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Home My WebLink About2021 WW CSE RecapEvent Recap: 2021 Vail Whitewater Series 2021 Vail Whitewater Series: Tuesdays May 11 –June 15* * Postponed May 11 due to low water and added June 15 Office: 970-479-2280 bpappas@vailrec.com jrabinowitz@vailrec.com 2 Overall Event Highlights & Successes 3 •2021 saw record participation despite low water. •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: 100-200 per week Spread out through Blu’s Beach, International Bridge and Restaurant Decks. Participant Attendance 5 Race 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 *2019 2020 2021** Race 1 25/34 38/47 37/46 42/57 39/52 49/65 Race 2 28/38 41/50 25/33 38/55 46/65 53/64 Race 3 29/37 28/36 33/43 43/62 40/50 30/30 54/70 Race 4 36/43 33/41 35/43 35/43 38/48 28/28 61/79 Race 5 25/31 47/57 50/59 54/71 68/92 30/30 45/60 Total 0 0 143/183 187/231 180/224 212/288 231/307 88/88 262/338 (Boats per Race/ppl per race K & Sup=1, R2=2) Blue = Bad Weather *2018 Stagnant single boat racers from 2017, down slightly from 2016 increase is entirely R2 2020 No 2 man rafting COVId **2021 Pushed back a week due to low water so race 4 is race before Mtn Games/limited rafts each week Attendee Profile Results 6 Geographic Breakdown of Participants: Vail:29.9% Other Eagle County:41.5% Colorado:19.6% Out of State and International: 8.0% Event Strengths & Weaknesses 7 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 8 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 •2021 proved to be difficult season securing whitewater industry sponsorship due to lack of inventories. We actually purchased three 2-man rafts as we weren’t able to secure loaner rafts from a partner this year. This limited the amount of rafter we could take in the race. 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 9 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 10 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 ▪Lively after parties at Vail establishments including El Segundo, Pazzo’s and Altitude Club Participant Feedback 11 Trinity Anne Wall Vail Rec District sure knows how to put on a race!!!! I’ve been to whitewater races all around the country as a participant and a sales rep. No one puts on a smoother race than the VRD -Chris Johnson 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 16 * Event producer to attach detailed budget for recap Item $ Total Event Budget:$11552 CSE Funds:$6202 Cash Sponsorship (not CSE):$2000 In-kind Sponsorship:$2200 Marketing Budget:$1800 Profit & Loss:$-596 How did you use the CSE funds? (marketing, operations, staff, venue, etc.) Marketing,staff, supplies Rafts 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 2021 Actual Comments CSE 6202 Cash Sponsorship 2000 Entry Fees 3350 Total Revenue 11552 Expenses Contract labor 2250 Safety boater 3/race + MC Prizes 750 Advertising 1800 Event Staff 1800 Does not include Alpine or VRD FT Staff Food 225 Operating Supplies 5048 $4800 for rafts/$248 misc Printing 275 Posters, reg forms etc. Total Expenses 12148 Net -596 Questions and Comments? 18