Okaloosa County BOCC — February 25, 2016 — I. g. Chris Janson Concert

TOURIST DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM DATE: February 25, 2016 TO: Tourist Development Council FROM: Ed Schroeder, Tourist Development Department Director Bill Leaman, General Manager SUBJECT: Chris Janson Concert STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Requesting authorization to move forward with securing Chris Janson and LOCASH to perform at the Emerald Coast Convention Center. BACKGROUND: Emerald Coast Convention Center (ECCC) staff researches up and coming performance acts in an ongoing effort to attract people locally and regionally to visit the area and enjoy the venue. Staff considers. a) If the genre is conducive to ticket sales in our region (Christian, Country, Classic Rock, etc.) b) Notable recent achievements c) Whether the artist is currently playing for a fee that is affordable to generate an ROI for the venue d) If the artist is willing to perform in a mid-small size venue like ours e) If the artist approaches the ECCC Offer letters to have been submitted to country music singers Chis Jansen and LOCASH to perform at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Thursday, May 12, 2016. The rationale is as follows: a) Country music is very popular in Northwest Florida. Similar concerts at the Gulf Shores Concerts at the Coast and Panama City Gulf Coast Jam were well attended. b) Chris Janson’s “Buy Me A Boat” reached #1 in September 2015 and he has performed on The Tonight Show. LOCASH’s “I Love This Life” reached #2 in February 2016. c) A $40,000 artist fee has been offered to Chris Janson and a $15,000 artist fee has been offered to LOCASH, along with providing production support, meals, accommodations, and ground transportation. The proposed amounts are based on research of current fees for these artists at similar venues and negotiations with agents. Production costs include audio, lighting, and video. Some will be done in-house, and audio will most likely be subcontracted at approximately $8,000 depending on artist rider needs. Industry partners may be able to provide meals, accommodations, and transportation needs. Event advertising will be done through billboards, radio, newspaper, and social media. Ticket scaling could produce the following revenue: Category Seats Price Revenue VIP 75 $75 $5,625 Front Section 925 $40 $37,000 Ballroom 462 $30 $13,860 Ballroom 461 $25 $11,525 $68,010 The ROI would be the net of ticket sales less artist fees and production expenses.  d) The artists have performed at similar-sized venues. e) The ECCC initiated contact to bring rising stars to the area before it becomes cost-prohibitive. Sufficient budget funds are available, and there is the potential to raise revenue for the ECCC. If the offers are accepted, contracts and concert-related expenses will be handled in accordance with the County’s normal procurement processes. TDC approval is requested to move forward with this concert. OPTIONS: Approve or Deny RECOMMENDATION TO BCC: Authorize staff to move forward with securing Chris Janson and LOCASH to perform at the ECCC.