Request for Proposal to Host 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships Confirmed Event Dates: January 14‐22, 2017
CONTACT: Bob Dunlop, Senior Director, Events U.S. Figure Skating 20 First Street ‐ Colorado Springs, CO 80906 T: (719) 635‐5200 ‐ F: (719) 635‐9548 E‐mail:
[email protected]
2017 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS BID INFORMATION
OVERVIEW: U.S. Figure Skating is now accepting proposals to host the 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships serve as the final qualifying event prior to the selection of the 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Team that will participate in the 2017 World Figure Skating Championships. Today, the U.S. Championships account for a combined 1,500 athletes, coaches and officials attending the competition. Over the course of the championships a total of 20 national champions are determined on the juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior and senior levels in each of the four figure skating disciplines – boys/men’s, girls/ladies singles, pairs and ice dance. The U.S. Figure Skating Championships generate an estimated economic impact in the millions and attract over 100,000 spectators annually. Televised nationally since 1961, the 2017 U.S. Championships will be broadcast by NBC Sports with additional coverage on U.S. Figure Skating’s Icenetwork.com. In addition, the championships attract national media attention with an average of 200 journalists credentialed for the event each year. The history of this event combined with positive media exposure provides a host city with a strong platform to promote the city as a national sporting destination. The U.S. Figure Skating Championships have recently been hosted by and or awarded to the following markets: 2016 ‐ St. Paul, Minn. (Xcel Energy Center) 2015 ‐ Greensboro, N.C. (Greensboro Coliseum) 2014 ‐ Boston, Mass. (TD Garden) 2013 – Omaha, Neb. (Century Link Center) 2012 – San Jose, Calif. (HP Pavilion) 2011 – Greensboro, N.C. (Greensboro Coliseum) 2010 – Spokane, Wash. (Spokane Arena) 2009 – Cleveland, Ohio (Quicken Loans Arena)
2008 – St. Paul, Minn. (Excel Energy Center) 2007 – Spokane, Wash. (Spokane Arena) 2006 ‐ St. Louis, Mo. (Savvis Center) 2005 – Portland, Ore. (Rose Garden) 2004 – Atlanta, Ga. (Philips Arena) 2003 – Dallas, Texas (American Airlines Center) 2002 – Los Angeles, Calif. (Staples Center)
The 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Spokane, Wash., attracted a record attendance of 154,893 and received the prestigious honor of being recognized as the “SPORTS EVENT OF THE YEAR” and “AMATEUR SPORTING EVENT OF THE YEAR,” by Sports Travel Magazine at the 2007 TEAMS Conference. In 2010 & 2011, the U.S. Championships were again nominated for “AMATEUR SPORTING EVENT OF THE YEAR” by Sports Travel Magazine at the annual Sports Travel TEAMS Conference.
2017 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS BID INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION: The 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships are open for bidding from all areas of the United States. The U.S. Figure Skating Championships are typically conducted over nine days with all senior level final events on the final four days of the Championships. TENTATIVE EVENT SCHEDULE (subject to change): MAIN COMPETITION ARENA (minimum seating of 10,000) Thursday, January 19, 2017 Monday, January 16, 2017 Senior Pairs Short Program Event load‐in at main arena Opening Ceremonies (on‐ice) Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Senior Ladies Short Program Official practice sessions for senior level Friday, January 20, 2017 Junior Free Dance Program Senior Short Dance Junior Pairs Free Skate Senior Men’s Short Program Junior Pairs & Dance Awards Saturday, January 21, 2017 Wednesday, January 18, 2017 Senior Free Dance Official practice sessions for senior level Senior Pairs Free Skate Junior Men’s Free Skate Pairs & Dance Awards Junior Ladies Free Skate Senior Ladies Free Skate/Awards Junior Men & Ladies Awards Sunday, January 22, 2017 Senior Men’s Free Skate/Awards 2017 U.S. Championships Skating Spectacular SECONDARY ARENA (minimum seating of 1,500 in one surface. Ideally a two‐sheet club facility) Novice Pairs (all events) January 14‐20, 2017 Novice Dance (all events) Official practice sessions Junior Men’s Short Program Juvenile Girls (all events) Junior Pairs Short Program Juvenile Boys (all events) Junior Pairs Short Program Juvenile Pairs (all events) Juvenile Dance (all events) Junior Dance ‐ Short Dance Novice Ladies (all events) Novice Men (all events) BID INSTRUCTIONS Incorporating the attached “Requirements to Host”, U.S. Figure Skating is requesting proposals from interested Local Organizing Committees (LOC) to partner with U.S. Figure Skating in successfully hosting the 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships are the property of U.S. Figure Skating. As such, U.S. Figure Skating will oversee all aspects of the management of the U.S. Championships and will by contract, delegate certain responsibilities for the competition to the LOC. The LOC is defined as a Facility Management Group, Promoter, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sports Commission, U.S. Figure Skating member club or any combination of these organizations. The LOC will serve as the local hosts of the U.S. Championships under the direction of U.S. Figure Skating.
