65 Events, One Big Season Tobago Promoters Prepare For Carnival
The Tobago Promoters Association is predicting a successful Carnival period as the Tobago Carnival enters its fifth year.
While fetes, brunches and boat rides remain key attractions, staging these events in Tobago often comes with significant overhead costs.
Recognising these challenges, the Tobago Promoters Association has been advocating for greater support from key stakeholders.
Vice President of the Tobago Promoters Association, Quincy Trim, said among its efforts was engagement with the Copyright Music Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT), seeking reduced licensing fees over the next two years to help ease operational costs.
« So you get 10% discount for being a member, 5% for applying for the COTT licence early, and an additional 5% if you doing more than one event for the year. »
Mr Trim said they have been looking at ways to increase the margins between overheads and profits while still delivering quality Carnival events.
« So the smaller events, they won’t be paying exorbitant amounts for your COTT licence, your police bill because now, because of the historical data we have shown and presented to the stakeholders, they could give a better and more fair assessment when it comes to the distribution of resources. »
This year, there are approximately 65 events scheduled between September 24th and November 3rd, which include Trinidad Carnival staples such as ‘Stink and Dutty’ and ‘Bacchanal Brunch’.
« What is more exciting for us as promoters in Tobago and as the association is these events are coming and actually partnering up with local promoters. So it not only brings people to the island, but it also exposes promoters to a maybe more efficient way of doing events. »
Another positive development for promoters has been the decision to launch Tobago Carnival in May. This was one of the changes advocated for and a move which Mr Trim says allows for earlier discussions and planning.
« You can also see where the Promoters Association can launch an earlier calendar so persons can plan and navigate through the Carnival space. So the earlier we launch, the more eyes on the space, and it allows promoters, mas bands or stakeholders to kind of release the information. »
Mr Trim believes that with continued meaningful engagement among stakeholders, Tobago Carnival can evolve into a self-sustaining industry, allowing promoters to independently stage quality events without relying on the THA for financial support.
