Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1184562
28 / NOVEMBER.DECEMBER.2019 USICERINKS.COM BUT WHAT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES EXIST? • Holiday Shows: Your figure skating and Learn to Skate customers can end their first semester with a fun opportunity to perform in front of family and friends. You can theme it like a recital, or you can go crazy and roll out the red carpet to make it the must-see event each year. Big or small, ticket sales are a great way to not only bring in some additional revenue, but showcase your program and participants. Let folks come and see first- hand how fun and entertaining skating can be—especially skating at your facility. If you have the ability, you can even take the show up a notch by offering on- ice premium seating. Individual seats can be bought or rented, or bleachers can be brought in as another rental/purchased option. On-ice seating for the parents and friends can really be a neat experience that people won't want to pass up. • Special Guests: Don't forget about Santa and Mrs. Claus. Sure, anyone can have a seated Santa sit and listen to what the kids want for Christmas, but there aren't many facilities or places that let kids and families get out on the ice and skate with the Clauses. Maybe you decorate the ice with an area just for Santa to sit with the kids and then he can get up and skate with everyone. It's another great opportunity for photos which will get shared on social media, selling what you offer in a fun and interesting way. But Mr. and Mrs. Claus aren't the only two that can help make the experi- ence special. Costumes can be purchased fairly inexpensively and in a few sessions they can pay for themselves. Snowmen, reindeer and other characters can really make for a memorable moment or photo opportunity to your customers. Find those employees that can be animated and make it fun for everyone around them. Stress to these employees how important their role is to the overall success of the rink. • Don't Forget the Decorations: Make your facility festive at this time of year. Add lighting and decorations both inside and out, and maybe challenge yourself to add something new every year that 'oohs' and 'aahs' customers. Take it a step further and maybe look at bringing in the local high school choir or community singer to add to the holiday atmosphere. Maybe a customer can play an instrument or share other tal- ents in your lobby. This is a great way to connect and engage your community with potential long-term benefits. No matter what you do, remember to try and make the holiday season a chance to reach out to customers, while having some fun with it too. Happy holidays to all! J 'Tis the Season , Connect and entertain your community by inviting customers to share other talents like playing a musical instrument.