Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce and Gunnedah Shire Council are teaming up to make the most of the influx of visitors for AgQuip.
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Chamber’s Retail Precinct Committee representative Lisa Davis said this year the chamber was partnering with Gunnedah Shire Council to encourage local businesses to contribute to a ‘What’s On In Gunnedah’ guide “designed to showcase their business and to encourage visitors to take a look around Gunnedah and to see what we have to offer”.
With AgQuip fast approaching, Gunnedah is preparing for a flood of visitors and funds.
The three-day event is a cash cow for the town, with hotels and eateries bursting at the seams every year in late August.
More than 3000 vendors are booked for this year’s field days on August 21-23, which will attract a crowd of about 100,000.
“Targeted marketing and promotion initiatives play a really important part in ensuring each business receives their slice of the AgQuip pie, and by offering discounts and incentives, or opening a little longer than usual may just payoff,” Mrs Davis said.
“AgQuip is a hallmark event and certainly boosts the population of Gunnedah providing an opportunity for local businesses to attract new dollar-spend into their business, and in turn raise the profile of Gunnedah as a place to stay, play and explore.
“Historically, local business owners have reported a ‘mixed bag’ result relative to direct sales, with some businesses reporting high sales, whilst others experiencing little to no growth in sales as a result of AgQuip. This being said, ultimately every tourist dollar spent in local Gunnedah businesses provides a benefit to the Gunnedah community, with local retailers certainly looking at ways to attract that dollar spend in their business.”
Chamber president Stacey Cooke said it’s a “fantastic” time for the town.
“It’s one of the most significant events Gunnedah hosts every year because it brings in a lot of people from out of town and stimulates the local economy, which is really good, especially in times of drought,” she said.
“[As a town] it gives us an opportunity to show off. We have a vibrant town and it does give [businesses] an opportunity to showcase who they are and what they do.
“If they’re wanting to launch a new side of their business, it gives them a really good opportunity to do that as well.”
Businesses that wish to participate in the free What’s On In Gunnedah guide can contact the council’s economic development manager Charlotte Hoddle on 6740 2100 or via council@infogunnedah.com.au
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