragons competition will be whittled down to six finalists who will face the judges on July 27 in the War Memorial Centre. The winner will likely put on their event - after more than $15,000 worth of help and mentoring - the following year. Ms Cheyne said they now had "dragons" lined up to judge the competition. The judges are Blair Jagusch, general manager of Orange Productions; Simon Phillips, director of regions for NZ Maori Tourism; Petrina Maxwell, founder of Agent 86 Events; and Kathy Cunningham from Empire PR and Events. Ms Cheyne said all the judges had significant experience in commercial business and management, with high-profile clients and event sponsorships and partnerships. "We're fortunate to have secured 'dragons' of exceptional calibre, and I know they're looking forward to being part of the competition and keen to see the ideas presented. The idea is seen as unique for event discovery and development. "We currently have five entries and I've been told of several more to come as the deadline gets closer," she said. Mr Jagusch said he was excited to be involved in the judging. "I can't wait to see what ideas come up and am really looking forward to being part of it all. I'm sure I can be a firm but fair dragon," he said. Entries can be made via whanganuiwhatson.nz, where contestants are asked to describe their event idea, why they want to make the event happen, how they will manage the event, describe the target audience and how they will promote the event. Ms Cheyne, Whanganui and Partners manager Adrian Dixon and Visit Whanganui chairwoman Claire Wickham will choose the best six applications. Those people will make their pitches to the judges on July 27.
