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FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

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2015 Annual Report
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Page 1: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

2015Annual Report

Page 2: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Table ofContents

3. Statement of Purpose

4. Message from General Manager

5. Message from Contract Administrator

6. Message from URI Athletic Director

7. Organizational Chart/Our Team

8. Ryan Center Facility Overview

9. Ryan Center Operational Overview

10. Boss Ice Arena Facility Overview

11. Boss Ice Arena Operational Overview

12. Ryan Center Tenants

13. Boss Ice Arena Tenants

14. Universal Use of a University Building

15. Opportunities for Students

16. Facility Versatility

17. Spotlight Events

18. Summary of Events

19. Summary of Events

20. Social Media

21. Interactive Marketing

22. Google Analytics and Media Placement

23. Business Development

24. Partners

25. Partners

26. New Technology

27. Concession Upgrades

28. How You Doin’?

29. Customer Satisfaction Surveys

30. Testimonials

31. Future Outlook

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Page 3: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Table ofContents

Statement of Purpose

TO ENHANCE the quality of life on the University campus by providing a forum for a wide variety of live events, entertainment and cultural opportunities and by supporting University intercollegiate athletics in a manner that reaches the highest standards that can be set for NCAA athletic competitions.

TO SERVE as a hub and catalyst for the further and ongoing activity and development on the University campus and in Southern Rhode Island (South County).

TO ATTRACT and book a broad mix of events appealing to all segments of the University and South County communities, including concerts, family shows, intercollegiate athletic and sports exhibitions, public and trade shows and community and recreational programs.

TO PROTECT the University’s capital investment by insuring that the Facilities are operated in a manner which is orderly and efficient, and which safeguards the public trust, while providing the greatest overall financial return to the University.

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Page 4: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Message from General ManagerOn behalf of Spectra Venue Management and the staff at the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena, it’s my privilege to present our Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15) Annual Report. This past year was a year of growth – in our relationships with promoters/agents, patrons and the community, as well as capital improvements. This growth proved to be another extraordinary season for both the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena that saw both venues exceed budget goals for a fourth consecutive season.

In addition to the great accomplishments we have achieved at the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena this year, Global Spectrum’s parent company, Comcast Spectacor, a leader in the sports and entertainment industry, announced on June 2, 2015, that it was raising the bar on live event experiences by revealing that its three divisions – Global Spectrum, Ovations Food Services, and Paciolan – now operate as Spectra, a singular, new brand. Clients and customers look for seamless experiences whether at a trade show, concert, or sporting event. By serving clients as one business Spectra optimizes full-service operations for the good of clients, customers, and fans. Spectra is committed to innovating the live experience in ways that drive revenue and growth for venue owners, teams, event presenters, advertisers and sponsors.

We are a living testament to Spectra’s philosophy as we were once again able to display the multi-purpose functionality of Southern New England’s Premier Multipurpose Venue, hosting a variety of events this past season at the Thomas M. Ryan Center. We take great pride in creating extraordinary experiences while hosting a diverse list of events. The Ryan Center was rocking beginning in September kicking off the season with Iggy Azalea promoted by the URI Student Entertainment Committee, leading into one of the most exciting seasons on record for the men’s and women’s basketball programs.

We remain committed to operating and managing both venues in the most efficient and responsible way and continue to make capital and venue improvements including: the brand new LED scoreboard and ribbon boards from Daktronics, new sound board and concession upgrades, as well as the new “Rhody Pub” location for men’s basketball and select concerts.

In addition to the commitment of our seventeen (17) full-time staff and over 200 hundred part-time staff, we also understand that our success as venues is not possible without the support of our partners and tenants that make up the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena. We are proud of our strong relationship with the University of Rhode Island, especially the University President’s office, Vice President for Finance and Administration office, URI Athletics and URI Student Entertainment Committee over the past thirteen seasons and look forward to continuing our partnership with the University over the next five seasons under the new facility management contract.

Go Rhody!

Leah BeckiGeneral ManagerRyan Center & Boss Ice Arena

Leah BeckiGeneral Manager Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena

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Page 5: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

THE

UNIVERSITYOF RHODE ISLAND

Division of Administration and FinanceOffice of the Vice PresidentCarlotti Administration Building, Kingston, RI 02881 USA

Dear Leah:

On behalf of the University of Rhode Island, please accept my congratulations to you and your team on another successful year of operations at the URI Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena. I appreciate the time and effort of the Spectra staff, and specifically want to commend you for the successful execution of URI Graduate School Commencement and Admission Events, partnering with AEG Live! on the Hunter Hayes concert, and the management of many successful shows sponsored by the URI Student Entertainment Committee. Particularly impressive this past season was Spectra’s implementation of technology upgrades to the new video and ribbon boards that dramatically enhanced the game atmosphere for men’s and women’s basketball games, as well as the new digital menu boards and renovations to the concession stands.

The mission of the Division of Administration and Finance at the University of Rhode Island is to support the academic, research and outreach programs of the University, including fostering inclusion and community as a tool for success. The Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena fall within the Division of Administration and Finance and as such, play an integral part in campus operations and the enhancement of our student and campus community experience.

The multi-use and varied programming of both facilities displays the outreach mission through concerts, family shows, sports, community events and public programs, in addition to being the home of URI’s basketball and club hockey programs. The quality of these programs, and the attention given to the University departments who also utilize the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena, are a source of pride to all users.

We appreciate your continued support to the University, from the collaboration with our departments such as Athletics, Student Affairs, Public Safety, Catering, Admissions, Facilities, and others to your steady employment of URI students through internships, work study and part-time positions. Spectra’s commitment to finding creative and mutually beneficial solutions in working with students and staff is a true testament to the professional dedication your team exhibits on a daily basis.

We are excited to be able to extend our relationship with Spectra for another five years and look forward to growing the relationship as we continue to achieve success at the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena during the upcoming season.

Go Rhody!

Christina L. ValentinoVice President, Division of Administration and FinanceUniversity of Rhode Island

Message from Contract Administrator

Christina L. Valentino Vice President, Division of Administration and Finance

University of Rhode Island

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Page 6: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Thorr Bjorn Director of Athletics University of Rhode Island

THE

UNIVERSITYOF RHODE ISLAND

AthleticsDirector of Athletics3 Keaney Road, Suite 1, Kingston, RI 02881 USA

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Dear Rhody Fans:

I would like to congratulate the Ryan Center and the management team led by Leah Becki on another fantastic year. The facility has never looked better and it continues to be a fantastic recruiting tool for all of our 18 varsity athletic programs.

I have said this each year, but the cooperation between the Ryan Center management team and the Athletic Department has never been better. We rely heavily on their expertise as it relates to new technology upgrades, facility renovations and even basketball court updates. The entire management team are real pros.

I would like to invite each of you to come out to see a URI men or women’s basketball game this season. There is a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm around both programs. Coach Dan Hurley is in his fourth season and has done an incredible job of turning around a program from one he inherited that had finished near the bottom of the Atlantic 10 to one that is projected to be at the top during the 2015-16 season. Coach Daynia La-Force has also done a great job in just her first year by winning 17 games after the team had only won 7 the year before. Both teams have potential player of the year talent on their rosters this season.

