Greater Shepparton City Council were excited to bring industry together for the bi-annual Visitor Economy Industry gathering on Monday 6 February to showcase the strategies and opportunities for the year ahead.
The key initiative of the event introduced the new visitor focusing destination brand for the region – Shepparton and Goulburn Valley.
Greater Shepparton's reputation as a leading regional destination has reached new heights and a new destination brand will further strengthen the visitor experience. The brand, Shepparton and Goulburn Valley, connects the region's unique and evolving cultures, traditions and contemporary innovations, history and growth and invites the world to Come See For Yourself our bold, independent and bountiful place.
The new brand identity Shepparton and Goulburn Valley, or Shepp & GV evolves the current Visit Shepparton channels and Many Great Things brand to promote our region through storytelling methods, showcasing the most distinctive, authentic and compelling offers and experiences in the region, inviting visitors to come see, feast, discover, stay and celebrate with us.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali was proud to announce the brand to wider community yesterday.
"I am very excited and inspired by the direction of where our visitor economy is heading and Shepparton and Goulburn Valley will help significantly amplify our message that our region is open for business," Cr Sali said.
Supporting the Shepparton and GV Brand, the annual Major Events Calendar was shared at the industry event outlining more than 15 new major events coming to the region in 2023 complementing an already high quality line up of annual events.
Major Events play an integral part in attracting visitation and supporting the local economy. Last year Greater Shepparton saw some of its largest ever events bring the community together through music, food and culture.
"We are pleased to again see growth in our arts and culture offerings highlighted by events such as Shepparton Festival and the expansion of Converge on the Goulburn to a two-day immersive event and the return of last year's much loved Illuminate Festival. These events build on the impressive exhibitions our regional programs already offer from Riverlinks and the Shepparton Art Museum," Cr Sali said.
Shepparton and Goulburn Valley is expecting to break boundaries this year and welcome new and returning visitors. Pre-pandemic saw 1.3million visitors travel to the region and in 2022 there were 1 million visitors who generated more than $349 million dollars into the region's economy.
To further explore Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley we invite you to Come See For Yourself.
