Are you hosting a community event during the 2024 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers?
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (TCOF) invites organisations and community groups to apply to have their event included in the marketing activities for the 2024 TCOF program of events. TCOF delivers a comprehensive marketing campaign for floral based community events each year including inclusion in the official printed program, media famils, itinerary suggestions (self-drive and coach groups), social media mentions and a dedicated event page on the official TCOF website (1.2 million page views).
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers attracted over 400,000 attendees in 2023 and just keeps getting bigger and better! With 2024 seeing us celebrate the 75th Anniversary, it’s longevity is testament to its status as an integral part of the region’s cultural, social and economic identity. The Carnival has strong importance for the city’s morale and highlights the best the Garden City has to offer- which is where your event comes in! More information on our application process, what’s included in our marketing packages, costs and criteria can be found below.
There are two options available for marketing packages. Criteria, fees and package inclusions are listed in the FAQ’s below.
Option 1 – Floral, springtime or regional produce specific focused events
This option is for once-a-year events that are held specifically to compliment Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Events bursting with feature floral inclusions, celebrating springtime delights and regional produce are encouraged to apply for Option 1.
All events must meet the following criteria;
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only be held during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers period
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be open to general attendance (no 18+ only events)
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be operated/owned by an organisation based within Toowoomba Regional Council area
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not only be a static display; there must be interactive activities involved
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be held only within the Toowoomba Regional Council area
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not contain or include gambling activities
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provide access to toilet facilities for attendees, additionally access to food is highly desirable.
Additional criteria must be met for Option 1 – Floral or Springtime or Regional Produce Focused Events
This option is for once a year events that are held specifically to compliment Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Events bursting with feature floral inclusions, celebrating springtime delights and regional produce are encouraged to apply for Option 1.
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be unique and not compete with other similar events at the same time
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have a significant focus on and be relevant to a spring, horticulture and/or floral focus
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enhance Toowoomba’s 'garden city' image
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have capacity and access for coaches to visit (up to 60 patrons at once)
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only be able to be held in spring; events of the same nature/primary focus held throughout the year will not be accepted.
Floral, springtime or regional produce specific focused events marketing package includes:
- a detailed event listing in the Official Print Program (name, short description, date/time, venue, cost, contact details)
- an individual listing on the official TCOF website
- inclusion in a minimum of one TCOF media release
- event information distributed to database of over 400 coach companies
- scopes for potential media famils.
- promotion of the calendar of community events via TCOF social media channels and e-newsletters
- listing on the Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre’s Annual Event Calendar free of charge. This TVIC calendar is handed out to TCOF attendees at information hubs during TCOF
- Please note- community events marketing does not include reposting of social media posts by individual organisations or events to the TCOF social media channels.
Floral, springtime or regional produce specific focused events
Applications are accepted online through the link listed on the TCOF website. TCOF requires an official application to be submitted for all community events seeking to be included in the marketing.
Please note that space is limited, and the completion of an application form does not guarantee entry in Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers marketing opportunities. Final event inclusions are up to the discretion of Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers organisers. Priority is given to floral featured events.; non floral or non-spring related events are only accepted if room permits.
If your application is successful you will be required to pay the applicable marketing fee. It is estimated that community led events/activations promoted through TCOF marketing receive between $4,000 to $15,000 worth of promotional value. Toowoomba Regional Council proudly owns and operates Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and is committed to heavily subsidising the costs of advertising for community events that enhance our Garden City image during Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
Toowoomba Regional Council will invoice your organisation if your application is successful. Promotion of your event will only be confirmed once the marketing fee has been paid in full.
All successful applications will be required to complete the attached Post Event Report and return it to TCOF within 10 working days of the event ending.
- To maximise promotion opportunities of your event please also register your event on the free Toowoomba Regional Council Events Register
- Your event is open to any timeframe that best corresponds with your circumstances. Key dates and flagship TCOF events to remember will be the Festival of Food & Wine Friday – Sunday 13-15 September and the popular Grand Central Floral Parade on Saturday 21 September.
- If you have any questions call the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers office on (07) 4688 6661 or email info@tcof.com.au
Option 2 – General events
This option is for events that don’t meet the above criteria, i.e. they are not floral/springtime/regional produce focused or are recurring events throughout the year.
All events must meet the following criteria;
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only be held during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers period
-
be open to general attendance (no 18+ only events)
-
be operated/owned by an organisation based within Toowoomba Regional Council area
-
not only be a static display; there must be interactive activities involved
-
be held only within the Toowoomba Regional Council area
-
not contain or include gambling activities
-
provide access to toilet facilities for attendees, additionally access to food is highly desirable
Option 2 – General events marketing package includes:
- a mention in the TCOF official program and website of your event and link to your event’s separate website or social media page
- an individual listing on the official TCOF website
- listing on the Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre’s Annual Event Calendar free of charge. This TVIC calendar is handed out to TCOF attendees at information hubs during TCOF
- Please note- community events marketing does not include reposting of social media posts by individual organisations or events to the TCOF social media channels.
$250 (GST inc) per event listing
Applications are accepted online through the link listed on the TCOF website. TCOF requires an official application to be submitted for all community events seeking to be included in the marketing.
Please note that space is limited, and the completion of an application form does not guarantee entry in Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers marketing opportunities. Final event inclusions are up to the discretion of Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers organisers. Priority is given to floral featured events.; non floral or non-spring related events are only accepted if room permits.
If your application is successful you will be required to pay the applicable marketing fee. It is estimated that community led events/activations promoted through TCOF marketing receive between $4,000 to $15,000 worth of promotional value. Toowoomba Regional Council proudly owns and operates Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and is committed to heavily subsidising the costs of advertising for community events that enhance our Garden City image during Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
Toowoomba Regional Council will invoice your organisation if your application is successful. Promotion of your event will only be confirmed once the marketing fee has been paid in full.
All successful applications will be required to complete the attached Post Event Report and return it to TCOF within 10 working days of the event ending.
- To maximise promotion opportunities of your event please also register your event on the free Toowoomba Regional Council Events Register
- Your event is open to any timeframe that best corresponds with your circumstances. Key dates and flagship TCOF events to remember will be the Festival of Food & Wine Friday – Sunday 13-15 September and the popular Grand Central Floral Parade on Saturday 21 September.
- If you have any questions call the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers office on (07) 4688 6661 or email info@tcof.com.au
Ready to apply now? Click here to get started!
If you require any assistance with registration, please contact:
Hannah Winter Event Support Officer
(07) 4688 6661 | info@tcof.com.au
The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Community Event Marketing Applications close at 2pm, Monday 11 March 2024. No late submissions will be accepted.