HomeMy WebLinkAboutOktoberfest - Community Advisory Council - 2018-05-22
A CTION M INUTES
C OMMITTEE: Community Advisory Council D ATE: Tuesday, May 22, 2018
L OCATION: Concordia Club – Jägerstube T IME: Noon
C HAIR: Tim Beckett R ECORDER: Carol Tucker
Tim Anderson, Monica Anstett, Larry Blundell, Paul Buttinger, Bill Creighton, Jennifer Eddings, Stephanie Egan, Diane Freeman, Henning
P RESENT
Grumme, Gary Hallam, Scott Henderson, Margo Jones, Karl Kiefer, Alex Kinsella, Bryan Larkin, Geoff Lorentz, Alfred Lowrick, Ian McLean,
Michael Melling, Bill Poje, Werner Schlueter, Dave Schnider, Glen Walker, Kirstin Wever
Tim Beckett, Patti Brooks, Mike Collins, Brenda Halloran, Linda Jutzi, Rob Kerr, David Mendler, Minto Schneider, Tracy Van Kalsbeek,
R EGRETS
Berry Vrbanovic
A BSENT Mike Abbott, Neil Aitchison, Murray Costello, Greg Durocher, Eric Gillespie, Richard Hepditch, Brian Hopkins, Bil Ioannidis, Kim Kugler,
Owen Lackenbauer, John Rehill, Rhonda Richmond, Reinhard Schmidt, Paul Schneider, Nicky Schroder, Carol Sherban, Lucinda Wallace,
Carl Zehr
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Chair’s Welcome &
nd
Scott Henderson, KWO’s 2 VP, welcomed and thanked everyone for attending today’s CAC.
Introductions
Round table introductions were done.
(Scott Henderson)
136 days until the official keg tapping at Carl Zehr Square and so much to do!!
President’s Report
Welcome new members to the CAC. We value your insight and support of our community festival!
(Margo Jones)
th
50 Anniversary Update:
o Commemorative book is receiving final touches
o Stamp – coin & stamp show
th
o 50 Pin
o 50 Accordion players – Walter Ostanek organizing
nd
o Celebration Concert – Sept 22
st
o Kitchener Ranger’s Hockey Jersey – 1 Friday of the festival. Auctioning off jerseys at the event
and online. Some extra jerseys will be available for other special events like the silent auction
at Gala Ball
o Porsche Lottery – approved. Tickets will be on sale shortly. However, if you want to let me
know today – I can certainly put your name on the list for 1, 2 or 3 tickets. Price $100 or 3 for
$250
o OktoberCorps – over 300 participants from across Ontario and even some from parts of the US
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gathered at RIM Park Saturday, May 12 at RIM Park … amazing. This group will meet one
more time and participate in the parade.
o Parade – new floats being created for the special anniversary
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o May 9 – tickets went on sale for all Festhallen. The first time we have had a unified ticket
release. Great response for ticket sales … and for people to be talking about Oktoberfest in
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MAY!! Great job by our marketing teams and the festhallen partners.
New German Beer – As this is the last year of the 3 year contract with Molson they have opened up
the contract with some stipulations that we can offer a German beer. Alfred will provide an update
as to the status.
stnd
FINAL WORDS – thanks to Tim Beckett, 1 VP … Scott Henderson, 2 VP … and the staff at KWO.
SPECIAL THANKS to Paul Buttinger & the special task force members who was instrumental in the entire
process of securing LOT42 for our new Festhalle. With this new Festhalle, the future is much brighter for
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest – the festival owned by the residents of Kitchener & Waterloo.
Executive Director’s
Alfred will send his report to me.
Report (Alfred
Thanks to Conestoga College, Gary Hallam. There is an event planning program at Conestoga College
Lowrick)
and we have hired 1 person and hopefully 2 by the end of the day. Natalie Martin has returned as our
ticketing coordinator. We will be hiring someone in June to help Ana with basic bookkeeping /
reception duties.
The store is now open on Thursday and Friday from noon – 5 p.m.
There have been 3 german beer companies (Hacker, Erdinger and HB) that we are talking to. At this
point nothing is confirmed. Next year we may look at other or more opportunities.
th
50 Anniversary Concert Proposal: Concept of providing a celebration “gift” to the community with a
limited price (i.e. $20 or $35). Net ticket revenue will go to the food bank or other charity. Many
options are being considered and we are working with our media partners and City of Kitchener and
LOT42.
Opportunities for parade marshals and opening ceremonies are also be worked on with the same
partners.
