On Wednesday 3rd August, businesses in Swansea got together to discuss the upcoming Mumbles Gower OceanFest event.  Jay Doyle, founder of OceanFest, was overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm of the group, as offers of help, contacts and sponsorship came rolling in.

OceanFest is an example of a local event that we should all support.  Taking place on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September, it’s essentially a surf and stand-up-paddleboarding (SUP) tournament, inviting competitors from all over Europe to take part in events around Mumbles and Gower.  In this way, it is helping to promote the fantastic watersports opportunities that this region offers, spreading the word about our beautiful coastline and encouraging people to consider Swansea Bay as a major watersports destination.  And it’s all in aid of two very worthwhile charities – RNLI Lifeboats and the Epilepsy Society.

It was after a discussion at an SBF Network meeting last year that OceanFest was able to secure the ideal venue for the event, thanks to the support of the Mumbles Pier Development Company.  Since then, several members of the Network have been working with the organisers of OceanFest to ensure the event is a success – it’s an example of how we really can make things happen when we combine resources.

One of the ideas put forward by the group at Wednesday’s meeting was to enable local businesses to show their support for this independent, not-for-profit event, through “microsponsorship”.  The idea is that businesses and organisations can contribute to making this event a success, simply by pledging £25 to sponsor a rider.

In return, they get their logo printed onto a competitor’s T-shirt and in all publicity material for the event, a photograph of their rider on the day, and the chance to promote their involvement as widely as they wish.  And you never know, your rider might win, and generate even more positive publicity for your business!

Please do your bit to support OceanFest and the SBF Network by pledging £25 today.  Together, we really can make a difference.  Or, if you know someone who might be interested, please send them this link

http://www.mumblesgoweroceanfest.com/sponsor-a-rider.html

Another offer of sponsorship came from local graphics company iCreate, who are providing 5000 flyers to promote the event to local residents and businesses.  It’s key to get the message out to as many people as possible, and to let businesses in Mumbles know what’s happening on the weekend of 9-10th September.

So if you could help by putting a stack of flyers on your counter or reception desk, or displaying a poster in your window, please contact Dawn at iCreate to request a bundle.  Perhaps you’re off to a similar event elsewhere in the UK over the coming weeks and could take a few flyers with you?  If so, that would be great.

OceanFest organisers are also seeking support in the following areas:  Sponsorship of event trophies; local photographers and film-makers to document the event and share content online; businesses in Mumbles who want to get involved during the festival; event marshalls. Can you help?  If so, please contact Jay Doyle – jayswanseabay@gmail.com.

Members of the network also suggested that social media could play a key role in spreading the word, so please post a link to the website on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter – and subscribe to the OceanFest newsletter so you can help share the latest news: http://www.mumblesgoweroceanfest.com

Under-resourced and desperately short of funding in this era of local authority austerity, OceanFest needs the support of local businesses.  Members of the network were surprised to learn about the challenges of organising an independent event of this kind in Swansea Bay, and it proves the importance of all of us working together to show our support.  I would personally like to say thank you to all the local businesses who have given their time and contributed their ideas to the SBF Network over the last year.

And, if you haven’t already, find out more about OceanFest by visiting their website:  www.mumblesgoweroceanfest.com

A momentous result for the city!

Kerry Edens from the Council’s Tourism Development Team will be at the meeting, to update the group on what the Council are thinking… but this meeting is not about what the Council are / are not doing.  We’re interested in what we can do, as business people, if we work together.

It is likely to be a lively discussion, and we’re hoping that members will come along with ideas and suggestions, as well as a willingness to muck in.  As local businesses, if we combine the resources at our disposal, surely there is a great deal we can do?

There will be some rules at the meeting:  No complaining or moaning about what hasn’t been done to date.  No attacks on other organisations for their failures or limitations.  No passing the buck:  if we want to make the most of this opportunity for Swansea, what are we going to do about it?

Make sure you check out our LinkedIn Group, where the conversation has already started – and if you would like to attend on Wednesday 13th July, please click here to register your place.

