The hidden cost of running events
Many cake events are organised by small teams, small businesses or community
organisations. Unlike large commercial trade shows, they often operate on tight margins and rely heavily on volunteer support or community goodwill.
In the past decade, another cost has risen dramatically: insurance.
The Insurance Council of Australia reports that since 2019, the average cost of public liability insurance has increased between 55 % and 60 %, significantly outpacing inflation. For event organisers, this cost cannot be avoided. Public events involving demonstrations, kitchens, food handling, crowds and equipment require comprehensive insurance coverage. In some cases, insurance alone can add tens of thousands of dollars to an event budget. Combined with rising venue costs and compliance requirements, organisers are facing a difficult decision: increase ticket prices dramatically or reduce risk by cancelling. For many, cancelling is the only responsible option.