Patrons at Pride WA's annual Fair Day should expect some major changes this year, with the employment of a management company to oversee the event and the introduction of an entry fee for the first time.

Fair Day is the most popular community event on the Pride calendar. This year it will be managed by Independent Events, which has overseen a variety of major events, including Southbound, the Rottnest Channel Swim, and the Perth Royal Show.

Pride co-president and Fair Day convenor, Andrew Baietta, said staging the popular event had grown into a massive operation and it made sense to seek out the expertise of an experienced event coordinator.

“Pride WA is very excited to work with Independent Events,” he said.

“Appointing an event management company will result in greater efficiency on the day and give committee members more time to plan and market the event.” 

The biggest change will be the introduction of an entrance fee of $5.00 for members and concession holders and $10.00 for non-members. There is no family ticket as children under 18 are admitted free.

Mr Baietta said the entry fee was essential to cover rising costs and ensure that events pay for themselves.

“With growing attendance comes increased cost. In the past, Fair Day and the Pride Parade have relied on income from other events like parties to become viable, he said.

"Pride is not prepared to take that risk in 2008, particularly after its recent financial troubles."

Mr Baietta told GAYinWA that Pride was doing all it could to alleviate the problems that arose last year, including creating a larger licensed area, providing more toilets and examining strategies to ensure stalls were well patronised.

After many years of not being policed, the no BYO rule will be enforced to ensure compliance with liquor licensing rules

Independent Events will manage the site and run the bar. Pride will pay a management fee and part of the bar takings to the company while retaining all of the door takings.

"Independent Events have given us a very good deal considering the amount of work they have done to ensure this is a successful event in 2008, including a 150-plus-page event management plan dealing with authorities such as Liquor Licensing and City of Perth and countless other jobs," Mr Baietta told GAYinWA.

Independent Events manager, Marcus Sarich, contacted Pride through Connections Nightclub owner Tim Brown, after having attended previous Pride events and this year’s annual general meeting.

“We are really excited about the new layout this year including a more central stage, bigger and better performances, larger licensed area, more toilets and the innovative layout of the stalls,” Mr Sarich said.

“Our biggest challenge this year is that there have had to be some big changes to the event to bring it into line with all similar events across WA. These changes all deal with the health and safety of everyone attending, which I think is a good thing."

While Independent Events will be providing staff, Pride will still need the support of volunteers to assist on the day.

"When it comes to management of events it’s becoming increasingly important that the right people do the job," Mr Baietta said.

"When you’re talking about an event that is worth so much money it needs to be handled by someone with the skills and experience behind them.

"The beauty of Independent Events is they are happy for us to continue using our trusted suppliers and trusted volunteers. It’s the management that requires the accountability and the outsourcing in my opinion."

Fair Day will be held at Russell Square in Northbridge on Sunday, 28 September 2008. 

Read Daniel's blog Give the new Fairday arrangements a fair go.

Comments (21)

Major changes for 2008 Pride Fair Day
written by Kathleen Bynon, August 29, 2008 - 3:09:03 pm CDT

I hope that with the changes, and the comment of ,"These changes all deal with the health and safety of everyone attending," will be better enforced to include the larger drinking area as last year we saw an increased in undue inibriation and not enough staff members policing the area to truly assess and properly manage the infux of possible medical emergency incidents and patrons whom many should have been better cared for and cut off alcohol.

i look forward to a bogger and better event this year.


kathleen

Fair day for family
written by Isabel, September 01, 2008 - 12:04:21 pm CDT

I agree, keep fair day a fun family and community event. Less drunken yobs, more fair. Keep the precedent set by fair days of the past and keep a good tone to the event.

To committee or to be committed, that is the question
written by VPF, September 01, 2008 - 1:18:15 pm CDT

Well. On behalf of my esteemed friends and I, I would like to thank Andrew Baietta for; in his infinite wisdom destroying a day which, usually filled with fun and frivolity will now be adorned with entry cues, bag checks and exuberantly priced beverages. Has connections nightclub moved to Russell Square?
How dare you turn a day, which has brought so many people together into a regimented farce!
I guess the larger licensed area and extra toilets are certainly going to come in handy now that there will be less beverage consumption and to my prediction, a great majority less people than previous years.
One step forward, 5 steps back hey Mr Baietta.

hmmm.
written by x, September 01, 2008 - 2:48:03 pm CDT

Well I wasn't here for last years fairday so i dont know what went on there but it sounds like it might have been a bit of a disaster, but the year before that was ok.

