Chamber Chat: The Importance of Local Festivals

SALISBURY, Md – In this week’s Chamber Chat, WMDT’s John Trout and Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce President Bill Chambers discuss the importance of local festivals and their economic impact.

Earlier this month, the City of Salisbury cancelled the Maryland Folk Festival, an event that brings not only crowds and entertainment to the community, but it can also have a major impact. “Look, these events bring in tourists and visitors from all over our region,” Bill explained. “They’re not local events, just contained to the city or the county. The economic impact is significant. Retailers, restaurants, and hotels all benefit from this. And once you have an event like this, leave or not return, it’s very difficult to build that momentum back.”

The impact of events stretches far beyond the event itself, and people who visit for the event could later come back and maybe go visit other communities in the area. “Festivals always have a multiplier event,” Bill said “It’s not just the revenue that’s expended by patrons that attend the festival, it’s they return. It’s a branding opportunity for the jurisdiction to host the event”

Many are hopeful to see another event to replace the Maryland Folk Festival in Salisbury.

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