Des Moines

HawkI101 said:
Des Moines has enough to do but not too much. That is great for selling out arenas. When you half empty arenas the first two rounds that wouldn't happen in des moines. In those other large cities people that live there have a ton to choose from and just don't help fill the seats. In Des Moines the people around this area would fill it up.

Going to the womens games yesterday there were so many people from the state that went as fans and helped sell out the lower bowl. I saw fresno regional last night and raliegh regional today and they had half as many people there because all they got to attend were fans of the teams. Iowans would buy up those tickets quickly for the men.
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Selling tickets has will never be the issue, it's the fact that does DSM have enough "full service" hotels to house eight teams and their traveling parties?

The NCAA, which has selected host cities for next year and is expected to announce 2014 hosts next month, has hotel requirements that include a minimum number of suites, rooms and meeting spaces per team, and a full-service restaurant.
 
bandgrocks said:
Selling tickets has will never be the issue, it's the fact that does DSM have enough "full service" hotels to house eight teams and their traveling parties?

The NCAA, which has selected host cities for next year and is expected to announce 2014 hosts next month, has hotel requirements that include a minimum number of suites, rooms and meeting spaces per team, and a full-service restaurant.
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Yeah, I know, its just stupid because if they want to make money they would make more in DM than a lot of other cities.
 
HawkI101 said:
Yeah, I know, its just stupid because if they want to make money they would make more in DM than a lot of other cities.
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You have NO IDEA that is the case. None.

You have no idea what kind of rental agreement and revenue share the WFA would offer the NCAA. You have no idea what kind of agreements the local chambers or hotel groups would offer.

The fact of the matter is that this is the equivalent of a large convention coming into your city for 4 days, and they're not relying on locals to be the main driver of economic impact.

What about airfares into DSM, or direct flights?

People wanting something cool in their city or local interest in the event is no where near enough to sway. And either are anticipated or purported ticket sales.
 
Des Moines is getting or has Mainline AA, Delta, US Air, and Southwest will start in September.

DSM has 21 direct flights the same or very close to Omaha.
 
H8IAST8 said:
Wrong
88 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA MSA 569,633
89 Madison, WI MSA 568,593
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Also, Dayton is hosting 2nd & 3rd round games next year in addition to the play-in games. The capacity of Dayton Arena is 13,435. The capacity of Wells Fargo for basketball is 16,110.
 
ColumbusHawk said:
Also, Dayton is hosting 2nd & 3rd round games next year in addition to the play-in games. The capacity of Dayton Arena is 13,435. The capacity of Wells Fargo for basketball is 16,110.
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The Pit in Albuquerque hosted this year. Their capacity went down to 16k after a renovation.
 
HawkI101 said:
Des Moines has enough to do but not too much. That is great for selling out arenas. When you half empty arenas the first two rounds that wouldn't happen in des moines. In those other large cities people that live there have a ton to choose from and just don't help fill the seats. In Des Moines the people around this area would fill it up.

Going to the womens games yesterday there were so many people from the state that went as fans and helped sell out the lower bowl. I saw fresno regional last night and raliegh regional today and they had half as many people there because all they got to attend were fans of the teams. Iowans would buy up those tickets quickly for the men.
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Don't fool yourself that those half-empty arenas weren't sold out. You have to buy tickets for all three sessions. Fans of the teams that play in the afternoon doubleheader don't go to the evening doubleheader, & vice versa. Fans bolt town when their team loses. The tickets are sold, but for whatever reason are not used for every game & session.

Also, I don't know what games you are talking about. There were no NCAA tournament games played in Fresno or Raleigh.
 
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HawkeyeShane said:
West DesMoines, my friend! It's only 5 minutes from downtown...:p
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Yeah, that is where she ended up going to. But these businesses downtown need to be open on a Saturday. Venues with an active downtown are attractive to committees that are planning an event.
 
Sorry guys. I'm an Iowa boy...from a small town...and I lived in Des Moines for several years. I've also lived in a few "major cities' in the Midwest.

Des Moines...just isn't there. Never will be. It's more Wichita...Springfield...Peoria... than it is Madison...Memphis...Austin. Absolute wonder bread.
 
Stanzi said:
I wonder if some of you have ever been to downtown Des Moines. There was no one out on a Saturday? That is a flat-out lie. I have never been downtown on a Friday or Saturday where it hasn't just been crazy busy. There are a myriad of bars and restaurants. Royal Mile, Hessen Haus, High Life Lounge, El Bait Shop, Fong's Pizza, Johnny's, Legend's, 4th Down, and a whole bunch of other ones that I haven't been to. On top of that you have east village. Anytime I go downtown on the weekend I have trouble finding a parking spot because it's so busy. People who think there's nothing to do in downtown Des Moines should probably move to Chicago or New York since nothing else will satisfy you.
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I am sure the bar life is awesome, most bigger cities have a fun night life even Cedar Falls has one. But during the day downtown Des Moines is a ghost town. But if they add a couple more hotels down town (which sounds like they are) then those business downtown need to find a way to be open on the weekends. The extra traffic the new hotels bring will help.
 
Between June 2011 and March 2013, Des Moines has or will host:
2011 D1 Men's and Women's NCAA Track and Field Championships
2012 D1 Women's Basketball Regional
2012 D1 Men's and Women's NCAA T&F Championships
2013 D3 Wrestling National Tournament
2013 D1 Wrestling National Tournament

The NCAA has shown a lot of love to Des Moines as a host city recently. If they see that there is a return on their investment, I could see Des Moines maybe getting a men's opening weekend in the next few years.
 
H8IAST8 said:
SSC, did you go to the East Village? Most places are open on Saturday.
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Whatever stores are connected to the Marriott. She wanted to go to Younkers since the guide signs kept showing one (evidently it is gone). After the board meeting I walked with her into different buildings and everything was dead.

I love how everything is connected by skywalks and there were some neat looking stores. Perhaps it was the time we walked through (around 4ish) but everything was locked up.
 
So what are your arguments that Des Moines should host?

That it will sell out? Or that Des Moines rocks? Or Both?
 
I would think Des Moines is back in play as far as being a site for the men. I saw a lot of empty seats at some of the men's games on TV and don't think for a second the NCAA suits didn't notice that as well. They know fans in Iowa would flock to fill up seats.
 
BSpringsteen said:
So what are your arguments that Des Moines should host?

That it will sell out? Or that Des Moines rocks? Or Both?
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It is not a matter of saying DM should host, but rather that there is not much difference than a lot of other host cities and DM. If the NCAA can use DM for Track, Womens BBall, and Wrestling then they should be able to use it Mens Basketball.

The womens regional round had 2,000 more fans than then next closest one. Was like 8,000 in attendance.

The NCAA will make their money in DM and they will get a highly attended first and second round regional.
 
ssckelley said:
Whatever stores are connected to the Marriott. She wanted to go to Younkers since the guide signs kept showing one (evidently it is gone). After the board meeting I walked with her into different buildings and everything was dead.

I love how everything is connected by skywalks and there were some neat looking stores. Perhaps it was the time we walked through (around 4ish) but everything was locked up.
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You were not in the right area. They are suppose to be installing interactive and LCD signs in the skywalk at somepoint. The skywalk does not cross the river either.

Just like in other cities, shopping dowtown is not necessarily where people work.
The East Village (across the river between Ebassy Suites and the State Capital)is for Shopping, eating and entertainment. Court Ave eating and entertainment.
 
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