Week 2
https://www.iaam.org/Facility_manager/Pages/2009_Jun_July/Feature_3.htm- The Article


Creative Ways to Attract Fans to a Sports Facility – by Tammy Kennedy aka MsT blog link http://jajasplace.blogspot.com/2010/06/normal.html

Synopsis

I use to work at a college venue in Cleveland as an usher/greeter. I mainly worked concerts but I did work a few sporting events i.e., soccer. It was fun. What I would do is actually something that I am actually planning to do in real life. I own some property in GA near a State University. Last year the university opened a 10,000 seats football stadium about a ¼ mile from my property (on the same street). This is a rural college town of about 8,000 residents and the college has doubled its admission in the last 5 years. It has 4,500 students. Here is the problem that I see and I will conclude with my solution.

The problem is that there is not too much to do here for young or older adults. I have only been living here for 9 months and I guess I am ready to birth my baby. I am planning to propose to the college that as an established event planner with a history of planning events for colleges and other educational and cultural facilities, I want to help them raise money by having cultural events at their games at the football stadium and basketball arena. About 5 years ago they built an indoor basketball arena with a capacity of 5,000.

The biggest event in this region as far as I know is their Homecoming Event held in October. Thousands of alumni return to support their alma mater. Last year the event as big as it is was barely promoted as far as I could tell. Perhaps budget cuts or they did not feel the need too. Whatever the reason I live about 15 miles away in Warner Robins, GA, the people here did not even know when or what was happening in Fort Valley. Warner Robins has a population of 60 thousand and a huge USAF Base, it is one of the largest employers in the state of GA.


Creating Revenue for University Facilities by Ms T-Show Me the Money!!!!!

My proposal is to create events that will generate a considerable amount of money for the college. I want to do a concert (I love live entertainment) during homecoming. It could be a benefit concert (or a halftime music concert). I want to bring in some older acts that are still performing and popular and some younger acts too for the hip hop crowd. The ticket prices should be very affordable not over $25/$35 ($25 x 10,000=$250,000). I can see generating revenue with parking ($2 to $5 per car) or more if there are tailgating events, selling concessions, having vendors selling different stuff and last but certainly not least I would make up some souvenir t-shirts, caps, and misc. items to sell also. I do not know if college games have halftime events or what they do. I have NEVER been to a college football/basketball event. The soccer games that I use to work had a lot of activities happening throughout t evening. A lot of fun and interactive games and giveaways but no live music show.

I would also create an exciting indoor event, an annual alumni dinner or Meet and
Greet reception. Last year the university had a dinner and tickets were $100. But the entertainment (as far as I was concerned was WHACK) was 70ish singer Clarence Carter. He had a hit out back in the late 80’s called “Stroking”. I doubt they made much money. Nothing against him I liked Stroking but it seemed to me that they could have selected someone with more appeal, if they were trying to raise money.

Anyway, universities must tap into the WWW. Because I am in a southern rural area (lots of land) I would have quarterly festivals that would attract people from the region, families in particular. The events would be marketed via the web and the social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. I would also use the players more off- season too. Maybe sports camps and training seminars for area students would create a pipeline from the schools to the universities.

One thing that I have noticed about universities (not all of course) is they seem to be out of touch with the students. They play it very safe nothing controversial or very different takes place because of politics. One thing that I like about Full Sail University is their ability to bring artists that are not usually the norm.

Now, because the economy is so jacked up for many of us, I would definitely create discount and benefit packages to get more seats filled. Also creating promotional partnerships with local media outlets to give way tickets to upcoming events would increase awareness. But because there are always those that want to be VIP’s I would establish VIP seating and amenities for those that can afford to pay more.