Chiefs Form Advisory Board

June 11, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - The Johnstown Chiefs, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blue Jackets, and the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters and Syracuse Crunch, announced today that the team has formed an advisory board comprised of local business leaders to assist in its sales and marketing efforts.

"We're honored that community-minded business leaders would lend their time to the Chiefs organization. The collective knowledge of the greater Johnstown community, past traditions of the team, marketing strategies, current trends, and ideas shared in general were priceless. We can only hope to continue to meet with this impressive group, and add progressive thinkers to the mix to insure that we have the best possible promotional calendar for our fans," said Bredin.

The board held its first meeting on the morning of Wednesday, June 3 at the Holiday Inn Johnstown - Downtown. Among those who joined Chiefs vice president/general manager Bill Bredin and director of sales Chris Catanzaro were: Mark Pasquerilla and Mike Barletta of Crown American, Chip Minemyer of the Tribune Democrat, Tim Rigby of WJAC-TV, former Chiefs president and ECHL chairman of the board Jim Edwards Sr., associate professor of marketing at UPJ Dr. John McGrath, Lisa Rager of the of the Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Andrea Ryba of Concurrent Technologies Corporation.

The members of the Chiefs Advisory Board come from diverse business backgrounds and each bring different areas of expertise to the table. However, it is a common goal - wanting to ensure the long-term success of the Chiefs - that brought them all together.

"I'm a lifelong Jets/Chiefs fan and believe it is an important quality of life and economic driver in the community," said McGrath.

"My hope is that in part through recommendations from this group, the team can continue to move in a positive direction and can secure long-term viability in Johnstown. Obviously, the best thing for the Chiefs and for the community would be to make sure the team is here for many years to come," added Minemyer.

One of the main focuses of the initial meeting of the Chiefs Advisory Board was ways to reach the target demographics of adult males, working women, and area families. After plenty of brainstorming and discussing different ideas, those in attendance were encouraged by what they saw and heard.

"Chiefs management wants to succeed and wants community partners. They are committed to winning," noted Pasquerilla.

McGrath was particularly pleased with the first meeting and with the formation of the board in general.

"As a marketing professor, I'm always impressed by an organization that reaches out to its potential and existing customers to see how they can improve their product. I applaud the Chiefs for doing this, bringing the textbook into reality."

The Chiefs will continue to meet with the advisory board during the offseason and throughout the season in order to continuously generate ideas to improve the fan experience at Chiefs games and the UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at the Cambria County War Memorial.

Be a part of Chiefstown! Chiefs season ticket packages are on sale right now. Don't miss out on all the great benefits of being a Chiefs season ticket holder. There are even special discounts for children, students, military veterans, and seniors. You can speak to a season ticket representative today by calling the Chiefs at 814-539-1799, or by visiting the team's office during business hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.



ECHL Stories from June 11, 2009


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