Latest Articles

Concessions Tip November 2019

Expect The Unexpected

By: Shawn Corr, UNLV

When I was sitting and listening to the presentation on Evacuation Procedures at the Penn State conference, it made me think back to the article that I started to write about a year ago. Still not quite what I was looking for, but it explains what we are thinking whenever we have an event going on.

October 1^st, 2017 is a day that changed Las Vegas Forever. Route 91 Harvest Festival did everything right, from bag checks to metal detectors. Everything that they could control was handled. Even with all these precautions, chaos ensued. The response was chaotic, heroic, and calculated.

Whether it is a football game of over 100 thousand or a concert of under 10,000, you always want events to run flawless and never expect something to happen. This is something that is always in the back of your mind, and you have an idea of what you need to do, but in the words of Prussian Commander Helmuth von Meltke “No battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy”. Mike Tyson simplified this a bit when he said, “Everybody has a plan until I hit them”. How would your plan work? Have you thought of all of the things that are needed? Is everybody on the same page and know the plan?

Commanders intent describes the desired end goal. You need to empower your staff with the end goal, but realize that the best laid plans may not get you to the goal, if obstacles appear. Does your staff have the ability and empowerment to change the plan to get to the intended finish?

I never want to have to use an evacuation plan, and hope that nobody else has to either, but that is not reality in our modern world. We can only control what is in our circle, but we need to know how to deal with what we cannot control. Bottom line is that product and money is replaceable, but human life is not and we need to ensure that what we do helps to save lives when needed.

Concession Tip July 2019

Make the Health Department your Best Friend

By: Chris Lauber, University of North Dakota at R.E Arena

When I talk to concessions managers or people in food service about the health department, I usually get negative responses. People tend to dislike the heath inspector and complain they are mean and are out to get you. I know from experience people dislike when the inspector shows up because they know they are not doing everything correctly. If your operation was in complete compliance you should have no concerns when they show up.

From my experience, the health department inspector should be your best friend and if somehow it was possible, I would have them at all my events. Most inspectors don't want to give you a bad score, they are there to insure your operation is not endangering the public. If they see a concern they most likely want to educate you on the situation so that you can correct it. I will admit, there are some bad inspectors out there. Here in the great north, I work closely with my health inspector. In fact he has called me once to ask how I was doing something for the other arena in town. Just this week, I called my inspector to ask about a new food item and the holding unit temperature. After telling him my concerns and providing some information from the vender, my health inspector gave me the go ahead. If I started selling this item without his approval, once he came to inspect I would have been cited and had to then try to change his mind, however because I was proactive we are already good to go. He is shocked I call him for advice as no one in town takes the time to do it.

So, call your health inspector now and start building a positive relationship with them. It will pay off in the end for both you and them.

2019 PENN STATE CONFERENCE

NACC

25^TH ANNIVERSARY

When the NACC incorporated 25 years ago Ron Athey took on the challenge of running the organization as the fist Executive Director.  Without Ron the NACC would not be what it is today.  In 2003 Ron retired and passed on the torch to me (Theresa Traulsen), it has been my honor and pleasure to serve as the NACC Executive Director for 16 conferences.  September 2018 Chuck Aldridge stepped up and is now the new Executive Director for the NACC. 

There are so many managers and vendors not in the industry any longer or they have passed away.  They all took a part in making the NACC what it is today. 

Below are a several members that helped shape the NACC organization.  A few of us look a little younger back then.

Ron and Marge Athey with Theresa Traulsen

Guy – Michigan State one of the NACC founders       Terry – Wisconsin one of the NACC founders

Ron and George                                                “Get on the Bus” George

Ben – FSU                                                         Bill - UA

                Mickey -Mickey Peanuts, Bob - CSI                Lowell Hickman from UA
                & Kevin - State Street

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Concession Tip February 2019

Throwback Pricing

By: John Gibson, University of North Texas

Just before Christmas, the North Texas Men’s Basketball Team captured a big-time victory on the road over the New Mexico Lobos.  This win continued a tremendous start to the season for the Mean Green, with 13 wins and only 1 loss; matching the best start in school history since 1953.   The opportunity to set the school’s all-time best start to a season presented itself during the upcoming Conference USA Home Opener on January 3rd.  Because of this chance, UNT Athletic Department leadership wanted to create a special environment for the team and help increase attendance for this opportunity.

To accomplish this goal, our Ticket Office, Marketing Team and Concessions Operation partnered together and created the “Throwback Game” to increase fan interest and attendance at the game.  General Admission Tickets were reduced to $5, throwback UNT logo’d T-shirts were produced as a giveaway for fans, and our Concessions Operations offered $1 Popcorn and $1 Regular Sodas during the game vs Louisiana Tech.  While popcorn and sodas are typically a Concessions Operation’s highest profit margin items, the price of Beer, Bottled Water and all other food/snack items remained at regular price.  The thought process was that enough fans would attend this first Conference game and visit the Concession Stands to make the event profitable.

Did It Work?

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