Facility managers agree, the Pacific Northwest is a good — albeit busy — place to be. Though competition is tight, the community has an eclectic mix of entertainment lovers who will come out to support the arts. Grosses and number of events have significantly increased since the last time Venues Today ran a Pacific Northwest Top Stops Chart, with the date range Jan. 1, 2012 – Dec. 10, 2012. In this year’s chart, which spans Feb. 1, 2013 – Jan. 31, 2014, total grosses have increased by nearly $70 million. Meanwhile, the number of total reported events in the region has increased by almost 750. Pacific Northwest Top Stops managers told Venues Today how they made it happen.
Caffeinated in Seattle
Having the right infrastructure helps make big companies more comfortable in your building
Chris Miller, GM at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall at Seattle Center, took time to talk Top Stops during a busy day hosting the Starbucks Annual Shareholders meeting in mid-March. It’s the facility’s 10th year hosting the event, which also brought about 3,000 attendees to the building in 2013.
Miller said that part of what keeps companies like Starbucks coming back to McCaw Hall at Seattle Center is the ability to do complex multimedia presentations.
“Even as we speak, CNBC is doing a live broadcast from the lobby,” he said.
Adding miles of wiring can be a huge initial investment, especially for something that may only be used a few times each year.
“Rather than invest a lot of money in putting wiring in specific locations, which is inevitably in the wrong place or needs to change over time, we put a lot of large conduits throughout the building that companies can pull their own cables through,” said Miller. “They want to have full control of the signal from one end to the other, anyway, so they don’t really like to rely on anything that’s installed in a building.”
Because of this ease of access, the venue has also hosted similar meetings for Microsoft and Amazon.
Miller said the real highlight in the hall this year was a solo acoustic performance by Ben Harper, Nov. 12. The show brought more than 2,750 attendees and a gross of nearly $150,000. Because the facility was designed for ballet and opera, it works very well for acoustic-based acts.
This year also marked the 10th anniversary of McCaw Hall at Seattle Center. In 2013 alone, 371,000 people came through the building. Over the last 10 years, more than 4.2 million patrons have visited.
To celebrate the anniversary, the facility spent about $30,000 to put on a free community day of celebration in October, inviting the public to come in and experience the hall, which had performances all day long.
The day included a feature called ‘Spotlight on…,” which involved members of the community signing up to perform on the McCaw Hall stage.
“We figured, how many people really get the opportunity to perform on a large stage like this in a 3,000-seat theater? We had about 40-45 different people from the community participate, some of whom were pretty talented entertainers and some who weren’t quite as talented,” added Miller.
About 3,500 people came through the facility during the 10th anniversary celebration.
Contact: (206) 733-9711
Scoring Points with Curling
Hosting the Canadian Men’s Curling Championships gave Rexall Place a boost
Tim Hortons Brier Canadian Men’s Curling Championships helped Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, reach the top spot on the Pacific Northwest Top Stops. The internationally televised event spanned nine days, 22 events and 71 curling matches, leading to a gross of about $2.8 million.
“The event also took over parts of our adjoining Expo Centre for the pre and postparties each day,” said Venue Director Adam Cook. “It truly was a world-class event.”
Overall, 18 of the 19 concerts in 2013 sold out. Rexall Place, managed by Northlands, put an emphasis on recognizing both fans and staff this year. The company has implemented small initiatives like gifts for first-time and young fans at tenant events, and has put more emphasis on the ‘memory-maker’ program.
“All managers have instant scratch-and-win ‘memory-maker’ cards that they can provide on the spot to our staff when they’re spotted doing something right,” said Cook, who added that prizes range from a free beverage to a $100 gift card. Recognition continues with a monthly ‘story-maker’ program, where nominees have their story shared and are entered into a drawing. Each year, one of the ‘story makers’ is honored with a ‘living the values’ award in each of Northlands’ five core values: safety, people, service excellence, integrity, and community enrichment.
So far, Rexall Place’s 2014 concert business is pacing ahead of last year, with 26 major shows already on the books. It’s especially important to grow the concert business since it was confirmed that the facility’s two primary tenants will open a new arena in 2016.
“This is a question that existed in limbo for several years, and having a final conclusion allows us to begin moving forward with our planning for the future,” said Cook. “While it’s never easy to lose a tenant, the opportunities that this presents to reinvent Rexall Place and Northlands are very exciting and we’re looking forward to seeing what the future holds.”
Contact: (780) 471-7283
Venue Joins the Million-Ticket Club
British Columbia facility sees its highest attendance and one-millionth ticket
It’s been a banner year at Abbotsford (B.C.) Entertainment & Sports Centre. Though the facility doesn’t reach its fifth anniversary until May, the building has already sold its one-millionth ticket. The event occurred during a sold-out Carrie Underwood concert May 23, which grossed more than $500,000.
“We got Carrie to sign an enlarged millionth ticket and then gave that to the fan,” said GM Jason Blumenfeld.
A recent February concert by Toby Mac brought the venue its highest attendance to-date due to a stage configuration that allowed seats to be added on 220-degree angles.
Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre has also worked more on listening to the fans. The facility conducts a post-event survey after every show. Based on feedback, the venue actually lowered its parking prices in 2013 and added some healthier menu items.
“Global Spectrum’s world-wide policy, the ‘How You Doin’?’ principle, means that fan experience is always our number one priority,” added Blumenfeld.
The facility tries to use the competitive market to its advantage when booking shows. There are several Global Spectrum venues close by in British Columbia, including Encana Events Centre in Dawson Creek and South Okanagan Events Center in Penticton, and Northern Washington’s Comcast Arena in Everett.
“We talk on a regular basis with our other venues, and when we’re talking to promoters, we give examples of shows that have been able to route several of our venues successfully,” added Blumenfeld.
The venue’s fifth anniversary will be in May, and Blumenfeld is already celebrating with the venue’s fastest sellout in its history with Florida Georgia Line the same month.
Contact: (604) 743-5005
Going Local
Arena secures a much wished-for show
It finally happened — Pearl Jam made it to Spokane, Wash.
“The event that hit home for me was securing Pearl Jam, Nov. 30,” said GM Matt Gibson, who mentioned that the band had been named the big wish for the year by a local arts and entertainment weekly, where the article included a drawing of Eddie Vedder on top of Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
Gibson went so far as to send the drawing to Pearl Jam’s booking agent Don Muller, William Morris Endeavor, in an attempt to get the band to the facility. It took a few months, but Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena secured the booking. The show sold out quickly, as did Spokane-unique merchandise.
“Spokane was so happy — it wasn’t your typical being excited about a concert, people were ecstatic,” said Gibson. “The vibe in the house, even with the band, was happy.”
“It was a magical night, and that had nothing to do with anything medicinal that might have been floating around,” he added.
Marijuana became legal for recreational use in Washington last year; however, the facility’s smoking policy bans cigarettes of any kind including tobacco, marijuana, or even electronic. That ban doesn’t stop everyone, though.
“Technically, there’s no smoking inside the arena, but when you have a darkened building are you going to wade into the crowd every time you see a puff of smoke? No,” said Gibson, who emphasized that smoking is not something the facility condones.
In September, Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena got new seats in a kind of roundabout way. The facility was bidding for the NCAA basketball tournament and was told they were just under the biddable capacity, which was set at 12,000 sellable seats. Many of the arena’s seats would have been taken by media and for other NCAA needs. First, Gibson looked into creating two new sections that would total 750 seats. That proved economically infeasible.
“We were looking at some stupid number to add a new section, like $3,400 per seat,” said Gibson, who added that most of the cost would have gone to infrastructure. Later, the NCAA reduced the capacity regulations to 10,000 seats but, by that point, the arena had already gotten funds through a vote from the city. Instead of adding entire sections, Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena worked with Hussey Seating and added a couple hundred seats, installed all-new padded seats on the 100 level and more ergonomic seats on the 200 level.
“We had asked for right around $3 million and ended up spending around half of that,” said Gibson. “We wanted to be responsible with public money.”
Future plans include investing in a DAS system and adding WiFi to the facility.
“At the end of the day there are only two things we can invest in: our people and our building,” he added.
Contact: (509) 279-7000
Tacoma Dome Turns 30
A reorganization of staff brings a new company culture
Kim Bedier hit the ground running when she became director, public assembly facilities for the City of Tacoma, Wash., just more than a year ago. She immediately reviewed and reorganized the staff structure, bringing responsibilities for the Tacoma Dome and convention center together to operate as one team, with most personnel moving between the two buildings.
“We refocused several key new positions, bringing in new blood in some cases and promoting from within in others,” said Bedier. “This has made for some challenges, but also great learning and exchange of ideas, and it is exciting to see a new department-wide culture take shape.”
The facility refresh came during its 30-year anniversary, which was highlighted by several shows including Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, and Life In Color. Taylor Swift brought the largest gross of more than $1.5 million, Aug. 31. Though the shows excited the community and brought in revenue, Bedier said the best part of the anniversary was something a bit more personal: a collection of fan memories throughout the year. The facility reached out to the community to see what people’s favorite or most memorable experiences were at the venue.
“These memories include a couple who met at a hockey game, got engaged at the Dome and eventually married — and stayed married, and a note from a fellow who played in the very first final of the very first state high school football championship and remembered all the plays,” said Bedier. The facility also received a ticket stub sent in by someone who attended the very first concert, which was a David Bowie show.
“It was an honor to learn how much the Dome has meant and still means to the community and region,” added Bedier.