2017 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS BID INFORMATION
The U.S. Figure Skating Events Advisory Board will oversee the bid process and will provide detailed background information and experienced assistance in all aspects throughout the bid process. Following selection of a host city, a management team led by U.S. Figure Skating’s Events Department and composed of the LOC Chair, U.S. Figure Skating appointed Event Director, Chief Referee and Chair of the Competitions Committee will implement the terms of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships event contract. BID TIMELINE February 2015 ‐ RFP distributed May 1, 2015 ‐ Completed bid packages and applications with required documentation due. Bid response should include the following materials: a. Completed application form b. Letters of community support for bid indicating any financial or VIK support c. LOC organizational chart d. Preliminary budget including proposed ticketing plan e. Local marketing plan overview f. Signed Arena Rider – Competition Venue g. Signed Arena Rider – Secondary Venue h. Diagrams of Venues (seating and events level) i. Hotel information for all proposed hotels j. Signed hotel rider for all proposed hotels k. Proposal or draft contract for any/all hotels showing 2017 rate and available room block May 4‐8, 2015 – U.S. Figure Skating reviews bids and determines cities for site review. May 11‐22, 2015 ‐ Events Advisory Board makes site visits to finalist cities May 25‐29, 2015 ‐ Events Advisory Board finalizes recommendation for the 2017 Championships to U.S. Figure Skating Board of Directors. June, 2015 – U.S. Figure Skating Board of Directors reviews recommendation for confirmation.
2017 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS BID INFORMATION
REQUIREMENTS TO HOST: In order for a city to be considered as a potential host city for the 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, the site must meet the following minimum standards: 1. The host city must demonstrate the ability to stage major national and or international sporting events in a highly successful manner with a focus on excellence in the areas of ticket sales, marketing, community support and event operations. 2. The host city must have a sufficient population base from which to draw from and to locally market the event. 3. The host city must be easily accessible by a major airport. 4. The LOC must acknowledge that U.S. Figure Skating receives all national sponsorship and television rights fees associated with the event. 5. The LOC must acknowledge that potential local sponsors will not be contacted without prior U.S. Figure Skating consent. The LOC must provide a list of proposed local sponsors to U.S. Figure Skating which will be reviewed and agreed upon. 6. The LOC must acknowledge and agree that they will cooperate and comply with all U.S. Figure Skating branding and merchandising directives as they might occur, whether prior to or after any award or authorization from U.S. Figure Skating or other entity, without cost to U.S. Figure Skating. 7. The LOC must comply with all U.S. Figure Skating sponsorship requirements. 8. The LOC must utilize the official title and logo in all local marketing efforts. 9. The LOC is responsible for providing a ground transportation shuttle system for all accredited participants and officials between the official hotels and official venues (practice and competition). 10. The LOC is responsible for the creation and management of a “U.S. Championships Volunteer Program” to support all aspects of the competition (registration, transportation, venue, security, field of play, hospitality). 11. The LOC is required to sign an official “Host Agreement” with U.S. Figure Skating outlining all responsibilities and details. 12. The LOC is required to submit a detailed local marketing plan outlining local marketing expertise to promote this event within the host community and region. U.S. Figure Skating is seeking a dynamic LOC to partner with that presents a team with the ability to professionally market and logistically conduct the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. 13. The LOC is required to submit outline of how net proceeds from the operation of the event after revenue share with U.S. Figure Skating will remain with the Local Organizing Committee, including the possible provision of a “Legacy Plan” within the local figure skating community. 14. After the provisional sanction to host the event is awarded, the following contingencies must be met within 180 days from that date for the official bid to be awarded. - Executed contract between U.S. Figure Skating and the main event arena, specifying any and all contractual obligations and expenses. - Executed contract between U.S. Figure Skating and the official hotel(s). - Executed contracts between U.S. Figure Skating with competition venue and practice venue. - Executed contract between U.S. Figure Skating and the LOC.
2017 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS BID INFORMATION
In addition to the “Requirements to Host”, all bid submissions should address the following: BUSINESS PLAN The bid submission should include a comprehensive business plan, which will serve as a primary guide for the organization and the financing of the event. The business plan should include the following information: - Demonstrate plans to extend the excitement of hosting this major sporting event as broadly as possible throughout the host community and surrounding areas. The bid should include plans for government support (City and State financial support and services), community involvement, together with any special events or social activities, which would add a festival‐like atmosphere to the hosting arrangements. - A detailed local marketing plan outlining the local advertising and promotional strategy, ticket sales and distribution, sponsorship sales plan, detailing sponsors package that will be proposed to local corporations. - The LOC must acknowledge that potential local sponsors will not be contacted without prior U.S. Figure Skating consent. The LOC will provide a list to U.S. Figure Skating which will be reviewed and agreed upon. - The LOC must acknowledge that any national level companies based in the local area are to be considered potential U.S. Figure Skating national sponsors. - The plan must acknowledge that U.S. Figure Skating receives all national sponsorship and television rights fees associated with the event. - Organizing Committee mandate, objectives and measurable success indicators; - Financial forecasting reflecting, in general terms, all potential revenues and expenditures associated with the staging of the event; - Proposed organizational chart of the Organizing Committee with detailed role and responsibilities; - The LOC must acknowledge and agree that they will cooperate and comply with all U.S. Figure Skating branding/merchandising directives as they might occur, whether prior to or after any award or authorization from U.S. Figure Skating or other entity, without cost to U.S. Figure Skating. - A detailed local media plan and community/public relations plan. The plan should describe anticipated contributions from local/regional media leading up to the event, as well as the overall budget for promotional and advertising activities.