The Ryan Center is one of the best basketball and general event facilities on any college campus in the country. The facility under went over 2 million dollars in technology upgrades over the past couple years and if you haven’t been to the Ryan Center in awhile, I urge you to come out and see the teams play or check out a show. You will not be disappointed!

Sincerely,

Thorr BjornDirector of Athletics

Page 7: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Organizational Chart

CRAIG CUGNOSenior Ticket Sales Manager: Craig recently became the Senior Ticket Sales Manager for the newly formed Ticket Sales Department for the Ryan Center and URI Athletics. Craig is responsible for the generation of ticket sales revenue including all aspects of the annual season and group ticket sales campaign including Full Seasons, Partial Plans, and Groups for the Ryan Center and URI Athletics. Craig comes to us from the Hartford Wolfpack where he spent two years as an Account Executive for the Wolfpack sales team. While with the Wolfpack Craig finished in the top 20 in the league and top 10 in the conference for groups sales revenue each year during his tenure. Craig is a 2011 graduate of the University of Rhode Island where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a Minor in Business. Craig is another excellent example of professional growth within our company.

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Spectra Venue ManagementRegional Vice PresidentTim Murphy

University of Rhode IslandVice President for Administration and FinanceChristina L. Valentino

Spectra Venue ManagementGeneral Manager

Leah Becki

Event StaffSupervisors

Custodians

OperationsStaff

Box Office Supervisors

Box Office Sellers

EventStaff

New Faces for 2015-16

James Morris Director of Facilities

Maureen McCarthy Director of Ticket

Operations

Craig Cugno Senior Ticket

Sales Manager

Monica York Director of

Finance

Erin BurryStaff Accountant

Betsy ShortAdministrative

Assistant

Eric PostemskyDirector of Event

Services

Jon Hendricks Ice Rink Manager

David MinerFacilities Engineer

Alysha Elliard Production and

Operations Manager

Tech Services Staff

Alex ColantonioOperations Manager

Matt Moeller Director of Marketing

Jeff KuhnBox Office Manager

Sydnie HickeyPremium Services &

Marketing Coordinator

Alex NurkinEvent Coordinator

Tyler FoleyTicket Representative

Part-Time

Zach SmithTicket Representative

Part-Time

Beth NorthupBoss Ice Arena Office Manager

David Trombetti Ice Technician

Michsel ScudieiriIce Technician

ALYSHA ELLIARDProduction and Operations Manager: A graduate of the University of Connecticut with a concentration in Photography, Alysha has a vast amount of sports and large media broadcast experience from previous positions at Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, MA and Tsongas Center in Lowell, MA. Responsible for all technical services and activities related to both venues’ audio, visual and sound equipment, Alysha also is responsible for managing all areas of men’s and women’s basketball game production including overseeing video/audio production staff and building each game’s technology script through Daktronics new video boards and ribbon boards.

SYDNIE HICKEYPremium Services and Marketing Coordinator: Sydnie recently became part of the Spectra Venue Management team as our newest hire after graduating from Converse College in South Carolina where she received a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Sports Management. She comes to the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena with previous premium services and marketing experience at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, the 2015-16 home of Clemson basketball, and in the Wofford College Athletic Department. Sydnie is responsible for all Boss Ice Arena marketing and advertising, as well as day-to-day maintenance of websites and social media accounts for both venues, as well as servicing and fulfilling all premium services clients and initiatives for all events.

Page 8: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

The Thomas M. Ryan Center, located on the University of Rhode Island campus in scenic South County, is home to URI Men’s and Women’s Basketball programs, URI Football’s team locker room, along with athletic department offices, training rooms, players’ lounges and a souvenir store. The venue seats 7,800 for basketball, and over 5,500 for concerts, family shows, lectures and other community events.

The Ryan Center boasts three tiers of seating in the arena to bring all 7,800 seats within 74-feet of the court, creating a frenzied atmosphere. Every seat in the Ryan Center has a chair-back, including our 1,120 club seats and features seven luxury suites that overlook both the Meade Stadium football field and the Alex and Ani basketball court at the Ryan Center. The luxury seats are exclusive and are each fully furnished, offering VIP treatment for up to twenty people.

Amenities include two brand new full-color LED video boards and a full arena ribbon wrap that offers complete full motion video capabilities. The state-of-the-art house sound system, designed with acoustic provisions, provides a full range of high power sound to all seats in the venue, including the concourse and Alumni Room making it suitable for any event. In addition, 42 LCD High Definition televisions are also installed throughout the facility to provide a live stream during events. Featured in all lobbies, concourse levels, suites, meeting rooms and artists’ dressing rooms the televisions create a constant connection between patrons and the action on the arena floor.

The Ryan Center is owned by the University of Rhode Island and operated by Spectra Venue Management, the industry leader across a full range of services that impact the bottom-line success of public assembly venues, including marketing and sales, corporate partnerships, event booking, ticket services and box office management, customer service, operations and engineering, and finance and administration.

Ryan CenterFacility Overview

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Page 9: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

EventPercentage

Net IncomePercentage

AttendancePercentage

URI Basketball – 36.36%

Concerts & Family Events – 29.43%

Exhibitions – 14.63%

Graduations – 5.30%

Cheer Events – 4.62%

URI Football – 4.36%

Other – 2.95%

Brunches & Receptions – 2.35%

URI Basketball – 40.80%

Concerts & Family Events – 19.62%

Exhibitions – 16.46%

Graduations – 9.79%

Cheer Events – 3.77%

URI Football – 8.15%

Other – 1.04%

Brunches & Receptions – 0.37%

URI Basketball – 30.93%

Concerts & Family Events – 11.34%

Exhibitions – 12.37%

Graduations – 8.25%

Cheer Events – 3.10%

URI Football – 5.15%

Other – 24.74%

Brunches & Receptions – 4.12%

Ryan CenterOperational Overview

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Page 10: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Boss Ice ArenaFacility Overview

The Bradford R. Boss Ice Arena, located on the University of Rhode Island campus, is home to the nationally ranked URI Men’s and Women’s Club Hockey programs, as well as five Rhode Island High School Hockey programs, the URI Intramural Hockey League, daily public sessions, various youth and adult hockey leagues and a year round Learn to Skate program. Additionally, during the summer, Boss Ice Arena hosts a variety of hockey camps and clinics.

Built in 2002, the state-of-the-art ice rink is the very first indoor ice facility in all of Southern Rhode Island. With a seating capacity of 2,500, Boss Ice Arena includes two University team locker rooms, four large public locker rooms, one female auxiliary locker room and an official’s locker room. In addition, Boss Ice Arena features a University team weight room, a pro shop that is owned by 2nd Time Around Sports, Inc. and a hospitality room that’s available for birthday parties, meetings, classes and corporate events. Open daily, Subway is also a featured aspect of the arena, acting as the facility’s concessionaire.

Boss Ice Arena is a great place for teams to practice, families to learn how to skate, watch a game, have a party and most importantly, have lots of fun in a safe, family-friendly environment.

