Dodge City, Kansas

[phydeaux72]

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070515/20070515005404.html?.v=1

Global Entertainment Corporation Announces New Event Center Development Project for Dodge City, Kansas
Tuesday May 15, 7:05 am ET
International Coliseums Company to Oversee Final Design and Construction of Multi-Purpose Events Center

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global Entertainment Corporation (AMEX: GEE - News), a company engaged in sports management, arena and related real estate development, facility and venue management and marketing, venue ticketing and brand licensing, today announced that on May 10, 2007, an agreement was signed for the development of a multi-purpose events center to be located in Dodge City, Kansas. The development project was approved by the Dodge City and Ford County Commissions. International Coliseums Company (ICC), a Global subsidiary that has completed multiple projects of this nature, will lead the design phase and have oversight responsibility for the construction phase that is expected to begin in December 2007.

Dodge City, situated in the center of America's Heartland, has a population of approximately 34,000 and boasts with pride its Western heritage. Dodge City and the surrounding area have experienced growth unequaled by any other Eastern Kansas city, which makes the feasibility and long-term success of this project achievable. The area is well known for historical and rodeo events, which the new center will easily accommodate, with additional events to include concerts, trade shows, family shows, agricultural events and other civic functions. The closest major city is Wichita, roughly 150 miles east of Dodge City.

The new $33.7 million multi-purpose events center is well suited to enhance nearby attractions and allow room for future development. The center will have approximately 4,300 seats, with designated VIP seating and luxury suites as well.

Steven J. Bielewicz, president of Global Properties, said, "It has been a pleasure presenting our plans to the city and county commissions for a multi-purpose events center that will serve Dodge City and the surrounding communities, and provide a new option for a wide range of entertainment and civic events. ICC will now move forward to refine our design to meet the specific requirements of Dodge City. Our Encore division will be engaged in a multi-year agreement to manage the center, which will include staffing and catering. Under Encore, our licensing and advertising division, GEMS, will handle sales and marketing services. Our GetTix subsidiary will provide exclusive ticketing services for all events held at the events center."

Richard Kozuback, president and chief executive officer of Global Entertainment Corporation, stated, "Dodge City and its surrounding communities have the profile we seek for the development of a multi-purpose events center. Our events centers provide a modern facility for the various well-established entertainment venues already enjoyed by a community, while offering the opportunity to add new venue options to enhance the entertainment value a city can offer its citizens. We have several opportunities of this nature in other cities throughout the U.S. in various stages of negotiations that we anticipate will move to approval status in the coming months."

Visit our web sites:

www.globalentertainment2000.com
www.centralhockeyleague.com
www.coliseums.com
www.Cragar.com
www.GetTix.com

Global Entertainment Corporation is an integrated events and entertainment company focused on mid-size communities that is engaged, through its seven wholly owned subsidiaries, in sports management, multi-purpose events and entertainment center and related real estate development, facility and venue management and marketing, venue ticketing and brand licensing. The Western Professional Hockey League, Inc., through a joint operating agreement with the Central Hockey League, is the operator and franchisor of professional minor league hockey teams in nine states. International Coliseums Company serves as project manager for arena development, while Encore Facility Management coordinates all arena facility operations. Global Entertainment Marketing Systems (GEMS) pursues licensing and marketing opportunities related to the Company's sports management and arena developments and operations. Global Properties I, in correlation with arena development projects, works to maximize value and development potential of new properties. Global Entertainment Ticketing (GetTix.Net) is an in-house ticketing company for sports and entertainment venues. Cragar Industries, Inc. is the licensor for its nationally recognized, branded products CRAGAR®, TRUSPOKE®, CRAGAR S/S® and STREET PRO®.

Certain statements in this release may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may include projections of matters that affect revenue, operating expenses or net earnings; projections of capital expenditures; projections of growth; hiring plans; plans for future operations; financing needs or plans; plans relating to the company's products and services; and assumptions relating to the foregoing.

Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking information.

Some of the important factors that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements made by the company include, but are not limited to, the following: intense competition within the sports and entertainment industries, past and future acquisitions, expanding operations into new markets, risk of business interruption, management of rapid growth, need for additional financing, changing consumer demands, dependence on key personnel, sales and income tax uncertainty and increasing marketing, management, occupancy and other administrative costs.

