New Youngstown Arena Opens With Some Healthy Caps
November 10, 2005
The Youngstown (Ohio) Convocation Center opened Oct. 29 with a 3 Doors Down concert and a very healthy per cap for new concessionaire, Boston Culinary Group.
Jeff Kossow, executive director there for Global of Youngstown, a division of Global Entertainment Group, said the per caps for the debut concert at the $42 million, 5,700-seat venue were $10.47 from concessions and catering. That does not include merchandise, which is being handled in-house. Kossow said sales were 80 percent drink, 20 percent food. The drop count that night was 4,042 of a possible 5,200.
The next concert, Tony Bennett, on Sunday, was the opposite, mostly food sales. The per cap was $5.83 and the drop count was 3,125 of a possible 4,000, Kossow said. Australian Pink Floyd was the next group in, drawing 2,686 of a possible 3,000, with a food and drink per cap that was back up there at $9.70. “We found our niche,” Kossow said.
Two home games for the Youngstown Steelhounds of the Central Hockey League completed opening week. The food and drink per caps the first night, Nov. 4, posted at $8.50.
The opening concerts, which represented two extremes in musical genre were a great showcase for the building’s sound system, Kossow added. “The lead singer of 3 Doors Down commented on how great the room sounds,” Kossow said. Bennett was also complimentary.
Upcoming events include the Trans Siberian Orchestra Nov. 13 and Little John, the Ying Yang Twins and Jim Jones and the Franchise Boys Nov. 23. Clay Aiken’s Christmas show is booked for Nov. 27. Disney on Ice is scheduled for the end of December.
Bookings are strong, Kossow said, citing location. “We’re between two strong bookends, Pittsburgh and Cleveland.” Routing works and “we’re a good size for this market,” he added.
The concessions deal with BCG was announced Oct. 14. Kossow said the decision was made not to go with Concourse Premium, the concessions arm of consultant Compass Facility Management, in favor of a national firm that would make a substantial investment. In fact, after six months of hammering out an operating agreement, GECompass, a combination of Global Entertainment and Compass Facility Management, was dissolved and the building is managed instead by Global Entertainment’s Global of Youngstown. (See VT e-newsletter, Dec. 15, 2004.)
Steve Peters, Compass president, said that company is still very much involved in Youngstown on a pre-opening consulting basis and was at the opening, continuing its services through December. “It’s a great little building,” Peters said. But GECompass is no longer and will not be involved in other Global Entertainment/International Coliseums Company (ICC) venues.
BCG came on board with a 10-year contract in exchange for a major investment of $1 million to $1.2 million, Kossow said. BCG built out the kitchen and bought concessions equipment. Mark Daigle, formerly with Dolphins Stadium, Miami, is general manager for BCG in Youngstown.
The deal is for concessions and catering and is based on a percentage of gross sales. Global of Youngstown will receive 31 percent of the first $750,000; 40 percent of $750,000-$1.2 million; 45 percent of $1.2 million to $1.5 million; and 50 percent over $1.5 million. Kossow was optimistic the highest number would be reached. In addition, Global of Youngstown receives 15 percent of catering sales in the suites up to $350,000 and 20 percent over $350,000. Kossow projected sales would be 80 percent concessions.
