Friday, April 30, 2010, 4:54pmCircus comes to amaze, thrill and spend
The Business Review (Albany) .
When the circus comes to town, they will more than just perform acts that amaze and thrill.
They will spend.
The mile-long train bringing Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey to Albany, New York, arrives next Tuesday for nine shows running from May 6-9.
When they depart, they will have spent about $1.2 million, said Tom Albert, vice president of Feld Entertainment, the parent company and producer of Ringling Bros. as well as other attractions such as Disney on Ice.
Most of the 300 performers stay on the train during their Albany stay. (The circus has been coming to Albany every year since 1919). Those working with the animals stay with the animals either on RVs or within the Times Union Center.
But the circus calculates it spends about $1.2 million for the nearly week-long visit. Albert said that spending includes taxes, renting the Times Union Center, local supplies, produce for the animals, sugar for cotton candy, among other ideas.
“That doesn’t include the money people pay at the arena,” he said.
And Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey estimate some 50,000 people will come to this year’s circus, titled Zing Zang Zoom, which has a magic theme. For example, “Zingmaster” Alex Ramon will make a four-ton elephant appear to disappear.
In the past five years, 250,000 people have attended the circus at the Times Union Center. Tickets sell for between $15 and $100.
Bob Belber, the Times Union Center’s general manager, said the circus has been a great act to host.
“We’ve obviously seen hug crowds, lots of families that enjoy the circus,” he said. “The circus has a huge impact on our market. The downtown businesses and restaurants really survive as a result of the events that take place here at the building.”
Feld produces some seven or eight different acts, including monster truck shows, that come to the Times Union Center. Belber said Feld operates a third of the events coming to the center.
“It’s very important in my mind that we continue to develop that relationship,” Belber said. “It’s a win-win for both them and the facility—and our market.”
Albert said Albany has been a good venue for Ringling Bros.
“You can’t compare it to Madison Square Garden [in New York City],” Albert said. “But to comparable markets, I think it’s pretty good. Obviously, we keep coming back.”
They will spend.
The mile-long train bringing Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey to Albany, New York, arrives next Tuesday for nine shows running from May 6-9.
When they depart, they will have spent about $1.2 million, said Tom Albert, vice president of Feld Entertainment, the parent company and producer of Ringling Bros. as well as other attractions such as Disney on Ice.
Most of the 300 performers stay on the train during their Albany stay. (The circus has been coming to Albany every year since 1919). Those working with the animals stay with the animals either on RVs or within the Times Union Center.
But the circus calculates it spends about $1.2 million for the nearly week-long visit. Albert said that spending includes taxes, renting the Times Union Center, local supplies, produce for the animals, sugar for cotton candy, among other ideas.
“That doesn’t include the money people pay at the arena,” he said.
And Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey estimate some 50,000 people will come to this year’s circus, titled Zing Zang Zoom, which has a magic theme. For example, “Zingmaster” Alex Ramon will make a four-ton elephant appear to disappear.
In the past five years, 250,000 people have attended the circus at the Times Union Center. Tickets sell for between $15 and $100.
Bob Belber, the Times Union Center’s general manager, said the circus has been a great act to host.
“We’ve obviously seen hug crowds, lots of families that enjoy the circus,” he said. “The circus has a huge impact on our market. The downtown businesses and restaurants really survive as a result of the events that take place here at the building.”
Feld produces some seven or eight different acts, including monster truck shows, that come to the Times Union Center. Belber said Feld operates a third of the events coming to the center.
“It’s very important in my mind that we continue to develop that relationship,” Belber said. “It’s a win-win for both them and the facility—and our market.”
Albert said Albany has been a good venue for Ringling Bros.
“You can’t compare it to Madison Square Garden [in New York City],” Albert said. “But to comparable markets, I think it’s pretty good. Obviously, we keep coming back.”
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