It takes months of hope mingled with moments of disappointment and elation to secure an act - after all, if they are any good they command attention anywhere in the world and competition for their presence is massive. Once the act is secured it takes months of work by SEL and the support of officialdom and numerous community groups to deliver the performance and to clean up afterwards ... and, of course, we rely on people (particularly locals) to embrace the opportunity and buy tickets.
Although the concert started in 1993 with the aim of enabling people to be free to bring their own food and beverage, relying on the generally sensible behavior of most people and a mature respect for others and themselves, the increasing restrictions imposed by rules and regulations have made it very difficult to avoid queues and sometimes invasive inspections of personal belongings - this is now a large cost in additional labour, time and personal liability for any significant public event.
The Mission is now synonymous with wine and song. Do you think the estate's founding 1851 French missionaries would ever have envisaged this and, do you think they would have approved?
No and yes. Our aim is to bring truly international artists to "little old Hawke's Bay" at a price affordable to most - we have achieved this for over 20 years and engaged our community just as the first missionaries did. As well as providing opportunities to enjoy international class entertainment "at home", the financial benefits that are spread throughout the community and the social interaction created by large numbers of visitors add to the vibrancy and variety of life in Hawke's Bay. The charitable works started by those early missionaries continue today with assistance from the Mission's share of any profits derived from the concert.
Given the clash with the Horse of the Year Show next year, does the looming regional accommodation pinch concern you?
It is unfortunate that this clash means an opportunity for two major event weekends, rather than one, is missed but we don't tell Neil Diamond when to come - we grab him on the only date we can get him. It can only add more money to the region at that time and the benefits will extend to neighbouring communities as well. Rather than be concerned, I would prefer to see this as an opportunity to (a) be creative about how we accommodate an overloaded infrastructure for short periods and (b) to encourage us to attract more regular events to justify the establishment of additional permanent infrastructure.
On a personal note, are you a Neil Diamond fan? If so, what's your favourite song?
I wouldn't have called myself a fan but his music generally is part of the fabric of my life. The words and the sounds of his music come effortlessly (but not necessarily tunefully) to me without me really understanding how or why - perhaps 50 years of recordings and performances running in the background of our lives do this to each of us in time.
Without being a fan, I know he will deliver a sensational concert just as numerous other Mission performers have done previously despite me not previously knowing them well or being a fan of their particular genre. That is what, I guess, international artists of longevity and with proven talent and passion can do for us.
If I had to make a choice perhaps Red, Red Wine and I'm a Believer would be appropriate ... and, maybe, Sweet Caroline for my PA and then, of course, Holl[e]y Holy for my CEO!
