How they operate / service / product:
Memberships = access to early booking and discounted tickets
And special passes that incur discounts and good seats. eg writers week multipass, bookmark pass.
Tickets for $20 - join and go on a waitlist - be notified on the day of the show that a $20 tickets available- but must get a min of 2 tickets. (good way for the festival to ensure they fill seats as well as a good option for younger audiences)
Friends tours - Become a ‘friend of the festival’ for $75 and you can get discounts, access to exclusive tours of wellington heritage, and go behind the scenes of some shows (artists talk about their creative process- context of their work etc) and institutions (like Te Papa).
Accomidate for physical disability and deaf/hard hearing viewers - with advice on how they too can enjoy the festival.
They accommodate for visitors from outside Wellington with suggestions for places to eat, drink, stay, transport. They make it easy for Wellington visitors to come and experience wellington and the festival itself. = good for local businesses - but also sets a standard for the market they target, pressing for quality, unique wellington character and sophistication.
They occupy a huge variety of venues for the artists and producers:
Majority of venues within wellington city, but go out to Lower and Upper Hutt, Wairarapa, Carterton and Masterton. So are present across the Wellington district. This is what Festival on the road is about - artists going to venues in the wider regions.
Main partners:
Festival programme Brochure (print):
Contains all acts for the festival followed by a timeline.
Also includes all writers for writers week, other exhibitions that are on in the region over that time, festival talks, other festivals that are on, places to eat and drink, partners and sponsors. = Way too much info in the brochure - confusing, hard to follow.
Also provide timetable as a separate document
Online: Best to search for acts and book tickets online.
Can also search by date.
They suggest shows for families.. to cover this market.
Service - could be great to have a simple ‘what’s on’ festival App/ timetable or break down? Info drop down system?
Have some FREE events - looks like a lot of these are talks and exhibitions.
Getting acts for the festival:
-Head hunted - Artistic director Shelagh travels the world in search of artists and performances to bring to Wellington. She works with companies and individual performers to develop projects and programmes...often done years in advance.
- You can write in a proposal as an artist.
have the Lexus song quest - competition to help young singers emerge into international careers.
Product/Service Summary:
Provide opportunity to see top end international and NZ artists and producers. dance, theatre, music, visual arts, film, writers week, spectacular, talks
Memberships, Special passes, Friend tours = Discounts, Early bird ticket prices and exclusive sideline tours/events if you sign up.
Make it an occasion not just a show - they suggest places to eat, drink, stay etc while in Wellington to incorporate in your experience in the Festival months. Also makes it easier for visitors to Wellington
