VRC calls for tenders for the 10th Anniversary of the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour

150th Emirates Melbourne Cup

22 February 2012

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is set to plot the course for its annual Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour, calling cities and towns across Australia and New Zealand to submit tenders and embrace the opportunity to uplift their community spirit.

Hosting the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour provides communities and organisations of all sizes with a chance to unite in celebration and raise funds for local causes.

In its tenth year, the Tour invites community groups, councils, schools, tourism and racing bodies across rural, regional and metropolitan Australia and New Zealand to host the 18-carat gold iconic trophy, valued at $175,000, for a day on its three-month adventure.

VRC Chief Executive, Dale Monteith, said the ten year anniversary of the Tour was a testament to the wonderful destinations and communities the Cup has visited since 2003.

“We are proud to share the iconic Emirates Melbourne Cup with the people of Australia and New Zealand and we continue to be overwhelmed by its widespread appeal.

“The Tour brings communities together through celebrating how the Melbourne Cup has shaped our culture and we look forward to setting the course for 2012,” said Mr Monteith.

Online tender applications must outline a proposed schedule of events and demonstrate how the Tour’s visit could be promoted, stimulate local community involvement, outline any Melbourne Cup links, promote social inclusion and leverage an opportunity to raise funds.

The VRC appoints Melbourne Cup personalities and racing legends to chaperone the Cup as Tour Ambassadors and share personal insights into the illustrious race at events in successful host destinations.

Successful host destinations will be announced in June and the VRC will provide media relations and promotional support to organisations and engage communities in the lead up to and during the Tour’s visit.

Since its inception, the Tour has travelled more than 270,000 kilometres and visited more than 210 towns and it  has become a fixed feature on the VRC’s annual calendar of events, igniting excitement in the lead up to the four day Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Tender proposals need to be submitted online with submissions closing on Tuesday 10 April 2012 at 5pm (AEST).

For further information on the 2012 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour tender process: