Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Taylor Swift · Unread post by **Taylor Swift** » 10 years ago

Rhody4012016 wrote:Section 105 and ATP it is based on the fact of our new partner learfield they specialize in concessions. When I found out what they did I went through their website and they talk about their concessions over and over again. And after the Nelligan workers went for training they said that there would be some changes next year.

Sounds great to me! Only edible thing was a pretzel. I made the bad decision of getting a hot dog once there which appeared to be cooked by the heat lamp it was under.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

Agreed. Pretzel was the last somewhat decent food item I've had there, not including the President's Suite a few yrs ago during the women's Elite 8.

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 10 years ago

The Coke Zero is pretty good!

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 10 years ago

The food has been terrible but I'm glad they added the frozen lemonade stand. Halftime staple for me. Watermelon/lemon mix is the best.

Andrew · Unread post by **Andrew** » 10 years ago

TruePoint wrote:The food has been terrible but I'm glad they added the frozen lemonade stand. Halftime staple for me. Watermelon/lemon mix is the best.

It's New England Lemonade right? That's ridiculous. Gotta be Del's.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 10 years ago

Andrew wrote:
TruePoint wrote:The food has been terrible but I'm glad they added the frozen lemonade stand. Halftime staple for me. Watermelon/lemon mix is the best.
It's New England Lemonade right? That's ridiculous. Gotta be Del's.

I can't tell the difference. Don't be a label whore. Haha.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Best thing they sell there. Great for after yelling at
refs all half.

Taylor Swift · Unread post by **Taylor Swift** » 10 years ago

TruePoint wrote:
Andrew wrote:
TruePoint wrote:The food has been terrible but I'm glad they added the frozen lemonade stand. Halftime staple for me. Watermelon/lemon mix is the best.
It's New England Lemonade right? That's ridiculous. Gotta be Del's.
I can't tell the difference. Don't be a label whore. Haha.

I think "New England Lemonade" is sacrilege in RI.

sf2010 · Unread post by **sf2010** » 10 years ago

TruePoint wrote:
Andrew wrote:
TruePoint wrote:The food has been terrible but I'm glad they added the frozen lemonade stand. Halftime staple for me. Watermelon/lemon mix is the best.
It's New England Lemonade right? That's ridiculous. Gotta be Del's.
I can't tell the difference. Don't be a label whore. Haha.

I totally disagree. The New England Lemonade stuff SUCKS. Horrid after-taste. Tried it once this year, threw out half of it.

BRING BACK DEL'S!!!!

On a related note, I really hope this happens!

http://i2.wp.com/www.thenewportbuzz.com ... =610%2C400

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 10 years ago

sf2010 wrote: I totally disagree. The New England Lemonade stuff SUCKS. Horrid after-taste. Tried it once this year, threw out half of it.

This is insane. Any difference is in your head.

Taylor Swift wrote: I think "New England Lemonade" is sacrilege in RI.

Also insane. I'm pretty sure NE Lemonade is a RI company. Del's is just bigger.

theblueram · Unread post by **theblueram** » 10 years ago

Del's is the official drink of RI. It's like telling someone from St Louis that Coors is the same as Bud.

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 10 years ago

"Localizing" the concession and food offerings is a growing trend in the arena business...Barclays, which some of you will see next week, features only local NYC/Brooklyn based brands selling food on site. Many others like that around the country. Since those businesses are smaller, they cannot afford to "buy out" the building like a large scale food provider does, but the venue does a rev share with the restaurant/food brand instead of a buy out. I'm sure it all comes down to money, and I am sure there is more money in selling out the whole building to one large scale provider who over pays for the access because they operate a volume business. However, the quality of the food and environment suffers. Given RI is synonymous with such great food "localizing" it could be a great way for the state college to honor the heritage of the area. Imagine a concession area featuring Caserta Pizza, Del's, Dunkin, NY System, etc.

section(105) · Unread post by **section(105)** » 10 years ago

Ram, amen....,.

Rhody4012016 · Unread post by **Rhody4012016** » 10 years ago

Being able to get three all the way at a game... sign me up.

theblueram · Unread post by **theblueram** » 10 years ago

haha, we could knock out the opposing teams by the arena totally smelling like gaggers!

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

New England Lemonade IS a Rhode Island company.
It's locally owned and operated.
So, business should only go to the biggest or best known company?
As for taste, I guarantee you could do a blind taste test and nobody
could tell the difference.

Taylor Swift · Unread post by **Taylor Swift** » 10 years ago

theblueram wrote:haha, we could knock out the opposing teams by the arena totally smelling like gaggers!

I just laughed out loud at my desk. Awesome!

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Weiners at the RC????

YES! YES! YES!

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

bigappleram wrote:Imagine a concession area featuring Caserta Pizza, Del's, Dunkin, NY System, etc.

I'm thinking Del's is the "healthy option"? hahah
Or maybe a thin crust pesto pizza from Caserta? Yeah, there we go!

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 10 years ago

I'll just take edible food to start

Andrew · Unread post by **Andrew** » 10 years ago

Disagree wholeheartedly on NEL v. Del's, but I think we all agree a ton of improvement with concessions is needed. I like the idea of RI-based companies a lot.

I'm assuming there's a contract with Aramark or Chartwells or whoever it is that's currently responsible for concessions. I'm also assuming that some of the local places would not be able to pay as much for that space. Is the substantial improvement in concessions worth the loss of revenue?

theblueram · Unread post by **theblueram** » 10 years ago

you move the cost from fixed to variable. lower the rent charge and increase the percent of food commissions. if the local concessions can't break through it would be due to lower sales. thus we would consistently have venues that are attractive to consumers and provide quality product that is demanded.

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 10 years ago

The business model is different if you move to a concession strategy that features "local" brands instead of a national food purveyor. Instead of a big access fee, these mom and pop brands (that could not absorb a huge marketing fee) come in and then share revenue with the arena. Mostly a back end deal, and I am sure the revenue is less, but the experience is so much better and hopefully results in more sales that close the gap a bit. These local brands do it merely for the marketing exposure to 5-7K people a night, if they break even its a win for them as they have exposed their food to potentially new customers that will try their brick n mortar establishments. In some cases its even a licensing type relationship, Dels gives their brand name, recipes and way of doing business to the operators of the RC and the arena operates it on their behalf and splits revenues after costs.

section(105) · Unread post by **section(105)** » 10 years ago

Any food vendors in the Emporium worth setting up shop in the RC?

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

section(105) wrote:Any food vendors in the Emporium worth setting up shop in the RC?

You'd have to go with International and Burger Shack.

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 10 years ago

At least get some Kingston Pizza in there!!

Rhody4012016 · Unread post by **Rhody4012016** » 10 years ago

I have never grabbed food at the RC. My roommate did and said it was horrible. If changes dont come now that we have learfields help i give up.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

bigappleram wrote:At least get some Kingston Pizza in there!!

I was thinking the same thing. They could cook them at the top of the hill and bring them down. They could have one oven in their RC location to reheat and sell by the slice.

Puck Frovidence · Unread post by **Puck Frovidence** » 10 years ago

theblueram wrote:Del's is the official drink of RI. It's like telling someone from St Louis that Coors is the same as Bud.

Nah, the state drink is (ugh) coffee milk. How that beat frozen lemonade is a mystery

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

Puck Frovidence wrote:
theblueram wrote:Del's is the official drink of RI. It's like telling someone from St Louis that Coors is the same as Bud.
Nah, the state drink is (ugh) coffee milk. How that beat frozen lemonade is a mystery

With Rhody Fresh milk!

Unread post by **SGreenwell** » 10 years ago

Andrew wrote:Disagree wholeheartedly on NEL v. Del's, but I think we all agree a ton of improvement with concessions is needed. I like the idea of RI-based companies a lot.

I'm assuming there's a contract with Aramark or Chartwells or whoever it is that's currently responsible for concessions. I'm also assuming that some of the local places would not be able to pay as much for that space. Is the substantial improvement in concessions worth the loss of revenue?

And, I'm also not sure if they would want to get into the concessions business to begin with. Do you want to stretch your business in order to scoop up the additional revenue from what's essentially an extra 16 nights a year? This is especially true for the places people mentioned that are in Providence, and don't really have any outlets in Washington County - Some of the profit would probably get chewed up by the transportation costs. I think there is a lot of hassle involved for places, and the upside might be something like an extra $15k.

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 10 years ago

SG, for sure its not a huge money making venture for the local vendor. It is solely a marketing vehicle. As I said, in some cases it can be structured as a license, so it does not "stretch" the local business. Virtually the RC staff just starts preparing and selling Del's -- all Del's does is provide the necessary tools to do so. The arena operator staffs the operation completely. Why only 16 nights? This would be the concession experience for all RC events, from concerts to games, etc.

rhodylaw · Unread post by **rhodylaw** » 10 years ago

The band has sounded bad for the last 15 years. They never seem to have a drummer that gets what being a drummer in a pep band is. Need to hit those things hard and set the tone.

