By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
The First Capitol News has learned that a committee headed by Shura Lindgren, General Manager for Global Spectrum, the Manager of the Convention Center, and Steve Powell the CEO of the St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau is making plans to spend close to $500,000 on the opening of the new Convention Center.
Some of the Activities planned and their budgets……
A budget of $10,000 is planned for the “Soft” opening of the facility. The soft opening is to allow event staff – including personnel, the box office, tour guides, operational personnel, premium services, concessions, personnel, etc. the opportunity to experience event conditions prior to the opening. It is meant to be a “Thank You” event for employees of the City, Global Spectrum, Embassy Suites employees, construction/contract workers and their families. Out of the $10,000, $1,00 is to be spent on invitations, $7,500 on Food and Beverage, $1,000 on entertainment and $500 for miscellaneous gifts.
They are planning on a budget of $21,500 for the Ribbon Cutting. This event will be free but by invitation only. For this event $5,000 is planned for the invitations, $5,000 for entertainment, $10,000 for Food and Beverage and $1,500 for miscellaneous gifts.
A community open house is being planned. They will extend an open invitation to the community to tour the facility. This event will be free and open to the public. A budget of $75,000 is being planned for this event. For Food and Beverage $20,000 is budgeted. Promotions $8,000, entertainment $10,000, $20,000 for set up $15,000 for media invitations and $2,000 miscellaneous.
A budget of $11,000 is being planned for Hosted Board Meetings including the EDC Council Meeting along with 15 total hosted meetings with approximately 20 executives per event. Food and Beverage at $7,500, set-up for $3,000 and miscellaneous at $500.
A meeting planners / VIP event is being planned for Saturday, May 21st with a budget of $200,000. $5,000 for VIP invitations, $50,000 for Food and Beverage, $50,000 for entertainment, $15,000 for promotions, $10,000 for advertising and collateral material, $15,000 for set up, $10,000 for decorations, $40,000 for transportation and lodging and $5,000 for miscellaneous gifts. This will be an invitation only event to industry executives, meeting planners, exclusive media and VIPs.
We have been told other activities are planned and that total expenses for the opening will reach the one half million dollar range.
At a recent City Council meeting,, Councilman Mark Brown complained the St. Charles County Convention and Sports Facilities Authority, headed by Ken Kielty, were planning on spending $350,000 on a party. According to Brown, that money being held by the Authority should be returned to the City. Brown said Kielty told him the Authority was keeping all the money and returning nothing to the City taxpayers.
