Last year, I posted a story about one of Japan's largest annual winter events, the Sapporo Snow Festival. The Snow Festival began in 1950, when local high school students built six snow statues. Now, 60 years later, about 2 million people visit Sapporo to check out the hundreds (277 this year) of snow and ice sculptures. Where do you learn how to sculpt snow?
Implications - Grassroots events such as this Sapporo Snow Festival show that consumers are looking for a sense of community that they can integrate into their daily interactions. Industries looking to attract new customers can similarly do so by finding unique and innovative ways to reach out to the community.
Large-Scale Snow Sculptures
Sapporo Snow Festival 2009 Features 277 Icy Works (UPDATE)
Trend Themes
1. Community-based Events - Snow festivals such as Sapporo Snow Festival are an indicator that people are looking for a sense of community, which can be capitalized through community-based events.
2. Large-scale Art Installations - The hundreds of snow sculptures showcased at Sapporo Snow Festival suggest that large-scale art installations can gain traction from the public and provide an opportunity for artists and businesses alike.
3. Cultural Tourism - The annual Sapporo Snow Festival is an example of cultural tourism that showcases local talents and offers an opportunity for businesses in the tourism industry to highlight their services.
Industry Implications
1. Event Planning - Event planners can tap into the popularity of community-based events, like Sapporo Snow Festival, to organize unique and engaging experiences for customers.
2. Public Art - The success of large-scale snow sculptures at Sapporo Snow Festival can pave the way for public art installations that leave a lasting impact on communities and drive interest from the public.
3. Tourism - The popularity of Sapporo Snow Festival can serve as an inspiration for businesses in the tourism industry to organize cultural events that highlight local customs and show off their services.