Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/927264
USICERINKS.COM SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER.2017 / 19 WITH THE ARRIVAL OF 2018 comes an Olympic year. As USA Hockey and U.S. Figure Skating can attest, there is a definite bump in num- bers right after the Winter Games. But will you be ready? There are several things to consider when you start to think about the Olympics, along with a couple of ques- tions to ask yourself when thinking about how to build off of the momen- tum that international competition brings every four years. The two main questions to think about: • How do you help with the build-up so there is a buzz in your facility leading up to the Games? • How do you prepare for the number of people that just got excited over the Olympics and now want to head to the rink? First things first, start planning in advance. Form a small committee and come up with ideas that might help highlight that the Olympics are com- ing and how you can take advantage of the enthusiasm surrounding the games. It's a lot to think about, but if you plan accordingly, you can garner gold for your facility during the Olympic year and beyond. A little décor goes a long way You know how important look is to your facility. Pump up the Olympic enthusi- asm with some Winter Games décor on the inside and outside of your facility. Head to the local party store and get some Olympic flags and Olympic colors. You might have a podium set up for customers to stand on and take photos like they are medal-winners themselves. Use the hype of the once- every-four-years to really make the Games special at your facility. Extra! Extra! Get some media exposure Have you reached out to local media, particularly your local NBC sta- tion and offered to help promote the games on the NBC Network? Maybe you have local Olympians from your town that you can promote, or past Olympians that might be interested USICERINKS.COM JANUARY.FEBRUARY.2018 / 19 FORM A SMALL COMMITTEE AND COME UP WITH IDEAS THAT MIGHT HELP HIGHLIGHT THAT THE OLYMPICS ARE COMING AND HOW YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ENTHUSIASM SURROUNDING THE GAMES.