Welcome to this February edition of our newsletter for 2009 events season.
Now that most of the snow has melted away its time to start focusing on this years event season. Here at Countyfetes we are not in the habit of hyping up negative sentiment about the economy with doom and gloom predictions. As far as we are concerned its business as usual with the added benefit of  knowledge that we are in a economic downturn that may or may not impact our industry for the coming season. Some event businesses may disappear over the year, some events may be cancelled or fall short of expectations but you can rest assured that we will be here helping organisers with their events and promoting existing and new event businesses as usual.

What impact will the recession have on our industry?
Questions about what the possible impact of a recession are likely to have on events and what to do to ease the effects are constantly being asked. Families cut down on the larger purchases during recessions such as holidays abroad, which in theory means that those families will be looking at an alternative cheaper summer holiday and entertainment in the UK. This should mean that UK holiday resorts, attractions and events should see an upturn in visitor numbers rather than a downturn. However as we all know a spell of bad weather can have a bigger impact on an event than any recession.

The main area that we think will be affected by the credit crunch is the ability for event businesses who tender for concessions to pay and find large sums of money well in advance of the event where banks may have withdrawn or reduced credit facilities. Staggered payments up to the event date may be an idea to help cash flow, but this depends on how the event is organised and how dependant the event is of those funds. All that said carry on with your event plans as normal, promote and advertise it well and provide a great value for money day out for all to enjoy.

Plans for the year ahead
2009 marks the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings by allied forces on 6th June 1944. Although not an officially recognised commemorative date by the government many 65th anniversary events are being planned and will be taking place here in the UK and in Normandy France. Due to the remaining veterans of this historic event becoming more elderly and frail Normandy veterans organisations have indicated that this year this is likely to be the last real significant opportunity for D-Day veterans to commemorate the event both here and in France. This year we will be focusing on ideas for events and shows to help commemorate the 65th anniversary here in the UK.

On a more personal note through an interest in military history I have spent much time meeting and talking to UK and US WW2 veterans over the past few years and can tell you these men and women are remarkable people who through their combined efforts ensured the continuation of our way of life. Their generation will all be sadly missed when they are no longer with us.

Website plans and office news
We have a variety of projects in the pipeline for the website over the next 12 months which at the moment seem to be hampered by a short term shortage of staff to do the work. Over the winter a new phone system was installed here with more incoming lines and fancy answering service, (although I'm not sure anybody has worked out how to use it yet). If you get any problems or hear strange noises send an email instead, that system works ok.