Five Flags Center 2013 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 2013 Annual Report and Activities Update
DATE: January 27, 2014
Dubuque
band
AI- America City
IIIii!
2007 • 2012 • 2013
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware is transmitting the 2013 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.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager
THE CITY OF
Dui
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager
DATE: January 21, 2014
SUBJECT: Five Flags 2013 Annual Report and Activities Update
Dubuque
trati
M- America City
VII V
2007 • 2012 • 2013
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 2013 and updates of activities in the current fiscal 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 and was just extended this last year for another five years to 2019. Each yearthe SMG manager shares
the Annual Report with the Council. I have asked Joyce White, SMG's General Manager to present to the Council activities in
FY 2014 to date and plans for the future.
The Five Flags Center is an important part of our community as you will see. It is truly the community's civic center. SMG
Management has and continues to work hard as our partner. After hearing Joyce's presentation, I think you will be excited
about the past as well as the future of Five Flags.
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
JANUARY — DECEMBER 2013 (EVENTS)
147• ILACS
CENTER
CM) Five Flags Civic Center
"^'•' ° °°^ ^•�a c 405 Main Street 41 in 'manna. Dubuque, Iowa 1 52001
"If it's important,
it's at Five Flags;
if it's at Five Flags,
it's important."
Three Year Financial Comparison
FY11 — FY13
/-(1-1:_ja%
FIVE FLAGS
CENTER
For the purpose of this report, financial data reflects information from the FY13
Operating Budget - Event Activity reflects activity and programming from calendar year
January - December 2013
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 /meeting space and arena to the iconic and historic Five Flags Theater has
provided a city block of vibrant activity to generations of Dubuque residents. The arena can provide flexible, configured
seating arrangements in order 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 a community venue
for current and 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 fifth of a five year extension. In October, 2013, members of the City Council approved a five -year contract
renewal to extend the management contract to June 30, 2019 with an additional five year option.
As compared to FYI 2, FYI 3 adjusted gross revenue was up 3.5% and expenses increased by 2.4 %. The increase in expenses
over FY12 can primarily be attributed to the social media marketing initiative implemented by management in FYI 3. Five Flags
base operating subsidy is contractual and increases are tied to the CPI All Urban - determined each May. A modest increase
of I .7% in the CPI was budgeted for FYI 3. Management has responded to the City's allocated subsidy to consistently come in
under budget for eight consecutive years. Five Flags continues to re- define its' business model and bring new programming to
the event calendar. However, the nature of the events tends to be labor intensive and zero or revenue neutral.
Three Year Financial Comparison
FY11 — FY13
FIVE FLAGS
CENTER
1,000,000
to
O 500, 000
J
Subsidy
• Budgeted
797,520
• Actual
783,573
2
826,230
803,791
3
840,276
819,938
FY11
FY12 FY13
400,000
200,000
(200, 000)
(400, 000)
(600, 000)
(800, 000)
(1,000,000)
(1,200,000)
(1,400, 000)
Revenue I (Expenses)
■
I
2
ADJ GROSS
260,159
242,980
•EXPENSE
(1,043,732)
FY11
(1,046,771)
FY12
3
251,598
(1,071,536)
FY13
Five Flags Management
FIVE FLAGS
CENTER
"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 eighth year as General Manager of
Five Flags Civic Center; now totaling thirteen years with
SMG. An industry veteran, prior experience in venue and
event management includes five years at the Carlson Center,
Fairbanks, Alaska, 10 years with the University of Arkansas
Razorback Athletic Department, and eight years with the Sam
Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas.