The Kitchener Rangers Jerseys will be worn by the Rangers at one game during the festival. The
jerseys will be auctioned off to raise funds either on-line or at the game or a combination of both.
th
The Oktoberfest Golf Experience will be Thursday, September 6 at Deer Ridge.
The following KWO events will be held at LOT42 again this year: Miss Oktoberfest Gala Ball (Friday,
thth
Sept. 28), A Blooming Affair Fashion Show (Sunday, Sept. 30) and Women of the Year (Wednesday,
rd
Oct. 3).
Festhallen: Cambridge Bavaria Haus will not be operating this year. The London Festhalle has
confirmed they will be operating again and will be expanding their hours. Looking into a Festhalle in
Downtown, possibly Elements, Wax or Bobby O’Brien’s.
Question(s):
Q – What is the timeline when the book will be ready? It will be available to purchase on-line and in the
store. Alfred indicated the edits are expected to be done this week and then it is off to the printer. The
books should be available for purchase in July.
Q - Will there be tents on Frederick this year? No
LOT42
Round Table / New
KWO is the umbrella organization and KWO Productions will be running Oktoberfest Haus @LOT42.
Business
Alfred said it gives us the opportunity to house some halls that are struggling or have lost their home
(i.e. with the Stampede Corral closing, the Transylvania Club needs a venue). The Kitchener
Oktoberfest Lions Club who ran Oktoberfest Haus in Downtown Kitchener might also be interested in
this opportunity.
The parking issues from last year have been resolved (i.e. parking area is now lit). Alfred mentioned
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there are also other parking options being look at for larger events (i.e. ABA). Scott indicated that a
comprehensive parking plan is definitely on the minds of KWO and will be worked out for this year.
Margo read the media release that was recently issued regarding Oktoberfest Haus @LOT42.
The taskforce actually started work on this project right after the Festival. Special thanks to Paul
Buttinger for his leadership and moving it forward. Also thanks to Scott Henderson and Tim Beckett
who are responsible for getting the project going forward.
Q - What are the hours for Oktoberfest Haus @LOT42: It will be open from 6 pm – 1 am for 6 nights
(October 5, 6, 10 – 13). We are also looking at some other options.
Molson Contract: Geoff Lorentz has heard many comments about the beer offerings during the
festival. Alfred indicated Molson has been extremely generous with KWO and they have advised that
we can have one imported beer this year. KWO will also be reaching out to Craftoberfest to bring
them in to the festival as an ‘accredited’ event. We have to be all things to all people. Having a
german beer this year is a great first step and options will be looked into for the next contract.
KWO’s Festhalle capacity is down and this is a good opportunity to increase customers.
Q - How will the changing marijuana laws affect KWO? How it will work is still to be decided with the
consultation of some of our regulatory bodies. Bryan Larkin clarified that it is only for private
consumption in your residence at this time and won’t be legal for public consumption. This will be a
strong component / presentation for Festhalle Operators at Security Night which is held in June.
Larry Blundell commented that it is no secret that Molson has put a lot of dollars into the Festival. The
reduction in consumption and the loss of some festhallen has affected the relationship and they
wouldn’t be happy with the return on the investment. On the other hand, moving to craft brewers
wouldn’t replace the revenue since the brewers don’t have as deep pockets. The idea of KWO
Productions is not a new one and is very good and could lead to many opportunities (i.e. Festhalle,
trade shows, etc.).
Q - Would KWO think it feasible to put someone on staff to be responsible for KWO Productions? Alfred
said that is the intent.
Q - In regards to the 5 year lease, is it only for the time of Oktoberfest? Yes, it is only during and leading
up to the festival. KWO has the space leased for a 2 week period.
Q - What is the capacity? Approximately 5,000, with 3 room options. KWO is also looking at having
specialty events / nights. Once worked out, more details will be announced.
Alfred will see if one of the future CAC meetings can be held at LOT42.
Q - Is there a clause or intent in the lease, which would allow KWO access the facilities throughout the
year? Scott responded that we have leased for that time period only and feels the relationship will be
good enough to possibly build the relationship in the future.
Q - When someone is looking to buy tickets at any Festhalle, why would they choose Oktoberfest Haus
@LOT42 as an option? Alfred indicated there are many things to be announced yet (i.e. food, bands,
etc.). The german clubs all have their own following and Oktoberfest Haus @LOT42 will have to build
their own. Scott noted that our goal is to fill all Festhallen and not to pull people away. We are providing
more seats for participants at Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest.
Paul wanted to thank the media that came out to the release to support this new initiative. The
support really helped.
Thanks to everyone for coming out today.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Community Advisory Council will take place on:
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Tuesday, June 26, 2018 Noon Concordia Club – Jägerstube