Last year the total number of season tickets was about 1830, which included the Reach Out season tickets. I am pleased to report that the current total is 2010 season tickets, excluding the Reach Out tickets and season tickets from now until the beginning of the season. I have talked to Jeff and his marketing team and we will be working together on the promotion of the Reach Out tickets in August 2011; our goal is to sell 120 (which would bring our total to 2130). We will also be working with the ICE to increase the sales of regular season tickets right up to the deadline in September.
Thank you for those committee members who attended my 4:00 meetings and especially Bre. Jason Caven and the radio station played a huge role in promoting the Early Bird Program. Special thanks to those individuals who were interviewed on the radio about the benefits of the ICE and WHL to our community, including Karin Penner, Melanie Fiorentino, Rob Niedermayer, Nathan Lieuwen, Bre, Noah Caven, Loree Duczek, Mike Adams, Reverend Reg Friesen, Liz Schatschneider, and Kris Knoblauch. I am also looking forward to working with Jeff and his team in the revitalization of the school programs and the promotion of next year’s Faith Night and other theme nights.
Many good things are happening with our positive and cooperative approach. Again, my ultimate goal is to create a permanent committee of relevant stakeholders, which would focus on maximizing the economic, social and entertainment benefits of the ICE to our region. Such a committee could include representatives from the ICE, the City, the Chamber of Commerce, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Community Living, the School District, Cranbrook Minor Hockey, service clubs and other organizations (both inside and outside the City of Cranbrook). Feel free to email me with any of your constructive comments and suggestions.
In the final analysis, many people in our community believe that the WHL to our region is as important as the NHL to Winnipeg (another small market).
Thanks and the 4:00 meetings are hereby terminated for now.
Allan