8. Welsh Conservatives Debate: Major events

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:07 pm on 5 October 2022.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 5:07, 5 October 2022

That's why we're investing £24 million of capital into grass-roots facilities. It's why it's such a shame that we saw a cut to our capital budget from the spending review. We, of course, want to do more, but it does mean we need the resources to do more and not to have our resources denuded and taken away by the UK Government. I will take an interest in Huw Irranca-Davies's spotlighting of Dr Richard Price. I'm due to have a meeting with Huw Irranca-Davies on a number of subjects, so I'll add another one to the list. [Laughter.]

We are, of course, well versed in successfully hosting major events, from WOMEX to NATO, the Ashes test, the Ryder Cup and the UEFA Champions League final, to name but a few, in all of which the Welsh Government had a key role in landing and putting on. You wouldn't have thought that from half of the Conservative speeches. But, most recently, of course, we did help to land the WWE Clash at the Castle. That was a major event—a US-based but international sports entertainment extravaganza for the first time in the UK in 30 years. And actually part of the reason they came to Wales was because, despite what the Conservatives are saying about our ability to land large events, they had confidence in our ability to do so and had noticed Wales on the world stage because of what we had already done in the past.

And of course that event gave us the opportunity to use WWE promotional platforms to gain further exposure for Wales. So, tourism locations, personalities, food and drink and the language were all featured in advance of the event and during the event as well, and they were broadcast live worldwide during the event itself. And it wasn't just the stadium and Cardiff that were profiled, as west Wales, north Wales, mid Wales and south Wales outside the capital as well were all featured. And I think that's part of what we've been able to do by working with them. It's part of the reason why we supported the event, because of the huge exposure that Wales got as a result of it, and not just for the 62,000 people who came to Wales from 42 countries for the event itself. It's worth noting that, on the night of the event, it was the top trending item globally on Twitter. And I will be happy to publish more information on the post-event monitoring, including the economic impact assessment, which is not yet complete. And indeed, post Qatar, we will of course update Members and the wider public on the impact of our activity around the men's football world cup to promote Wales. I'll also be happy to provide a further update to Members in advance of the tournament kick off. 

Another one of our supported events, not quite such a major event in the sense of the world cup or WWE, is the World Rowing Coastal Championships and Beach Sprint Finals, which I know everyone is looking forward to. It's actually—[Interruption.] I knew that there would be an interest from this side, because it's another example of our ambition and innovation right across the country. The event has become one of the first rowing events of its type globally to have achieved International Organization for Standardization 20121. That may not mean much to people here, but in the events sector, it's a coveted certification on sustainability. It recognises the event's commitment to reducing its economic, social and environmental impacts in all aspects relating to event planning and execution. The organisers sought at all times to benefit and boost the local economy whilst being sensitive to the important nature reserves and geology in the area. I could go on and on and on talking about what we can do and have done within the events sector here in Wales, but I think we have a track record to be proud of here in Wales, with real ambition in the new strategy, and I look forward to reporting on more success from major events, local events, right across Wales. I hope that people will support those, not just in the Chamber, but in their local communities and across the country in the future.