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Home My WebLink About2020 WW CSE RecapEvent Recap: 2020 Vail Whitewater Series June 19, 2020 2020 Vail Whitewater Series: Tuesdays June 2 –June 16 Office: 970-479-2280 bpappas@vailrec.com jrabinowitz@vailrec.com 2 Overall Event Highlights & Successes 3 •As far as we know, the first live sporting event/competition in Colorado during the Covid era. •Positive feedback from participants, many returning participants year after year •Received coverage in local television (TV8), and newspaper (Vail Daily) •Strong merchandise contributions from local & national sponsors and equipment providers •Overall safe and efficient event operation, no issues with traffic, safety, local construction, residents, county health protocols, etc. Estimated Attendance Results -Spectators 4 Estimated spectators: 50-100 per week Spread out through Blu’s Beach, International Bridge and Restaurant Decks. Estimated Attendee Profile Results 5 Geographic Breakdown of Participants: Vail:29.7% Other Eagle County:50.5% Colorado:15.8% Out of State: 7.9% Event Strengths & Weaknesses 6 Strengths: •Nimble enough to adapt and come up with solutions and a format to be able to offer racing in the Covid era. •Continued positive feedback from participants and spectators •Well rounded participation ages 12 –60 •Able to adapt systems to fit the needs of our event and it’s Covid protocols •Spectators and racers enthusiastic and willing to follow social distancing and safety parameters Event Strengths & Weaknesses 7 Weaknesses: •Without CSE support, this is event is not financially viable: -By the event’s nature (course length, timing) participation growth can not be infinite. While there is room to increase race participation, growth needs to come from spectator participation through ancillary event enhancements and sponsorship activation. -Whitewater competition is a relatively niche sport and participants are challenged by price increases. Even with entry fee (2020 cost = $14/person) competitor field is small •Off-season scheduling, poor weather and river flows can limit course options and deter participants/spectators •Not able to offer 2 Man Raft groups was disappointing but understandable due to social distancing requirements. Steps towards improvement: •Continued marketing outside of Eagle County to increase destination participation •More ancillary activities (e.g. live music, freestyle demos, equipment demos,) to increase spectators and sponsors Vail Brand Compatibility The Premier International Mountain Resort Community 8 Event support the Vail Brand: ▪This event connects the local community ▪Location of the event can be easily accessed by athletes, visitors, spectators ▪The location promotes the natural beauty of the Vail Village, Gore Creek and the Vail Whitewater Park. ▪Talented MC is informative to spectators/visitors about race format, sponsors, local businesses, future events etc. Community Contribution 9 Event impact on Vail’s sense of community: ▪Events gave members of the community a reason to gather in Vail Village during what is considered an off‐peak time period ▪Used partnership dollars to buy prizes form Vail businesses ▪Relaxed, family‐friendly atmosphere encouraged spectators to linger and participants to bring family members ▪Viewing from International Bridge is easily accessible for people of all ages Participant Feedback 10 Participant Feedback (cont.) 11 “Thank you VRD! Similarly, we are lucky to live in a community that puts on events like this. You do a great job. I've made so many new friends and progressed my SUP skills by taking part which is the point I think!” -Jamie Edwards Topline Marketing Efforts 12 Topline Marketing Efforts 13 Print Advertisements •Vail Daily TV / Radio Advertisements & Live Mentions •TV8 Out & About •KZYR •KSKE Posters •Distributed to Vail Valley hot spots, Denver/Front Range Rafting Outfitters •Postcard invites to local raft shops Emails Blasts Social Media •Geo-targeted Facebook ads •Sponsored Instagram posts Radio Ad Potential for Growth & Sponsorships/Media Exposure 14 ▪Increased use of social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc.) ▪Potential partnering with businesses closest to Gore Creek to help promote spectator viewing and spending ▪Increased regional marketing will draw more participants ▪Cross promotions with other non-competing whitewater events ▪Central location in Vail Village is attractive to potential sponsors looking to increase visibility in Vail Sustainability Efforts 15 What measures were taken at your event to support the environmentally friendly goals of the Town of Vail? ▪Participants encouraged to carpool ▪New race bibs don’t require a paper bib. ▪No use of disposable plastic water bottles ▪Minimal waste produced at events The Town of Vail is committed to the stewardship and protection of our unique mountain environment. In consideration of both our local and global impacts and opportunities, our environmental vision is to demonstrate and promote:renewable energy, resource efficiency, ecosystem protection, and community awareness and education. Event Budget (Adjusted for Covid 19) 16 * Event producer to attach detailed budget for recap Item $ Total Event Budget:$9060 CSE Funds:$7,000 Cash Sponsorship (not CSE):$800 In-kind Sponsorship:$2200 Marketing Budget:$1800 Profit & Loss:$2528 How did you use the CSE funds? (marketing, operations, staff, venue, etc.) Marketing,staff, Covid supplies and signage. Also do to limited ability to get donated prizes, we used money to buy gift certs at TOV businesses. Event Budget Detail 17 Revenue 2020 Actual Comments CSE 7000 Cash Sponsorship 800 Entry Fees 1250 Total Revenue 9050 Expenses Contract labor 1125 Safety boater 3/race + MC Prizes 750 Advertising 1800 Event Staff 1800 Does not include Alpine or VRD FT Staff Food 100 Operating Supplies 472 Hand Sani Stations/Social Distance Circles/Cleaner/Plexi glass shields Printing 425 COVID Signage/ Social Distance Stickers Total Expenses 6522 Net $2528 Questions and Comments? 18