EAT Merimbula organisers announced a two year partnership with Club Sapphire’s Rockpool Café which will see the brand take a place as the major sponsor of the popular annual event.
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Organiser Anthony Osborne said the brand is a great fit with EAT Merimbula and the sponsorship will provide the event with financial sustainability over the next two years whilst longer-term financial models are put in place.
‘’We welcome Rockpool Café on board, acknowledging they have been integral part of the festival since inception and the creative dishes they continue to deliver are always at a very high level. They also have a strong focus on local with their kitchen garden and partnership with From Little Things harvest project.
“The Kingfish Ceviche from their first festival and Bouillabaisse are something of a legend with committee members. Rockpool Café has also included a best of EAT Merimbula on their Café menu demonstrating their passion for the event. They are a great partner’’.
Osborne said the partnership is a key step as the event seeks long-term sustainability.
‘’We have been working on the financial models over the last few years, looking at community and commercial sponsorship, ticketing and stall fee as revenue options. The best option into the future will be a mix of all of these strategies, with sponsorship probably the most difficult to develop.
“This year we were successful in accessing a Bega Valley Shire Council Community Grant, which will enable us to build more digital and physical assets to commercialise with sponsors. We hope to be in a strong position in two years to lock away long term sustainability and continue to grow the event.”
Club Sapphire CEO Damien Foley said EAT Merimbula was a flagship event for the region and when sponsorship discussions arose the business had no hesitation in getting involved.
‘’The association will be good for the Rockpool Café brand and beyond that the festival is so important to the region now. The work festival organisers do can be very challenging to sustain, so support from local business like ours, who benefit, is critical.
EAT Merimbula festival showcases our local chefs, winemakers and producers in a market style feast on the Fishpen foreshore through a diverse menu, and no plate is priced over $8.
Bring your picnic rug, your appetite and your mates for a lakeside feast, between 10am and 2pm, Sunday, March 11.
More information eatfestival.com.au or facebook/eatmerimbula
