Vanfest coordinator Matt Clifton has collected a major industry award after claiming the national Rising Star category at the Australian Hotels Association Excellence Awards last month.
The award is the latest in a long list of accolades, which also includes the 2016 NSW Business Chamber Young Entrepreneur Award.
Forbes will benefit from Matt’s 12 years’ experience in hospitality and event management, which will be evident in the execution of Vanfest 2017.
“This recent award cements Matt’s reputation as a forward thinking specialist in this industry and this national acknowledgment will have flow on effects to Forbes’ reputation,” Forbes Shire Council’s General Manager Maxwell Kershaw said.
Matt intends to build a festival that offers a unique experience that is both authentic to the rural setting and will draw national attention to Forbes as a destination.
Maxwell said Vanfest ticket sales have continued their strong trend. “So far 3455 weekend passes have been sold. In addition all local accommodation is now booked. These are just two small examples of the economic benefits that will flow to Forbes from Vanfest,” he said.