Five Flags Center Annual Report and Activities UpdateMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Five Flags Annual Report and Activities Update by SMG
DATE: December 27, 2011
Dubuque
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All-America City
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Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware is transmitting the Annual Report for Five Flags.
Five Flags Manager Joyce White, who is employed by SMG, the private management
company for Five Flags, will make a presentation to the City Council on the update of
activities in the current fiscal year and plans for the future.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager
Joyce White, Five Flags Manager
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO Michael C Van Milligen
FROM Marie L Ware, Leisure Services Manager
DATE December 22, 2011
SUBJECT Five Flags Annual Report and Activities Update
Dubuque
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NI- America City
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2007
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request the opportunity for SMG to make a presentation to the City Council that is the
Annual Report for 2011 and updates of activities in the current fisal year and plans for the future
BACKGROUND
SMG was hired as the private management company for Five Flags in 2004 Effective in 2009, the contract was extended for
another five years Each year the SMG manager shares the Annual Report with the Council I have asked Joyce White,
SMG's Manager, to present to the Council activities in FY 2012 to date and plans for the future
The Five Flags staff has been innovatively working on many projects throughout the year This year they hosted an
educational conference for the first time in many years Feedback from that association was outstanding The staff has
worked also with a number of our community organizations and events to create great successes Joyce will share The Five
Flags Center is an important part of our community as you will see SMG Management has and continues to work hard as
our partner
After hearing Joyce's presentation, I think you will agree the future of Five Flags is bright
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I request time on the Council agenda for Joyce to share the Annual Report
Prepared by
MLW et
cc
Joyce White
FIVE FLAGS
CENTER
YEAR IN REVIEW
JANUARY— DECEMBER , 2011
Five Flags Civic Center, 405 Main Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
"If it's important,
it's at Five Flags;
if it's at Five Flags,
it's important"
Worldwide fn(auhrmrn[ end
Cortically? Itnuc Managem nt
THREE YEAR FINANCIAL COMPARISON FY09 -FY11
For the purpose of this report, financial data reflects information from the FY11 Operating Budget -
Event Activity reflects activity and programming from calendar year January- December 2011
Five Flags Civic Center, Dubuque's oldest convention center, arena,
and performing arts center, opened in 1979 and is located at 405
Main Street. The addition of the convention and meeting space
and arena to the iconic and historic Five Flags Theatre has provided
a city block of vibrant activity to generations of Dubuque residents.
The arena provides flexibly configured seating arrangements to
bring a variety of sporting events, concerts, social events, meetings
and conventions to Dubuque.
Owned by the City of Dubuque, Five Flags Civic Center is obliged to
grow economic activity and provide community infrastructure for
future generations. In 2004, the City awarded a five year
management contract to SMG, the world leader in private venue
management, marketing and development. The management
contract was extended in July, 2009 and SMG is currently in the
third of the five year extension.
Five Flags operating subsidy is tied to the CPI All Urban which
declined between 2009 and 2010. Consequently, Five Flags
operating subsidy remained flat at $781,882 for both FY09 and
FY10. The subsidy for FY11 increased by 2% to $797,520. The
entertainment industry (and Five Flags) was greatly affected by the
global economic decline, which began in September, 2008. The
lagging economy — coupled with a loss of ice revenue (42% of FY10
gross revenue), has resulted in declining revenues for three
consecutive fiscal years. Management has responded by reducing
expenses, including cutting the staff by 20 %, and continuing to
operate under the City's allocated subsidy while identifying new
revenue generating opportunities.
FIVE FLAGS
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co
O
J
600,000 -
400,000 -
200,000 -
SUBSIDY
REVENUE / (EXPENSES)
1,000,000
500,000 -
11
-
(200,000)
1
2
3
O Budgeted
781,882
781,882
797,520
OActu al
765,407
768,191
776,485
FY09 FY10 FY11
Ir
600,000 -
400,000 -
200,000 -
REVENUE / (EXPENSES)
11
(200,000)
(400,000)
(600,000)
(800,000)
(1,000,000)
(1,200,000)
(1,400,000)
1
2
3
OREVENUE
477,869
391,898
260,159
OEXPENSE
(1,243,276)
(1,160,089)
(1,043,732)
FY09
FY10 FY11
FIVE FLAGS MANAGEMENT
"Five Flags Center proudly serves the City of Dubuque
and the Tri -State area by enhancing its cultural and
economic environment through the presentation of a
wide variety of sporting, entertainment, and
community events — in a fun, friendly, and safe
environment. " — Five Flags Mission Statement
Joyce White is in the sixth year as General Manager of
Five Flags Civic Center - and has passed the eleventh
year mark as an SMG manager. Prior experience in
venue and event management includes five years at
the Carlson Center, Fairbanks, Alaska and 10 years
with the University of Arkansas Razorback Athletic
Department.
