Events capital welcomes WOW

MEDIA RELEASE

24 September 2014

Events capital welcomes WOW

Wellington is getting fired up for WOW this week – and looking forward to welcoming more than 35,000 visitors to the city over the next three weeks.

The WOW awards show moved to Wellington from Nelson in 2005, largely to accommodate a continually increasing number of show-goers. The 2014 season has been extended to a third weekend, providing an even bigger boost for the local economy.

In 2012, Wellington City Council signed a nine year partnership deal with WOW, which Councillor Jo Coughlan, chair of Council’s Economic Growth and Arts Committee, says is already proving to be a sound investment.

“More than 47,000 people came to a WOW show in 2013, with 71.6% of those people coming from outside of Wellington – providing a direct economic benefit of $22.6 million to Wellington. With a third weekend this year, we are anticipating an even greater impact for our retail, hospitality and accommodation sectors” says Councillor Coughlan.

“On top of the spend by visitors in our shops, hotels, bars and restaurants, WOW benefits Wellington by employing more than 500 people in the city each year, and showcasing us to the world as a creative, innovative place to live, work, visit and do business”.

ENDS

© Scoop Media