Event Organisers Circle’s next seminar coming up

The second seminar of the Carmarthenshire Event Organisers Circle will soon get underway with an exciting line-up of speakers and a chance for members to meet the man behind a top Welsh comedy festival.

The Circle, set up by Carmarthenshire County Council, gives members exclusive access to funding advice and the opportunity to network with experienced event organisers.

Speakers lined up for the next seminar include representatives of the council’s funding bureau, Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services and the organiser of the much revered Machynlleth Comedy Festival, Henry Widdicombe.

Cllr Peter Hughes-Griffiths, Executive Board Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said the seminar will be invaluable to people looking to organise a community event given the wealth of experience they can tap into.

“We are thrilled to have Henry Widdicombe join us at our seminar – the Machynlleth Comedy Festival he organises has become a key feature of our national events calendar, and he will be talking all about the challenges he has faced and how he has overcome them,” he said.

“The event will also feature a session where members can speak to relevant experts for information and advice.”

The seminar will be held at the National Botanic Garden of Wales on June 20, and is only open to those who have signed up to the Circle.

Those interested in attending still have time to join, but will need to act quickly by visiting the council’s website, www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales.

As members, they will be able to connect and collaborate with other event organisers and access activities such as seminars, training workshops, one to one surgeries and a designated web portal offering information and guidance.

The pilot scheme, which will be running for 18 months, has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (RDP), which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

This particular project supports key priorities under the Welsh Government Strategy for Tourism 2013 – 2020 ‘Partnership for Growth’.

Cllr Hughes – Griffiths added: “With an estimated £48billion value to the UK by 2020, events are hugely significant to our local economy. Last year in Carmarthenshire, event visitors brought an estimated £1.5million, making events a key growth area for our county.

“This initiative allows us to assist and nurture event organisers so that their events can improve and grow to strengthen Carmarthenshire’s appeal as a visitor destination, as well as making it a great place to live.”