IMG has been announced as the successful proponent to run Western Australia’s premium food and wine event from 2019, which will build on the success of the Margaret River Gourmet Escape.
Western Australia Gourmet Escape will be held across three locations – Margaret River, Perth and the Swan Valley.
The festival will include a program of events run over 10 days, starting with a weekend program in the Swan Valley, continuing in Perth during the week before concluding in the Margaret River wine region the following weekend.
There will also be a brand new trade focused global initiative – The World’s Gourmet Symposium. The annual, globally promoted event will encourage maximum visitation to WA from chefs, restaurateurs and businesses in the hospitality industry based in Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.
The State Government, through Tourism WA, and IMG are committed to growing Western Australia Gourmet Escape into the best food and wine event in the world.
IMG was awarded the contract following a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The company presented a compelling proposal against the specified RFP criteria and demonstrated opportunities to ensure the event is relevant on a global scale.
Western Australia Gourmet Escape has been secured until 2021 with an option to extend.
The festival aligns with the Two-Year Action Plan to secure world-class events that prioritise visitation to and around Western Australia, including driving greater tourism outcomes from existing events.
The expanded event will aim to put WA on the world culinary map. The event in Margaret River will be just as big as previous Margaret River Gourmet Escapes but even better, with visitors still enjoying the features they have grown to love.
The Swan Valley program will promote the region’s reputation as one of Australia’s oldest wine regions and celebrate the area’s rustic charm, history and produce.