THE organisers who have brought the World Polo Championship to the Hawkesbury have encouraged businesses from the region to get involved with the event.
The world championship will be run in the Richmond Lowlands at the Sydney Polo Club in October, 2017.
2017 World Polo Championship CEO Peter Higgins said he wanted local businesses involved with what he described as the biggest tourism event the Hawkesbury had ever seen.
Mr Higgins said the event would inject a significant amount of money into the Hawkesbury’s economy thanks to tourists and buzz surrounding the event.
“We think the economic benefit to the local area will be $5 million and we want you [Hawkesbury businesses] to be a part of that,” he said.
Mr Higgins said he recalled when he lived in Fremantle in 1986 when the town hosted the Americas Cup, and what a boost it was for the local economy.
“The town was transformed overnight. All the shops dressed up and put on what you might call a party face for their businesses,” he said.
“They engaged more staff and started to promote what they had.
“What we can do here is take advantage of the fact that we have several million dollars we are investing into the community ourselves and our preference is to always buy local. Everything we invest in, we always look locally first.”
The World Polo Championship is being hosted in conjunction with Destination NSW and the state government.
Member for Hawkesbury Dominic Perrottet said the event was a great opportunity to showcase the Hawkesbury.
“We live in one of the most beautiful parts of Australia and this international event is a fantastic chance for us all to show off one of the hidden gems of our country and welcome thousands of people to our region,” he said.
“At the last election I committed to better promote the Hawkesbury and with the World Polo Championship we are delivering on that commitment.”
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events and Sport Stuart Ayers encouraged every one to make plans to attend the championship in October, 2017.
