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Mr. Alexander presented a summary. As for ticket sales he provided an update of participation in
<br />the Friday, April 21, 2017, memo. Mr. Alexander requested Marketing & Special Events Specialist
<br />th
<br />Jenny Lynn approach the podium to give Council an update on the latest ticket sales for the 125.
<br />Ms. Lynn presented a summary in the order of events scheduled on Friday: the Kids Rodeo Event
<br />sold out; Cody Johnson sold out; the Gala has only sold 81 tickets, this does not include VIP tickets
<br />for the night; currently have RSVP’s for 24, which includes Council tickets and other VIP tickets, in
<br />addition to sponsorship tickets totaling 12; anticipated ticket number sold 117. Events scheduled for
<br />Saturday: The 5K updated tickets reservation is 71 and have 20 registration sponsors for the event;
<br />total registration for the 5k is 91. As for the Parade, 16 floats/16 companies have confirmed. Air
<br />and Car Show: There is a verbal commitment for 20 planes and approximately 50 or so cars. Clay
<br />Walker tickets sold: 1,652; 58 VIP tickets, and 62 sponsor tickets, totaling to 1,772 tickets sold.
<br />Last event on the docket is the Mother’s Day Brunch: tickets sold 46, 20 VIP, 2 sponsor tickets,
<br />totaling to 58. These numbers are as of April 24, 2017.
<br />Mayor Rigby asked Ms. Lynn that with Cody Johnson selling out immediately, are we expecting
<br />more ticket sales for Clay Walker and the Gospel Brunch? He asked if she recalls, when the
<br />committee first started planning, what the anticipated crowd would be for both events. Jenny Lynn
<br />responded, the anticipated crowd for Clay Walker would be 10,000, and we are close to 2,000;
<br />however, we are seeing the marketing traffic numbers when looking at the campaigns we have out
<br />there, and we could be on track to hitting nearly 5,000 to 6,000. We have options that we can
<br />entertain such as a discount code as an added promotion; at this point it could make a big
<br />difference. Mayor Rigby asked regarding the Gospel Brunch, what is the anticipated number;
<br />Jenny Lynn responded that 300 would be a sellout, which is what is anticipated. Mayor Rigby asked
<br />if we were to have Clay Walker and the Gospel Bruch as free events, with a reimbursement for
<br />tickets already sold, does she think it would make a difference. Jenny Lynn responded, regarding
<br />the Gospel Brunch, her gut feeling is she anticipates the Gospel brunch to sell out because part of
<br />that is timing, people are starting to make their plans for Mother’s Day. The committee talked about
<br />possibly giving a discount code to some of the local churches, and she feels they can get to 300.
<br />As for Clay Walker, there are a lot of factors to consider. There are a lot of opportunities to provide
<br />a discount code and promotions. Mayor Rigby said he understands that a lot of work goes into
<br />planning all events and doing it all in one weekend is mind boggling, but he does not want the
<br />numbers to reflect as a failure. Mayor Rigby opened the floor for Council to make comments or ask
<br />questions.
<br />Councilmember Earp asked what are the producer’s thought about Clay Walker at this point. Ms.
<br />Lynn answered she has not spoken to him in a couple of weeks. The last conversation she had
<br />with him he was surprised ticket sales were a little slower than he anticipated, but did not offer any
<br />guidance as far as ways to make changes.
<br />Mayor Rigby stated the producer’s fees were set for all the events where he brings in
<br />entertainment, regardless of the number of ticket sales? Jenny’s responded, correct.
<br />Councilmember Zemanek commended the committee for all they have done and to let it run its
<br />course.
<br />Councilmember Engelken stated this is the first time the City has done something like this, and we
<br />should stay the course. At the end of the day, La Porte is proud and will make it happen.
<br />Councilmember Kaminski stated any time we increase the budget, we have to cut something; and
<br />we have already made cuts in order to make this event fabulous for the City of La Porte.
<br />Councilmember K. Martin stated she is not worried about it. With Sylvan Beach next weekend, she
<br />thinks everyone is preparing for that and once it ends, we will be good after that, and will see a big
<br />change in ticket sales. She believes making the Brunch free would be a nightmare because the
<br />maximum capacity of people allowed in would require we turn people away. She would rather see
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<br />April 24, 2017, Council Meeting Minutes
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