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W Budget From page A6
The Public Assembly Facilities Department oversees operations of the 30-year-old Tacoma Dome, which is one of the largest wood-domed structures in the world with seating configurations that can accommodate 5,000 to 23,000; the recently renovated Cheney Stadium, the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, which offers more than 119,000 square feet of flexible event space; the 37,000square-foot Bicentennial Pavilion; the historic Pantages Theater and Rialto Theater; as well as the 302-seat Theater on the Square. Contracts with the Rainiers baseball team covers Cheney Stadium bookings, while Broadway Center for the Performing Arts covers the theater, which leaves the convention spaces and the Dome under city booking authority, and that effort has been lagging. The convention center’s main ballroom was only used 56 percent of the time, with 206 days in use, while its exhibition hall was used even less, at 44 percent or 159 days, this year. The industry benchmark is between 50 and 70 percent. The Dome averages about 85 events a year. Competition from Key Arena and other venues in the region have cut into Tacoma bookings. To battle that trend, the city has commissioned a report on tourism spending and strategies that will be presented in December. Moving forward, Hanson noted that the core staff can handle the cuts internally since a review of the events calendar showed that no additional workers are needed for 309 days out of the calendar year. The remaining 15 percent, or 56 days, when the convention center has an event can be handled through outside vendors rather than full-time city workers. “It’s the scheduling that creates the demand,” he said. “It’s not the number of events; it’s how they fall.” The lack of events at the convention center has led to a need for $1.2 million from the General Fund this year to shore up the department’s bottom line and a projected $895,000 next year, according to city documents. Shifting the marketing efforts away from city staff and to the Tacoma Regional Convention + Visitor Bureau will enable the convention center to have three regional sales
people, one national sales person and one sales representative in Washington, D.C., which is seen as a key feeder location for landing conventions for national associations. The change, which is more in line with trade standards, will allow for flexibility in trade shows and familiarization tours of the facility as well. Hanson pointed out during his presentation that the same marketing efforts would have cost the city about $700,000 a year if they were done inhouse by city workers. The details of the contract are being worked out after about two years of informal discussions prompted by the recessionary cuts to city funding that have intensified with the current budget shortfall of $63 million facing the city. The presentation to the City Council marked the first green light to move forward. “Now we will begin to really iron out those details,” TRCVB President and CEO Bennish Brown. The notion of having the TRCVB market the convention center was first floated as the facility was under construction eight years ago. The lagging performance and the budget crisis sped up those talks. “I think it really never left the table,” Brown said. But now the days of having the city market the facility seem numbered. The change comes on the heels of a shift in leadership at the city’s Public Assembly Facilities Department. City Manager T.C. Broadnax appointed Kim Bedier to the director’s post earlier this fall. Bedier has more than 20 years of experience in venue management. She was formerly the general manager of the Comcast Arena in Everett, where she oversaw a $9 million operational budget. Her first day was yesterday. “I’m extremely excited to join the City of Tacoma,” said Bedier. “I look forward to collaborating with the community and its leadership to enhance the great things already happening with the public venues. I welcome the opportunity to work with the existing team to explore the potential that exists here.” As the new public assembly facilities director, Bedier will oversee the Tacoma Dome; Cheney Stadium; Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center; Bicentennial Pavilion; Pantages Theater, Rialto Theater and Theater on the Square.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PCAF
EARLY YEARS. Fifteen years ago, ca. 1997, Jeannie Darneille was a visionary and
compassionate leader of Pierce County AIDS Foundation, a woman whose dedication to the sick and dying earned her much love and respect.
W PCAF From page A1
shoulders of giants, but that’s what we’re all doing in this field – we all are standing on the shoulders of the folks who started these missions years ago. This is the time to think back and remember those who have died, but also to remember those who have been fighting for a long time and use that to motivate us in going forward.” In conjunction with the “PCAF: 25 Years of Service” event, the Foundation asked local artists to create works of art around the image of the iconic red ribbon, the symbol of solidarity in the fight against AIDS for the past three decades. Ten artists answered the call and created thoughtful and moving artworks that will be sold at a silent auction during the Dec. 1 commemoration. For those wishing to get a preview of “ART FOR AIDS: Ribbons of Remembrance,” stop by Corina Bakery (604 Fawcett Ave.) to view the pieces up close and pick your favorite. At the Dec. 1 commemorative gala, welcoming remarks will be given by Benjii Biddle, deputy executive director at Broadway Center. Other speakers will include Wilkerson, PCAF board president Judith Billings and board member Rev. Spencer Barrett who will speak on the topic of World AIDS Day. Wilkerson, who took the helm at PCAF in 2007 upon Darneille’s leaving, said Darneille was the first person he met here in the field of HIV/AIDS. The two felt a common bond right from the start. “When this position opened, she was one of the reasons I was interested in PCAF
because it had such a good reputation,” Wilkerson said. “On my second day on the job she sent me a bouquet of flowers, saying I’m so glad they chose you.” He said Darneille remains the staunchest advocate in the legislature for people with HIV/AIDS. “In her service as a state representative, she has been the leader in saving and keeping AIDS prevention and care dollars. She has been a major drive and force, whether as executive director or in the legislature.” Darneille’s work to keep PCAF strong has also contributed to the Foundation being able to reach affected populations outside of Pierce County. Last month PCAF officially completed its merger with United Communities AIDS Network (UCAN) to provide HIV/ AIDS care and prevention services for Thurston and Lewis counties. PCAF has retained UCAN’s Olympia office as well so that clients in that area won’t have to travel far to receive services. To celebrate the merger, on Nov. 28 PCAF will hold a public open house at the Olympia office (317 4th Ave. E.) from 4-5:30 p.m. RSVP to ajones@piercecountyaids.org or call (360) 352-2375. “UCAN is really an example of what’s happening across the country with non-profits. With limited resources, agencies are starting to merge to reduce administrative costs,” Wilkerson said. “Our challenge right now is to work with Thurston and Lewis counties and find out what it means to be an agency that now serves three counties and not just Pierce County.” Tickets to “PCAF: 25 Years of Service” must be ordered in advance at www.piercecountyaids.org. For more information, call (253) 383-2565.