Maritime Days still negotiating event fees with city
News
While the subject of event fees is not a new one for Marine City, coming to an equitable agreement between the city and event coordinators has been a long ways off.
Marine City Maritime Days Festival is one of the biggest, most long-lived annual events in town. The festival limped along for several years until last summer, when the spirit of the old-time Maritime Days seemed to revive.
Event fees last year came to $4,744. This year’s cost is $8,231. In the past, it was argued that those fees should be waived because the event brings people to the town who may come back to check out its other amenities. Now, with shrinking budgets all around, it has made more sense to at least share the costs with festival organizers.
The Maritime Days Committee recently asked the city to co-sponsor the event with them, meaning the city would pay half the expenses. If the city agreed, the committee would only pay a little less than last year. But the committee still has questions regarding many of the charges — especially from the Department of Public Works.
Commissioners Lisa Hendrick, Ray Skotarczyk, Jim Turner and Ray Meli attended the April 10 meeting of the Marine City Maritime Days Committee, after the committee invited the commission to come last week. They will meet again with the department heads and City Manager John Gabor before the next commission meeting on April 18.
Turner brought a spreadsheet he prepared on how costs have gone up in the last several years, showing support for wrestling down spiraling costs that discourage event organizers.
Hendrick said there’s got to be ways to cut the fees down.
“These people are working really hard,” she said. “Last year’s figures were half the costs.”
She also mentioned that, although four city officials were at the meeting — making a quorum — it was merely informational and no action or decisions were made, according to the city attorney.
In the meantime, the Maritime Days Committee came up with their own “manpower request.” Continued…
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“We had this idea to make out a manpower request that would be easier than making them guess what we need,” Treasurer Jennifer Knightstep said. “We could just tell them what we need.”
In an earlier e-mail to Gabor, the committee wrote: “(On police services) we felt that the coverage we had last year was more than adequate, and we’re not sure why there’s an increase in police staffing.
“(On fire services) the fee included in the estimate for water-ball but we didn’t list water-ball in our list of activities. I also do not understand why we need 11 firefighters for a fireworks display that is over the water.
“(DPW) We’re not sure what’s included because there are no line items or any description. We’re concerned about the amount; it’s about the cost of police and fire put together.”
On their “manpower request,” they estimated a cost savings of about $1,600 for police services and a $450 savings for fire. The DPW charges were a bit murkier and harder to put in numbers.
“We don’t’ even know where to start with the DPW,” Blanchard said. “We don’t know how to quantify it.”
The group brings its own dumpster and has free help from groups like the Boy Scouts and work release workers for cleanup.
They will be at the next Marine City Commission meeting on Thursday, when they will most likely resolve the event fee issue, said Blanchard.
“In response to our meeting last night, it was very apparent that we have the support of our community, elected officials, business owners, and organizations,” said Blanchard. “We have a meeting with the city manager, department managers, and a few commissioners to figure out how we can reduce these fees.”
Contact Jeri Packer at (586) 716-8100, ext 302; jeri.packer@voicenews.com or on Twitter @JeriPacker.
- 1
- 2
- See Full Story
While the subject of event fees is not a new one for Marine City, coming to an equitable agreement between the city and event coordinators has been a long ways off.
Marine City Maritime Days Festival is one of the biggest, most long-lived annual events in town. The festival limped along for several years until last summer, when the spirit of the old-time Maritime Days seemed to revive.
Event fees last year came to $4,744. This year’s cost is $8,231. In the past, it was argued that those fees should be waived because the event brings people to the town who may come back to check out its other amenities. Now, with shrinking budgets all around, it has made more sense to at least share the costs with festival organizers.
The Maritime Days Committee recently asked the city to co-sponsor the event with them, meaning the city would pay half the expenses. If the city agreed, the committee would only pay a little less than last year. But the committee still has questions regarding many of the charges — especially from the Department of Public Works.
Commissioners Lisa Hendrick, Ray Skotarczyk, Jim Turner and Ray Meli attended the April 10 meeting of the Marine City Maritime Days Committee, after the committee invited the commission to come last week. They will meet again with the department heads and City Manager John Gabor before the next commission meeting on April 18.
Turner brought a spreadsheet he prepared on how costs have gone up in the last several years, showing support for wrestling down spiraling costs that discourage event organizers.
Hendrick said there’s got to be ways to cut the fees down.
“These people are working really hard,” she said. “Last year’s figures were half the costs.”
She also mentioned that, although four city officials were at the meeting — making a quorum — it was merely informational and no action or decisions were made, according to the city attorney.
In the meantime, the Maritime Days Committee came up with their own “manpower request.”
“We had this idea to make out a manpower request that would be easier than making them guess what we need,” Treasurer Jennifer Knightstep said. “We could just tell them what we need.”
