A Newcastle based civil contracting company has been drawn as the winner of the naming rights for the 2019 Surfest Women’s Pro.
Holmes Civil Developments entered the crowdfunding initiative for the first time this year and was drawn from a pool of 85 businesses by world champion women’s surfer, Pam Burridge, at a luncheon in Newcastle on 22 October 2018.
Managing Director Ben Holmes, who is also a keen amateur photographer who specialises in drone imagery of surfing, said that he had heard of the local initiative to fund the QS 6000 event but had missed out in previous years to participate.
“Getting involved was never really about the opportunity to promote our business, it was more about giving something back. Surfest is an iconic Newcastle event that showcases the best of our city, our beautiful beaches and lifestyle,” Ben said.
“It’s really important that events like Surfest continue in our city and I commend the work of Warren Smith and Col Law to find a way that this event continues and enables organisations like ours to be involved.”
Holmes Civil Developments is a family owned business established in 2011 with a team of civil works professionals specialising in work that includes sub divisions, road works, construction of car parks, civil structures, large earthworks, dam constructions and environmental remediations.
The crowdfunding initiative began four years ago when CommBank Business Banking Executive Manager, Col Law, came up with the idea and then worked with Surfest Coordinator, Warren Smith, to develop the idea to crowdfund the event. The crowdfunding was the solution chosen to ensure Newcastle’s iconic Surfest would provide world-class opportunity for women in the sport. This year 85 businesses gave $1,750 to support the event.
Surfest Coordinator, Warren Smith, and Crowdfunding Coordinator, Col Law, congratulated Ben and Barb Holmes and welcomed their enthusiasm and participation as a major partner in the event.
As the naming rights sponsor, Holmes Civil Developments receives about $80,000 in promotional opportunity and receives a $10,000 marketing budget that assists the organisation in the lead up and during the Women’s Pro event.
Surfest will be held from 9 February 17 March 2019. The Women’s Pro is part of the final week of competition to be held at Merewether Beach from 11 March with the final scheduled for Sunday 17 March.
IMAGE | Ben Holmes (second from left) and champion Surfer Pam Burridge (third from left) pictured with the Surfest Women’s Pro Crowdfunding team, Col Law, Emily Flook, Meg Purser and Warren Smith.
