FIFTH MEETING OF THE YEAR 2009 -
MARKHAM THEATRE ADVISORY BOARD
TOWN OF
Canada Room,
NOTES
ATTENDANCE:
Present Staff
Brian
Harvey Eric
Lariviere
David
Banfield Debbie Watson
Simon
Gulden
Pat
Kincaid
Mario
Miranda
Regrets
Bonnie
Armstrong
Dennis
Cline
Nancy
Cogger
Neil
Fernandez
Jennifer
Kah
Genny
Landis
Michael
Landry
Elizabeth
Richardson
John
Ryerson
Isabel
Schnapp
Wendy
Woof-Severn
The
meeting convened at the hour of
1.0 CALL TO ORDER AND CHAIR’S OPENING
REMARKS
·
no
quorum
2.0 ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM
THEATRE FOR PER- FORMING ARTS ADVISORY BOARD MEETINGS HELD ON MARCH 23 AND
·
held
to next meeting
3.0 ADDITIONS/CHANGES
TO AGENDA
3.1 Regional
Councillor Tony Wong
The Theatre
Advisory Board would like to express it’s condolences to the family of Regional
Councillor Tony Wong. Tony was a strong and
long time supporter of the theatre, and the Board recognizes his efforts,
particularly his support of multi-cultural programming.
To show
it’s appreciation, the Board would like to dedicate the 25th
Anniversary Season opening performance of “The Nylons” in Tony’s memory.
4.0 BUSINESS
ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
5.0 MANAGER’S
REPORT
5.1 July,
August and September Events
·
July
has less dark days than last year
·
number
of events in August; venue was closed last year due to renovations
·
September
comparable to last year
·
The
estimated rental revenue to end of year - $481K vs. $545K actuals in 2008; we need to rent approximately 20 to 28 days
to make up difference; June, November and December have historically many
commercial rentals;
·
We
will be contacting past clients and trying to be flexible in order to get new
clients
·
We
received very positive e-mail from Ovation Performing Arts re theatre staff and
service
·
Mgr
reports the observation that we have outstanding customer service and should
use this strategy to position our marketing for rentals
5.2 PES
Sales Update
·
$154,691
in subscription sales to June 15th; $12,719 ahead of last year
·
It
is noted that we have reached 26% of the annual budget, if we use the fiscal
year as the goal; it is suggested to use the PES budget to benchmark our
performance, and as well follow-up the fiscal budget and adjust for 2010 if
appropriate; we expect that a number of shows should do better during single
ticket sales;
·
with
the goal to maximise our marketing investement, we will delay the circulation
of the single ticket brochure until after Labour Day;
·
we
have been active at reaching out with:
o
booths
and tables at community events -
§
Unionville
Festival
§
Markham
Music Festival
§
We
will attend Taste of Asia next weekend
o
more
aggressive approach
o
researching
grant opportunities
o
meeting
with the Town’s Economic Development Department and the French Consul General
·
management
will conduct an internal review of operations during the summer, report in
September, thus leading to a possible Markham Theatre strategic plan.
6.0 SUB-COMMITTEE
REPORTS
6.1 Financial Performance and Business Plan
Tracking – Michael Landry, Chair; Brian Harvey, Mario
Miranda, Pat Kincaid, David Banfield
·
good results
for May but still behind budget
·
PES – can we
recover in the fall? some but not all;
average value of rentals will make a difference
·
see
turnaround in September
·
continue to have
Finance Committee meetings in the summer; next meeting is July 16th,
8:30 am
6.2 Fundraising and Sponsorship
Development
- Neil
Fernandez, Chair; Jennifer Kah, Genny Landis, Dennis Cline, Nancy Cogger, David
Tsubouchi, Wendy Woof-Severn, Simon Gulden
·
want
to meet with 25th Anniversary Committee
·
$62.5K
for 08-09 season
·
$33K
for 09-10
·
report
prepared lacked clarity; theatre manager to review with staff for next meeting
·
Mgr
and staff will be meeting with sponsors for renewals;
·
Tenors
gala dinner tickets sold out; 244 tickets for Friday; 164 for Saturday.
6.3 25th Anniversary Committee
– Mayor
Frank Scarpitti, Honorary Chair; Dennis Cline and Mario Miranda, Co-Chairs; Bonnie
Armstrong, Simon Gulden, John Ryerson, Elizabeth Richardson
·
joint meeting
with Sponsorship Committee
·
goals and
objectives revisited
o
special
programming and events – marquee events
o
public
relations and outreach – re-engage people who haven’t been in contact with the
theatre in years
o
sponsorship
and marketing – seeking significant involvement at political level
·
staff already
participating in current community events
·
get message
out about meaning of 25th Anniversary
7.0 NEW
BUSINESS
·
Entertainment
Committee of Mayor’s Olympic Torch Relay Committee
·
Suggesting
Leahy and Family Christmas Show the day before the Gala
·
Richmond Hill
starting a movie program Sundays
·
Our projector
supposed to be installed by the end of August
8.0 DATE OF
NEXT MEETING
Monday,
September 28th, 2009, 5:30 p.m.
Canada
Room, Markham Civic Centre
9.0 ADJOURNMENT
·
6:30 p.m.