Fins and Tails Festival

1
Fins and Tails Festival

• Exploring the feasibility of a Sport Fishing
  event for Windsor/Essex County

2
The Role of St. Clair College

• Identify key indicators of event feasibility
• Source potential event sponsors
• Design a critical path for signature event
• Develop a business case for the event
• Recommend ancillary activities to complement the
  event.

3
Preliminary findings..........

• The economic output of US sport fishing has been
  estimated at 74 billion
• 7.0 million days of fishing per year for Great
  Lakes
• 137 million invested in sport fishing on Great
  Lakes by enthusiasts
• 70.9 of anglers between 25 and 55
• 57 of anglers have postsecondary education
• 70.1 of anglers are employed full time
• Average angler experience is 18.3 years

4
Industry contacts used.

• Essex County Bass Anglers Association
• Scarborough Fly and Bait Casting Association
• Pro Musky Tournament Trail
• Sarnia Bay Tournament of Championships
• Ludington Tournament (Michigan)
• Ohio Huskie Muskie Club
• Belle River Marina / Belle River BIA
• Lakeview Park Marina
• Canada South Festival Network
• Rochester Place Resort
• Deerbrook Marina

5
Questions asked

• Describe your event.
• Who do you attract?
• Do you have sponsorsWho? How many?
• What impact is there on the local community?
• Is there an organizing committee?
• What are the risks?
• Are there any concerns regarding insurance,
  permits, environment, or competition?
• Are there complementary events running at the
  same time?
• How do you promote the events?
• Are there any comments to share with us?

6
Other questions asked of DMOs

• What type of tournament can organizers expect?
• How many fishing based events take place in your
  area?
• What types of risks are associated with holding
  these events?
• What venues work best?
• What economic benefits can a host location
  expect?
• Are there vendor opportunities?
• Are hotels/motels involved?
• What is the extent of advertising?
• Is there local/national coverage or media
  availability?
• What is the normal travel demographic?
• What is normal target market based on age?
• Are there any underlying issues?

7
Other questions of potential sponsors.

• Are you interested in sponsoring or participating
  in a SFE?
• Would sponsorship depend on credibility/reputation
  of event?
• Does your sponsorship depend on type of event?
• What type of event would YOU be interested in
  sponsoring?
• If yes to sporting event, would that include
  sport fishing?
• What would you company contribute?
• What would be the ideal amount to contribute?

8
Other questions for tourism organizations.

• What successful events have you run?
• What are the key attributes of a successful
  event?
• What are the risks involved?
• Any problems with sponsorship?
• What is the economic impact on the community?

9
Event Possibilities..

• 1 Day event
• Multi-Day events
• Competitive vs. recreational
• Pre-tournament festivities
• Adult child fishing
• Festival of Seafood Cuisine
• Fishy Art

10
Preliminary Recommendations

• Partner with an experienced organizer (Possibly
  Dan Carraro London Ontario. He runs the
  Canadian Open Sport Fishing Event).
• Identify a location (availability of dates- look
  at other festival dates to identify add-ons and
  ensure non conflicts)
• Contact Restaurants, Wineries, Essex Region
  Conservation Authority to seek out support.
• Get a picture of target numbers. Cost () per
  participant? What types of prizes, What types of
  competitions will be run?
• Decide specifics on additional events to target
  women and children
• Explore possible grant opportunities for
  Partnership Groups through the Trillium
  Foundation.
• Contact car dealerships in the area to explore
  possibility of van donations to provide
  transportation.
• Get City of Windsor (Mayor) to sanction and
  support event
• Discuss possible preliminary activities to lead
  up to event

11
Important Contacts

• Dan Carraro London Ontario. He runs the
  Canadian Open Sport Sport Fishing Event brings
  fishermen in from Mexico, US and Canada
• Rita Ossington Canada South Festival Network
• Mariette Kazlauskas Recreation
  Coordinator-Township of Belle River/Lakeshore
• Amanda Murray City of Windsor Parks and
  Recreation/Lakeview Park Marina
• Cabelas Mark Biggs (General Manager)
• Bass Pro Shops Tom Sokolowski (General Manager)
• Labatts Frank Robert (District Sales Manager)
• Canadian Tire Phil Giacaloni/John Muchacho

12
Inputs to the Business Case.

• Sponsorhips Revenue and costings
• Ancillary Events donors, fees and charges
• Multipliers and projections
• Publicity
• VIP participation
• Management, coordination or contract
• Competition
• Future expansion