Make your next business function unforgettable by staging it at a surprising venueIn a depressed economy, it's no secret that extras are usually the first items slashed from both business and family budgets. It follows that companies specializing in what are generally considered nonessential amenities - amusement parks, concert venues and other entertainment and specialty sites - have been feeling the pinch. This summer they may see a pick-up in business, however, as some economic indicators provide reason for cautious optimism that may encourage individuals and corporations to loosen their purse strings. Then too, some experts are predicting that hard-hit consumers are ready for a breather - and may seek respite from the brutal economic blows of the past two years in some kind of fun, entertaining activity that they'll somehow manage to carve into their budgets.
Ron Gustafson, director of public relations and marketing for Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, believes that will be the case.
""We came off a couple of banner years [before the recession]. We knew it was going to be a very soft economy last year,"" says Gustafson, who predicts an increase in visitors and revenues this season.
""We think it'll be a pretty solid season this year,"" he says, noting that Quassy is a pay-as-you-go facility that does not charge admission, which may attract visitors just wishing to enjoy an entertaining atmosphere.
""People are staying closer to home,"" says Gufstason. ""They don't have a lot of money to spend. But they still have to do something with the kids.""
With added rides and attractions augmenting old favorites, and a recent round of hiring that brings its summer staff to more than 300, Quassy is making sure it is ready for anticipated business activity over the next several months.
The family-owned facility offers more than 20 rides, a host of video games, a water-spewing Jungle Gym and other ""Saturation Station"" water-based activities, plus beach and picnic areas.
Clambake facilities and other amenities are available to companies and organizations numbering from 100 to 10,000 people.
In addition, special acts also are featured throughout the season, such as the Kent Family Magic Circus, which will be at Quassy (returning by popular demand) in August.
"We bring in some great acts in the summer," says Gufstason. He estimates that about 250,000 visitors come to Quassy each season, which runs from May through October.
While touting itself as a family-oriented facility, the park also supports community organizations such as the March of Dimes by hosting special events. It often partners with schools and student-focused groups, which award positive behavior and achievement with a trip to the amusement park.
""If you wave an amusement park brochure in front of any nine-year-old's face, that gets attention, much more so than a ribbon or a certificate,"" says Gufstason.
According to the American Express Spending & Saving Tracker, a monthly survey conducted by the financial services company, 51 percent of Americans are planning some kind of vacation this summer, despite the economic slump. Vacation plans range from family excursions, couples trips and getaways with friends, to experiential/adventure retreats, educational ventures and ""staycation"" time enjoying close-to-home attractions.
"This summer vacations, and particularly family vacations, are alive and well this year," said American Express Travel Vice President Audrey Hendley. "People are passionate about travel, and frequently we find that they would rather find creative ways to reduce the cost of their trip rather than do without it altogether. Other investments this summer tend to be around parents finding experiences and activities for their children at home - ensuring a fun-packed summer."
The survey indicates that 58 percent of parents will be seeking ways to keep their children busy this summer through recreational and educational activities. A substantial proportion, 26 percent, are willing to spend an average of $600 per child to keep youngsters engaged this summer, according to the survey.
Summer camp tops the list of survey respondent's anticipated summer pursuits for their children, according to the survey. Also high on the list are ""enrichment activities,"" such as those offered at the Connecticut Science Center.
Children and adults alike can look forward this summer to being entertained - and educated - at the Connecticut Science Center. Just don't tell the youngsters about the "educated" part, kids Ed Main, publicist for the Hartford facility.
"We're combining education and entertainment," says Main. "In a nutshell, we're trying to show people that science is a lot of fun."
A year old this month, the center has already welcomed some 350,000 people though its doors as of May.
"Our goal was 365,000 a year. It looks like we're going to meet that," says Main, noting that learning laboratories, ongoing experiments, interactive exhibits and a 200-seat digital theater displaying science-related films (coming July 10: Legends of Flight in 3-D) are just a few of the attractions that have visitors flocking to the center.
"We're trying to break down barriers. We're trying to show people that science is everywhere," says Main.
For instance, visitors are shown that something that appears as relaxed and enjoyable as the game of baseball is rich with scientific precision.
""Watch the pitcher. Why does he go through the motions he does?"" asks Main, offering an example of common occurrences the center may address on any given day. ""We don't have all the answers. But hopefully you leave with more questions than you came with. Because science is about problem-solving.""
After its founding in 2001 as the Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration, plans were put in place to establish a new educational destination. A board of trustees was convened in 2003, a $165 million capital campaign undertaken and construction on the Connecticut Science Center began in January 2006.
Designed by New Haven architect Cesar Pelli & Associates, the 154,000-square-foot center was built green and has a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified rating by the U.S. Green Building Council. In December the center began generating much of its energy needs on-site with a fuel cell, making it the first science center or museum in the country to do so, according to center administrators.
Four educational laboratories and a community room are featured on the ground floor, and the center has about ten exhibits.
""We want to be tied in with the educational component, so we have four laboratories that are downstairs,"" explains Main. One of the current exhibits focuses on robots, another celebrates the 50th anniversary of the laser. Among others are ""Exploring Space,"" ""Invention Dimension"" and ""Sight and Sound Experience,"" which examines the convergence of art, music and science. Interactive experiments are ongoing, says Main, who notes that much of the feedback he gets from visitors addresses the multitude of center activities.
""People say they didn't realize how much there is to do here,"" says Main. ""They just thought they'd be here one or two hours, but they could easily spend all day.""
Or all night. The center offers overnight programs for youth groups, and ""we have summer camps coming up,"" says Main.
From the outset, the center's aim was to be a statewide destination for science education and discovery, Main says.
""We're the Connecticut Science Center, not the Hartford Science Center,"" he notes. ""After opening just two months we already had visitors from 169 towns in Connecticut. We tie into the state system.""
Also boasting a statewide customer base is Toyota Presents Oakdale, a concert and event venue that boasts a 5,000-seat theater among its amenities.
Such a large theater can only be filled by big-name acts. And Oakdale gets them. This year, for example, acts such as Neil Young and Andre Rieu are gracing the Oakdale stage. Concerts are still being booked for the season, notes Special Event Coordinator Cori Brennan, but that's not all Oakdale offers.
""We book kids' shows and special events, both private and corporate,"" Brennan says. Currently, she adds, ""I feel like we're doing a lot of special events. They're things like corporate meetings, banquets, award dinners, fashion shows and expos.""
A large Dome Room seats 1,000 for dinner, and two side rooms seat 220 people each, Brennan says.
""There's a full dance floor and staging for a band or deejay, and we have an on-site concessionaire,"" she says.
For those big-draw concerts, premium and VIP seating are available.
""We have a handful of different options,"" says Kyle Charette, Oakdale's director of sales. ""There are four-seat and six-seat Platinum boxes. The seats are sectioned off and elevated, with instant access to the aisle. We also have a VIP lounge area, sponsored by Comcast. The whole wall is glass.""
Luxury suites also are available.
""Those are almost like having your own little living room area. There are couches and a TV,"" says Charette, adding that two of the 16-person suites already have been sold. Such high-end amenities often are purchased by businesses for entertaining, Charette notes.
""A lot of what we do with companies is that they purchase for an entire year - we have 50, 60, up to 70 shows a year. Most of what we do is on a season-long basis, but we do have smaller packages, too.""
Brennan invites both corporations and individuals interested in any of the Oakdale offerings to see it for themselves. ""Come in and take a tour of the venue,"" she says.
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