Boss Ice Arena is owned by the University of Rhode Island and operated by Spectra Venue Management, the industry leader across a full range of services that impact the bottom-line success of public assembly venues, including marketing and sales, corporate partnerships, event booking, ticket services and box office management, customer service, operations and engineering, and finance and administration.

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Page 11: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Boss Ice ArenaOperational Overview

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Private Ice Rentals – 46.63%

URI Ice Rentals – 8.33%

Public Programs – 39.09%

Learn to Skate – 2.27%

Events – 3.68%

Hours of Ice Time

Percentage

Private Ice Rentals – 59.03%

URI Ice Rentals – 12.15%

Other – 11.11%

Public Programs – 9.46%

Learn to Skate – 5.21%

Events – 3.04%

Gross Revenue

Percentage

Page 12: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Ryan Center Tenants

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The 2014-15 Rhode Island Men’s Basketball team enjoyed a renaissance on the Alex and Ani Court at the Thomas M. Ryan Center. Led by third-year head coach, and the 2014-15 USBWA District 1 Coach of the Year, Dan Hurley, the Rams knocked off nationally ranked Nebraska in an overtime thriller and held a share of first place in the Atlantic 10 standings into the month of March, en route to a 23-10 overall record and 13-5 conference record. The 23 overall wins marked the first 20-win

season in five seasons and the 13 conference wins, marked the second-highest win total in A-10 play in program history. The 2014-15 season also saw the Rams as one of just three teams nationally to have a +9 overall win improvement and a +8 conference win improvement, earning a spot in the 2015 National Invitation Tournament (NIT), where they downed Iona, 88-75 at home before ending the season at eventual NIT Champion Standford. As a team, Rhode Island finished the season as the NCAA leader in 3-point FG% defense and ranked 9th nationally in defensive efficiency, yielding 91.2 points per 100 possessions. Of the eight teams ranked above URI, 5 played in the Sweet 16. Individually, Hasson Martin ranked 6th in the NCAA in blocks, averaging 3.1 bpg and was one of four players nationally to block more than 100 shots this past season on his way to several honors including All-Atlantic 10 Second team, All-Atlantic 10 Defensive team, NABC All-District 4 team and USBWA All-District 1 team. Similarly fellow sophomore, E.C. Matthews was named All-Atlantic 10 Second team and NABC All-District 4 team, while freshmen Jared Terrell was named to All-Atlantic Rookie team and senior, Gilvydas Biruta was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Academic team.

The arrival of head coach Daynia La-Force and 2015 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year Charise Wilson sparked the biggest single-season turnaround in URI Women’s Basketball history. La-Force led Rhody to its first winning season in 11 years, as the team’s 17-13 record marked a 10-game improvement from the previous season. The Rams were 8-8 in league play after winning eight conference games in the previous six seasons combined. Wilson who also earned A-10 Third Team All-Conference honors, was the third leading scorer among freshmen in the country, averaging 16.1 points per game. Junior captain Tayra Melendez spent the summer of 2014 and 2015 representing Puerto Rico as part of the women’s national team. The team’s youngest player in 2014, Melendez helped Puerto Rico win the silver medal at the Centrobasket Championship for Women, held in Monterray, Mexico.

The first season under head coach Jim Fleming ended on a high note, as the Rhode Island Football team defeated Towson in the season finale. Towson was coming off a 2013 campaign in which it reached the NCAA FCS national championship game. Rhody had five players named to the CAA Football All-Conference Team, including linebacker Andrew Bose, who earned first-team honors after leading the league with 125 tackles. Also recognized were senior fullback Justin Favreau, senior punt returner Robbie Jackson, junior kick returner Myles Holmes and sophomore tackle Tyler Catalina, all of whom were named to the third team. Bose and freshman tight end Charlie McKeeman both also earned All-America honors from TonySoftli.com. Bose was a fourth-team selection, while McKeeman was one of 12 players nationally to be picked for the 2014 FCS Freshman All-America team on offense. Holmes set a Rhode Island record with a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown against Maine on Oct. 25 and had the eighth-most kick return yardage in a single season in team history. The late-season momentum carried over into the offseason, as seniors Andrew Bose and Lyle McCombs both signed professional contracts. Bose, a linebacker, signed with the Baltimore Ravens, while McCombs joined the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League CFL. Former Ram Jason Foster (’11) signed with the CFL’s B.C. Lions and earned the starting center position for the 2015 season, making him the first Ram in 15 seasons to appear in a regular-season CFL game.

Page 13: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Boss Ice ArenaTenants

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The primary goal at the Bradford R. Boss Arena is to provide our patrons with an all around experience that is superior to that of any other ice rink experience. By fulfilling this goal, it has ensured repeat customers and an expanded use of the facility. As this responsibility falls on each and every employee as a whole, all of our employees are motivated to consistently provide our patrons with the highest quality of service, along with a clean and comfortable environment in which to enjoy themselves.

As a result of their dedication, the pride that our employees feel is passed onto our customers. The Boss Ice Arena operates a successful in-house Learn to Skate program, led by Skating Director, Jewell Augustine, as well as public programs, such as: figure skating, public skating, rock and skate, public hockey, and stick and puck in addition to birthday parties and general social gatherings.

Boss Ice Arena is also home to the nationally ranked URI Men’s and Women’s Club Hockey teams. The URI Men’s Hockey team finished the regular season 11th in ACHA with a 30-7-2 overall record. The team finished ranked #12 after a 2-0 loss to Stony Brook at the ACHA National Tournament. This is the first 30 win season since 2011 and the 6th time in team history. Goaltender Andrew Sherman was recognized as the MVP of the ACHA at the mid-year point and a 1st Team All-American while winning his 50th career game for the Rams. Longtime head coach Joe Augustine will be returning next season for his 27th year as head coach. With only 4 exiting seniors, the team is poised to make another strong push for nationals next year. The URI Women’s Ice Hockey team under first year head coach Ashley Pagliarini, finished the season with a 21-7-1 record. The team finished 2nd in the ECWHL regular season and fell just short during the conference championship game losing to division rival UMass and just missing nationals. The URI Women’s Hockey team is looking forward to the 2015-2016 season with a very strong returning core and talented incoming freshmen class. With a lot of hard work, leadership, and a team first mentality a return to the national playoffs is in their sights.

Boss Ice Arena also has various loyal clients, of which many utilize the facility on a year round basis. Some of these customers include: Exeter/West Greenwich Hockey Club, Men’s Hockey Leagues, and several other pick up hockey groups organized by devoted customers, such as John Gaffney, Toby Gibbons, John Matuszek, Ken Cole, and Marty Ludvigsen. During the long hockey season many patrons are proud to call the Boss Arena their home away from home. These

customers include Southern Rhode Island Youth Hockey Association, and boys’ high school hockey teams from The Prout School, North Kingstown, South Kingstown and Narragansett, as well as the girls’ Co-op team from South County.

As the Bradford R. Boss Arena celebrates our thirteenth year in operation, we are not only commemorating the successful years that have passed; we are enjoying the present and looking forward to the future, with the continued friendships and the new ones yet to be made.