Wednesday 13th July 2011, 4:30-6pm
FOLLOW UP:  HERE ARE THE NOTES FROM THE MEETING:
http://www.icreate3d.com/news/SBFNetwork_Actions_July2011.pdf

The SBF Network is supporting this event and we’re inviting businesses in the area to get involved. The organisers of Oceanfest are seeking all kinds of practical help – from printing to catering to accommodation for participants – in addition to micro-sponsorship from businesses keen to show support, so there’s bound to be some way you can help.

Join us at the August meeting of the Swansea Bay Futures Network for a focussed discussion on what we can all do, by working together, to make this event a success for the region.

Can Network Members support the upcoming OceanFest event?
Bring your ideas and willingness to get involved!
Wednesday 3rd August 2011, 4:30-6pm
Unit 6, J-Shed, Kings Road, SA1 Swansea Waterfront
Call Dawn on 07789 226 457 for details
Click here to register your place.

Venue: Function Room, 27th Floor, Grape & Olive, Meridien Tower
Time: From 4:45pm, brief presentations start at 5:30pm, over by 6:30pm
For: Drinks, nibbles and an update!

There’s lots to talk about, in particular the role that we’ll be playing in helping to maximise the benefits of the new Bay Science & Innovation Campus for the city, the recent Swans promotion, and an update on the activities of the SBF Network. So, please come along!

RSVP to via the Contact Us page on this website.

The Premier League is watched by a huge global television audience. As Carwyn Jones has said: “This fantastic achievement will play an important role in further raising the profile of Swansea and Wales in the UK and further afield.”

Swansea council said promotion would give “the entire city a massive lift” and put it on an international stage every week. Promotion to the Premier League has been described as a ‘true footballing fairy story’. Chris Holley, leader of the council said, the Swans’ success would be worth millions of pounds to the city in tourism and trade.

He said: “The Swans’ success is the city’s success as well. It will help create and protect jobs in the local economy, particularly in tourism.

“The Premier League attracts worldwide audiences which will help raise Swansea’s profile on the international stage and attract interest from sports fans and potential visitors from all over the world.

“And it means every other week thousands of fans from places like Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle and London will be visiting Swansea and spending their money in local restaurants, pubs and hotels. We’re sure they’ll like what they see and come back again with friends and family to enjoy the marvellous scenery and hospitality Swansea has to offer.”

So, what can we do to ensure this happens, and leverage all this attention for the good of the city? Discuss!

Just an informal get-together and a chance to catch up – everyone is welcome!

Click here to register.

This year’s SBF ecard features a little Flash game which showcases some fantastic Swansea Bay locations – are you quick enough to catch the reindeer??

Click here to view the ecard!

And now you can send out a personalised version of this ecard to your friends, family and business contacts, helping to spread the words about the region in a fun and festive way! Simply click on the link below and start writing your personalised messages!

Send Swansea Bay Christmas Greetings to your contacts!

Swansea – Wales’ Waterfront City A great place to live, work, study, invest in and visit! www.abayoflife.com

To use this in your emails, try adding this html code to your email signatures:

<table width=”550″ border=”0″ cellspacing=”0″ cellpadding=”2″>

<tr>

<td width=”110″><a href=”http://www.abayoflife.com” target=”blank”><img src=”http://www.sbfnetwork.co.uk/images/i-love-swansea_uk.png” border=”0″></a></td>

<td width=”350″><font face=”arial” size=”2″ color=”#000000″><b>Swansea – Wales’ Waterfront City</b><br />

A great place to live, work, study, invest in and visit!<br />

<a href=”http://www.abayoflife.com” target=”_blank”>www.abayoflife.com</a></font></td>

<td width=”50″ class=”arial”>&nbsp;</td>

</tr>

</table>

Any problems or queries, please let us know!

What do you think? If you have a product that you’d like to showcase in this way, comment below and add your links. Once we’ve got a decent selection, we’re hoping to launch the Swansea Christmas Presence campaign in the local media. Pass it on!

ps – if you just add your blurb and links below, we’ll enhance your posting with images

To join us, sign up to our email list, connect with us on LinkedIn, come along to our next event, and contribute your ideas via this website!  We look forward to working with you!