Editorial: Dust off those big ideas

Mark Dawson, Editor of Wanganui Chronicle

SIR Bob Jones didn't exactly breathe fire when he excoriated wannabe entrepreneurs on New Zealand TV's version of Dragon's Den but he certainly turned the heat on them.

The millionaire property magnate and boxing connoisseur could deliver a verbal flaying if the numbers did not stack up. For that reason if no other, former Chronicle columnist Sir Bob will not be among the "dragons" sitting in judgment when Whanganui's own Den of Dragons listens to pitches of would-be events for the River City.

Whanganui promotion and marketing manager Lyn Cheyne - having presided over 24 consecutive months of increased visitor numbers - wants to unearth a new event that can pull in the punters, especially those from out of town.

And the Den of Dragons on July 27 will be when the best ideas battle it out for more than $15,000 worth of backing to make the dream a reality.

But our budding entrepreneurs and event organisers should rest assured, there will be no Jones-like tongue-lashing or berating. Whanganui's rather tamer dragons will be supportive and constructive.

The visitor stats show that events (think Masters Games, Cemetery Circuit, Vintage Weekend etc) give a great boost to the local economy, and the aim is to find some fresh, attractive events for the quieter May to October months.

Activities every week in Whanganui confirm there is plenty of ingenuity and creative spark here, so hopefully there will be plenty of grand plans coming forward to create something special for the town. Mentoring, support and financial aid will be there for the winning idea which will, all being well, debut in 2017.

People with event ideas have until July 10 to apply, using an online form found at whanganuiwhatson.nz ... so get brainstorming.