The participant survey was also used to determine the profile of Festival
participants. It contained questions on visitor origins, length of stay, reasons for
attending the Festival, and satisfaction with the Festival, in addition to the
questions on their expenditures.

STUDY LIMITATIONS

It is important to note that this study is meant to provide a reliable estimate of the
economic impact of the Maple Sugar Festival on the economy of the Nanaimo area.
When estimates have been used, the most conservative options have been chosen
so as not to exaggerate the impact of the Festival; however, the following
limitations should be noted:

@ Festival attendance was provided to the researcher by Festival organizers.
Some activities provided exact numbers due to ticket sales. At other venues,
where there were no admission costs, visits were estimated by Festival
organizers. While the researcher deems this information reliable and
consistent with survey sampling numbers, total visitor numbers must be
considered estimates.

@ Financial statements were provided by Festival organizers and were not
designed with a view to calculating economic impact. Festival organizers
were called upon for assistance and validation of certain assumptions as
well as with interpretation of the financial statements.

@ Allestimates as to the value of in-kind donations were provided by Festival
organizers.

@ The income multiplier used in this study is a conservative approximation
based on available information. It is meant to illustrate the concept of
money being re-spent in the local economy. It is not an absolute number as
BC Stats has only developed income multipliers at the provincial level and
does not have income multipliers for the Nanaimo area.

10 Maple Sugas Festiva! 2004.4 study ef economic aud non-econoume iinpacts on the Nanatine area 10