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Please don't price locals out of events!

scooterbug44 avatar
scooterbug44SoWal Expert
6,452 views
I understand that putting on events is not free and there are many assorted costs, but it would be nice if the people who lived in Sowal could still afford to attend many of the great local events.

More and more I hear from locals that they can't afford their favorite events anymore and the only way they will attend is if they win tickets.

And this is a valid complaint as ticket price increases and additional "service fees" over the last several years have doubled or tripled the costs of many popular 30A events.

Even more frustrating is that these increases have come during times when many people are struggling due to the recession and the BP spill.

These events are part of what make Sowal a great place to live. Please keep that in mind when pricing your events and see if you can offer a lower entry cost and offset it by charging more for extras like T-shirts/merchandise, VIP areas, and food and beverage.

Replies

40
Kurt avatar
KurtAdmin
#27
REP shows are awesome. Especially when there's free cash.
scooterbug44 avatar
scooterbug44SoWal ExpertAuthor
#28
A small one time fundraiser is not the type of event I was talking about. (Especially since the reason they had it was to help keep ticket prices low for paid events and let them put on free events.)

It was more the popular events that are attended by hundreds of people and have (IMO at least) significant price increases each year AND an extra $5-10 in "processing fees" tacked on as well.
John R avatar
John Rneeds to get out more
#29
Many completely underestimate the costs that go into producing events such as Mountainfilm, Digital Graffiti, 30A Songwriter's Festival, and Noche de Los Muertos(which I assume this thread is about). Also, production specifications increase also. Each of these events has grown each year, with some changes obvious, and some more subtle. The goal is to give more. Our audience deserves it. Ticket prices go up with costs. It is a given. I probably wouldn't go to all of these events, if I wasn't working them. I choose which events to be involved with, either by working, or buying a ticket.
Kurt avatar
KurtAdmin
#30
That's right John R needs to be paid and he's worth every penny.
scooterbug44 avatar
scooterbug44SoWal ExpertAuthor
#31
This thread was NOT about the Alys Party!

Every event this year we have gone to buy tickets and said "Wow, we didn't pay that much last year, did we?"

I know that prices increase and it costs money to put events on - that was why I asked organizers to consider other funding options besides raising ticket prices - like charging more for optional extras like food, drink, souvenirs, VIP spaces etc.
30A Skunkape avatar
30A SkunkapeSkunky
#32
This thread was NOT about the Alys Party!

Every event this year we have gone to buy tickets and said "Wow, we didn't pay that much last year, did we?"

I know that prices increase and it costs money to put events on - that was why I asked organizers to consider other funding options besides raising ticket prices - like charging more for optional extras like food, drink, souvenirs, VIP spaces etc.

Now you are asking organizers to depend on locals to spend more on food and drink when they are the ones most likely to have a car bar going or to have eaten before going to an event. I think the bottom line is this-putting on good events is expensive and it just might not fit into everyone's budget. It isn't just SOWAL;think about how crazy expensive it is to go to a movie, going to an NFL game is a several hundred dollar affair, college football games are pricey, etc.
scooterbug44 avatar
scooterbug44SoWal ExpertAuthor
#33
No, I am saying that if the event is truly to draw big spending tourists into the area, the ticket price is not the only place to make money.
John R avatar
John Rneeds to get out more
#34
No, I am saying that if the event is truly to draw big spending tourists into the area, the ticket price is not the only place to make money.

So, there would be no *****ing from locals if drinks were $13 ea, and ticket price was lower?
Em avatar
EmBeach Fanatic
#35
The answer is easy, if the event is too pricey, volunteer. There are plenty of people buying tickets, enough that many events are selling out. Some events cannot expand any further, so they cannot just sell more tickets. Supply and demand will partly determine pricing.

Not much different than the real estate market. Supply and demand are the driving forces behind pricing. Just because locals want to buy a home, doesn't mean the home price should be cheaper. Locals still have to compete with vacation owners.
tistheseason avatar
tistheseasonBeach Fanatic
#36
The same thing happens in Atlanta with events -- the popular events keep raising their prices until they hit the right balance of ticket prices and attendance! We have to make choices every year -- how many shows at the fox theater or chastain will we go to, how many sporting events, which attractions to go to (six fags, aquarium, zoo). Most of these events bank on tourist to buy tickets and locals don't get any price breaks. It really shouldn't be any different at the beach!
Mango avatar
MangoSoWal Insider
#37
which attractions to go to (six fags, aquarium, zoo). Most of these events bank on tourist to buy tickets and locals don't get any price breaks. It really shouldn't be any different at the beach!

Hmmm, I might be inclined to bust my budget to go to Six fags out of curiosity. ;-)

At places like Universal Studios, et al, they heavily discount the rates to Floridians. I've also seen the rates come down drastically in New York City on Broadway shows, even adding in dates on weekdays to draw in more people. With the economy in the crapper, I have to appreciate the venues that make the effort even in light of rising prices on other goods and services to accommodate the event.
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal Guide
#38
Hmmm, I might be inclined to bust my budget to go to Six fags out of curiosity. ;-)

At places like Universal Studios, et al, they heavily discount the rates to Floridians. I've also seen the rates come down drastically in New York City on Broadway shows, even adding in dates on weekdays to draw in more people. With the economy in the crapper, I have to appreciate the venues that make the effort even in light of rising prices on other goods and services to accommodate the event.

I don't remember getting discounts at Universal or Disney, but maybe we did. Still, the prices are sky freaking high - discount or no discount! worth it though, mostly. if you love crowds and standing in line. and bad food. and aching/bloody feet at the end of the day. Still - its funn! once is enough.
Jdarg avatar
JdargSoWal Expert
#39
I don't remember getting discounts at Universal or Disney, but maybe we did. Still, the prices are sky freaking high - discount or no discount! worth it though, mostly. if you love crowds and standing in line. and bad food. and aching/bloody feet at the end of the day. Still - its funn! once is enough.

The "Florida Resident" discount is pretty pathetic for anything less than an annual pass. A few bucks- woo hoo! And yeah, I am good on the Orlando parks for another 4 or 5 years!

I don't remember getting a "locals discount" for anything when we lived in Louisville! Maybe I should call up Churchill Downs and see if they will cut me a locals deal on Derby tickets.:lol:
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal Guide
#40
The "Florida Resident" discount is pretty pathetic for anything less than an annual pass. A few bucks- woo hoo! And yeah, I am good on the Orlando parks for another 4 or 5 years!

I don't remember getting a "locals discount" for anything when we lived in Louisville! Maybe I should call up Churchill Downs and see if they will cut me a locals deal on Derby tickets.:lol:

we went to disney about 3 years ago and said I would never go back. but I think I'm in for one more visit - maybe Universal and Seaworld this time.

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