Page 14: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Universal Use ofUniversity Building

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URI CAREER FAIRS:

Presented by URI Career Services in both the Fall and Spring, the URI Career/Job Fairs offers over 3,000 students the opportunity to come face-to-face with a variety of employers and their representatives.

URI ADMISSION

EVENTS:

Part of URI Welcome Day Weekends in April, over 11,000 potential freshmen and transfer students along with their friends and families meet representatives from student services, on-campus organizations as well as deans and faculty from all colleges.

URI SEC

EVENTS:

The URI Student Entertainment Committee (SEC) has partnered with Spectra since the venues’ inception to bring numerous artists, comedians and personalities to the Ryan Center to entertain the students and URI community; with many of those shows selling out. This past season was no exception as the URI SEC brought an all-star lineup including: comedians Seth Meyers and Kevin Hart along with Iggy Azalea, Chance the Rapper and New Politics. In addition, the Ryan Center continued its cross promotional efforts with SEC for their shows at URI’s Edwards Auditorium including: Pete Davidson, Pete Holmes, Stephen A. Smith and Tim Gunn.

URI GRADUATE

SCHOOL GRADUATION:

The soft sounds of hundreds of footsteps entering the Ryan Center floor were soon all ringed in by the resonant cheers and applause of families and friends when over 2,500 graduating students from the URI Graduate programs and their families participated in URI Graduation Weekend 2015 at the Ryan Center.

Page 15: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Opportunitiesfor Students

Per Spectra policies as of 2014, all internships are now paid at the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena. As internship policies have changed regarding the payment of interns, the staff at the Ryan Center has researched possible government funding opportunities to decrease the financial burden of hiring interns. In 2014, the Ryan Center was granted approval by the Rhode Island Governor’s Workforce Board to subsidize 50% of all applicable internship positions, which resulted in the saving of over $3,000.

Additional Student Benefits

Presale Priority Ticket offers for eventsURI students receive an offer to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public, which gives them the opportunity to purchase the best seats.

Discounts For several events throughout the year, pending promoter approval, URI students have the ability to purchase tickets at a discounted rate that can sometimes be as great as 60% off tickets.

Convenience/Lower FeesIn addition to offering students the ability to purchase tickets to Ryan Center events at the Ryan Center Box Office, we continue to offer students the ability to purchase tickets conveniently at the Memorial Union Box Office. We also offer students the ability to purchase tickets online through the student ticketing portal on the ticketing website, which allows URI students to receive lower convenience fees than the general public.

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Spectra has made it a priority to integrate University of Rhode Island students into our operation and relies heavily on students as interns and part-time employees, with a large portion of our

part-time staff coming from the student body.

Event Staff Serve as ushers, ticket takers, parking attendants, etc. during events that take place at the venues

Box Office Work in the ticket office as ticket sellers and supervisors daily and during events

Operations Court setup, stage set up and full facility event change overs

Boss Ice Arena Reception desk, skate guards, and Zamboni drivers

Marketing Internship and work study positions working on social media campaigns, graphic design and grassroots

The Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena serve as an excellent on-campus work environment to prepare URI students for their careers, while providing opportunities in the following areas:

When hiring part-time employees, Spectra first turns to University of Rhode Island students to fill these needs and has recently hired several students that participated in URI PRS 200 class taught by URI Chief of Staff, Michelle Curreri. Overall, the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena boasts a student/alumni involvement rate of 71.4%. The chart illustrates the amount of URI students Spectra hires for interns and part-time positions on an annual basis.

URI Students/Alumni

URI Employees (10%)

Community Members (18.6%)

71.4%

10%

18.6%

Page 16: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Its Versatility…

Trade Shows

Receptions Speaking Engagements Religious Conferences

Graduations

Cheerleading Competitions

Brunches

Galas

FacilityVersatility

The University of Rhode Island opened the doors to the 7,800-seat, state of the art multi-purpose facility, Thomas M. Ryan Center in June of 2002 and fans have flocked to Kingston, RI for men’s and women’s

basketball games and many big name concerts ever since.

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Along with sporting events and concerts, the 202,500 sq. ft. multi-purpose facility was designed to host trade shows, conventions, speaking engagements, brunches, graduations and other community events

with its array of versatile spaces. The beautifully outfitted Alumni Lounge is available as a function room for parties up to 125 and is open to Athletic Donors with food and beverage service during bas-ketball games. With retractable floor seating, the arena can also be subdivided to provide a half-house

venue for smaller functions, such as trade and family shows.

A portable stage is also available for concerts and performance events alike and the event floor itself can easily seat up to 500 for a banquet.

Page 17: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Spotlightevents

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During the 2014-15 season the Ryan Center hosted over 50 Non-URI Athletic events, welcoming over 165,000 Non-URI Athletic event patrons to concerts, comedy shows, family shows, conference and

trade shows, championship sporting events, lectures and graduations at the state-of-the-art multi-purpose venue.

SETH MEYERS:Stand-up comedian, writer and television personality known for hosting Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update” and NBC’s “Late Night”, Seth Meyers brought the laughs to the Ryan Center in front of more than 4,900 fans during URI’s Family Weekend presented by URI SEC and URI Family Weekend Committee. Edging 2013’s URI Family Weekend comedian, Jim Gaffigan, the SNL alumnus welcomed the largest crowd for a comedy show at the Ryan Center since “The Tonight Show” host, Jay Leno entertained the URI Family Weekend crowd in 2008.

IGGY AZALEA:As part of her first arena tour and as she was taking the world by storm, URI SEC brought in female

hip-hop star, Iggy Azalea to perform such hits as “Problem” and the 2014 Song of the Summer, “Fancy” this past Fall. One of only two acts in history, along with The Beatles to rank at numbers one

and two simultaneously with their first two Billboard Hot 100 hits, the female rapper provided the fresh beats and had the near sold out Ryan Center crowd on their feat the entire evening.

KEVIN HART:One of the biggest stand-up comedians and movie stars in the last five years, Kevin Hart, thrilled the crowd of 4,500 with his latest stand-up routine. URI SEC brought the actor and comedian to campus for a URI community only show as he toured university campus’ promoting his 2015 movie, “The Wedding Ringer” with several of the patrons in attendance enjoying a special premiere of the movie earlier in the day.

LIFE IN COLOR/EDM SHOWS:The Ryan Center continued its recent trend of hosting Electronic Dance Music (EDM) concerts this season. The combo of Life In Color along with Field Day featuring Dada Life, Cazzette and hip-hop star 2 Chainz, helped entertain over 5,200 students and community members, providing high-energy music, soaring aerial acts, contortion acts, and paint into an experience of a lifetime during the fourth season of Electronic Dance Music at the Ryan Center.

HUNTER HAYES:

AEG and the Ryan Center welcomed 4 time Grammy nominee, Hunter Hayes as part of his “Tattoo (Your Name) Tour” along with special guests, Dan + Shay and The Railers. The 2012 CMA “New Artist

of the Year” and the youngest male act to ever top the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, thrilled the crowd with his hits including: “Wanted”, “Invisible” and “I Want Crazy”.

