Newsletter March 2009
17 March 2009
Ellerslie 2009: a phenomenal success
Christchurch’s first five-day Ellerslie International Flower Show finished on Sunday and it was an outstanding success. I am very proud of the city’s achievement in presenting such a high quality, professional show to a global audience of more than 75,000.
As a city, Christchurch has embraced and taken ownership of Ellerslie. This is most uplifting for all involved and I thank everyone for their support. The organisers say Ellerslie 2009 was the best show in many years, if not in the 15-year history of Ellerslie, and that is credit to everyone in the city getting behind and supporting their event.
There were a few teething issues with parking, queues, seating and the venue coping with the large number of visitors, which were almost double what we had expected. However, work has already begun addressing these areas for next year to ensure we offer an even better experience in 2010.
The quality of exhibits was simply world class. The four gold-medal award-winning exhibition gardens – the most in at least the last five years – were much praised by the panel of international judges and were the measure of a great show.
Most retailers at the Show far exceeded their sales expectations, many running out of stock and having to courier in additional supplies from throughout New Zealand and even Australia. The retailers were left asking “Where is New Zealand’s economic recession?”
Christchurch bought New Zealand’s premier garden event in 2007 with two aims:
1. To reclaim and enhance Christchurch’s image as the Garden City; and
2. To develop Ellerslie in to one of the world’s most prestigious garden shows.
In just 16 months I believe we are well on the journey to achieving both aims; the stage has been set for Christchurch to develop the Southern Hemisphere’s largest garden show into one of the top five garden shows in the world.
Ellerslie 2009 wowed more than 75,000 visitors from throughout New Zealand, Australia, Asia, the United States and England. The feedback from visitors has been nothing but positive: they loved the North Hagley Park venue; they loved the Show’s close proximity to the heart of the city centre; and they praised the high-quality presentation of the exhibits and the show itself.
Ellerslie 2010 will be from 10 to 14 March and I look forward to welcoming you all back to Christchurch for what will no doubt be another outstanding and record breaking Ellerslie International Flower Show.
Regards
BOB PARKER
MAYOR OF CHRISTCHURCH