Don Howes Dan Holtkamp
Director of Finance /HR Technical Director
Ron Swift
Set -Up Supervisor
Angie Cross
Concessions Manager
Ali Levasseur
Mkt. /Event Coordinator
Bob Richardson Alyson Tasker
Maintenance Supervisor Box Office Manager
John Richardson
Operations Manager
•1-0
Community Service
FIVE FLAGS
CENTER
SMG /Five Flags Management team is comprised of eight full -time and one half -time staff — and a small
pool of part -time event - related staff Six (of the eight full-time) and one (half -time personnel) transitioned
from City of Dubuque employment and, collectively, have a combined service tenure to Five Flags Center
totaling over 165 years. In addition to job responsibilities, SMGIFive Flags staff members have been actively
involved in the community through participation in various professional, civic, and service related
organizations including:
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
Dubuque Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau
Dubuque Main Street
Rotary Club of Dubuque
Dubuque Jaycees
Tri- States Human Resources Association
Leadership Dubuque Alumni Network
American Legion Local Post No. 6
DUBUQUE AREA
Alw
CHAMBER
W I I ALL H k L U N G S.
AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
Dubuque County Fine Arts Society
Voices from the Warehouse
Carnegie Stout Public Library Subcommitee
DMA Falling Into Art Gallery Tour
DMS Puttzin' Around Downtown
D U B U Q U E
MAIN STREET
��a�ees
The Dubuque Junior Chamber
-._ V\il®.
oue couuiv
Fine Arls SOCHJ
Community Relations
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 in their
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 numerous organizations
fundraising efforts, including those listed below:
Colts Music on the March Program
Dubuque Area Labor Management Council
Dubuque Art Center Gala
Dubuque Chamber of Commerce
Dubuque Main Street
Dubuque Museum of Art
Dubuque Devil's Hockey Team Program
Dubuque Senior Citizens Meal Sites
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Program
Dubuque Youth Hockey Association
Family Advocates, Inc.
Family Connections
Hills & Dales
Irish Hooley
Images & Information Breast Cancer
Awareness Fundraiser
Julien Dubuque International Film Festival
Junior Achievement
Loras College
Make A Wish Foundation of Iowa
Mercy Health Foundation of Dyersville
McGraw Hill Holiday Giving Project
Multicultural Family Center
Resurrection and Holy Spirit Churches
Shalom Retreat Center
Seaton Catholic School
Various meetings for the City of Dubuque,
Boards, and Commissions
Wahlert Catholic High School
WVIK Public Radio
Event Programming Categories
FIVE FLAGS
CENTER
• ENTERTAINMENT
• PERFORMING ARTS
• FAMILY
• SPORTS
COMMUNITY /OTHER
• MEETINGS /CONY /TS
Local, Regional & National
Prosrammin. Usa.e
-K‘aN
FIVE FLAGS
CENTER
9%
National
91% Local and Regional Users
January — December 2013
Notable Events
FIVE FLAGS
CENTER
Events of all types are hosted at the Five Flags
Center
Entertainment
Hogs Gone Wild Fanfest (pictured top left)
Eastern Iowa Outlaws Roller Derby
Night Storm Teen Dance Club
Donzilla "Comedy Monster"
Dancing with the Stars Dubuque Style
JDIFF (Julien Dubuque International Film Festival)
FAMILY
George Carden Circus (pictured middle left)
Sesame Street
Bixby's Inflatable Rainforest
Dock Dogs World Championships (pictured bottom left)
January December 2
o
SPORTS PROGRAMMING
Big -Time Bull Riding (pictured top left)
MMA — Pinnacle Combat 12 & 13
Rumble by the River Wrestling Tournament
Loras College Open Wrestling Tournament
NCAA Division Ill Regional Wrestling Tournament
Dubuque Soccer Club
PERFORMING ARTS
FIVE FLAGS
CENTER
Mars Venus Live! (pictured middle left)
Corpus Christi "I Am Love"
Jim McDonough Holiday Grande 2013
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Youth Ensemble
Dubuque Dance Studio
Studio 5 -6 -7 -8
Rising Star Theatre Company — "Annie" (pictured bottom left)
Rising Star Theatre Company — "Music Man"
Walhert High School Musical — "Fiddler on the Roof"
Hempstead Variety Show
Dubuque Senior — "Time Stands Still"
Fly -By -Night Productions
Performing Art Photos
FIVE FLAGS
CEN TER
IOWA'S OWN ANIST
iTCDanauqh
INGERS
8 HIS ORCHESTRA 8 S
• LJALL NEW
Five Flags Theatre
Sat. Dec. 14
2:30 Et 7:30 PM
(2 Shows!)
