as '~A COUNCIL REPORT ABBOTSFORD Report No. PRC 009-2016 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Date: March 4, 2016 File No: 0640-20 To: Mayor and Council From: Heidi Enns, General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture Subject: Spectra Venue Management Annual Report RECOMMENDATION THAT Report No. PRC 009-2016, dated March 4, 2016, from the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, regarding Spectra Venue Management's Annual report for the Abbotsford Centre1 be received for information. SUMMARY OF THE ISSUE Spectra Venue Management; also known as Global Spectrum has been engaged by the City to manage and operate the Abbotsford Centre as a multi-use entertainment and sports facility since 2008. This venue also serves as a community facility, staging of a wide range of other sporting events, trade shows, cultural and entertainment events. BACKGROUND The Annual Report is prepared in order to provide Council with an overview of the pro-forma of Spectra Venue Management in the execution of their operation and management of the Abbotsford Centre in 2015. The City and Spectra Venue Management agreed to a new 5 year management and operating agreement in 2014 including the New Game vision and plan for the Abbotsford Centre; (1) enhanced community access; (2) streamlined operating agreements; and (3) revenue-positive special events and anchor tenants. DISCUSSION The Abbotsford Centre is ranked the top arena in the category of venues with capacity of 5,001- 10,000 (according to Venues Today, a leading arena, stadium and convention centre publication) and is second nationally behind only the General Motors Centre in Oshawa, Ontario (also managed by Global Spectrum). Pollstar also named the Abbotsford Centre in its year-end Top 200 Arenas World-Wide rankings. The new 5 year agreement for the operation has realized significant savings for the City and improved City budgeting and management oversight. Staff are continuing to pursue all possible revenue positive options in conjunction with Spectra Venue Management and other sport consultants. Report No. PRC 009 -2016 Page 2 of 2 IMPACTS ON COUNCIL POLICIES, STRATEGIC PLAN AND/OR COUNCIL DIRECTION The Annual Report aligns with Council's Strategic Plan and cornerstones as follows: • Vibrant Economy: The City of Abbotsford is a regional hub of creativity and innovation where talent, investment and business thrive; • Complete Community: The City of Abbotsford is a community of inclusive, safe, green neighbourhoods, connected to convenient and affordable transportation and vibrant commercial centres, built on the foundation of our cultural heritage and natural beauty; • Fiscal Discipline: The City of Abbotsford is transparent and accountable to citizens, information is easily accessible and residents are well informed on Council priorities; and • Organizational Alignment: The City of Abbotsford has strong consistent governance and aligned operations SUBSTANTIATION OF RECOMMENDATION Spectra Venue Management's Annual Report is presented by the General Manager, Mr. Andrew Nash, to highlight the activities, trends and financial performance in 2015 at the Abbotsford Centre. t I ( Heidi Enns General Manag r, Parks, Recreation and Culture ATTACHMENTS Attachment "A": Spectra Venue Management's 2015 Annual Report for the Abbotsford Centre TABLE OF CONTENTS STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 03 MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER 04 HIGHLIGHTS AT THE ABBOTSFORD CENTRE IN 2015 05 2015 FACILITY USERS 06 COMMUNITY INITIATIVES 10 A YEAR OF GIVING TO CHARITY 11 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 12 EVENT SALES 13 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 14 ANNUAL EVENT SURVEY DATA 16 NET PROMOTER SCORE 17 HOW YOU DOIN' 18 DIGITAL MARKETING INITIATIVES 20 INTERACTIVE STATISTICS 22 OUR TEAM 23 FACILITY OVERVIEW 24 KEY PARTNERSHIPS 26 PROMOTER COMMENTS 27 THANK YOU 28 WHAT'S TAKING PLACE AT THE ABBOTSFORD CENTRE IN 2016 31 PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY DARK WORKS PHOTOGRAPHY+ DELMAR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY AB. 5FORD CENTRE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The Abbotsford Centre is the premiere entertainment facility in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. Global Spectrum Facility Management (DBA Spectra Venue Management), and 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. Our Team is dedicated to making the Abbotsford Centre the venue of choice in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia for sport and entertainment. ANNUAL REPO. .)15 MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER On behalf to the Spectra Venue I am extremely pleased to report footprint of the region while also Management team at the Abbotsford that the Abbotsford Centre achieved providing first class entertainment to Centre, I am pleased to present the its lowest subsidy from the City of residents. The Spectra team at the Abbotsford Centre Annual report for 2015. Abbotsford since the opening of the