My mom treated the kids and me to The Greatest Show on Earth at the Chevy Centre today. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey packed 'em in for five shows this weekend, and it's the kind of show that brings in the whole area. So, you'd think this was a real win, no downside, just a great opportunity to bring the region to downtown Youngstown for family entertainment and send them away satisfied.
We were certainly satisfied; the circus put on a great show, and we were walking back to the free parking garage (what other city offers that?) across from the post office when I overheard a woman near me:
"They say they're losing millions on the Chevy Centre. Bullshit, did you see all the people?"
So, there it is: The Chevy Centre under new management and working to bring in a profitable roster of acts--and by all appearances successfully. But in the minds of this ignoramus, that success puts into doubt the reality of the facility's past struggles. They just assume, well it's Youngstown so they're probably lying and funneling the money somewhere.
What it really means is that the general public has no inkling of the financial realities of running a convention center or, certainly, a circus. What I'd like to do is get in contact with the current Chevy Centre management and, to the extent they're willing and able, publish on my Vindy.com blog the numbers on this weekend to show how expensive it is to bring in an act like that. Let me know if you can offer any help with contact info.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Imagined Corruption Taints Event Success
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6 comments:
Hi,
I've been reading your blog for a while now, but I've never introduced myself before. I provide IT services to many Youngstown area businesses, including the Chevrolet Centre. Now I will admit I have an interest in seeing the Chevrolet Centre do well for financial reasons, but I will be the first to admit I love having the centre here in Youngstown. Before I had to drive to Cleveland or beyond to see a good rock show or event. I take my wife or child to most of the events the centre puts on for some family fun.
One thing I can't stand is people who constantly talk negative about the centre. Most of these people never attend events. My parents own a bar/ restaurant and I constantly hear patrons talk about what a failure the centre is, and they are often the first to admit they have never been to a show.
Email me and I'll see what I can do to forward any questions you may have to the correct staff.
I too have problems with the common notion that everything in Y-town is corrupt. Unfortunately, that type of thing is said about not just the convocation center but things like the WRTA and the schools. People think that all the money is being stolen by mobsters, so therefore why should they support anything or pass a levy. By maintaining this mind set they can avoid accountability for letting their city fail.
We went to the circus on Sunday! We are friends with Bello and his daughter told us that EVERY show was sold out!! Yeah Youngstown!!!
My only complaint (and it was BIG!) was when Ty the Ringmaster said "May ALL your days be Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Days!"
We have gone to the circus for YEARS and live by the saying, "May all your days be circus days!"
I'm just sayin... :-)
Peace
Hey Tyler,
We are also pretty over all the negative things we heard when we contemplated our move from Howland to Downtown Youngstown last Fall. The City is still far from perfect, but if people can't get the fact that most of the people we have working for the betterment of the City, are truly committed and WANT to succeed, it is always an uphill battle.
I am not sure how to get the citizens to believe in hope for their city, change happens slowly until more and more people get involved. Maybe if we can just get people to pause and not be negative it would be a step forward. You don't have to have blind faith that it will get better, but if you eliminate the negative thoughts, at least it will get those who are trying to make a difference, something to hold onto.
We have started a new webcast that is all about pointing out the good people and events happening in Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. We are not ignorant that there is still bad out there, but we choose to focus on the positive. By the way, the best person I have worked with over at the Chevy Centre is the directors second in command and he really wants it to succeed as well, if you still need contact info, let me know and I will email it to you.
Yes, thanks, if you could share contact info, that would be very helpful: tyler.s.clark at gmail dot com.
The Chevy Centre is a great place to see a show. We espcially appreciate the family oriented events because they're here and keep us from having to make the drive to Pittsburgh or Cleveland. It certainly allows more opportunity than we've had in the past.
I hope your efforts are successful to put some real financial information out about what it takes to put on a show downtown. That perspective will go a long way toward showing how difficult the process can be.
More concerning was Bertram's column Sunday morning recounting some details in the City's RFQ for a company to manage the centre. Some of their demands display a certain naivety about entering into a business agreement. No entertainment management company is going to guarantee the city close to a million dollars regardless of what their revenue is. Operating the centre is a risk for all parties.
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