In an earlier e-mail to Gabor, the committee wrote: “(On police services) we felt that the coverage we had last year was more than adequate, and we’re not sure why there’s an increase in police staffing.
“(On fire services) the fee included in the estimate for water-ball but we didn’t list water-ball in our list of activities. I also do not understand why we need 11 firefighters for a fireworks display that is over the water.
“(DPW) We’re not sure what’s included because there are no line items or any description. We’re concerned about the amount; it’s about the cost of police and fire put together.”
On their “manpower request,” they estimated a cost savings of about $1,600 for police services and a $450 savings for fire. The DPW charges were a bit murkier and harder to put in numbers.
“We don’t’ even know where to start with the DPW,” Blanchard said. “We don’t know how to quantify it.”
The group brings its own dumpster and has free help from groups like the Boy Scouts and work release workers for cleanup.
They will be at the next Marine City Commission meeting on Thursday, when they will most likely resolve the event fee issue, said Blanchard.
“In response to our meeting last night, it was very apparent that we have the support of our community, elected officials, business owners, and organizations,” said Blanchard. “We have a meeting with the city manager, department managers, and a few commissioners to figure out how we can reduce these fees.”
Contact Jeri Packer at (586) 716-8100, ext 302; jeri.packer@voicenews.com or on Twitter @JeriPacker.
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Editorial: Pigeon Forge wise to create housing bureau for event planners
If you’re going to be a player in the tourist game, and go after those big conventions that attract thousands, you have to stay up with your competitors fighting for the same events and same dollars. The city of Pigeon Forge has done that with its approval of a housing bureau that will make it easier for event planners to book rooms.
The bureau, discussed for a year, passed unanimously during Monday’s City Commission meeting. It could have been controversial or sparked opposition. It didn’t. It was a new concept so there were lots of questions as the process evolved, but frankly the idea makes sense and won over any skeptics.
Landing the National Quartet Convention while construction of the convention center was under way convinced local officials that the housing bureau had to become a reality on a faster track. In fact, the organizers of the quartet convention insisted on it.
The housing bureau will be a one-stop shop for all things lodging. If you own a hotel, motel, cabin rental firm or condominium complex in the city, and you want a piece of a major convention, then this is for you. When an event planner wants the best deal he can get for his guests, he’ll ask the housing bureau, which will then send the word out to members and nonmembers. You send along a proposal, all proposals are sent en masse to the event planner, who looks through them and decides what he’ll recommend to the people signed up to attend the event.
Of course, the housing bureau will be only as good and effective as the people who put it all together. City Commissioner Randal Robinson asked some pertinent questions before he voted yes, seeking to be sure that the process will be fair to all. The contract sets out how it will work, and there are assurances from all involved that anyone who wants to make a proposal to an event planner will have that proposal sent along with the others. If things are not run properly, those aggrieved parties are sure to make their displeasure known.
For now, though, let’s be glad the lengthy development of the bureau is over. It’s an important step in putting Pigeon Forge up there with the big boys in pursuit of and service to the kinds of conventions any tourist area would want.
TEMPO 54 Showcase to rock HTC Center – WBTW
Drumlines from South Carolina State, Winston Salem State and North Carolina AT will march into Coastal Carolina University’s HTC Center for the TEMPO 54 Drumline Showcase on Saturday, March 23, at 4 p.m. The showcase is open to the public with the purchase of a ticket.
The three college drumlines will give freestyle performances, including drumstick tricks and acrobatic movements of their instruments. The Golden Delight, NC AT’s auxiliary dance team, is also scheduled to perform.
“It’s an event that should appeal to people of all ages,” says Robert Harris, one of the event’s coordinators.
Tempo 54 is sponsored by CCU’s Office of Multicultural Student Services. Tickets may be purchased at the Wheelwright Box Office or at Ticketreturn.com. CCU students and children ages 10 and under are $5. Adults and ages 11 and up are $7.
For more information, contact Multicultural Student Services at 843-349-2863 or the Wheelwright Box Office at 843-349-2787.
‘Most of my classics will be rearranged’ – AR Rahman
This page hosts the events associated with films and film industry. The views are generally about films, movie reviews, movie news, songs, music, film actors and actresses, directors, producers, cinematographers, music directors, and all others that contribute for the success or failure of a film. People looking for movies online, movie reviews, movie analysis, public response for a movie, will find this page useful.
Hundreds Participate in Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Danville, VA– Hundreds of people proudly wearing purple took a walk in downtown Danville this morning for a special reason.
They were taking part in the annual Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Our very own Heather Rosenbaum was the emcee. Everyone from Alzheimer’s patients to caregivers were at the walk.
Event coordinators say they’re noticing a bigger turn out to these events because more people are now being affecting by the disease.
”People are more and more touched by Alzheimer’s,” Chapter President CEO Sue Friedman said.”If it’s not in their family they have a church friend or they have a neighbor and so alzheimers is really touching everyone and it makes people want to do something.”