Page 18: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Summary of Events

July 7/18-7/20/14 Steubenville East Catholic Youth Retreat 7/27-7/28/14 Providence County Kennel Club Dog Show August 08/05/14 Athletics Focus Group 08/12/14 Athletics Focus Group 8/13-8/14/14 UCA Cheerleading Camp September 09/02/14 New Student Athlete Orientation 09/19/14 Field Day Concert 09/20/14 URI Athletics Donor Brunch 09/20/14 URI Football vs Albany 09/23/14 Kathy Murray Room Dedication 09/27/14 Iggy Azalea Concert October 10/04/14 URI Football vs Brown 10/08/14 URI Technology & Engineering Job Fair 10/08/14 Council on Postsecondary Education Meeting10/08/14 Engineering & Technology Job Fair10/16/14 Rhody Madness 10/18/14 Blackstone Valley Cheerleading 10/19/14 Chance the Rapper Concert 10/25/14 URI Football vs Maine 10/26/14 Kevin Hart Comedy 10/29/14 Rhody Sports Properties Sponsor Event

18

November 11/01/14 Hunter Hayes Concert 11/08/14 URI Football vs New Hampshire 11/08/14 Seth Meyers Comedy 11/14/14 URI Women’s Basketball Tip Off Tournament* 11/14/14 URI Men’s Basketball vs Pace 11/15/14 URI Women’s Basketball Tip Off Tournament* 11/16/14 URI Men’s Basketball vs UMASS Lowell 11/22/14 URI Football vs Towson 11/22/14 URI Men’s Basketball vs Nebraska December 12/03/14 URI Women’s Basketball vs Brown 12/06/14 URI Women’s Basketball vs Central CT State 12/09/14 URI Women’s Basketball vs Boston University 12/13/14 URI Men’s Basketball vs Delaware State 12/18/14 URI Facilities In-Service 12/20/14 URI Men’s Basketball vs Detroit 12/30/14 URI Women’s Basketball vs Dartmouth 12/31/14 URI Men’s Basketball vs Brown January 01/03/15 URI Women’s Basketball vs Duquesne 01/07/15 URI Men’s Basketball vs Fordham 01/10/15 RI Rumble Cheer Championships 01/13/15 URI Men’s Basketball vs VCU 01/15/15 URI Women’s Basketball vs George Washington 01/18/15 URI Women’s Basketball vs LaSalle

Page 19: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Summary of Events

January (Cont)01/22/15 URI Men’s Basketball vs La Salle 01/25/15 URI Men’s Basketball vs St. Bonaventure 01/30/15 URI Women’s Basketball vs Richmond 01/31/15 URI Men’s Basketball vs George Washington February 02/04/15 URI Football Signing Day 02/04/15 URI Women’s Basketball vs UMASS 02/11/15 URI Women’s Basketball vs Saint Joseph’s 02/14/15 URI Men’s Basketball vs St. Louis 02/15/15 URI Women’s Basketball vs Fordham 02/18/15 URI Men’s Basketball vs UMASS 02/20/15 A10 Track & Field Coaches Dinner 02/21/15 URI Track & Field Team Dinner 02/25/15 URI Men’s Basketball vs Davidson 02/26/15 URI Women’s Basketball vs St. Louis 02/28/15 Southern RI Home Show March 03/01/15 Southern RI Home Show 03/07/15 URI Men’s Basketball vs Saint Joseph’s 03/08/15 NECCCD Reception 03/13/15 RIIL Championship Basketball Press Conference 03/14/15 RIIL High School Girl’s Basketball Final Four* 03/14/15 RIIL High School Boy’s Basketball Final Four* 03/15/15 RIIL High School Girl’s Basketball Final 03/15/15 RIIL High School Boy’s Basketball Final 03/17/15 Men’s Basketball National Invitational Tournament vs Iona 03/28/15 New England Cheer Association

19

*More than one game was played during event In addition to the events listed above we have hosted more than 150 meetings, receptions and banquets in our ancillary areas throughout the year for URI Athletics, departments on campus and outside entities.

April 04/01/15 Council on Postsecondary Education Meeting 04/02/15 URI Career & Internship Fair 04/11/15 URI Welcome Day 04/15/15 Life In Color Concert 04/18/15 URI Welcome Day 04/23/15 New Politics Concert 04/25/15 URI Welcome Day May 05/16/15 URI Graduate School Commencement 05/30/15 RI Special Olympics Opening Ceremony June 6/05/15 North Kingstown Graduation 6/09/15 The Prout School Graduation 6/11/15 Narragansett Graduation 6/12/15 Chariho Graduation 6/13/15 Exeter West Greenwich Graduation 6/15/15 South Kingstown Graduation 6/16/15 Coventry Graduation 6/27/15 URI Women’s Basketball Camp

Page 20: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Facebook

2015

2014

2013

2012

20110 500

522

665

423

353

286

4,113

4,700

3,728

3,392

2,3331,000 2,000 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,5002,5001,500

*Yellow: Boss Ice Arena - *Blue: The Ryan CenterThe Ryan Center

Twitter

0 500

140

255

2,436

3,091

1,637

1,081

615

0

0

0

1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

*Yellow: Boss Ice Arena - *White: The Ryan Center

Social Media

20

The Ryan Center, along with Boss Ice Arena, continue to utilize social media networks as a tool to interact with our audiences on a daily/weekly basis. Over the past few years, we have seen our engagement numbers (“likes,” “follows” and visits/views) increase dramatically. Over the past five seasons, the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena have collectively increased their Facebook followers by more than 4,000

and Twitter followers by more than 3,000. This increase has been a direct result of branding our tags on advertising, utilizing Facebook and Twitter more frequently to promote events, using both platform’s advertising options, offering special opportunities for our sponsors and interacting with URI students and the community. Ultimately, interacting with our audiences on a daily basis has allowed us to establish a more personal relationship and develop a better understanding of their desires for both facilities while providing another platform to promote ticket sales for upcoming events.

The Ryan Center has recently utilized social media to not only promote upcoming shows, but also interact with patrons while they are at the event and afterwards. Some examples include encouraging fans to use hashtags provided by venue (ex. #RCKevinHart). tweeting photos during the event (Justin Moore Kissing Booth, Hunter Hayes Duet Contest, Kevin Hart Big Noggins and On Set with Seth Meyers) and following or “liking” us on social media, which they can post the photos to enter contests.

Page 21: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

*Yellow: Boss Ice Arena - *White: The Ryan Center

Interactive Marketing

Spectra is far and away the industry leader in the increasingly critical area of interactive marketing; providing various tools, initiatives and best practices to integrate into our marketing campaigns, while also providing the analytical support to analyze each initiative to drive future decisions.

