Minutes Five Flags Civi 9 20 04
Five Flags Commission Meeting
September 20, 2004
PRESENT: ROD BAKKE, CYNTHIA FULLER, MARK NAUMAN
ABSENT: MIKE BRANNON
STAFF PRESENT: PAULA WOLFE, JENNIFER UPTEGRAPH
The Commission meeting convened at 4:30PM in the Managers Office at Five Flags
Center. Chairperson Rod Bakke presided.
Approval of Minutes: Fuller moved to approve the August 16, 2004 Five Flags
Commission Minutes. Seconded by Mark Nauman. Motion carried.
Manager's Report: Manager Wolfe presented the commissioners with an update of
happenings at Five Flags. Tom Lorenz - manager of Pershing Center and SMG contact
for Five Flags, is at the Arena Managers conference talking with several promoters. He
has our calendar with him, and is working to add Five Flags in routing for more shows.
Tom has been very conscientious about spending time with us, he is returning for the
hockey game on Saturday and Sunday. He and Manager Wolfe are meeting with
building purveyors prior to the game to discuss opportunities. The transition to private
management is going well. Five Flags has new contracts, and with the help of SMG, is
working to increase concession sales. Chris Reynolds from SMG's building in
Richmond, VA is in charge of food and beverage operation for SMG. He is working on
purchasing and adding equipment to increase concessions.
The ice season is starting today. The task of making the ice has run very smoothly.
The Thunderbirds take the ice tonight for practice.
Wayne Brady tickets are currently on sale. The presale of Sesame Street tickets
started today.
The financial report was reviewed. Manager Wolfe said that revenues were lower than
August of last year because of the success of the Willie Nelson concert. The City of
Dubuque took a big risk with that show, and fortunately the show was profitable. SMG
is working to establish more relationships with promoters to increase concert traffic.
New Rate Cards - Utility and clean up fees have been added to generate additional
revenue. These fees will not be charged to resident clients (Symphony, Thunderbirds,
etc...) until next season - most new clients will be charged these fees, however.
New concession prices were reviewed. Manager Wolfe pointed out increases in several
items, most notably an increase in beer prices. These increases are intended to lower
liability along with increasing revenue. Tom Lorenz and Chris Reynolds of SMG
recommended increases which are lower than other facilities in the area.
New Business: Manager Wolfe and Tom Lorenz met with Thunderbirds investors
Randy Lund and Jim Hanson regarding the Thunderbirds Contract. There was no rate
increase again this year, though they did receive a letter with the changes that will take
place next year (See attached). Also, as a courtesy, the deposit was waived. The
deposit will be reinstated next year to be consistent with other clients. Starting this year,
Five Flags will be uniforming volunteer ushers - they will also be required to attend the
pre-event meeting. No carry-ins will be allowed at all. Cigarette butt receptacles have
been installed outside the doors and a smoking section on Locust Street will be roped
off. There is no readmission - if patrons go beyond the smoking area on Locust Street,
or out Main Street doors, they will not be readmitted.
Nauman moved to approve the 2004-2005 Thunderbirds Contract. Seconded by Cindy
Fuller. Motion carried.
Manager Wolfe circulated a sample of the new season newspaper insert. 40,000 will be
printed and inserted in the October 3 Telegraph Herald. This is a good "image piece."
$1,200.00 in sponsorships was raised to defray the cost of the insert.
Wayne Brady is selling well, Sesame Street tickets will go on Sale October 18, 2004.
Old Business: Manager Wolfe, Rod Bakke and Mike Brannon met regarding the
classical movie series. During the meeting, they contacted an SMG facility in Florida
that presented classic movies. The movies were well attended, but the theater was no
longer offering them because they lost their sponsor which covered expenses. On the
advice of Florida, we chose Casablanca, Sound of Music, Gone with the Wind, Wizard
of Oz. Manager Wolfe submitted a proposal to Swank Motion Pictures in Chicago,
however, Swank required 50% of proceeds, which would create a potential financial
loss to Five Flags. At this point, the classic movie series needs more research.
With no further business to discuss, Nauman moved to adjourn,
Cynthia Fuller seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:15p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rod Bakke, Chairperson