The board overseeing the Prairie Capital Convention Center Monday gave tentative approval to a one-year, $25,000 sponsorship agreement from the HyVee store in Springfield.
In exchange for HyVee paying the sponsorship, it would get signs marking concession stands in the building, a sign in the main hall and advertising on the center’s website. The center would pay up to $5,000 for the signs. HyVee would be able to compete to provide goods being sold at concession stands, but the agreement does not make the store the sole supplier.
Kyle Thornsbrough, store director of the HyVee at 2115 S. MacArthur Blvd., said later that he’s excited to see the improvements at the center, and the sponsorship is part of the store “being there for our community.”
Before a letter of intent was passed by voice vote at Monday's meeting of the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority, board member Mary Frances Squires said she worried that more signs, through sponsorship agreements, could “overcommercialize our building.” She also asked if the main-hall signs would be hidden during certain non-sports events.
Mike Coffey Jr., chairman of the board, said the general policy is for signage to remain visible.
“That’s why they’re buying the advertising, so that people see it,” Coffey said.
Shawn Mayernick, director of business partnerships, said there are situations where some signs – such as beer company signs – are not displayed during some events.
The board will need to give final approval to specifics of a sponsorship agreement. The letter of intent also says HyVee would get four tickets to main-hall ticketed events.
Other businesses, including Green Family Stores and Bank of Springfield, already have sponsorships.
— Contact Bernard Schoenburg: bernard.schoenburg@sj-r.com, 788-1540,twitter.com/bschoenburg.
Prairie Capital Convention Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 06/29/15
Prairie Capital Convention Center announces on sale dates and ticket pricing for Fighting Illini Basketball Games in November
Prairie Capital Convention Center (PCCC) announces that tickets will be going on sale this summer for the five University of Illinois Fighting Illini Basketball home games that they will be hosting in November while the State Farm Center (formerly Assembly Hall) is under construction.
These five games are not included in the season ticket holders package however, season ticket holders will have first option to buy. All season ticket package sales are handled by the University of Illinois Box Office. They will be reaching out to their season ticket holders in July and will be taking orders through July 31st.
Tickets for the five game series package for non-season ticket holders will go on sale Friday, August 7th at 10:00am. At that time, only persons wishing to purchase tickets for all five games will be accommodated. Series sales will end Thursday, September 10th at midnight.
Single game tickets will go on sale Friday, September 11th at 10:00am.
Tickets will be $23 for end balcony seating, $38 for side court balcony and end mezzanine seating, $58 for side mezzanine and main floor riser seating, and $102 for courtside seats.
Game dates and opponents are as follows:
November 8 – Illinois-Springfield
November 13 – North Florida
November 15 – North Dakota State
November 21 – Tennessee-Chattanooga
November 23 – Chicago State
Game times are still being finalized.
Tickets for Prairie Capital Convention Center shows are available at the PCCC Box Office, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com. The Prairie Capital Convention Center is located at 1 Convention Center Plaza in Springfield, Illinois.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available at this time. Please contact Shawn Mayernick, shawn@spingfieldpc3, for more information.
For more information visit: www.springfieldpc3.com www.fightingillini.com
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via sj-r.com The Prairie Capital Convention Center's board Monday approved having Green Family Stores auto dealerships pay $55,000 a year for a sponsorship that includes naming one level of the building the Green Family Mezzanine. File/SJ-R
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Press Release for the University of Illinois:
UI Athletics Communication Contact: Derrick Burson (217) 333-0933, burson@illinois.edu
Fighting Illini Basketball
Prairie Capital Convention Center to Host Illinois Basketball in November 2015
Fighting Illini will play total of 5 games in Springfield next season
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.–The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) announced Thursday that it has reached an agreement with the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield to host five Fighting Illini men’s basketball games in November 2015. Illinois will make its debut at the Prairie Capital Convention Center (PCCC) on Nov. 8, 2015, for an exhibition game. The Illini return to Springfield for the regular-season opener on Nov. 13, followed by another game on Nov. 15. The UI makes its final visit to the capital city the next week with games on Nov. 21 and Nov. 23.
“We are hard at work transforming State Farm Center into one of the finest basketball venues in the country. And as we have known since the beginning of the project, we will not be able to host games next season until December due to the renovation schedule,” Illinois director of athletics Mike Thomas said. “We will instead take our show on the road and are thrilled to partner with the Prairie Capital Convention Center as we move five home games to our state capital. The PCCC staff and community leaders throughout Springfield aggressively pursued this opportunity. They will roll out the orange carpet and allow us to transform the PCCC in November 2015 so that we can provide the best home-court advantage for our student-athletes and our program.”
Springfield is less than 90 miles from the UI campus. It provides a central location in the state that will be convenient for traveling Illini fans in addition to the strong following the program already receives from the Springfield area.
“Hosting the University of Illinois basketball team for five games next season is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Prairie Capital Convention Center and the City of Springfield,” PCCC general manager Brian Oaks said. “We are so excited to be able to support the University during this time of renovation at State Farm Center, and are certain our local U of I faithful and Fighting Illini sports fans from around the state will support these games and provide a true home-court experience during the team’s stay here. In addition to the excitement of hosting these games, they will provide a significant economic impact to the City of Springfield and help further our mission of building tourism and quality of life opportunities for residents of Springfield and the surrounding communities.”
Illinois will recreate the feeling of playing at home by transporting the playing surface, baskets, bench chairs and scorer’s table from State Farm Center to the PCCC. Specific information regarding tickets for the Springfield games will be announced at a later date.
“Our administration was aggressive in seeking out a location that would serve as a true home away from home during the renovation of State Farm Center, and we have found an outstanding partner in the Prairie Capital Convention Center,” Illinois head coach John Groce said. “They have cleared every date that we requested, allowing us to tailor our game schedule and minimize our travel. We’re covering the five games in just three trips, going over first for an exhibition game and then twice where we’ll play two games over three days, staying for practice on the days in between those games as well. We feel privileged to showcase Fighting Illini basketball in Springfield.”