I think the $10 entry is a bit too much of a increase considering it used to be a gold coin donation. It should be no more than $5 i think, considering most of the entertainment and everything else is done by volenteers.

I do understand the rising cost of everything these days but Fair day was the only good, genuine thing in Perths's gay community, and now its just like the rest of them.

good luck

Viability
written by Andrew Baietta, September 01, 2008 - 10:19:05 pm CDT

Hi All

I wanted to quickly reply to some of the comments so far. Most of the justification behind charging entry to Fairday is included in the article above, but perhaps it will help to hear some more specific details.

Last year Pride WA lost tens of thousands of dollars and there was a motion put forward to close down the organisation if changes were not made to resolve the situation.

When the committee was put together earlier this year we made a commitment to run the organisation in a responsible way. There is nothing responsible about running an event that loses money.

Unlike an established venue, Fairday has to be constructed, operated and de constructed in a 3 day time frame. This will cost over $100,000 in 2008 before we even think about paying for beverages.

It's very simple to walk into an event and forget the amount of time, energy and money that goes into creating it, I'd ask that this year patrons consider the amount of volunteer work and negotiation which needs to occur to bring Fairday to life.

The reality is that without an entry fee this year there is a very real chance Perth will be left without Fairday, without the Festival and without a Pride Parade.

Reduced member numbers, reduced patronage at the Pride parties and increases in many costs are what have contributed to this change. Perth needs Pride and Pride needs money to survive, it really is that simple.

I welcome your comments. Thanks for letting us know your feelings and I really do hope that we see you there on the day to ensure we have many Pride Festivals in the future.

Regards

Andrew

where's the value?
written by Collin, September 03, 2008 - 9:34:36 pm CDT

I'm happy to pay a small entry fee where I can see value.

However, families, non-drinkers and budget conscious members of the community will now have to choose to stay away or be forced into a SMALLER area so that a commercial company can make a profit and Pride can absolve themselves of responsibility for its failure.

Will Pride be offering any additional value this year? I seriously doubt it.

And what will follow last year's ban on BYO and this year's additional restrictions - a fully licensed event where no food or drink can be brought in and minors are banned?? There goes the community spirit!

As one of the many hundreds of people that ditched the Pride Party in recent years, I'll be doing the same with the ONE event that I thought would remain an integral part of the community for a long time yet to come.

It is very disappointing and likely to be the final nail in the coffin for Pride.

Value & Family Values
written by Andrew Baietta, September 04, 2008 - 12:18:36 pm CDT

Hi Collin

People tell me I should ignore these posts, I disagree and feel that it's important to address the public's concerns when they raise them publicly.

Pride has done everything possible to ensure that Fairday remains an event for the entire family. It would be very easy to just make it an over 18 event, believe me, but we have deliberately chosen not to do that because Fairday is about the whole community.

2/3 of Russell square will be devoted to non-drinkers and families. Only 1/3 will be devoted to people who want a drink on the day.

The cover charge ensures that everyone who attends plays a part in paying for the event. In previous years the non-drinkers and budget conscious have relied on the drinkers to help pay for the event, this new model is a bit fairer in my opinion.

8 hours of non stop entertainment is surely worth $10 or $5 if you are a Pride member or concession card holder. Think of it as a bonus that this has been provided for free in previous years.

It's important to note that these are not decisions that were made lightly, and I think Pride not charging for Fairday in 2008 would really have been the final nail in the coffin for Pride.

Regards

Andrew Baietta

Support
written by Kristy M, September 04, 2008 - 4:09:52 pm CDT

My understanding of Fair Day has always been it is a day to support the Gay community. Recent changes to the Pride committee have been put in place to ensure the future of Pride and it's support for this community.

I take my hat off to those on the committee giving up their free time for a cause they believe in.

If you do not support your own community enough to put aside 20 cents a day between now and Fair Day to scrape together the $5 entry fee(40 cents for non members) it is simple, don't come.

But please do not sit back and personally attack those trying to make a difference.

Let’s leave whingeing to the aged community, not the gay community.

farewell fairday
written by Ethan, September 04, 2008 - 5:12:28 pm CDT

I agree with collin up there.

I too will be ditchin fairday I think and the pride parties, well ditched already. These events arent organised very well. Pride paries are just connies but in a different venue with borring amateur shows, even connies continue to fail in producing good events (eg Madonna's 50th, i mean wat was that).
The beauty of fair day was that it was a fun day where u could BYO food or drink, have a laugh in the sun with all your mates. Now, as Collin said, its a licenced venue like all the rest. Seriously what is the point anymore.
And I totally understand that there are all those drug addicts that ruin it for everyone but by puttin more restrictions on BYO drinks then u can expect more trouble for ppl who will just get high b4 they enter the venue.

