2008 Countrylink Inland NSW Tourism Awards

We invite you to share in the excitement of the announcement that Parkes has been awarded the rights to host the prestigious NSW Inland Tourism Awards in July 2008. This event last year had attendance numbers of well over 300, and saw an injection of over $70,000.00 into the Wentworth Community and we think that we can do it bigger and better in Parkes in '08.

The NSW Inland Tourism Awards showcase Inland NSW's finest tourism operators and individuals who have distinguished themselves as providers of the pinnacle in service, product, experience and innovation.

The Inland NSW Tourism Awards encompasses a very large area and incorporates the tourism regions of Central NSW, Riverina, Outback and New England/ North-West.

During times of continuing drought, this event is not only a fantastic chance to generate outside expenditure into our region, it is an opportunity to profile the Parkes Shire and the diversity and excellence of our local industries and products. Keeping in mind that attendees work directly in the tourism industry and will become advocates for Parkes and its products if we can show them a fantastic time.

Parkes was selected against a strong field of other towns based on our submission which boasted our services and ability to successfully host such an esteemed event, our centrality and our ability to coordinate a great event.

Event Name, Date and Venue

The 2008 Inland NSW Tourism Awards will be held at the Parkes Leagues Club on 26 July 2008. The theme for the gala event will be 'Viva Las Parkes' capitalising on the success of the ClubsNSW Parkes Elvis Festival and creating a fun and glamorous atmosphere for the tourism industry to network, celebrate and enjoy.

Why ‘Viva Las Parkes'?

Parkes has become so well-known for its hallmark ‘ClubsNSW Parkes Elvis Festival', that Elvis is now part of our branding and imagery, as much so as ‘The Dish'. This impression of Parkes, combined with the glitz and glamour of Elvis' hit movie ‘Viva Las Vegas' makes an ideal theme for the glitzy and glamorous inland
tourism industry's night of nights. The gala event will include drinks, food, presentation of awards, a casino/ Vegas feel and some Elvis entertainment of course!