New ticket scheme to help fund parade floats

New ticket scheme to help fund parade floats

New Mardi Gras (NMG) has launched a Parade Entrant Ticketing Scheme (PETS), to help entrants raise money for floats in the 2011 parade.

The scheme will see a donation of $10 from every Mardi Gras Party ticket sold, which NMG believes has the potential to raise $100,000 in funding for entries.

Entrants will promote and sell Mardi Gras Party tickets and in turn be given a five-letter code which can be used every time a ticket is purchased online, over the phone or in person.

When a buyer quotes a PETS code, $10 will be allocated to the entrant. Where buyers do not nominate an entry the $10 will go to the 2012 parade.

Entrants will be encouraged to promote their code to friends and supporters and the more sales they generate, the more they will receive.

NMG co-chair Pete Urmson was excited about the possibilities PETS opened up.

“This scheme means all entrants can raise additional funds to create spectacular floats, and make the 2011 Parade our most vibrant yet,” he told the Star Observer.

“It also helps raise funds for NMG, as party tickets are one of our biggest sources of income.”

The Star Observer asked if a list of entries would be made available so overseas and interstate buyers could participate by nominate floats they liked the sound of.

Urmson said NMG were monitoring PETS and might do so in future, “but at present we see this as very much a scheme to encourage parade entries to get out and communicate the importance of buying tickets to Mardi Gras Party themselves”.

“We are confident that large numbers of ticket buyers, from both Australia and overseas, will hear about the scheme through their social networks,” he said.

Co-chair Steph Sands said PETS was an outcome of NMG working with the community to seek new fundraising options.

“PETS works so well because it functions as a fundraiser for everyone involved — parade entrants can raise thousands for their own float, our organisation is supported and the ticket-buyers get to enjoy one of the world’s biggest and best dance parties,” she said.

Australian Marriage Equality’s Alex Greenwich, who is organising an entry for next year’s parade, welcomed the introduction of the PETS scheme.

“This is exciting because it will allow Mardi Gras members a greater sense of democracy when it comes to funding floats and hopefully will help to distribute funds for floats throughout the parade entry,” he said.

info: NMG members and the community are invited to have their say on PETS on Saturday December 18 from 10.30am at Heffron Hall.

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