AFL Gather Round set to provide a massive boost to Norwood economy for second year in a row

Mayor Robert Bria said he is delighted so many businesses were able to be a part of the Gather Round, by either directly participating in the Norwood Food and Wine Festival or countless other events and activities.

“It’s still a few weeks before the Council receives Spendmapp data which reveals the level of expenditure in the hospitality sector, but we expect it will exceed the $2.2m spent in Norwood alone last year,” Mayor Bria said.

“I spoke to a number of traders during the Festival who were very pleased with the turnover for their businesses. Traders who’ve never participated in previous food and wine festivals were particularly pleased with the huge crowd on the day,” he said.

Founder of Cheeky Grin Coffee, Stefan Iannace, said participating in the Norwood Food and Wine Festival “was an incredible opportunity which provided a platform to showcase our products to a diverse audience”.

“The Festival's well-curated selection of vendors and its strategic marketing efforts attracted a large crowd, resulting in significant foot traffic and sales for our business,” Mr Iannace said.

“The Festival's success can be attributed to its meticulous planning and dedication to providing an exceptional experience for both vendors and attendees,” he added.

Danniel Amadio from Amadio Wines said the Festival enabled the opportunity “for us to pour our wines for guests hailing from every corner of Australia”.

“Representing the Adelaide Hills, we couldn't be prouder to showcase the beautiful region on such a grand stage. The Festival turned out to be a record-breaking day, and we're grateful for the chance to share our passion for winemaking with so many enthusiasts.”

Mayor Bria said Norwood Oval hosting two games was a key part of the success of the weekend, with the Richmond versus St Kilda game a particular highlight.

“The Sunday match between the Tigers and Saints was a ripper, with thousands of fans who couldn’t get tickets still coming along to attend the Activation Area in front of the Oval and festival.

He said the Council will conduct an in-house review of the Gather Round before participating in a formal debrief with the AFL and Norwood Football Club in the coming weeks.

“Our approach is one of continuous improvement to enhance the football and cultural experience for locals and visitors and that’s where we’ll focus our effort.

“The Council had developed a strong and professional working relationship with the AFL over the past two Gather Rounds and we hope this will stand us in good stead regarding any future negotiations in 2025 and 2026,” he said.

Media enquiries: Mayor Robert Bria on 0431 754 077 or Simonne Whitlock 0400 650 951