Se ·~.b COUNCIL REPORT ABBOTSFORD Report No. PRC 017-2017 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Date: May 15, 2017 File No: 7900-20 To: Mayor and Council From: Heidi Enns, General Manager, Parks, Recreation & Culture Subject: Abbotsford Centre 2016 Annual Report RECOMMENDATION THAT Report No. PRC 017-2017, dated May 4, 2017 from the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, regarding the Abbotsford Centre 2016 Annual Report, be received for information. SUMMARY OF THE ISSUE The Abbotsford Centre 2016 Annual Report provides Council with an overview of the success of the operation including a highlight of the activities, trends and financial performance of the facility. BACKGROUND Spectra Venue Management (Spectra) has operated the Abbotsford Centre a multi-use community, entertainment, cultural and sports facility on behalf of the City of Abbotsford since 2008. In 2014, the City of Abbotsford and Spectra Venue Management agreed to a new five year management and operating agreement, which included the "New Game Vision" (New Game), with enhanced community access; streamlined operating agreements; and revenue positive special events and anchor tenants. DISCUSSION In the past three years since the New Game was launched, the venue has increased community access, and generated a significant economic vibrancy for the businesses and residents of Abbotsford and surrounding area through successful event and community bookings. In 2016, the Abbotsford Centre was ranked as the top venue with a capacity of 5,001 to 10,000 (according to Venues Today, a leading arena, stadium and convention centre publication). Polstar named as #148 of the top 200 venues worldwide and 84% of the attendees at the venue rated their level of enjoyment at the Abbotsford Centre as very good to excellent. The venue played a major role for the City by hosting the 2016 BC Summer Games with 10,500 in attendance at the opening ceremonies. Youth enjoyed 531.75 hours of hockey access in the NHL regulation arena. In order to meet the growing concert fan base; new genres of music and game and dance shows complemented the healthy potpourri of Country, Christian and South Asian events. Report No. PRC 017 -2017 Page 2 of 2 In 2016, a total of seven sold out shows occurred at the Abbotsford Centre resulting in a 102 % increase in attendance over 2015. This was also an inaugural year for the Champions Kabaddi League; with five 5 event days, the Fraser Valley Throwdown Crossfit Competition both returning in 2017 and the Watchtower Convention which is looking to return in 2018. Despite the absence of a major tenant in the facility; the 2016 financial Performa is the lowest financial subsidy from the City of Abbotsford since the venue opening at $931,000. FINANCIAL PLAN IMPLICATION The City continues to realize significant savings in the operational subsidy of the Abbotsford Centre through the contracting of the operation to the Spectra Venue Management. The budget target for the Abbotsford Centre in 2016 was $1,239,589. The financial performance resulted in a net subsidy of $931,000; $308,589 better than budget. Reviewed and approved bY tfi~: Chief Financial Officer IMPACTS ON COUNCIL POLICIES, STRATEGIC PLAN AND/OR COUNCIL DIRECTION The 2016 Annual Report of the Abbotsford Centre is in alignment with Council's direction for creating a Complete Community, Vibrant Economy and Fiscal Discipline. SUBSTANTIATION OF RECOMMENDATION Staff are seeking Council's receipt of this report which serves as an introduction to the 2016 Abbotsford C~e , re Annual Report presented by the General Manager, Andrew Nash. - I i \ ~ ager, Parks, Recreation & Culture ATTACHMENTS Attachment "A": Abbotsford Centre Annual Report Attachment A TABLE OF CONTENTS STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 03 MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER 04 HIGHLIGHTS AT THE ABBOTSFORD CENTRE IN 2016 07 2016 FACILITY USERS 12 COMMUNITY INITIATIVES 14 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 15 EVENT TICKET SALES - 2016 16 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 17 ANNUAL EVENT SURVEY DATA 18 NET PROMOTER SCORE 20 HOW YOU DOIN'? 21 DIGITAL MARKETING INITATIVES 22 INTERACTIVE STATISTICS 24 OUR TEAM 25 KEY PARTNERSHIPS 27 PROMOTER QUOTES 28 THANK YOU! 29 FUTURE OUTLOOK 31 APPENDIX 32 ABBOTSFORD CENTRE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The venue credo - "Events. Experiences. Memories." The Abbotsford Centre is committed to serving as a leading Canadian sports & entertainment venue by consistently providing its guests with outstanding event value, unique experiences, and lasting memories. We continue to strive to provide our guests with exceptional customer service. The Abbotsford Centre is the premiere entertainment facility in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. Global Spectrum Facility Management (DBA Spectra Venue Management), under the management agreement for the City of Abbotsford, are leading the community of Abbotsford towards an approved quality of life by ensuring that our practices in the industry provide sustainable social and economic growth, using the Abbotsford Centre to its full potential. We are committed to providing exceptional service to our clients, guests, and community partners, making every interaction inside and outside of the venue a remarkable one. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER On behalf of Spectra Venue Management Price is Right Live, Jeff Dunham, Babbu their events a success. We believe by and the staff of the Abbotsford Centre, Maan, Chris Tomlin, Punjabi Virsa, and supporting the community and these I am pleased to present the Abbotsford Blink 182. In addition to booking world organizations, we can create a stronger Centre Annual Report for 2016. The class entertainment the facility played and more dynamic community. year proved to be exceptional for the host to five Champions Kabbadi League venue, the Abbotsford Centre played matches, the BC Summer Games opening As we continue to push forward with host to 53 concerts and special events, ceremonies, Jehovah Witness Convention, our strategic direction in our ninth "In 2016 welcoming 179,606 guests into the venue, and a wide range of other community, year of operations we would like to ' while setting new benchmarks in guest sport, and cultural events. thank the residents of Abbotsford, Abbotsford experience and financial accountability. Mayor & Council, community partners, Pollstar Magazine listed the arena 148th suppliers, promoters, and staff for their Centre The Abbotsford Centre celebrated an top venue in the world based on ticket contributions throughout 2016. We important milestone in 2016 - the third sales making it a touring hotspot. This share a common goal and believe in the continued anniversary of the New Game Initiative success has already continued into 2017 potential and future of the Abbotsford to be which was first created in 2014. In the with twelve concerts and events taking Centre. The team at the Abbotsford past three years since the New Game place in the first quarter of 2017 including Centre is poised for a very exciting regarded concept was launched, the Abbotsford seven premier events in the month of 2017 as we continue to bring first class Centre has provided increased community February: Cheerfest 2017, WWE Road to entertainment, sport. and cultural events as the access, and generated return to Wrestlemania, Marianas Trench, Bubble to Abbotsford. businesses and residents of Abbotsford Guppies Live, Billy Talent, and two Harlem premier and surrounding area through successful Globetrotters events. Sincerely, events event bookings. As a supporter of the Abbotsford arena 1n In 2016, Abbotsford Centre continued community, we continued to work with fl~Je1¥ Nuj( to be regarded as the premier events organizations this year including Canuck ANDREW NASH Western arena in Western Canada, which was Place, Abbotsford Hospice Society, Crystal General Manager for further underscored by seven sold out Gala and many others by donating silent Spectra Venue Management Canada ... " concert performances by Kip Moore, auction items and resources to make Abbotsford Centre ABBOTSFORD CENTRE 5,183 HOT DOGS WERE CONSUMED IN 2016 AT CONCERTS INAUGURAL ~ CANADA'S #1 FRASER VALLEY 5001 - 10,000 THROWDOWN 1,836 HAMBURGER PATTIES COMPETITION WERE FLIPPED 7 CAPACITY VENUE SOLD OUT VENUES TODAY 2,646 ORDERS OF SHOWS CHICKEN TENDERS ata portions have 3 pieces ,,--~ #2 IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST ~ -+.X 122,078 VENUES TODAY TICKETS SOLD 24 HR CONVERT 62,662 VENUE FROM LBS OF POPCORN PBR BULL RIDING TO CANADA'S 13TH RANKED VENUE MINOR HOCKEY ICE POLLSTAR YEAR END RANKINGS Removing 40 loads of d irt from t he facility 638 GUESTS PURCHASED DINNER PRIOR TO A CONCERT' J:l:J+l I 53 TOP #148TH TOP INAUGURAL SEASON OF 12,487 LITRES ~~EVENTS VENUE WORLD WIDE CHAMPIONS OF POP POLLSTAR YEAR END RANKINGS KABADDI LEAGUE GUESTS DRANK 56,938 CUPS OF BEER r~/I HIT OVER 15,000 CRAFT CORNER 0 s3°0T;OV00 POURED 4,431 CUPS ~ TO NON PROFIT GROUPS 64,381 FANS OF CRAFT BEER ] -........._,,/' AND LOCAL CHARITIES ON FACEBOOK PEOPLE HAVE JOINED f THE BACKSTAGE PASS MEMBERSHIP (INCREASE OF 19% IN 2016) ABBOTSFORD CENTRE HIGHLIGHTS AT THE ABBOTSFORD CENTRE IN 2016 This past year was one of the busiest for the Abbotsford Centre. Spectra Venue Management continues to deliver quality programming to the residents of Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley. We are proud to have created memories for over 150,000 fans throughout 2016. STRATEGICALLY LOCATED IN A GROWING MARKETING PLACE The Fraser Valley is growing: Located 65 km east of Vancouver, the Abbotsford Centre is the premier entertainment venue is the Fraser Valley. Due to its proximately to Vancouver the venue faces stiff competition with being located on the cusp of a major market and competing with venues in Vancouver and throughout the area, these venues include: ~m nt•I!f~UGnl (!f;,~rf] Rogers Arena Vancouver 18,630 Pacific Coliseum Vancouver 14,239 Queen Elizabeth Theatre Vancouver 2,929 The Orpheum Vancouver 2,280 The Commodore Vancouver 995 Langley Events Centre Langley 5,276 Prospera Place Chilliwack 5,000 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 Group and Mamma Mia were added to the event calendar to diversify the healthy dose of country, Christian, and South Asian shows.