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.