Over the past year, our interactive marketing efforts including continuing to place came-from-code tracking scripts on ticketing URL’s to help track where each purchase is originating from; have played a large role in understanding our consumers and their purchase behaviors. These efforts have produced stellar results including generating over $500,000 in gross ticket sales through the following interactive marketing initiatives:

21

Hunter Hayes Cart Abandonment Campaign sold 24 tickets for $676 in revenue

Jim Gaffigan 2013 Behavior Campaign sold 106 tickets for $2,393.50 in revenue

Kevin Hart 2014 Presale email sold 1,823 tickets for $42,019 in revenue Chance the Rapper 2014 Retargeting Campaign generated

68 conversions for $4,109 in revenue

• EmailstoCyberClub,AthleticTicketDatabase, Media Newsletter Databases, 3rd Parties, ect.• TargetedBehaviorCampaigns• CartAbandonmentCampaigns• Footeradsonticketingwebsite• Trackingscriptsonhightrafficwebpages• Came-from-codesonticketingURL’s• LightBoxes(upsellopportunities)onticketingsite• GoogleAdWordCampaigns• RetargetingCampaigns• SocialMediaAdvertising• Website(pop-ups,features,ticketpages,ect.)• MediaDigitalAdvertising

Page 22: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

TECHNOLOGYDesktop............ (68.94%)Mobile ..............(24.95%)Tablet............... (6.11%)

Google Analyticsand Media Placement

22

LOCATIONRhode Island..... (58.05%)Massachusetts... (17.22%)New York........... (6.1%)Connecticut...... (5.83%)Other.................. (12.80%)

AGE 18-24........ (27.5%)25-34.........(33.5%)35-44........ (15.5%)45-54........ (12.5%)55-64........ (5.5%)65+............ (5.5%)

GENDERMale........(54.15%)Female....(45.85%)

Almost $340,000 in media advertising was placed in the Providence and New London markets during the 2014-15 season by the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena. More than $53,000 gross cash was spent, along with another $285,000 being utilized in trade advertising and promotions.

PRINT: Almost $45,000 in total print advertising was placed with Providence Journal, Providence Phoenix, Motif Magazine, Southern Rhode Island Magazine, SO RI Magazine and the Independents.

RADIO: Just over $245,000 in radio advertising including promotions was placed with Cumulus Providence (92 PRO FM and Hot 106), Clear Channel (Coast 93.3) Cat Country, WBRU, Mixx 99.3, WCTY-New London, Clear Channel New London (Q105) and Jammin 107.7.

TV: Over $30,000 was placed in television advertising with WPRI (CBS), WNAC (Fox), WLNE (ABC), WJAR (NBC), Cox Media and CW28.

OUTDOOR/CINEMA: Over $15,000 in advertising was placed with RIPTA for bus advertising.

As a method to track patrons that visit the Ryan Center website and how and where they are purchasing tickets, we currently utilize Google Anayltics to get a better overview of our audiences’ demograph-ics, get detailed statistics on the website’s traffic and traffic sources, as well as mea-sure conversions and sales. To the left is an overview of age, gender, location and what technology our patrons used during the 2014-15 season to access our website to find out the latest news and to purchase tickets to upcoming events.

Page 23: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Business Development

•AllOccasionTransportation•Amtrak•AnimusStudios•BankNewport•BankRI•BeltoneHearingAidCenters•Benrus•CareNewEngland•CentervilleBank•CharlestownRathskeller•Chelos/RhodyJoe’s•CoasttoCoastPromotions•CoventryLumber•ElitePhysicalTherapy•EWGardnerGolfCars•FinishingTouches•FlagshipTrailways•FredericksonFarms•GansettWraps•George’sofGalilee•HamptonInn 23

Rhody Sports Properties (RSP), a property of Learfield Sports, is a dedicated unit designed to support the University of Rhode Island Athletics, the Thomas M. Ryan Center and Bradford R. Boss Ice Arena’s initiative to enhance the service provided to local and regional businesses and further promote the Rhody brand affinity to the corporate community. RSP offers integrated marketing, advertising and promotional programs designed to reach Rhody fans and alumni throughout the state of Rhode Island. RSP manages all aspects of the multimedia rights including basketball radio and television broadcasts, signage and video boards, corporate suites and hospitality, retail and in-arena promotions, print advertising and advertising on GoRhody.com, TheRyanCenter.com and BossIceArena.com.

The Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena would like to thank all our corporate partners and look forward to the continued success through working with Rhody Sports Properties.

•Haxton’sLiquors•HowleyBreadGroup(PaneraBread)•HorizonBeverages(MillerCoors)•IBEWLocal#99•JanneyMontgomeryScott•KingstonPizza•MatunuckOysterBar•McKay’sFurniture•MewsTavern•Moe’sSouthwestGrill•NewportHarborHotel&Marina•NorthwesternMutual•PierLiquors•Porch.com•QuonsetDevelopmentCorporation•RandallRealtors•RhodeIslandAirportCorporation(TFGreen)•RhodeIslandBloodCenter•RhodeIslandDepartmentofTransportation•RhodeIslandLottery•RhodeIslandAirNationalGuard

•RhodyFresh•RIPTA•SavingsInstituteBank&Trust•Seascape•SheratonAirportHotel•SpringHillSuitesMarriott•Starkweather&Shepley•Subway(Emporium&BossIceArena)•SouthCountyOrthopedics•TheProutSchool•TheProvidenceJournal•TheVillageInn•TopShell(PizzaGourmet)•UniversitySportsPublications•URIAlumniAssociation•WakefieldLiquors•WesterlyCommunityCreditUnion•WirelessZone•Wright’sFarm

Page 24: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Partners

In 2013, the Ryan Center selected Spectra Ticketing & Fan Engagement (formerly Paciolan/New Era Ticketing), as their full-service ticketing company to support ticketing, marketing and fund-raising operations for the cutting-edge, multi-purpose facility. Spectra’s Ticketing & Fan Engagement division is a leader in ticketing, fundraising, marketing and analytics solutions with over 35 years of experience. Spectra Ticketing & Fan Engagement enables college athletic programs, arenas, professional sports, and performing arts clients to sell more than 120 million tickets per year.24

In 2009, Boston Culinary Group merged with Centerplate to become the official concessionaire at the Ryan Center. Centerplate is one of the largest hospitality companies in the world and is dedicated to delivering Craveable Experiences and Raveable Results to our many guests and clients. They devote themselves to providing our clients with a total solution platform that does much more than solely serve food.

URI Catering is the exclusive caterer for all functions within the Ryan Center including the luxury suites, birthday parties and pre-show event/dinners. The catering staff at the University of Rhode Island prides itself in the fine service which it provides to guests of the venue. Their services include: served dinners, buffets, receptions, luncheons and full service bakery.

In 2012, Boss Ice Arena upgraded their concessions at the ice rink by bringing in the largest single-brand restaurant chain globally, Subway, with an agreement with local franchisee, Paul Gencarelli, to provide food and beverage service to Boss Ice Arena patrons. Today, the SUBWAY® brand is the world’s largest submarine sandwich chain with more than 42,000 locations around the world. They have become the leading choice for people seeking quick, nutritious meals that the whole family can enjoy.

Page 25: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Partners

25

•Cox•BossProShop•2ndTimeAroundSports•RamsZone•KingstonFire•SKPolice•URIPolice•URIEMS•BankofAmerica•Gexpro•SeascapeLandscaping•ThePrinterPros•IngersollRand•Dunbar•Verizon

IATSE Local 23 has provided the Ryan Cen-ter with skilled labor necessary to undertake those functions associated with the arrival, performance and departure of concerts, speaking engagements and/or theatrical performances since 2004. Such skilled labor includes the movement and set up lighting and sound equipment, set up of props, sets, wardrobe and rigging of all show-related material/equipment.

