Brian writes:
Shannon,
(Yesterday) morning while I was going through the usual blog roll, I read Paul’s piece of the Chi Sox patch crisis over at Uni Watch and a specific part of the article really hit me. One that I’ve heard Mets fan complain about, but it’s kind of gone under the radar recently. And since Dave Howard reads your blog, maybe we can put this on the Mets radar.
No, it’s not about uniforms. It’s about a Fan Fest. You see the Sox’s VP of marketing offers himself up to fans at Sox Fest for fans to take up the patch issue with him. Sox Fest, as I’m sure you can infer, is the White Sox’s fan festival that takes place during that winter that allows fans to interact with past and present players, staff and executives Most of the mid-market teams hold one and fans love it for the accessability it provides fans to the organization. And as you can see, it costs a pretty penny to get it ($250). But seriously, what die hard wouldn’t drop that to get a day of Mets-related fun with guys like Straw, Wally, Wright, Pelfrey? it’s the perfect setting for the Mets to unveil the beautiful black-free uniform set they’ll (hopefully) give us for the 50th anniversary season in 2012. And free or discounted admission could surely be a perk included in the new Mets season ticket incentives.
I don’t see how this isn’t a top priority for the marketing department. It’s gives the Mets fans access to the club, it gives fans something to get excited about in the dead of winter, it could be combined with releasing ticket sales (which I still would like to see go on sale earlier and give people the option to buy them for holiday gifts, etc.) and it gives the team an extra revenue stream. Seems like a win win on all counts. I think the Sandy regime could finally be the one to give it to us!
Mets Fest 2011. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
…
I think a fan fest would be neat. However, I suspect if the Mets announced a $250 admission they’d get DESTROYED by certain fat bloggers who would point out the Reds charge $25 and the All Star Fanfest was $30. I don’t think $250 was correct but I’m not sure (seems like $50)
Anyway, like always I digress.
Yes a Mets fan-fest would be neat. 2012 seems a nice year to start such a thing.
So guys – speak up…maybe Dave from Flushing will be killing time in the office and will want to hear your ideas. What would you pay (be honest), what would you expect and where would you hold it?
official number on sox fest is $75. the $250 number (which i got from the allusion to white sox’s message boards in the uni watch article) i believe comes from the hotel package they are offering for a 2 night stay ($266).
nevertheless, point is the same. let’s say $50-$75 would be the proper price point.
Gotta hold it at Citi Field right?
$50 admission per FAMILY, which would be subtracted if you purchase tickets to a 2011 game . Have it at Citi. Have sales reps to answer questions and allow people to sit in seats before they purchase tickets. Do a tour of the ballpark and have autograph/ question and answer session with Mets players/coaches/alumni throught the day. Do this during a weekend before Christmas and I bet they will not only create a lot of good will but sell a lot of tickets.
Dave Howard in the Dunk Tank would be the hottest ticket all year!
The Mets really have got to start doing some more offseason stuff to engage the fans.
Maybe there’s not enough time for a full-blown fanfest this year, but why not put together something where people can tour the ballpark & meet with ticket reps if they want to pick out ticket plan / season ticket seats?
If the Mets ever hire somebody, maybe they could find a way to incorporate a “meet the new manager” event.