Ive been part of the fairday entertainment one year and they did not pay me for it so $10 entry for entertainment doesnt really justify that.
Most people are volenteerin, not gettin paid.

I think the Pride commitee need a major change, NOT the fair day celebrations.

sheesh
written by Pro-active, September 04, 2008 - 7:04:02 pm CDT

Little wonder Pride has difficulty attracting and keeping quality, talented, hard-working committee members. Why would anyone bother sticking their necks out for the whining carping armchair critics to slit their throats? Good, stay at home and grizzle about how no one's going out of their way to make you happy. Or go to the Royal Show instead and pay $10 for a 3 minute ride. You sound like a bunch of grumpy old men/women anyway. What's next - a facebook group calling for a boycott of fairday?

Jumping on the Judgement Bandwagon
written by Kingsley Dawes, September 04, 2008 - 7:41:56 pm CDT

Wow, talk about a lot of jumping to conclusions. The Pride committee is working there collective asses off to bring the organisation back from the brink, and all the bloggers here can do is bitch about changes that they have not even seen in practice yet. Do you know that it is totally illegal to take your own alcohol into a park and drink in public. Pride has turned a blind eye to this and risked having the entire fair day shut down, so they should be applauded for bringing things back into line. Try serving on a Pride committee before you cast aspersions, lets give them a go and see how the New Fair Day pans out. $5.00 is nothing to pay for a great day of entertainment while supporting the wider GLBTI community. Get off your huffy bikes, get a reality check, go along with your friends and family and have a blast. HAPPY PRIDE PERTH

Whatev
written by beth k, September 04, 2008 - 10:12:01 pm CDT

To the people complaining about saving 40 cents per day between now and Fairday for the entry fee, I assume you have some great ideas on how to run the day yourself, free of charge for everyone and still make a profit for Pride? Didn't think so.

But I assume seeing as you have no ideas, you'll be at least volunteering your time to help at Fairday? Didn't think so.

Fundraisers aren't about providing a place for you to sit and sponge off the cause.

Go and sit in another park for the day.

Do you want a Fair Day or not?
written by Trent Hogan, September 04, 2008 - 10:23:04 pm CDT

It's really pretty simple. The committee have made it clear that it was no longer financially viable to run Fair Day without a cost involved to the public.

I'd sure as hell rather pay $5 or $10 for one of my favourite days of the year than have nothing at all. I can't understand anyone who would refuse to pay a small fee to support a fantastic community event - poor form.

I understand, but still disagree
written by Collin Mullane, September 05, 2008 - 12:07:10 am CDT

It is easy to understand Pride's financial dilemma, however it does not justify handing over Fair Day to a profit-making enterprise.

You wouldn't hear me complaining 1/10th as much if Pride were imposing an entry fee while managing the event themselves.

I think the public have a right to know how much of this entry fee (and other revenue) is going to go to Independent Events.

Then let the community decide whether they want to pay an entry fee to a commercial entity.

The Fees
written by Andrew Baietta, September 05, 2008 - 7:36:19 am CDT

Hi Collin

I won't be discussing detailed costs of Fairday in a public forum. Pride Members are entitled to the information and a phone call to myself will clear the matter up. Call our office and they will pass on my number if you wish.

The fee is very minimal and we still have absolute control over the event. Independent Events has been engaged to organise the logistics, ie when the toilets will arrive, who will put the fences up, what the security company has to do, how will the stalls be situated.

These are all things we are just far to busy to do with day jobs we have to think about. Our time is better spent marketing and answering the queries of the public.

They have also been engaged to supply and run the bar. These days all people working behind the bar need clearance to do so, we just can't find the volunteers to do this job so we have to pay someone, it's the only option and results in better efficiencies and happier customers.

As I said, I'm happy to discuss the costs with you over the phone if you are in fact a Pride member and then you personally can make the call. If you'd like to volunteer an hour of your time on the day I'll be happy to give you free entry to the event, all volunteers get in for free.

Andrew

Commercial Entity?
written by Greg Mant, September 05, 2008 - 7:42:37 am CDT

Please remember Pride is a volunteer organization
From year to year the committee may or may not possess the required skills to promote, create, build and run Fairday.

If you have been on a committee you would understand the enormity and stress of providing such an event.
Independent Events have removed that stress and allowed our incredibly hard working committee to focus and concentrate their expertise in other areas of Pride and it seems to be working.
Check out the additional events created this year!