2017 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS BID INFORMATION
COMMUNITY OVERVEIW The bid submission should contain an overview of the host community and region, as well as any other unique characteristics, which may enhance the bid: - Previous event management experience of Organizing Committee with an emphasis on multi‐day national level events. - Rationale supporting the bid by the potential host community and region; - Overview of the characteristics of the community and surrounding region; - Map of the host community indicating locations of the key facilities (i.e. arenas, hotels and ancillary facilities) with distances; - Introduction to the key personnel, which will potentially serve on the Organizing Committee. - Host site should have a strong volunteer base within the business and figure skating community from which to draw on for leadership. The bid should include a plan for recruitment and training of volunteers. - Demonstrate the degree to which the staging of this event will impact economically on the region, both on a short‐ and long‐term basis. MAIN VENUE SPECIFICATIONS: 1. Ice surface: 85' x 200' (NHL) or 100’ x 200’ (Olympic) 2. Seating: 10,000 minimum 3. Access to the main events arena must be available prior to the first day of practice for load‐in and ice preparation, and must be made available for lighting installation. 4. Function Areas: Space for a min. of 25 working rooms/areas on event level. 5. One (1) complimentary arena suite, for U.S. Figure Skating for the duration of the Championships. 6. Arena TV hook‐up (broadcast origination fee) and power (TV truck power) must be waived. 7. All arena signage and advertising (including rinkboards) must be able to be covered without cost to U.S. Figure Skating or the LOC. 8. Minimum of 50 parking spaces available for U.S. Figure Skating use. 9. Use of arena video display board must be available to U.S. Figure Skating at no cost. 10. Lighting requirements meet minimum of 150 foot candles. 11. U.S. Figure Skating and LOC must have access to suite and club seating inventory for sale of championships. Exceptions to this rule may be granted depending on other financial considerations extended to the LOC by the main events arena. SECONDARY ARENA SPECIFICATIONS: 1. Ideally two ice surfaces (competition and practice): 85' x 200' (NHL) or 100’ x 200’ (Olympic) 2. Seating: 1,500 minimum in one of the surfaces 3. Function Areas: Space for a minimum of 10 working rooms/areas. 4. Access to the practice arena must be available prior to the first day of practice for event load‐in and ice preparation. 5. All arena signage and advertising (including rinkboards) must be able to be covered without cost to U.S. Figure Skating or the LOC. 6. Complimentary parking spaces for event needs to include U.S. Figure Skating and associated event vendors. 7. Public parking access on site.
2017 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS BID INFORMATION
HOTEL SPECIFICATIONS: 1. Sleeping Rooms: Estimated at a maximum of 8,000 total room nights over the 10 nights of the Championships (850‐1,000 on peak nights) preferably at one hotel cluster to accommodate transportation needs. 2. Meeting Rooms: Complimentary access to all meeting rooms at the designated host hotel for the event in order to schedule all functions surrounding the competition. 3. Two (2) complimentary suites, one of presidential size for the U.S. Figure Skating President and one for U.S. Figure Skating Hospitality. 4. Minimum of 20 complimentary parking spaces with in/out privileges for U.S. Figure Skating officials. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS: 1. Local Organizing Committee must include a commitment to provide U.S. Figure Skating with a minimum bid fee guarantee of five hundred thousand ($500,000) plus revenue share above the initial bid fee. 2. The final bid must present a realistic financial forecast which demonstrates to what level net proceeds can be achieved. 3. With the support of U.S. Figure Skating and event history, the LOC will develop the final expense and revenue budget for the championships. 4. The net proceeds from the operation of the event after event guarantee and or revenue share with U.S. Figure Skating will remain with the Local Organizing Committee, including the provision of a “Legacy Plan” within the local figure skating community.
5. Event Revenue Opportunities: a. Competition ticket sales b. Practice session ticket sales c. Government or community based grants d. Event Program advertising and sales of event program e. Local Sponsorship (must be approved by U.S. Figure Skating). f. Special events/fundraising g. Hotel rebates h. Arena concessions (food and beverage) and parking (if applicable) i. Other sources as outlined in bid presentation
6. The event budget shall pay all expenses involved with organizing and conducting the Championships, including but not limited to the expenses (airfare, housing and per diem) of all assigned officials and U.S. Figure Skating event staff (approximately 100 persons) 7. The bid submission should propose a revenue share of net proceeds between the LOC and U.S. Figure Skating.