These factors are discussed in greater detail in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended May 31, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

[nksports]

I knew they were looking to replace the Civic Center, but boy howdy. I don't see the CHL being successful there. Most of that population growth is low paid Hispanic workers at the slaughter houses and stock yards. The Civic Center hosts the USBL Dodge City Legend, Dodge City Community College men's and women's basketball and Dodge City High School tournaments.
While hockey there would be intriguing, I don't know if it would fly.

[nksports]

I almost forgot the biggest event in town — Dodge City Days rodeo. The town's biggest event.

[phydeaux72]

I don't see the CHL being successful there. Most of that population growth is low paid Hispanic workers at the slaughter houses and stock yards.

I think you argue a valid point. But people said the same thing about Laredo & RGV too. And they've turned out to be two of the most successful franchises in the CHL.

I'll also point out that the article states that the arena will only seat 4,300 fans. It appears to me, with the re-addition of Fort Worth in their new facility, that the CHL is starting to see the value of the smaller market franchises. Over the past few years it seems that they've been trying to weed them out. But, judging by this and other recent ventures, it appears that they might be rethinking their strategy.

[jwalters]

Although Laredo and RGV are not huge markets they are areas of a few hundred thousand. Dodge City is less than 75,000. Don't look at the city size look at the area. Dodge City is too small for the CHL. Maybe the NAHL Junior hockey but not the CHL.

[nksports]

The Dodge City market area (Ford and surrounding counties) is about 55,000. You might draw fans from as far away as Garden City and Liberal, but then you're still looking at a market area of barely 100,000, and those areas are still a bit of a drive. The southeast RGV border-area market (Hildalgo, Willacy and Cameron counties) is about a million.
The positive is there is a great steakhouse on the southeast side of town. I can't remember the name, but if you like good steaks.
Global hasn't said anything about a team in this arena, just suburban KC and the one in the Dakotas, so maybe they know their limitations.
My guess is the city fathers are just looking at a place for existing events, but they have been doing some building out there. They built a new baseball field, softball complex and dirt race track at city expense. Like I said earlier, I knew they were looking to do something with the Civic Center. It's a little old by current arena standards.
It's a big football town, so the APFL or something in that genre might work.

[nksports]

One add on the Fort Worth thing, that was the owner finding a suburban building to play in since the city did a number on him. I think the league and Brahmas owner had every intention of coming back. The only drawback there is their new barn seats like 2,000. (Of course Global might be looking to build a new barn out there in the Fort Worth burbs, and this is the incentive for the suburb to buy into Global).

[nksports]

Here's some more info:

http://dodgeglobe.com/stories/111506/loc_20061115002.shtml

[Ellis05]

One add on the Fort Worth thing, that was the owner finding a suburban building to play in since the city did a number on him. I think the league and Brahmas owner had every intention of coming back. The only drawback there is their new barn seats like 2,000. (Of course Global might be looking to build a new barn out there in the Fort Worth burbs, and this is the incentive for the suburb to buy into Global).

There are plenty of areas there in the North Richland Hills area

[Pounder]

Global is close to completing a project in Wenatchee, Washington.

The CHL is NOT going into Wenatchee. The British Columbia Hockey League has awarded a franchise to Wenatchee.

NAHL or even USHL (that might be a stretch) seem more viable to me for this project... and there's a precedence under which this could happen.

[SeaToby]

There are plenty of areas there in the North Richland Hills area

Unfortunately, I hope the Brahmas didn't burn their bridges with Fort Worth. Frankly, Fort Worth got tired of hearing the Brahmas wanting lower rent. Its the intentions of Fort Worth to demolish to arena downtown for more convention center exhibit space. Sam Bass is working at getting the Livestock Show a new arena, 12k seats with suites, to replace the old Will Rogers arena. I don't see another new arena being built in Tarrant County. So its either move into the Livestock Shows new arena or nothing. When Sam Bass and the city of Fort Worth decide to build a new arena for the livestock show isn't clear.

Much like Dallas and the State Fair, and the Cotton Bowl, what is good for the fair is good for the city. The same can be said of Fort Worth's livestock show. The problem with the Brahmas is the Dallas Stars are too close. Allen may be the same story, but at least there are 500k people living in Collin County, many of whom do not like driving to downtown Dallas.

I do not know how long the Texas Brahmas will survive. While they have found much cheaper rent in the northeast Tarrant county suburbs, the ice rink in my opinion isn't large enough to earn much money, its just barely large enough to break even. A larger arena is needed, around 5k seats should be about the right size.