Abbotsford Centre continues to invest venue. This achievement is a direct In 2015 we saw the 'New Game' vision result of: minimizing risk in event time. and energy to giving back to come to life. Since the New Game vision booking by ensuring major events are the community through volunteering was introduced a mere sixteen months revenue positive; increasing the amount time, tickets and event memorabilia ago, Spectra Venue Management and of community usage and events that donations. the City of Abbotsford have worked compliment major concerts and events in collectively with the intent of creating the venue; streaming agreements with user None of the above accomplishments a hub for community, sport and groups, venue supplies, and sponsors; and would have been possible without the entertainment, while continuing to pursue adopting new efficiencies in operations. overwhelming support we have received an anchor tenant for the facility. Today . from the community, Mayor and Council, "Today the the Abbotsford Centre is utilized by more Another highlight for our team in 2015, was the opportunity to host the World members of the community than ever and the countless City of Abbotsford Baton Twirling Federation International Abbotsford before. We continue to strive to bring staff we work with every day. We share Cup last summer, and witnessing the great entertainment acts to Abbotsford, a common goal and believe in the Centre is first ever perfect score by Team Japan. while providing the opportunity for potential and future of the Abbotsford The World Baton Twirling Federation residents to utilize the facility on a daily utilized 2015 International Cup and Grand Prix Centre. The team at the Abbotsford basis for sport, recreation, and special events showcased athletes from fourteen Centre is poised for a very exciting events. Community based events that by more countries including Canada, Italy, Scotland, enrich our community, took place at the 2016 as we continue to bring first class France, Norway, Switzerland, Netherlands, Abbotsford Centre this year, these include: entertainment, sport, and cultural events members England, Ireland, Australia, Sweden, Japan, Abbotsford Food Truck Festival, Teenfest, to Abbotsford. and the United States of America. It was Habitat for Humanity Gala featuring Chris of the a chance to showcase the venue while Hatfield, the Prospera Family Skate, and also working with other key community community Sincerely, the Confetti Ball. These events in addition organizations and partners to host this to increased ice rentals, dry floor, and multi day international sporting event. than ever use of the walking track by community fl~Jre-w N~l( Andrew Nash before." groups have amplified the number of As the entertainment venue in the Fraser local citizens that use the facility on Valley, the Abbotsford Centre plays General Manager, a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. a critical role in the socio- economic Abbotsford Centre AB. SFORD CENTRE HIGHLIGHTS AT THE ABBOTSFORD CENTRE IN 2015 Spectra Venue Management continues t o deliver quality p rogramming t o the residents o f Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley. We are proud to have created memories for over 100,000 fans throughout 2015. The list of wor ld-class performers and entertainment that visited t he venue throughout the year continues to contribute to the success that inc luded the likes of Dean Brody & Paul Brandt. the Tenors and Little Big Town. The Abbotsford Centre was re-visited in 2015 by the WWE, the Harlem Globetrotters, Chris Tomlin, and Cirque Musica who entertained audiences of all ages. Chris Tomlin, the internationally acclaimed contemporary Christian artist and songwriter performed to a capacity crowd in April 2015. Due to the success of this sold out show, Chris Tomlin has already signed on to return to the Abbotsford Centre in May 2016. ANNUAL REPO. .015 ABBOTSFORD MINOR HOCKEY Working in partnership ICE HOUR USAGE COMPARISON 2012 - 2015 with the City of Abbotsford, Abbotsford Minor Hockey Association and several user groups within the area, the Abbotsford Cent re was able to provide 690 community ice hours in 2015. This is an increase of 130 hours from 2014. ABBOTSFORD CENTRE HOCKEY LEAGUE The fall of 2015 saw the beginning of the second annual season of the new Abbotsford Centre Hockey League. A league that started w ith seven teams in 2014 has grown to fourteen teams in 2015. The league championship w ill be competed for in March 2016. The continued partnership w ith neighbourhood pub Finnegan's Bar & Grill helped increase engagement with building sponsors and partners. BRITISH COLUMBIA CRAFT CORNER The BC Craft Corner was introduced in the fall of 2015, and is now a permanent fixture on the main concourse of the Abbotsford Centre. The new beverage pouring station provides the venue with an additional beverage station while also creating the ability to form new partnerships with local beer suppliers t hroughout the region. In 2015 partnerships w ith Vancouver Island Brewery and Steamworks were established.