Businesses enjoy advantages with Chiefs season tickets

Published on August 16, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, PA (August 8, 2006) - With just 75 days remaining until opening night, it looks like the Chiefs are going to bolster season ticket sales by 20% - 25%. Almost 25% of the new season tickets sold by the Johnstown Chiefs for the 2006-07 season were sold to corporations. In 2005-06, corporate season tickets formed approximately 40% of the Chiefs' season-ticket base of approximately 1,000 season tickets, a number the organization expects to rise for 2007-08.

"Corporations are using the Johnstown Chiefs to as employee incentives and enhance client relationships, all while achieving increased profits as part of these projects," says the Chiefs Director of Marketing and Ticket Sales Doug Nelson. "The possibilities of benefits for corporations in Johnstown and in the surrounding areas to utilize Chiefs season tickets are endless and based on corporations past and current success with it, those benefits are proving to be very fruitful."

Chiefs' owner Jim Weber remembers when his father received tickets from his employer. "My Dad got hockey tickets as a thank you from his company, and it was something really special to him and to our family. My dad felt good for two reasons, because his company was saying thanks for a job well done and also felt good because he was also able to spend quality time with my family and I. It was a win-win situation and I think companies recognize that."

Corporations use their Chiefs tickets to reward personnel, entertain sales clients, or simply for personal enjoyment. While most corporations purchase a block of seats, other corporations elect to buy tickets for one of the four suites at the Cambria County War Memorial, which have a total seating capacity of 100. Another option businesses have is to purchase a flex-plan, where the business receives vouchers that can be exchanged at the box office for tickets to any Chiefs game that they can give to customers, employees, or clients.

"We share Chiefs tickets with our customers as a reward for doing business with us," stated Jeff Powers with Ameriserv Financial. "We also have a high demand among our employees for our tickets. A lot of our employees' families enjoy spending an evening at the Chiefs' games too."

"We purchase both season tickets and flex plans," said Roberta Lohr, Vice President of Marketing with Somerset Trust. "We use them for prizes at grand openings and customer appreciation events, and for business customers and staff incentives. When the bank is asked to donate prizes for school functions and nonprofit events, the flex plan vouchers are perfect as they give people the flexibility to see a game that fits into their schedule. It's a great way to support the hometown team and everyone benefits."

Some of the Chiefs season ticket holders are small business owners who work long hours. Scott McLachlan of Scott's By Dam, a bar and restaurant on Market Street, a half-block from the Cambria County War Memorial, said "I work a lot of hours in the restaurant, but I like to bring my family to the Chiefs games. I give some of the tickets out to my patrons, but I use most of them with my family."

Eric Horrell of Weigel and Barber Printing agrees. "Having the season tickets is great, because the tickets I don't give out to clients, I can use with my family or my buddies. There's nothing better than spending an evening with the family or friends at a game."

The Johnstown Chiefs, "AA" affiliate of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning, begin their 19th season as a member of the ECHL on October 21, 2006 at the Cambria County War Memorial in downtown Johnstown against the Pensacola Ice Pilots. Season tickets and flex plans are currently on sale and may be purchased by calling (814) 539-1799.

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