Siemens is a global powerhouse in electron-ics and electrical engineering, and operates in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors. For more than 160 years, Siemens has built a reputation for leading-edge innovation and the quality of its products, services and solutions. Siemens has been a partner of the Ryan Cen-ter and Boss Ice Arena since 2003, handling various pieces of the equipment and building controls for both venues including all the work on the Ryan Center’s HVAC systems.

The Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena would like to thank all our Service Partners.

•Tennant•Likarr•Hyundai•WasteManagement•GreenMountain Concert Services•Bardon’s•HouseofGlass•EntertainmentEngineering•TheRightClick•EagleElevator•Daktronics•RICOH•NEISMA•Bart’sCarpet

•ATRTreehouse•BigBlueSolutions•Cintas•Milton/CAT•Banner•TheLockShop•AmericanAlarms•HusseySeating•PainSparkman•Ephesus•MetropolitanInteractive•JohnstonSupply•GraniteCityElectric

Page 26: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

New Technology

26

Main Video Board Specs• Dimensions are approximately

17 feet high x 38 feet wide • 10 millimeter line spacing -

nearly tripling the area for digital display as compared to the previous board

• Can be divided into separate windows to show a variety of graphics and animations, statistics, game information and sponsor messages

• Serves as the main scoreboard for URI basketball games

New Technology UpgradesWhen the University of Rhode Island Men’s and Women’s basketball teams opened the 2014-15 season at the Thomas M. Ryan Center this past fall, student-athletes, fans and opponents were able to experience a new game day atmosphere with brand new integrated display systems. The new technology, which was installed last summer, includes new main and auxillary LED video boards as well as an LED ribbon boards throughout the arena bowl, designed and manufactured by Daktronics, the world’s leading provider of full-color LED video displays.

“We were excited to continue our partnership with Daktronics, as our goal is to continually enhance our fan experience here at the Ryan Center for not only basketball games, but all concerts, shows and community events that we host,” said Leah Becki, General Manager of the Ryan Center “The new LED video boards and ribbon board were another significant step forward on the heels of the new LED lights that were installed prior to the 2013-14 season, to provide the very best experience for each patron that attends events at the Ryan Center. It also created opportunities for our multimedia rights holder, Rhody Sports Properties of Learfield Sports to generate additional sponsorship revenue.”

Auxilary Video Board Specs• Dimensions are approximately 8

feet high by 20 feet wide • 15 millimeter line spacing • Located at the north end of the

arena replacing the previous auxiliary video board

Ribbon Board Specs• Dimensions for the ribbon boards

are more than 2 feet high by more than 590 feet in length (320 degree coverage)

• Ribbon boards stretches along the fascia of the seating area in the arena and replaces the previous static backlit technology

• Along with the new video boards, the ribbon boards provide excellent image clarity and

contrast to provide high quality imagery to every seat in the arena, dramatically improving the capabilities of in-game sponsorship and fan experience elements for URI basketball

In addition to the new video and ribbon boards, the University also utilized the Daktronics Show Control System with this installation. This industry-leading system provides a combination of display control software, world-class video processing, data integration and playback hardware that forms a user-friendly production solution. For more information on Show Control, visit www.daktronics.com/show.

Page 27: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

ConcessionUpgrades

Developing and implementing new initiatives to further enhance our patrons’ experiences at the Ryan Center is always a top priority and this season was no different. Throughout this past year our most publicized and visible changes that significantly enhanced everyone’s enjoyment were the two new video boards and LED ribbon boards. However, the area that we had received the most recommendations and internally prioritized in improving not only aesthetically, but also the quality and perception, was of our concession stands. Below are a few new concession initiatives that we implemented this past season to improve our patron’s concession experience. If you weren’t able to enjoy our new offerings this past season we encourage you to taste for yourself…you won’t be disappointed.

1) Themed Concession Stands: As part of our efforts to improve not only the quality, but the perception of our concession stands, collaboratively with Centerplate we have developed specialized themed stands for all four concourse concession stands with new menu offerings. a. Mexican Stand (located on the West Concourse) features tacos, burritos and deluxe nacho offerings. b. Dog House (located on the East Concourse) features four (4) specialty foot long hot dogs, as well as serving Dunkin’ Donuts. c. Pizza Stand (located on the North Concourse) features slices of pizza made from Pizza Gourmet’s wood grilled pizza crust. d. Build-A-Burger Grill (located on the North Concourse) features the opportunity for patrons to build their own burger with as many hot and cold toppings as their heart desires. A new staple to our improved offerings, the Grill features 5.3 oz premium beef, in addition to Italian sausage and chicken sandwich for patrons to choose from to build their own sandwich.

2) Local Partners: We have been working for several years to integrate some of our corporate partners into our concessions operation, and this past summer we welcomed Dunkin’ Donuts and Pizza Gourmet inside the Ryan Center. We will also continue to explore other mutually beneficial relationships with our corporate partners in the coming years. a. Rhody runs on Dunkin’…Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee Express is located in the North Lobby and East Concourse concession stands serving hot coffee, iced coffee (East Concourse only) and hot chocolate. b. Pizza Gourmet…Rhode Island’s wood grilled pizza crust is now proudly the heart of our pizza stand with our switch from personal pan pizzas to single slices of pizza.

3) Digital Menu Boards: Nineteen (19) new 47” or 55” LED digital menu boards were added to replace the previous menu boards in each stand. As part of our aesthetics, revamping these digital menu boards also provide patrons a much clearer understanding of our menu offerings on multiple boards that have enabled us to make each menu item viewable for all patrons.

4) Rhody Pub: For select shows and community events we have worked with the University over the past few years to expand our patron’s event experience with the serving of beer and wine in a cordoned off area of our South Concourse called Rhody Pub, in addition to our premium areas (hospitality receptions and suites). This past Spring during the conference season, we began offering Rhody Pub service at men’s basketball games. Patrons must be 21 years or older to enter Rhody Pub and are required to show identification upon entering. Drinks must stay in the cordoned off area and beer and wine service begins when doors open and end one (1) hour prior to the end of the event. 27

Page 28: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

CUSTOMER FIRSTAll employees are

empowered to use all resources available

to serve internal and external customers

POSITIVE ATTITUDESolve problems

creatively by making decisions that positively

impact the entire organization.

GOLDEN RULETreat customers and

co-workers with complete respect,

fairness and courtesy.

24-HOUR RULEAct with an appropriate sense of urgency when responding to any and

all requests.

LISTENAsk open-ended

questions, be attentive and clarify understanding

to improve accuracy of responses

EVERYBODY SELLSSuggest and implement new ways to drive and

improve business.

THINK “YES”Consistently

demonstrate a can-do approach in thoughts

and actions.

ENTHUSIASM Work with a passion towards

achieving individual, team and organizational growth and success and encourage

others to do the same.

BE PROFESSIONAL Represent the Ryan Center, Boss Ice Arena and Global Spectrum in an ethical and

positive manner with all interactions.

