Events as Economic Development

Why don't communities think more often of using an event strategy for economic development?

- events generate immediate income from attendees, while exposing the community to potential outside investors
- statewide and national event are magnets for out-of-town money
- event subject matter can be tailored toward the needs of a community

If a community is going to employ events for economic development, why not focus on growing new events, rather than attracting events that already exist in other communities?

- Home grown events can more easily be designed to meet the needs and leverage the advantages of a community.
- Home grown events will stay; whereas events that have been attracted can just as easily be lured to some other location