The Newcastle Show's boss, Drew Ferguson-Tait, has bet all his chips on a significant overhaul to modernise the more-than-a-century-old spectacle and, hopefully, more than double attendance numbers in 2025.
At an intimate launch event dubbed "Unleashing Extraordinary" on Tuesday night, August 27, attended by members of the Show board and federal MP Sharon Claydon, Mr Ferguson-Tait tabled his vision for a new-look and teched-up Newcastle Show boasting immersive attractions, a new inventor's pavilion, and augmented-reality tour guides.
"Shows are fading," he said. "The public wants more, and they want more for nothing - the kids want to do more. The rides are great and thrilling, but they want to be more involved and a part of the Show."
Central to Mr Ferguson-Tait's vision is offering families more discounts and "buck buster" deals, using an augmented reality Show map that will pinpoint discounted items and attractions throughout the grounds and has been tipped to save Showgoers as much as $1000 on their visit,
"There were about 35,000 people through the gates last year," Mr Ferguson-Tait said. "This year, I'm going to absolutely double it."
The Show has approached UAV pilot Geoff Kelly of Drone Sky Shows Australia, whose displays have appeared at the Brisbane Ekka, as well as the Australian Defence Force and NSW Police, for engagements next year. Local cosplay artist Simon Wait - known for his intricate and creative hero suits - has also been tapped to create a futuristic mascot for the event.
Mr Kelly's fleet of 200 drones - said to be valued at as much as $700,000 - took flight over Broadmeadow Tuesday night in a teaser of the Show to come next year.
Mr Ferguson-Tait said the 123rd Newcastle Show would also include its first 'inventors, innovators and creations' attraction tipped to draw the best and most innovative ideas from the region.
The new boss has only been in the driver's seat for a matter of weeks. He stepped up from his previous job as operations manager in July. While he said that the Show board had been somewhat cautious of his overhauled approach, they had backed his vision wholeheartedly. Modernising the regional institution, he assured the community, would not come at the cost of its tradition.
"The Show is steeped in tradition, and we want to keep that," he said. "But, for me, it is about engaging the hearts and souls of families."
