Calgary to Host 2015/16 Official NHL Season-Opening Celebration

[mac_82]

I was there 6-8pm. The place was dead, which was really unfortunate. But it seems like no one knew about it. There was 0 marketing and promo done for the event. I would say there were a few thousand people there. And there was a lot of $$$ spent by sponsors on set up and activation. There were great tents, get your own Upper Deck hockey card, free Tim Hortons, food trucks, Scotiabank scarves, autograph booths, beer gardens...and no line ups for anything.

[Otto-matic]

Yeah we stayed until the end and it was a ghost town after the 2nd intermission. Beer gardens was pretty dead.

It was unfortunate because the event was actually really fun to attend, Fitz and the other bands rocked. Beer was a bit pricey but that's expected.

[Joborule]

I would say not much people knew about it. I'm surprised by the lack of marketing for it.

[TurdFerguson]

The only reason I knew about it was because I drove by while they were setting up. terrible marketing, IMO.

[nieuwy-89]

Originally Posted by mac_82

I was there 6-8pm. The place was dead, which was really unfortunate.

That is really too bad. I keep hoping for Calgary to land a major NHL event like the draft or an all-star game. Poor turnout for a fun event like this will not bode well for Calgary hosting special events in the future.

[BigT112]

Originally Posted by nieuwy-89

That is really too bad. I keep hoping for Calgary to land a major NHL event like the draft or an all-star game. Poor turnout for a fun event like this will not bode well for Calgary hosting special events in the future.

I think the failure was in marketing. I heard nothing of this event until yesterday morning when they plugged it on the Fan. Someone at the NHL dropped the ball in getting the word out I think. I really don't think there would be a problem with attendance for an All Star Game or Draft. Unfortunately, the Saddledome is holding back such events. Won't come to Calgary until a new building is built.

[Sainters7]

Wow crazy to hear, I just assumed it'd be packed. Actually I had kinda wished I had gone, but after seeing the one reporter live on location, judging by looking at the people hanging around her and in the background, it looked like it was predominantly 20 year olds there. Which made me relieved I didn't go.

[Superflyer]

I heard about this for the first time about 2 weeks ago on breakfast television when they first announced it. So with only 2 weeks to get word out is not much.
Also I think the issue was where it was located and the fact that it was in the middle of the week. It worked well for people wanting to go to the game but by the time people get off work, go home, change, pick up the family then head back downtown they may have just said Ah screw it.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Wow crazy to hear, I just assumed it'd be packed. Actually I had kinda wished I had gone, but after seeing the one reporter live on location, judging by looking at the people hanging around her and in the background, it looked like it was predominantly 20 year olds there. Which made me relieved I didn't go.

Damn no good youths, going out in the community to be part of an event for their favourite local sports team

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Wow crazy to hear, I just assumed it'd be packed. Actually I had kinda wished I had gone, but after seeing the one reporter live on location, judging by looking at the people hanging around her and in the background, it looked like it was predominantly 20 year olds there. Which made me relieved I didn't go.

The area was huge. There were tons of families down there, just likely not hanging out in the beer gardens or right in front of the stage where they'd need to put a camera to show a decent crowd.

[calgaryrocks]

yea, I would agree a lack of marketing was the biggest thing. All I heard was that there would be a kickoff party....but no explanation of what there would be etc. I think if I had kids I would have made the effort, but would have left before gametime. 8pm game in middle of week means I want to be home to watch it and not be out at 10:30 trying to get home. Plus it is sorta brutal to park there (I know, no excuse, take the train, beautiful night etc).
Actually, I had other things that needed to be done at home sadly.

[Nammer403]

Originally Posted by calgaryrocks

8pm game in middle of week means I want to be home to watch it and not be out at 10:30 trying to get home. Plus it is sorta brutal to park there (I know, no excuse, take the train, beautiful night etc).
Actually, I had other things that needed to be done at home sadly.

Agreed, if this was on a Saturday I wouldve went

[JBR]

Too much distance between the party and the Dome. Speaks to the need for an arena district.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by heep223

Damn no good youths, going out in the community to be part of an event for their favourite local sports team

It was more the I would've felt like a narc thing

[hockey.modern]

Doesn't help that the Saddledome was hosting it's own pre-game party as well.

[Freeway]

Wednesday night game and the NHL really dropped the ball on promoting it.

[btimbit]

I would have went if I had known about it