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Renting Inflatables
Many teams have added concourse entertainment options like speed pitches, prize wheels and dunk tanks. We were impressed when we learned a minor league team had turned their concourse entertainment into both a revenue stream and a marketing tool.
The Round Rock Express took their branded Inflatables into the community by renting them out and staffing them much like a party rental store.
In a break from our traditional Spotlight format, we have invited a team executive from the Express to join us and discuss their program.
Note: This article was posted in 2004, the Round Rock Express no longer rent their inflatables.
Gameops.com: How does the program work?
Round Rock Express John Jackson: When organizations or parents are planning these events, it can become stressful for them to worry about handling all of the moving parts of their event, so anything we can do to make it easier on them, we do. Initially an interested person will contact me and we will stay in touch until the details are finalized. Once the date is set, staff members are scheduled for the event. I give them directions, contact numbers, and any other pertinent information. Once we arrive on-site, we meet our contact, set up the inflatable and monitor the equipment until the event is completed. Once it is finished, we break it down and transport it back to our storage area.
Gameops.com: When you rent one of your Inflatables, do you deliver them and staff them?
Jackson: We do deliver the Inflatables and staff them during the event. It is not only a way to ensure proper handling of our equipment, but also gives us an opportunity to meet our fans in a community setting.
Gameops.com: How about liability? Do people take responsibility?
Jackson: Since our staff members are there, we make sure the users know the rules for the equipment and we monitor their use. The rules are stated on our Inflatables as well. The organizers of the event are incredibly helpful and supportive of our efforts.
Gameops.com: Has this been popular?
Jackson: There are numerous community events in our area which request the equipment. Our most popular rental is our speed pitch. We also offer a moon jump and a slide rental.
Gameops.com: How successful has the program been?
Jackson: Anytime we can reach our fans and make new ones as representatives of America’s pastime, we have been successful.
Gameops.com: Has it also been profitable?
Jackson: We do charge a minimal fee which helps us cover our expenses. However, our goal is to expose as many people as possible to the environment we create at our ballpark, so if we can spark any interest for the game of baseball we have made a profit.
Gameops.com: How has this helped your marketing efforts?
Jackson: I can not think of a better way to promote the Round Rock Express Baseball Club and the game of baseball at the community level than to bring our equipment to them in order to catch a glimpse of the unique environment at the Dell Diamond.
Note: This article was posted in 2004, the Round Rock Express no longer rent their inflatables.
The Round Rock Express Experience:
...Families will end up spending time in the right-field area, the ballpark’s entertainment center. For older kids, there’s a climbing wall (the three fastest climbers to the top get their names and times on the scoreboard), a speed gun and a basketball court; for younger kids there’s a video arcade and playground area. The entire area is supervised, with its own concession stand. For Sunday games there are inflatable play areas outside the ballpark.
(From Ball Park Digest)
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