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HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL

The BEIA Committee would like to wish you all a safe happy and wonderful Christmas and we will see you all in 2019!

2018 has been a full and fast past year, as seems to be each year we face. It has seen the Weddings and Events industry face some challenges and some successes. Our biggest challenge as an industry in Byron Bay has been the Council draft LEP proposal and we haven't seen the completion of this yet. The BEIA has successfully grown and attracted industry leaders and inspiring business as members, we have enjoyed 2 wonderfully successful luncheons full of networking and opportunity to get to know each other in the industry. And of course if you just check out the Hashtag #byronbayweddings you will see an ever growing catalogue of suppliers showcasing the amazing weddings the shire has been privileged to hold.
 

Jo Schneider Forget Me Not Weddings

We had the chance to catch up with one of our inspiring members, Jo from Forget Me Not Weddings, a lady who not only has put her heart and soul in to her beautiful property, but in the process, reinvented herself as an independent women and leader in the Byron Bay wedding industry. Jo has now shared the grounds and gardens of her whimsical property with many joyous brides and families over the years to accommodate to a certain style of client that enjoys the surroundings of a hinterland experience. 
As a rural Venue location, Jo has developed a network of support from all the local talented people in the event industry which have also developed in to great and lasting friendship. This opportunity has not only contributed to the area by creating work and employment but also helps draw numerous numbers of guests, supporting the larger tourist economy and encouraging spending in our region. Of course, 'creating life long memories: is a pretty good reason to stay involved. 
When asked what challenges does the future hold? 
Jo admits that with the down turn in business recently and the uncertainty of our future with local council that she considered reviewing where to go next, however spring is in the air and suddenly everyone is wanting a Byron Bay wedding again. 
And any advise for others: 
Support each other, work with locals. Stick to your rules, be considerate to your neighbours and remember to smile. 

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LEP Council Update

Final opportunity to make you submission is the is week DEADLINE 21st DEC!!!

Thank you to all who attended the 4 community consultations, it was great to see industry people attending a number of these meetings and of course new faces, supporting the industry with the opinions and knowledge. Overall the same story was being represented; those not in the industry see how valuable it is to our region, while have concerns about noise safety, however having these managed elevated the concerns.

Industry feedback was also consistent, with the biggest issues being the curfew and the blanket distance requirements. Consensus was that yes there are suitable properties under the distance so focus around noise impact reports and management are ideal with a commercial closing time suggested ranging between 10-11pm (all off site).

With final submissions due this week, Council will break fro the Holidays before summarising all the feedback and proposing a recommendation to council as early as February or March Council Meeting.

We ask you now, if there is anything further for you to add, Please do so now.

Submission can be made to Jamie Van Iersal on 02 6626 7283 or emailing submissions@byron.nsw.gov.au

 

Industry and Market

The ups and downs of Byron Bay's event industry has yet to fully run its course, and until we have some clarity of the outcome within council there is the same question over many peoples heads. Can I hold a wedding? 
There are a number of new properties keen to enter in the market and holding their breath on council, while others have both faced a bit of a down turn and then a new surge in the demand for Byron Bay weddings. While this surge is positive it also faces risks in the light of uncertainty. So what can we do about this. Well lets acknowledge that Byron is full of professionally run operators doing an amazing job who have developed well run and experienced businesses.

However, We need positive stories, The echo recently made it clear that yes people like to voice their opinions but we also live in a beautiful town with amazing country side. The services and choices in this region are second to none, yet perhaps we take our little town for granted and forget to share what we love about it.  Do you have a great experience or story you would like to have printed?

Write in to the echo, share your story and lets promote how great this place is for tourism and events. Contact submissions here -  onlineeditor@echo.net.au
 

 

 

Letter from our president

Jane as president was recently asked to attend a strategy meeting earlier this year, a round the table discussion with stake holders in Festivals, Hotels, Resorts and represented the Wedding Industry.
We would like to share this submission with you

What is your take on tourism's role in our shire?
It is no doubt the greatest ASSET Byron Bay has - tourism. Fundamentally it is tourism
that is the umbrella of the majority of businesses in the shire. The Wedding industry
plays an important role to allow sustainable living for our young local employees in the
way of hospitality jobs in particular. Small business and ongoing recreational industries
benefit enormously from the Wedding Industry along with accommodation stakeholders
which benefit from longer stays and greater spending. The wedding industry alone
economic benefit is estimated over $65M a year to the shire incorporating and
embracing our sister shires adopting a great working relationship with venues and
partners so that the Byron shire stake holders continue to be a greater part of the
tourism dollars. With the Ballina/Byron gateway airport, this has proven another great
asset to our industry and it has increased the ability to have faster access to our region
and keeping our industry dollars in our state.

Where do you see tourism in our shire heading?
It’s more than possible and likely our tourism will expand over the next 10 years whether we
like it or not. The value to the shire will be the way we will evaluate this and construct good
clear management around the development of tourism for the shire. It’s inevitable that if we
do not embrace a good working plan than the opportunity may be lost and we will be held
accountable for harder times ahead that we are already dealing and coping with.
Developing solutions for infrastructure, transport for our local community and tourists,
excellent yet easy consumer communications programs that allow our tourists to be better
informed and kept up to date is the key to our continued success.
Technology & transport has still not yet been addressed for the shire and has potential for
greater efficiency.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Jane Magnus 

President

Copyright © 2018 BEIA, All rights reserved.


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