The Council has an active Festivals and Major Events Strategy that aims to create benefits to the regional economy from assisting the development of major events in Dumfries and Galloway. The Strategy is overseen by the Events Strategy Officer, based within the Business and Enterprise team.

The Council's Festivals and Major Events Strategy (FAME) aims to support the development of a cluster of internationally significant festivals and events that can profile Dumfries and Galloway and bring benefits to the regional economy.

The Events Strategy Officer currently project manages the British Pipe Band Championships that take place in Annan each June and the Tour of Britain Scottish Stage (Dumfries and Galloway), which has been a fixture in the events calendar since 2005.

The Strategy supports the growth of Beacon Events; events which have strong growth potential and can attract visitors to the region. The current Beacon Events are the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival and the Lockerbie Jazz Festival. The Beacon Events assistance and selection process is believed to be a unique Local Authority policy.

Previously funded Beacon Events were;

• The Wickerman Festival
• The Scottish Book Town Festival
• Spring Fling Open Artists' Studios Weekend
• Kirkcudbright Summer Artists' Town Exhibitions
• The Knockengorroch World Music Festivals

The FAME Strategy also supports cycling events, including the Tour Doonhame and many diverse mountain-biking events and in 2011 is developing a Calendar of Events and Entertainment in Dumfries town centre.

In the recent past the FAME Strategy contributed to the well-regarded regional programme of Homecoming events in 2009 and delivered the eye-catching, feel good Original Bicycle Festival.