Gather Round 2024 on track to beat 2023 records, SA Premier says

The Premier says all indications suggest this year’s Gather Round has been an even bigger boon to the state than the first one.

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The Norwood Food and Wine Festival, a longer lead-up time and the success of last year have spurred Gather Round 2024 to deliver a bigger and broader economic benefit to the state, according to early reports.

While an official estimate has not been announced, Premier Peter Malinauskas and business groups on Sunday agreed the economic contribution to the state’s economy would exceed the $83.5m injected by last year’s event.

“Every report that we’ve had from accommodation providers, the hotel industry, the restaurant sector – every number is up on last year by a significant margin,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“So we’d expect that to result in a broader, bigger economic impact.”

He said the elevated profile of the event this year had been a factor in the boost.

Premier Peter Malinauskas poses for a selfie at a press conference at the Norwood Food and Wine Festival. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“Last year it sort of snuck up on people. This year the secret’s out, it’s allowed us more time to prepare, allowed travellers more time to prepare and we saw ticket sales take a big leap in terms of the percentage that were coming from outside of South Australia, and that’s what brings this event to life.”

Ticketing data late last week showed 38 per cent of ticket holders were from interstate overseas – an increase on the 32 per cent of last year.

Hawk Fan Danielle Bowden and Pies fan Daniel Down under The Adelaide Oval Scoreboard at the Hawks and Collingwood clash. Picture: Ben Clark

Mr Malinauskas said the return of the Norwood Food and Wine Festival had also helped take Gather Round to the next level.

“To see so many South Australians but, frankly more importantly, to see so many people outside of South Australia celebrating our food and wine is what Gather Round is all about,” he said.

“One of the key missions we’ve had this year with Gather Round is about taking it to another level in terms of the economic impact on South Australia and the Norwood Food and Wine Festival was an opportunity to do that and I think we’ve certainly ticked that box with the crowd numbers here today.”

Gallery: Gather Round spills into Norwood wine fest

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Attended by an estimated 70,000-plus people, the festival was expected to inject millions into the local economy.

Adelaide Economic Development Agency chair Nikki Govan, who owns and manages the Star of Greece restaurant in Port Willunga, said the effect had stretched into the regions.

“Our restaurant has been inundated with interstate people this time,” she said. “What I’m finding is, with a lot of the groups that I’ve spoken to, they’re attending one or two football games and then getting out to the Barossa, Hills, McLaren Vale.”

Ms Govan said the earlier announcement of the 2024 event gave visitors more time to plan trips.

“A lot of people are basing themselves in the city and doing day trips to the regions,” she said. “It’s a win-win.”

Asked whether there would be a game in the Barossa Valley next year, Mr Malinauskas said: “We’ve made no secret about the fact that we’d love to have another venue in the Barossa and that’s something that we have been working with the AFL on now for some time. We haven’t been able to finish that deal just yet … I’d say watch that space.”

Originally published as Gather Round 2024 on track to beat 2023 records, SA Premier says