Almost $20,000 was raised from Saturday’s event. The proceeds will go toward Alzheimer’s service programs in the Danville area.
Village Preps For the President
The President will be stopping in the Village of East Davenport Wednesday, and Village has been buzzing ever since.
Public Works crews were there all day prepping for the big visit, putting up no parking signs on the streets and placing barricades around the area.
Event coordinators are keeping quiet about how many tickets have been handed out for the visit, but business owners are expecting several hundred people here in the area which translates into a big business boost.
“It’s huge to have President of the United States be in our backyard, it’s a great opportunity,” Co-Owner of the Village Corner Deli Bret Dalton says.
“This will be the first time I get to see a president in person,” DeEtte Sexton, owner of Blue Sky Gifts in the Village, says.
Business owners are expecting a boost in business from people attending the event.
“It’s great to know that it also will bring people down to the area to hopefully shop and eat and do all those things in the businesses down here,” Sexton says.
They’ll even get a business boost from the President himself; the Village Corner Deli will be catering for about 55 people after the event.
“I think we’re going to be feeding the Press Corps. itself afterwards,” Dalton says, “We’re doing pulled pork, beef brisket and vegetarian pasta.”
Business owners say foot traffic is down about 50 percent, and business, anywhere from ten to 40 percent down because of the River Drive shut down.
“A lot of our lunch hour customers from downtown are unable to get here just because it’s such a more lengthy trip,” Sexton says.
With a big visit on Wednesday, store owners are hoping they’ll see a boost before and after the event with people hoping to get a taste of ‘presidential fever.’
“It also gives us an opportunity to show people the Village of East Davenport,” Tracy Pettett, owner of The Added Touch, says, “It gets our name out there.”
“We heard he had called ahead to check on catering from this place [the Village Corner Deli],” Resident Larry Busch says, “We can’t be here when he’s here but we came down and maybe by chance eat something he was eating when he was in town.”
They also hope to get a chance to witness history.
“Having him down here to me is kind of like history,” Pettett says, “I’m bringing my 11-year old son down here so he can say, ‘I saw the President of the United States, I saw President Obama in 2012.”
President Clinton visited the Village back in the 90′s, but this will be the first time for both President Obama and the First Lady.
Davenport Police will begin shutting down streets around 11th and Christie Streets Tuesday at 6pm and some of the street parking in the Village will be off-limits starting Tuesday night at 8pm. There will be no street parking from Mound Street to Jersey Ridge, and from River Drive up to 12th Street on Wednesday. Limited parking will be on a first come, first serve basis. Police recommend car pooling or walking if you can.
Event management software seats like-minded guests together
Syracuse (WSYR-TV) — Have you ever walked into a party without recognizing a single face in the crowd? Well, the creator of a new party tool for hosts aims to change all that.
“Social Tables” collects information about guests from Facebook and Twitter and then seats people with common interests together. It allows event planners to ensure guests have a better time.
“[It does] everything from manage their guest lists, to the floor plans for events, to the seating charts and the cool part is, we let guests interact with each other before or after, based on where they’re seated,” said Social Tables Founder and CEO Dan Berger.
If you hit it off with someone at an event, hosts have the option to publish the list of guests after the party too.
Nevis – Celebrating the school, music and a big lunker
Nevis rolled out the red carpet for Muskie Days and the school’s 100th anniversary celebration, the events drawing hundreds to the lakeside village over the weekend.
Nevis became a haven for visitors, alums and residents alike last weekend, the village celebrating the 62nd annual Muskie Days with a music festival and the school’s centennial. “It’s the most people I’ve ever seen in Nevis,” said Nancy Lewis, one of the event’s coordinators.Nevis rolled out the red carpet for Muskie Days and the school’s 100th anniversary celebration, the events drawing hundreds to the lakeside village over the weekend.
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entertainment, events, nevis, jcr
Open Aire Affairs Introduces All New And Unique Event Locations For Special … – Virtual
Open Aire Affairs provides the best wedding locations in Philadelphia, and can assist in putting events together ranging from graduations to weddings, as well as corporate events to Mitzvahs, and any other event a person can think of. Along with other trusted services, they also provide a wide range of inventory, and events from five to five hundred guests may be accommodated.
Newtown, PA (PRWEB) June 28, 2012
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Houston event planners reveal the latest trends
Deborah Elias, president and founder of Elias Events
Deborah Elias, president and founder of Elias Events in Houston, has been in the event planning business for over 14 years.
What’s the biggest challenge your industry faces this year?
I’ve been seeing a lot of clients waiting until the last minute to do things, even though they know for a long time they want to do an event.
What trends have you noticed with corporate events and meetings?
A lot of interesting entertainment events are happening right now. People are incorporating the entertainment business, using unusual things like a champagne chandelier where someone hangs from the chandeliers and pours …
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