Now that the facility is 30 years old, it’s starting to require some updates. Last year’s upgrades included an ADA retrofit and items that focused on the experience for promoters and show personnel, like back-of-house ice cream stations, a basketball court and pinball arcade.
Tacoma Dome is currently working with suppliers on programs like multiyear installations and creative finance models in order to tackle more capital projects.
Contact: (253) 573-2554
Provocative Name Gets People Talking
Of the five venues that make up the performing arts property, three made the top stops
It started out as a simple rebranding, but ultimately led to changing a 25-year-old name at a Portland, Ore., property.
“We decided to skip the ‘same old, same old’ performing arts name and go with something more provocative,” said Robyn Williams, executive director of the recently renamed Portland’5 Centers for the Arts. She said that the name not only suggests that the venues belong to the community, but also brings home the fact that it’s the umbrella organization for five performance spaces.
“Just because you’re a performing arts venue doesn’t mean you have to be stodgy,” added Williams.
Three Portland’5 venues made the Pacific Northwest Top Stops: the almost 3,000-seat Keller Auditorium, the 2,776-capacity Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, and the 880-seat Newmark Theatre.
The big hit at Keller Auditorium in 2013 was “Book of Mormon,” with eight shows Jan. 1-6, 2013. Though outside of the date range for this iteration of Top Stops, the shows proved to be a great calling card for the venue and brought out nearly 23,000 people. The facility isn’t just for Broadway, though. Joe Bonamassa grossed more than $200,000 with an April 13 date.
Dave Chappelle came to Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in October, grossing more than $150,000. And, though it’s smaller than the other two that made the list, “the little 800-plus seat venue just hummed this past year with quite a number of sellouts,” Williams said.
Comedians such as Seth Myers, who brought a crowd of 881 people, and Russell Brand, who grossed more than $35,000, were among the sold-out shows.
Williams said that there are some particularities about hosting events in the Pacific Northwest. For one, the major population centers are spread relatively far apart.
“That can make it a challenge to draw shows — particularly Broadway — up our way when it’s so easy to play the eastern seaboard and maybe just stop in Denver, then head to Los Angeles,” she said.
It doesn’t seem to have posed too much of a challenge for this year, though. “Book of Mormon” is coming back to Keller Auditorium, as well as “Kinky Boots” and “Wicked.”
“We’re also looking at dipping our toes in the promotion and co-promotion waters,” said Williams. “We don’t want to compete with our promoters, but we have some dates I’d really like to see with something on them.”
Contact: (503) 248-4335
Name Change Brings Transformation
The Rose Quarter renamed one of its venues, leading to a complete overhaul
On Aug. 12, a major announcement took place at Rose Quarter in Portland, Ore., which would dictate much of the activity for fall. Moda Health came on as community and naming rights partner for Moda Center, leading to major changes. Updates in building signage, wayfaring and landscaping, in-arena amenities and even an overhaul of food and beverage offerings have already taken place, and the renovations aren’t over.
“In the coming months, the building will undergo yet another change, as we transition our suite level to include studio suites, theme suites and a lounge,” said Corporate Communications Manager for the Portland Trail Blazers Kris Koivisto. The club level and 300 level will also be renovated.
The team, the facility’s main tenant, also overhauled the DAS and WiFi system, as well as completely transforming the food and beverage offerings inside Moda Center.
Popular local restaurants Bunk Sandwiches, Killer Burger, Fire on the Mountain and Sizzle Pie were added in 2013, and Salt & Straw Ice Cream, Stumptown Coffee and Plum Tasty are new in 2014. A new restaurant called Dr. Jack’s has opened on the Rose Quarter campus, featuring three food carts and 18 craft beers.
“The region is unique with eclectic personalities and has a passion for sustainability, coffee and breweries,” said Koivisto.
The team recently announced a $16-million, two-year plan for capital improvements. They also have a unique and interactive idea to get the community involved with replacing the basketball court for the 2014-2015 season.
“We’ve posted a fan design contest on our website called ‘Create the Court,’ which allows fans to create, then vote for, the layout of the playing surface that will debut in November,” he said. The contest will appeal to the sense of community and personal style in the Pacific Northwest.
Contact: (503) 380-0950
New GM Brings Renewed Focus
Comcast Arena’s former Asst. GM stepped into the top title during the facility’s busiest season
Rick Comeau only came to the Global Spectrum-managed Comcast Arena at Everett, Wash., in July as assistant GM, but abruptly became the go-to person for the GM position when the previous manager resigned in October.
Though sudden, he believes the change ended up being a positive for the venue.
“I think this has given the facility a renewed focus on building partnerships and strengthening the tenant relationships,” said Comeau.
About 55,000 people came through the venue’s doors in October, followed by a record-breaking 70,000 attendees in November.
“Our family shows were beating attendance records from when the building opened 10 years ago,” added Comeau.