DO IT NOWDeliver on the things you have committed

to doing and are accountable for

producing

TOP 10 PRINCIPALS

1

6

2

7

3

8

4

9

5

10

28

Not just a saying or a greeting…How You Doin’? (HYD) is a philosophy that runs deep through Spectra’s facilities and staffs. How You Doin’? is more than a way we greet our clients and guests. It’s a way of life at the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena. Whenever customers encounter a Ryan Center or Boss Ice Arena employee, they are greeted with a “How You Doin’?” and a big smile. HYD encourages all employees to engage in conversation with customers, not only to assist them and make their experience more enjoyable, but also for us to gauge our performance as a company. Employees report back to management any significant comments so they can be acted upon.

Besides this universal greeting, the HYD program also includes employee incentives, training for full and part-time staff members, tools to measure company performance and more. Both venues staffs are trained in the HYD philosophy, including the upgraded Top 5 principals that help us maintain a first-rate facility by providing top-notch service to our guests.

A HYD committee is in place at the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena featuring a representative from each department to create a fun and exciting work atmosphere. Some highlights from the HYD committee this past season were URI Pink Out, Staff Appreciation Night, our All Staff Training, URI Spirit of Giving Holiday Toy Drive, Holiday Gift Swap & Pot Luck and our Employee Effort of the Month recognition. In addition, as part of Comcast Cares Week, the management team at the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena headed out into the community to help two very deserving non-profit organizations within Rhode Island. Working with the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, our team assisted with preserving their gardens and helping to get it ready for the season. Our staff also worked with the North Kingstown Pet Refuge where we put our building skills to use to create a new fenced in area for storage items, in preparation for the refuge’s upcoming additions.

Page 29: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Customer Satisfaction Surveys

29

Customer satisfaction at the Ryan Center is an extremely important part of Spectra’s operation and in FY15 the Ryan Cen-ter used Survey Monkey for their client satisfaction survey system. Following specific events an email is sent to all ticket purchasers with an explanation of the survey and a link to an event specific survey. Our customers are asked to rate their experience at the facility in a variety of areas. These areas include building cleanliness, staff knowledge, concession opera-tions, will call experience, and overall impression of the facility. Below is some feedback from our URI Family Weekend comedy show featuring the host of NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”

Very Satisfied – 69%Satisfied – 26%Somewhat Satisfied - 4%Very Dissatisfied – 1%

How satisfied were you with the facilities at the Ryan Center?

45%49%

28%69%

30%68%

41%57%

Seth Meyers Comedy Show

Ticket Prices Extremely/Very Reasonable Satisfied Helpfulness of directional signs Extremely/Very Helpful Helpful

Box Office/Will Call Experience Extremely/Very Satisfied Satisfied

Recommend to friend/family/colleague Absolutely/Most Likely Likely

Page 30: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Testimonials

30

“In my role the synergy between our program and our facility at the Ryan Center is paramount to our success. In the time dealing with

Spectra I have observed and am thankful for their clear understanding of what it means to have a professional

approach towards every day operations. From the daily communication of events, the upkeep of all aspects of the facility and the timeliness with which access to our court is given I have only the highest praise for the entire staff and operation. Obviously the success of our program has a great deal to do with the players on the floor. However from an operational standpoint every detail needs to be respected and taken care of in order for our basketball

operation to be successful. Spectra ensures that this happens on a daily basis.“

– Kevin Tirone, Director of Basketball Operations, Rhode Island Men’s Basketball

“Over the past few years I have had the great pleasure of working with the Ryan

Center a few times. I have to say that out of the 75 venues I work with every year, the Ryan Center is the most accommodating.

This is a first class team and I look forward to the opportunity to work with them in

the future. I wish all the venues I work with were as dedicated to creating an all-around

great experience as the Ryan Center.”

– Zach Samson, Life In Color

“Regarding the Spectra management team that assists my event, I have to say there is

none finer. The professionalism I receive is nothing short of the best. Spectra’s attentiveness can be seen

from the cleanliness of the facility, friendliness of the staff, amenities that are offered to the promoter, box

office services, security and the perfection that an IT Department can provide you. I am fortunate to

promote my events in two Spectra managed facilities and other buildings across New England. I do receive great attention in all, but when it comes to going the

extra yard, the Ryan Center staff led by GM Leah Becki is head and shoulders above them all.”

– Dean Appleman, All Seasons Promotions (SRI Home Show)

“My program, Rhode Island Operation: Military Kids has had several events at the Arena and I have always had excellent experiences using the facility! We have hosted Rhode Island military families at the Arena for celebrations of the Month of the Military Child and for skating sessions at our Family Camps. I also referred my colleagues at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State to the Arena

as a venue for one of their marketing events with great success. Boss Ice Arena is the best-kept secret

in South County!”

– Pamela P. Martin. ED, Program Coordinator, Rhode Island Operation: Military Kids

Page 31: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Future Outlook

31

The positive relationship between Spectra Venue Management and The University of Rhode Island continues to foster a strong foundation for success as we enter our fourteenth season as operators of the Thomas M. Ryan Center and Bradford R. Boss Ice Arena. We are constantly looking to be progressive in bringing a diverse lineup of events for all audiences; while improving the operations of both venues and providing great customer service and fan experiences to the thousands of patrons visiting Southern New England’s Premier Multipurpose Venue and Ice Arena on a weekly basis.

Following breakout seasons by both the men’s and women’s basketball programs this past season, this upcoming season promises to be not only an exciting one but also potentially a historical season. Many college basketball experts project Coach Hurley’s young Rams to contend for the A10 conference title and gain an at-large berth in the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, marking the first NCAA tournament team since the Rams played in Keaney Gymnasium. After last year, the most successful season the women’s basketball program under Coach La-Force has had in 10 years, the team is expected to continue with that intensity by surpassing the success from last year. We are also excited for the second year in a row to host Rhody Madness; college basketball’s annual event that celebrates the beginning of the college basketball season. Partnering with Rhode Island Athletics and the URI Student Entertainment Committee, we are thrilled to once again feature a special guest performer to entertain the crowd following the basketball activities portion of the event.

In addition to the excitement this upcoming basketball season presents, our 2015-16 show season is already off to a fantastic start with five (5) shows on sale for the Fall including: URI Family Weekend featuring comedy legends Steve Martin and Martin Short, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Live on Stage!, Gala of the Royal Horses as well as ZEDD and Passion Pit concerts. In addition, two soon to be announced country concerts are booked for this Fall and Winter, marking the first collaboration with Live Nation and our second show with national country music promoter, Police Productions, who previously brought us Justin Moore along with Randy Houser and Josh Thompson.

With the continued support of the University of Rhode Island we look forward to seeing you at the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena this upcoming season. Don’t miss out on an exciting 2015-16 season full of entertaining shows, exciting basketball, hockey and new fan experiences.

Page 32: FY15 Ryan Center Annual Report

Thomas M. Ryan CenterOne Lincoln Almond PlazaKingston, RI 02881Phone: 401-788-3200www.theryancenter.com

Bradford R. Boss Ice ArenaOne Keaney RoadKingston, RI 02881Phone: 401-874-4988www.bossicearena.com


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