The business of venues should largely be a private sector initiative -George Quaye

Communications Professional and Event Planner, George Quaye is suggesting that the business of venues should largely be a private sector initiative.

In a recent interview with Graphic Showbiz, George, who is the lead team at Image Bureau with a vast experience in events planning, corporate communications and audiovisual productions, mentioned that huge spaces across the globe such as Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai and London o2 Arena were private investment.

“I think that we should encourage the private sector to invest in event centres as it is with many huge spaces across the globe such as Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai and London o2 Arena.

“However, in a space like ours where land acquisition and other needs are always a huge challenge, it would be good for government to lead the way in making some of these spaces available,” he stated.

He also lamented about how most event organisers have to make do with available venues for their shows even though they are not ‘acoustically right’.

 “There are not enough venues and the available ones don’t have the right set-up to aid production. The only venue set up for concerts and other theatre productions is the National Theatre which needs immediate attention.

“The others aren’t “acoustically right” for certain purposes but most of them are great for conferences and meetings.

“Again, without large-size auditoriums, event planners are at the mercy of sponsors. Most public events are patronised on disposal incomes. Meaning you cannot peg ticket costs too high. You do that, you lose patronage. Small venues would usually command same costs as large-size venues with slight differences,” he said.

Related article: GH event venues not ‘acoustically right’ but good for conferences —George Quaye