To get more comfortable in the GM role, Comeau is focusing on meeting the right people, learning the market and community and building relationships with other facilities in the area. Next year, the venue is looking at doing some in-house events, to maximize opportunities on open dates.
Contact: (425) 322-2602
Banking on Locals
A focus on Seattle-bred artists brings big numbers
In December, KeyArena at Seattle Center hosted 13 events in 18 days, bringing more than 108,000 guests through the doors. Among those shows were two popular hometown artists. Pearl Jam played Dec. 6 to a crowd of more than 13,000. A few days later, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis had three sold-out dates at the arena, for a gross of nearly $1.5 million.
In order to keep the crowds happy, KeyArena put an extra emphasis on the fan experience and expanded its guest services training and education.
“We revamped our in-house front-line staff department and budgeted for a full-time guest services manager to focus on training,” said venue Manager Edie Burke, who added that the facility previously had several different departments doing training, but this ensures consistency.
When it comes to future upgrades, the venue has prioritized projects to build technological infrastructure to accommodate the way that fans interact through technology. Burke is also working to bring more diverse entertainment offerings.
“I think the Pacific Northwest is proud to be considered kind of quirky by the rest of the country,” said Burke. “We are comfortable taking risks and we value being part of the creative process.”
Contact: (206) 428-6365
Diversity Rules
A range of offerings at Morrison Center brings a crowd
“I know it sounds cliché, but we really try to provide something for everyone,” said James Patrick, executive director at Morrison Center for the Performing Arts in Boise, Idaho, of the facility’s diverse schedule in 2013.
In addition to educational offerings through Boise State University and resident art groups, the facility also had a successful Fred Meyer Broadway in Boise series with “Chicago,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and the technical rehearsal and kickoff for the second national tour of “Memphis.” Five shows of “Chicago” grossed nearly $250,000, while the three-show kickoff of “Memphis” brought in more than $170,000.
There were also single performances of Brian Regan, Mythbusters, and a double billing of Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Clovin, among others. The Mythbusters tour Nov. 23 brought a crowd of more than 1,750 fans.
To increase flexibility, Morrison Center installed a curtain system that allows the venue to adjust size from 2,000 seats to about 1,000 seats. Other improvements include ticket scanner technology, a new chiller, spotlights, stage projector, and a large NanoLumens LED digital lobby display.
For 2014, the Fred Meyer Broadway in Boise series is bringing back a community favorite, “Wicked,” which sold out 16 performances is 2011.
“This year, the show returns for three straight weeks or 24 performances,” said Patrick. “It will be the longest run in the center’s history.”
Contact: (208) 426-4020
Best Year Yet
ShoWare Center has its best year since opening
In 2009, ShoWare Center in Kent, Wash., opened to accolades — and things are only getting better. According to GM Tim Higgins, 2013 was the best financial year so far, with a Top Stops gross of nearly $2.7 million and 38 events.
“We are seeing an increase in ticket sales for both our hockey team and all other shows,” Higgins added, and the venue sold out its Florida Georgia Line concert in record time. The Dec. 14 concert grossed more than $230,000.
The first five years in operation have laid the groundwork to prove the SMG-managed ShoWare Center is a venue that can sell tickets, even in a crowded market.
“We compete with 24 venues for shows, all within a 50-mile radius of ShoWare Center,” said Higgins, who added that to combat the congestion, the facility now self-promotes, co-promotes, and is a significant financial partner with all promoters for all shows.
The diversity of the market allows the facility to have success with many types of acts, including Indian and Bollywood shows, Hispanic offerings, EDM, and R&B. Likewise, family shows sell close to 100-percent capacity, as well as religious and Christian shows.
Contact: (253) 856-6701
Buildings Team Up
RG Sports & Entertainment operates two facilities in British Columbia
Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, B.C., worked with another RGSE-operated property, Prospera Place in Kelowna, B.C., to route sold-out shows to both buildings.
“Last year in a two-week period we did sold-out Jerry Seinfeld and sold-out Motley Crue shows in both buildings, and a month later did it all again with Sting and Kiss,” said RGSE President Dave Dakers. The Kiss shows, July 5 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre and July 8 at Prospera Place, grossed more than $500,000 each.
To enhance the fan experience, Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre recently installed a new eight-sided video screen. Also, the facility’s resident WHL team the Victoria Royals has seen an increase in attendance each year.
Dakers said the biggest challenge was balancing the booking schedule to ensure that similar events didn’t affect one another. There were a number of similar shows in the last year, partly due to the fact that the Pacific Northwest community has a distinct taste in music.
“For example, Victoria supported three sold-out Leonard Cohen dates in a 24-month span, while the show struggled in other areas,” Dakers added.
In the coming year, he hopes to bring some great acts to the facilities that haven’t played the smaller markets in a long time.
Contact: (250) 220-2608