Opening
Night Pulse
Teams
in hockey and hoops discuss what they did this
year on Opening night and what they attempt
to accomplish via their event production on
that night.
Matt
Canavan
Director, Corporate Sales
Texas Tornado Hockey Club
What
are you doing opening night this year in terms
of Game Presentation that you do not do every game?
This
year for our opening night we added a few new elements.
We had a small but effective indoor fireworks show,
and placed 2 air flames at the end of our inflatable
tunnel on the ice for introductions. We also performed
a 12 man (City Council) ceremonial puck drop and
a ceremonial slap shot signifying the first goal
scored on the year by the Mayor of the City.
Did
you/Will you give fans a Premium Item (giveaway)
opening night?
We
have heavy schedule of promotional items and giveaways.
Opening night we distributed magnetic schedules to
everyone in attendance.
Did
you/Will you sell out opening night?
Our
team recently relocated to a new market and is playing
out of a new facility. We sold out on opening night
and were able to sell an additional 300 standing
room only tickets. (capacity 3,700)
What
is more important to your team? Winning your first
game or presenting the most entertaining evening
possible for your fans?
It
is definitely more important to our organization
to present the most entertaining evening possible
for our new fan base. It also helped that we won
9-2 and there were several altercations during the
game.
Tony
Dufek
River CIty Lancers Hockey
What
are you doing opening night this year in terms
of Game Presentation that you do not do every game?
This
year was unique in the fact that we retired the jersey
of a fallen player. Then unveiled our new lighting
show that we have implemented into our game night
excitement.
Did
you/Will you give fans a Premium Item (giveaway)
opening night?
Opening
night we always hand out our magnetic pocket schedule.
Did
you/Will you sell out opening night?
We
did not sell out opening night.
What
is more important to your team? Winning your first
game or presenting the most entertaining evening
possible for your fans?
For
the Lancers both is important. We want to win every
home game that we can and put on the best show possable
night in and night out.
Kelly
Crane
Utah Jazz
What
are you doing opening night this year in terms
of Game Presentation that you do not do every game?
We
will be using a "Premier Night" theme where
fans will enter the building on the red carpet. We
are bringing in special bands, a "paprazzi",
celebrity guests, and using a limo service for lucky
fans to arrive at the game in.
Did
you/Will you give fans a Premium Item (giveaway)
opening night?
We
will be giving away a magnetic schedule on Opening
Night. This way, the fans have something they can
put at home or at work, that tells them when the
Utah Jazz games are.
Did
you/Will you sell out opening night?
That
is the goal.
What
is more important to your team? Winning your first
game or presenting the most entertaining evening
possible for your fans?
We
can't control the outcome of the game, but we can
control the atmosphere we provide for our fans. Therefore,
I think that providing an overall entertaining experience
for our fans is what is most important. When we win,
it makes the whole experience that much better.
Scott
Sproat
Fort Wayne Komets Hockey
What
are you doing opening night this year in terms
of Game Presentation that you do not do every game?
We’re
coming off a Championship… so we will be doing
the following:
- Our
Captain will be skating the Cup around the Ice
one “final time for 2003”
- We
will present all of our returning players (14)
with their Championship Rings
- We
will be raising a Championship Banner
In
addition… we also do something “Grandiose” with
our mascot in the way of a“First Look” for
the new season (usually involving some method of “transport”),
utilize pyrotechnics, enhanced lighting effects,
Gobos, introduction of new/alternate jerseys, roll-out
of new promotions and game events, etc.
Did
you/Will you give fans a Premium Item (giveaway)
opening night?
Premium
Item: Continuing the theme… we will be passing
out commemorative “Championship Team Picture
Posters” courtesy of several sponsors. In 2007 we will give away Schedule Pens.
Did
you/Will you sell out opening night?
Yes.
We traditionally sell-out.
What
is more important to your team? Winning your first
game or presenting the most entertaining evening
possible for your fans?
Winning
is always secondary to putting on a great show for
the fans. Winning is definitely a part of that “overall
product”… but that is an uncontrollable,
so we will focus on that which we can control ----
namely: customer service, entertaining presentation,
an abundance of information on new programs, policies,
and promotions, and a fantastic kick-off for our
corporate partners in the overall scheme of our “product”.
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