•
FLY -BY -NIGHT PRODUCTIONS
LARGO DESOLATO
'
Flags Theater
April 19 -22, 2013
•110.
January — December 2013
Notable Events
1
FIVE FLAGS
CENTER
Community and Other Events
St. Mark's Enrichment Center "Jingle Bell Hop" (pictured top left)
Dubuque Rotary Holiday Party
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Arts Trek
Capri College Style Show
Colts Drum and Bugle Corp (pictured middle left)
Rising Star Theatre Company Auditions & Summer Workshop
Multicultural Center — "Taste of the World"
Tour Dubuque Pilot "Trogga" Classes
Dubuque Senior High Graduation (pictured bottom left)
Dubuque Hempstead High Graduation
Northeast Iowa Community College Graduation
University of Dubuque Phi Beta Sigma
University of Dubuque Sister to Sister
Weddings
Meetings & Conventions
January — December 2013
/1
FIVE FLAGS
CENTER
6g4 Prudential
Five Flags Center continues to inject itself into the marketplace of meetings
and conventions after almost a decade's absence. Management reviews and
responds to bid opportunities through Dubuque Conventions and Visitor's
Bureau in addition to participating in the CVB's FAM tours. The Holiday Inn
and Five Flags continue to compliment one another's business model.
Exploring new meeting business is continuous.
Five Flags has provided meeting and /or vendor space to
the following organizations:
All the Way Home Conference
DALM Council -"Career and Technology Fair"
Dock Dogs Annual Awards Banquet - Gala Event
Queen B Radio Golf Expo
Unity Church Service
Dubuque Community Foundation Awards
Prudential (pictured left)
FAM Site Visits (Familiarization Visits)
City Expo
City Spirit Luncheon
City Civil Service Testing
City Leadership Meetings
City Human Rights Dept. Meetings
City Engineering Dept. Conference
City Leisure Services Campground Registration Lottery
All American City Rehearsals
Featured Special Event
- ("*;P'
FIVE FLAGS
CENTER
Tri -State Veteran's "All the Way Home"
On Saturday, October 12, 2013, Five Flags
Civic Center served as the host site for the Tri-
State Veteran's — "All The Way Home
Conference ". A veteran's parade, which
originated at Jackson Park, terminated at Five
Flags Center to coincide with the conference
opening ceremonies. The exhibit hall was filled
with vendor booths providing veterans and their
families information ranging from educational
and work force opportunities to assistance with
VA benefits and program enrollment.
•110.
1
Multiple Use Venue
Six -Week Timeline
FIVE FLAGS
CENTER
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 time frame, in order to
accommodate load -in and staging of multiple, consecutive events. Below is a timeline reflecting six
consecutive weeks of Five Flags events between November 1 and December 14, 2013.
• Dubuque
Symphony
Orchestra
Heaven and
Earth
• Dock Dogs World
Championships &
Awards Banquet
• Sesame Street
Live Make a
New Friend
• UD Phi Beta
Sigma
• Dubuque
Senior High
Time Stands
Still
• City Meetings
(Leadership, Human
Rights, and Civil
Service)
• Colts Weekend
Auditions & Try
Outs
I
• Tour
Dubuque
"Trogga
Classes"
• Rotary
Christmas
Party
• Tour
Dubuque
"Trogga"
Classes
• Dubuque Dance
Studio Recital
• Dubuque Symphony
Orchestra Holiday
Pops
• St Mark's Jingle
Bell Hop
• Jim McDonough
Holiday Grande
Upcoming National Touring Shows
2014
FIVE FLAGS
CENTER
"The next best thing to seeingTHE BEATLES!"
A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES
Producers or
m Marshall se
Albert Samuels and Emily Dar present
dent nt
50 Shades
ThC.J\Th n4 n n
THE ORIGINAL PARODY
CONCERTS
The Band Perry
Cherish the Ladies
Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles (pictured top left)
PERFORMING ARTS
A Mighty Fortress Is Our Basement
50 Shades: The Musical (pictured middle left)
FAMILY SHOWS
Disney Live! "Mickey's MusicFest" (pictured bottom left)
Sesame Street Live