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Jamaica s Calabash Literature Festival uses a unique blend of words, music, food and nature to distinguish itself from the competition. Set in the Jamaican village of Treasure Beach, the festival takes place against the backdrop of the sea as renowned authors mingle with local folks while sampling hometown cuisine. To keep the event free, the organisers have managed to maintain a good mix of sponsors, organisational talent, local and national support mixed in with Jamaican vibes. According to festival director, Kwame Dawes, we want to mix race, we want to mix nationalities; we want to mix sexual orientation; we want to constantly show range and show complexity and diversity . Ultimately, festival organisers and entrepreneurs must be cognizant of the full range of potential risks and bene?ts that are outlined above so they can enter the festival space with their eyes wide open References:
Carter, R and Zeren J - Measuring the Economic Impact of Special Events: National Trusts for Historic Preservation, June 2012 Challis, Ben - AIF Survey highlights the massive economic bene?ts of festivals, AGF Blog, September 21, 2009 Marcoullier, David - The Community Impacts of Festivals and Events: Community Economics Newsletter, No. 222, April 1995 Maughan, C et al - The Economic and Social Impact of Cultural Festivals in the East Midlands of England - Final Report: De Montfort University, Leicester, 2004 Parker, Chris - The Economics of Music Festivals: Who s Getting Rich, Who s Going Broke? LA Weekly April 17, 2012
Suzanne Burke has been involved in the area of cultural development studies for the past ?fteen years. Her formal training has been in the areas of Psychology (York University, Toronto) and Development (Institute of Social Studies – The Hague). She earned an MA from the Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, Netherlands in Employment and Labour Studies (Magna Cum Laude) where she researched Employment of Income Generation Potential of the Cultural Industries: The case of the Trinidad & Tobago Carnival.” Dr Burke’s primary research interests include Cultural policy, Creative clusters and economic development, Cultural mapping and planning, Strategic planning and marketing for the creative sector. She currently lectures in the Department of Humanities (Literary, Cultural and Communications Studies) at St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies in Caribbean Cultural Identity and the Dynamics of Caribbean Culture. She has