Also, as much as I am opposed to this generally, they should add an electric bass. There is too much high end in there sound and apparently they can not get enough tubas and trombones to fill out the lower parts. The end result is a tinny sound that is not very enjoyable to listen to.

section(105) · Unread post by **section(105)** » 10 years ago

And the Peace Dale Kingston Pizza, as others, also does wieners. Not to say they even come close to the real three-all-way, but edible when jonesing it.....the pie not so much.....but both knock offs would be way better than anything now.....

Ramulous · Unread post by **Ramulous** » 10 years ago

I'd like the band to add guitars, a synthesizer and a drum set to give it a more relevant and younger sound......just personal preference....

Rhody4012016 · Unread post by **Rhody4012016** » 10 years ago

BC has a drummer i dont get why we are so behind with the band.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

Ramulous wrote:I'd like the band to add guitars, a synthesizer and a drum set to give it a more relevant and younger sound......just personal preference....

Completely agree. Look at UMass and they types of music they can play due to using electric guitar and bass, etc.

section(105) · Unread post by **section(105)** » 10 years ago

I know what I know, I know little about food and less about music, but I know the food at the CVS Pharm and the music is not a pleasure experience....Give me the Temple Owl conducting their band in AC over all others, I/ve seen/heard...

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

SADC long hallway looks awesome!

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

I was looking at the Ryan Center main scoreboard and initially I only considered the area of the current video board as a potential new HD video board upgrade... but then I noticed the whole scoreboard, including static backlit ads on the side, could be a HUGE HD video board! This would be pretty cool. Just a guess.

It could work like the HUGE video boards at Fenway Park now. They can go full screen for video presentations or just in-set the video and surround with dynamic ads and various stats, etc.

Here's a hack MS Paint job concept.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

I still want the overhead scoreboard that everyone was saying we'd
be getting by now.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:I still want the overhead scoreboard that everyone was saying we'd
be getting by now.

I think Athletics has a variety of options on the table for upgrades in the Ryan Center. They're likely looking for the biggest overall fan experience upgrade they can implement during this offseason. The most expensive item would probably be overhead scoreboard.

People have been hearing that the "ribbon' display wrapping around the upper tier seems like a go. My post above was a concept in the event the center hung scoreboard was out of this year's budget but still on the table for the future.

Personally, I'd be pretty thrilled with the ribbon to provide stats, time/score, higher-yield ads to all eyes. Add to that the full digital video panel over the entire main scoreboard (As I showed in my photo hack) and I'd assume to a smaller scale for the NorthEast upper scoreboard.

As we saw with the scorer's table this year, replacing old advertising placement with digital video based ones is a worthwhile investment. Partners like it since it draws more eyeballs, and fans like it because it the video panels can show non-advertising stuff instantly such as during pre-game introductions and other times.

Thinking of the great HD video productions we have for the team, they would look great on the monster video screen concept I posted above. No doubt Partners would appreciate having added options for high-return-on-investment advertisements up on that bright video panel.

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 10 years ago

Agree with you ATP, those changes immediately upped the aesthetics and also the functionality in the arena. Put us back into the 21st century with other arenas in that regard.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

Yeah, BAR. Also what goes unmentioned is that with these new HD video panels, the entire Ryan Center video system has to be replaced and upgraded, new wiring run, etc etc.

EZBuckets · Unread post by **EZBuckets** » 10 years ago

I'd like to go on record as being 100% against any kind of high definition video upgrades in the RC.

I look hideous in standard def...nevermind HD.

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 10 years ago

EZ gonna have to hit the gym before next season

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

They had a drummer way back in the mid 60's.
They'd do a drum roll after every made basket and free throw.

Rhodymob05 · Unread post by **Rhodymob05** » 10 years ago

I think the scoreboard in the center should be first priority. There are seats in the RC in which you cannot see either scoreboard. THATS A PROBLEM. I sat in them for the last game. the small one has beams across it, and the big one is set 50 feet behind the balcony/wall.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

RhodyMob05, remember that you'd also have a scoreboard via the ribbon that's visible to every patron. I think that with a full digital display to replace existing scoreboards, they would have ability to utilize different font sizes and faces to enhance readability, but I know that won't help if you have an obstructed view.

What section or what part of the arena were you in where you had this obstructed view? I'm aware of a few places known for such an issue.