FIVE FLAGS
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AO
Don Howes, Accounting/HR Manager Dan Holtkamp, Technical Director
Ali Levasseur, Marketing Coordinator Ron Swift, Set -up Supervisor
Bob Richardson, Maintenance Supervisor Alyson Tasker, Box Office Manager
Not Pictured: John Richardson, Operations Manager
EVENT PROGRAMMING CATEGORIES
FIVE FLAGS
CEN'I'FR
• ENTERTAINMENT
• PERFORMING ARTS
• FAMILY
• CONCERTS
u SPORTS
COMMUNITY /OTHER
MEETINGS /CONY /TS
January — December 2011 Notable Events
Events of all types are hosted at the Five Flags Center:
ENTERTAINMENT
Red Green Show
AMP Monster Trucks
Professional Bull Ride Championships
Eastern Iowa Outlaws Roller Derby
Night Storm Teen Dance Club
FAMILY
Harlem Globetrotters
Sesame Street — "Elmo Makes Music"
George Carden Circus
Barney's Birthday Bash (25th Anniversary of the Purple Dinosaur)
DKC Dog Show
FIVE FLAGS
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January — December 2011 Notable Events (continued)
SPORTS PROGRAMMING
Rumble by the River Wrestling Tournament
Loras College Open Wrestling Tournament
Dubuque Soccer Association
PERFORMING ARTS
Riverdance
Multicultural Center presented "Native Spirit Dancer"
Multicultural Center presented Satchel "Longrifle" Page
Jim McDonough Holiday Grande
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Youth Ensemble
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Arts Trek
Studio 5 -6 -7 -8
Xtreme Dance Studio
Rising Star Theatre Company — "Joseph Technicolor Dreamcoat"
Rising Star Theatre Company — "Wizard of Oz"
Walhert High School Musical — "Jesus Christ Superstar"
Hempstead Variety Show
Fly -By -Night Productions
Great Midwestern Theater Company
FIVE FLAGS
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THEATRE " COMPANY
January — December 2011 Notable Events (continued)
CONCERTS
Godsmack
Oak Ridge Boys
Melanie Devaney in Concert
FIVE FLAGS
CENTER
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January — December 2010 Events (continued)
FIVE FLAGS
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Community and Other Events
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Colts Drum and Bugle Corp
Dubuque Senior High Graduation
Dubuque Hempstead High Graduation
Rising Star Theatre Company Summer Workshop
Multicultural Center — "Taste of the World"
F4 Video Gaming Tournament
Girl Scouts Dream Event
Capri Style Show
City Expo
City Spirit Luncheon
City Civil Service Testing
City Management and Other Meetings
Farmer's Market Meeting
Jaycees Toy for Kid's
Weddings (2)
DhhBhIOlIESEN /�R LOPPP$T14*
Meetings and Convention
January — December 2011
1
FIVE FLAGS
CFN'I'NR
After nearly a seven -year hiatus, Five
Flags Center displayed a strong re -entry
into the meetings and conventions
business by hosting three major
conferences. Management continues to
partner with the Holiday Inn and to
respond to bid opportunities through
Dubuque Conventions and Visitor's
Bureau. Exploring and booking other
meeting business is routine.
Five Flags is proud to have offered
meeting and /or vendor space to the
following organizations:
IBM Staffing Interviews
Prudential Corporate Broadcast
Big Boy Toy Show
Tri -State Veterans Conference
Iowa Recycling and Waste Management
Dubuque Public Schools "Kinderpalooza"
Walsworth Yearbook Workshop
Nationwide Expo Merchandise Sale
•
The i -state Vt cer fis Conference
Prudential
On October 3, 4, and 5, 2011, Five Flags Civic Center served
as the host site of the Iowa Recycle and Waste Management
Conference, The venue looked sharp and well prepared to
enhance vendor displays through utilization of the new C!P
items (including pipe, drape, tables, chairs, and audio /visual
equipment), The City of Dubuque welcomed the conference
and visitors - as did business owners up and down Main Street
for the Pub Crawl,
FIVE FLAGS
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I II
1
FIVE FLAGS
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SMG management understands the Civic Center's role to facilitate various groups and non - profit organization and assist them 11.
contributions to individuals and the community at large. Five Flags participated in this effort by providing complimentary tickets,
program ads, golf hole sponsorships, venue usage, etc. for fundraising efforts for a numerous organizations including those listed below:
• Colts Music on the March Program
• Children Affected by Cancer Event
• Dubuque Chamber of Commerce
• Dubuque Main Street
• Dubuque Museum of Art
• Dubuque Devil's Hockey Team Program
• Dubuque Art Center Gala
• Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Program
• Dubuque Youth Hockey Association
• Galena Chamber
• Irish Hooley
• Images & Information Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser
• Loras College
• Mercy Health Foundation of Dyersville
• McGraw Hill Holiday Giving Project
• Holy Ghost , Resurrection, St. Joe, and St. John Churches
• Shalom Retreat Center
• Seaton School
• Various meetings for the City of Dubuque, Boards, and Commissions
Staff Participated Various Boards and Organizations including:
• Rotary Club of Dubuque
• Greater Chamber of Commerce (Dubuque Ambassadors,
— CVB Advisory Board, CVB Sales Committee)
• Dubuque Jaycees
• Dubuque Main Street Board and Executive Board
• Tri- States Human Resources Association
• Leadership Dubuque Alumni Network
• American Legion Local Post No. 6
• Dubuque County Fine Arts Society, Voices from the Warehouse
• Carnegie Stout Public Library Art @ Your Library
• DMS— Falling Into art Gallery Tour
MULTIPLE USE VENUE - PICTORIAL ESSAY and TIMELINE
The "Facility and Event Management" industry is exciting and demanding. Frequently, event programming can require a
complete building "change- over," within a twenty four hour timeframe, in order to accommodate load -in and staging of multiple,
consecutive events. Below is a pictorial essay and timeline reflecting three consecutive weeks of Five Flags events between
November 19 and December 10, 2011.
Nov 19
AVE E CORPORATION PRODUCTION
Dom. mN.a.,.
22 -23
25 -27
S Y M P H O N Y O R C H E S T R A
Dec 3 -4
19 -20
S Y M P -I O N Y O R C H E S T R A
24
Thankgiving
28