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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAP 2008-06-09 Item 2A - Update - Rock and Roll MarathonTO: Mayor Community Affairs Parks FROM: Tourism Marketing Program Manager DATE: May 28, 2008 SUBJECT: Rock Roll Marathon Sponsorship ISSUE Contract with Elite Racing for the City of Tukwila to be a Major Sponsor for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Rock "n" Roll Seattle Marathon 1 /2 Marathon and host of the Official Start Line. BACKGROUND As a final event for the Tukwila Life centennial campaign and in an effort to promote the campaign beyond the centennial celebrations, staff is recommending the City of Tukwila become a Major Sponsor of the Rock "n" Roll Seattle Marathon and 1 /2 Marathon and host the Start Line. It will be a signature National Event in the Greater Seattle Region with an anticipated 20,000 to 30,000 participants (60 80% are out of area visitors) with an anticipated $20 $40 million in economic Impact for the region and an estimated $5M to 10M for Tukwila specifically The Marathon is planned as a signature kick -off event for the Seafair festival in late June 2009 and includes partnerships with the City of Seattle, King County, Seattle Sports Commission, Seattle Convention Visitors Bureau, national corporate sponsors, etc. The marathon is a huge health and fitness initiative fitting perfectly into the vision and mission of the Tukwila Life campaign. There will be live entertainment every mile of the route and will be broadcast on Fox Sports Net (FSN). Finally, the Marathon also provides the city with an excellent opportunity to practice its emergency response ICS system. As a matter of research and background, a team of five staff members including Stephanie Gardner, Parks Recreation Administrative Secretary; Chris Flores, Fire Assistant Chief; Hillman Mitchell, Public Works Emergency Management Coordinator; Karla Lindula, Tourism Marketing Communications Coordinator; Katherine Kertzman, Tourism Marketing Manager participated in a familiarization VIP site tour of the San Diego Rock "n" Roll Marathon the weekend of May 30 31 2008 where extensive interviews were conducted and numerous photographs and video was shot. This research was paid by the Lodging Tax Fund. DISCUSSION The Rock "n" Roll running events in San Diego, Arizona and Nashville are the largest marathons created since 1998, all of them larger than the Boston Marathon (110 years old). Elite Racing invests over $1 million in national advertising and marketing for each race, which means first year events have between 12,000 and 29,000 runners, instead of the usual 1,000 2,000 runners for regional marathons. Event Components include: Full Marathon (26.2 miles) Half Marathon (13.1 miles) Kids Running Event Charity Fundraiser Two -day Health Fitness Expo (free admission) 45 -60 local bands and thousands of high school cheerleaders along the route Post -Race Concert featuring a national headlining act As a host city we are asked to provide course expenses including police services, fire and ambulance services, road closure equipment and staffing, water hydrant usage, city sanitation (street sweepers, clean- up, trash removal and disposal), and waiver of license and permit fees. All proposal requirements for bringing a Rock `n' Roll Marathon to the Greater Seattle Area are open to a creative mix and -match to formulate an agreement that will be mutually agreeable and beneficial. Budget impacts: There is no additional budget request for this item at this time. There will be a significant budget expense in future years. Although we are still negotiating the sponsorship amount, we know it will be over $25,000 and will require Council approval. We will know the proposed contract amount before this item is brought to the Finance and Safety Committee. If approved, the cost for this sponsorship will be included in the 2009 budget and completely paid out of lodging tax funds. This item is tentatively scheduled to be on the June 17, 2008 Finance and Safety Committee agenda with a recommendation to forward to the whole Council for approval. This item is tentatively scheduled for Council consideration at the COW meeting on June 23, 2008 and for approval at the special meeting that immediately follows on the same night. Since we're asking for approval the same night, staff wanted to provide some advance information to the Community Affairs and Parks Committee because CAP has been involved in many of the Centennial and community event issues. RECOMMENDATION No action is requested from the Community Affairs and Parks Committee. This item is as information only.