Independent Events know how to run events like Fairday professionally and have the skills to deal with problems leading up to, and on the day - whereas volunteers do not.
Cost cannot blowout anymore as a contract will be in place to ensure the viability of the event - they would not have employed them otherwise!

The Pride committee is a team of volunteers - in previous years Dean Cahill has run Fairday and would use either 1 or 2 weeks of his annual leave in the weeks prior to Fairday - to ensure the patrons had a fantastic day, as this is what time is actually needed to get this event off the ground. Not all people can or want to do this - why should they?

Dean did a brilliant job with the resources that he had - however this has now grown to such a large event that Pride can no longer do it - volunteers are extremely hard to find - Thank you to those volunteers that every year put their hand up and do the hardwork.

The Committee is here to do a job - not get questioned about providing spreadsheets prior to an event and then to have a public debate - guess what - then its too late to put on Fairday. It takes months of planning.

If you dont like it - get on the committee next year and have your say there, rather than attacking the committee in the public arena. Financials are available at the AGM!

See you at Fairday!

the evil free market
written by a fair minded socialist, September 05, 2008 - 12:02:47 pm CDT

Presumably, Pride is no longer allowed to hire lighting and staging for its events from the private sector, nor purchase the alcohol to sell at Fairday from The Court. Holding fundraisers in conjunction with businesses like Connections and The Court and advertising with private businesses are presumably out as well. Luckily Pride owns all of these resources themselves, so we will have nothing to worry about.

New Event Manager
written by Kristy M, September 05, 2008 - 2:09:54 pm CDT

Collin I agree that it would be a wonderful world to live in where commercial enterprise was not necessary.

However we do not live in a gay fool's paradise.

Suggesting Pride manage the event themselves is just not a viable option.

Do you suggest they take leave from their full time employment to manage this?

Professional management for an event is a necessity these days. This measure has been put in place to not only improve this event but also to protect the community attending.

Fairday
written by Dean , September 05, 2008 - 7:41:11 pm CDT


As past Fairday Convenor for seven years I am supporting the Pride Committee in employing an events management team. The stress that a committee member goes through to stage this event is huge.

Fairday you start to organise this event in this order
March: Getting quotes for everything you need on the day. This amounts to contacting around 70 suppliers.
Then you have to look through them all and start to book in the best quote.
April: You then start to organise your entertainment call for people to help you in that area. You also have to contact local authorities.
May/June: you have to start contacting all your stall holders and looking for new food outlets to come on the day
July/August you have a lot of meetings with local authorities, the City of Perth, Police, and Fire Departments etc.
September: Put all the final details to the above. Contacting stall holders and asking questions regarding their stalls if need be. Designing the layout of the grounds (last year I had to do three designs for the police before they signed off on it. If I had to submit a fourth we would have had to cancel the event) all final approvals did not come into Pride until two day before the event. The pressure that put you under is extreme.

As Greg Mant stated yes I did take two weeks annual leave to organise this event. I was forced to by my work. This was due to all the phone calls that I was getting at work; my boss nearly fired me in 2006. (You can only deal with business during business hours, so you can’t do this at night)

Friday before Fairday: Myself and the committee meet at Russell Square from 6.30am till around midnight setting things up. 6.30am is when things arrive on the grounds.
Saturday from 7am till around midnight setting things up
Sunday (Fairday) from 6.30am till around 10.30pm
Monday from 9am till around 3pm.

That’s the Pride Committees Fairday for you. Do they get to enjoy the day like you do. No they don't. They are totally exhausted from it.

So for the Committee this year to have an event company is the best idea. Oh just so you all know this idea on an events company has been floated around on a committee’s for the last three years due to the scale of the event. When I organised my first Fairday in 2001 we saw around 2500 to 3000 people attend the day; now it is over 12,000 attending and there is a hell of a lot of setting up needed for this amount of people. The event is too big for a handful of people to arrange and put together. I know this from experience.

Thanks for the Support
written by Andrew Baietta, September 08, 2008 - 3:26:24 pm CDT

I just want to thank everyone for their positive comments and words of encouragement.

We have a committee meeting tonight and I'll be sure to table them then.

It's good to know that people do understand our reasoning behind making these changes, so thanks once again.

Andrew Baietta

OMG!
written by Bevan Marwick, September 10, 2008 - 5:49:44 pm CDT

If you don't like what's happening, then join Pride and perhaps do something about it. Don't sit back and complain.

Kind Regards,

You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.