Events are important in the marketing and promotion of a city and aid the building of its identity. Events, festivals, carnivals, sports competitions and cultural galas influence people’s idea of a city. They provide many points of identification and contribute to the birth of non-mainstream urban identities. They consolidate subcultures and create togetherness among people of a common field. They play a great role in promoting and marketing a city. At their best festivals culminate in a ‘festival moment’, creating a momentum, sense of pride and belonging to city dwellers. Events may be considered ephemeral, and yet they generate that precious of modern commodities – symbolic capital.
In collaboration with participating cities and various stakeholders, Cities Consortium will therefore, be organizing several events as part of its city promotion strategy. These will include among others; Cities Run, Cities Expo and Symposium, City Cycling races, Inter-City Football competition and Cities Carnival.
