Results of 2010 industry-wide survey to be released this spring
OTTAWA, (Ontario) – The first phase of Ottawa Festivals’ research project that began a year ago is complete. Individual festival reports were released on Friday, April 15, detailing the results of the 2010 industry-wide survey conducted at various festivals.
“It is exciting for Ottawa Festivals to have such a strong start with this research project,” says Barbara Stacey, Ottawa Festivals’ Executive Director.
“This is an area that hasn’t been addressed before in Ottawa and having firsthand information about visitor demographics, interests, and motivations is invaluable. There is more to the industry than economic impact, and our ability to identify the social and environmental aspects will be greatly beneficial to our members.”
With the help of 110 volunteers, Ottawa Festivals’ research team collected over 3,500 surveys over the course of the 2010 festival season. Volunteers spent a total of 500 hours surveying visitors at 17 different festivals, special events and fairs hosted within Canada’s Capital region.
“It was a great experience,” says one of the volunteers. “Being a part of the team and helping festivals in Ottawa with this industry-wide study has been great, and knowing that it will help the community makes it worthwhile.”
The data gathered from the survey is currently being analyzed by a team of researchers and will be published in a final report to be released in early summer of 2011.
“The individual reports are the first part of a final comprehensive report on the social impacts,” says Tamer Mansy, Ph.D., who led the Research Project, “The information in the final report will confirm our belief that Ottawa is a great city to live in and visit because of the wide range of festivals and events that take place here each year.”
Upon its completion, the research project will examine the social, economic and environmental impacts of festivals, special events and fairs in Canada’s Capital Region. This five year research project would not be possible without funding from the City of Ottawa, Employment Ontario, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
About Ottawa Festivals
Ottawa Festivals is a not-for-profit organization that represents 57 not-for-profit festivals, special events and fairs that take place in Canada’s Capital Region. In partnership with the City of Ottawa, Employment Ontario and Trillium Foundation, the organization manages a number of programs to develop and sustain the industry to contribute to positive benefits that impact the community.
Volunteers needed to administer survey
Ottawa Festivals is conducting a pioneer research project to study the social impacts of festivals in the National Capital Region.
Are you an outgoing and reliable person interested in participating in a research project about the social impact of festivals in the National Capital Region? Are you looking for work experience in a research environment?
Ottawa Festivals, a not-for-profit organization, is seeking the participation of a group of volunteers to help administer surveys during a number of festivals taking place in April 2010. Your task will consist of distributing and collecting surveys during the festival. If interested, please send a copy of your resume with your availability (daytime preferred) to research@ottawafestivals.ca.
Ottawa Festivals Launches Comprehensive Five Year Research Project
Ground breaking in-depth research project will provide valuable information and tools vital to strengthening and sustaining Ottawa’s standing as being Canada’s Festival Capital
OTTAWA – April 6, 2010 – Ottawa Festivals, an organization that represents more than 50 not-for-profit festivals, special events and fairs that take place in the National Capital Region, has embarked on an in-depth study of Ottawa’s festival industry. As it rolls out over the next five years, the research project will include three areas of concentration: social, economic and environmental impact studies.
“This kind of study is long overdue,” says Barbara Stacey, Ottawa Festivals’ Executive Director, “The majority of studies look solely at the economic impact of festivals, most of which don’t go too much farther than looking directly at tourist spending,” she explains, “These numbers are very important and we certainly are collecting this information, but to get a deeper understanding of the industry’s impact you also have to look at other factors such as: quality of life; the industry’s contribution to municipal branding; civic pride; volunteerism; and providing venues for local artists. Festivals are just as much about community building as they are about economic spin-off. We are very excited to see where this research takes us.”
A collaboration with Algonquin College, the project will provide real-world experience for students who will take part in various capacities. “Right from its inception, we knew we had to involve students in the project,” explains Dr. Tamer Mansy, Program Manager Research and Partnerships at Ottawa Festivals, “true to our industry, we looked at how we could leverage the project to extend benefit to others – with this partnership we are able to do that.”
The collaboration also includes an impressive list of industry leaders. An advisory committee has been established to shape the direction that the project will take. Representatives from the City of Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism, National Capital Commission, Council for the Arts in Ottawa, Algonquin College and Ottawa Festivals have already begun their work and the project is well under way.
The project will be carried out with the participation of Ottawa Festivals Members. “We have already begun an inclusive consultation process involving staff and volunteers that organize festivals, special events and fairs in the National Capital Region,” says Dr. Mansy, “we are gathering firsthand accounts and information to help us develop a clear snapshot of the industry – this will help us identify our strengths and areas that may require more focus going forward.”
“It has always been our intention to be as inclusive as possible. We are very pleased and honoured to have the involvement of the people on our advisory committee and the participation of our members,” says Stacey, “as key stakeholders and partners, their participation was essential.”
About Ottawa Festivals
Ottawa Festivals is a not-for-profit organization that represents 51 not-for-profit festivals, special events and fairs that take place in the National Capital Region. In partnership with the City of Ottawa, Employment Ontario and Trillium Foundation, the organization manages a number of programs to develop and sustain the industry to contribute to positive benefits that impact the community.
