Economic Impact Study For WWR

Events Nova Scotia will conduct a study of the economic impact the Wharf Rat Rally has on Digby and surrounding areas.

Events NS, which is part of the province’s tourism department, is working with Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency and the Wharf Rat Rally organizing committee to carry out the study from Sept. 1-6.

Not only will it “help them understand the economic impact this event has on the region, it will also assist Events NS with its larger mandate of understanding major event activity in the province,” said Events NS director Grant MacDonald.

The study will interview random participants at the rally and data will be used to develop an expenditure profile for out of-town guests. The profile can then be used to calculate the economic impact of the event, MacDonald said.

The economic impact assessment of major events is one of Event Nova Scotia’s core activities. It has completed similar studies on events such as 2008 IIHF World Hockey Championship, 2009 World Canoe Championships and 2001 Tim Horton’s Brier.

“Assessing the impact of major events is vital to determining the impact of the event on the community and the return on that investment,” MacDonald said. “After all the information has been collected (in Digby) and analyzed, an economic impact report will be produced for ADEDA and Wharf Rat Rally’s organizing committee.”

He encourages communities interested in hosting and bidding on major events to contact them.

• Story by Leanne DeLong
• The Digby County Courier

26 Aug 2010