Many bases to cover to grab big event
By Allen Buell
(June 7, 2006) — The Drum Corps Associates World Championships will be held in Rochester over Labor Day weekend at the new PAETEC Park in both 2006 and 2007. It is estimated that in each of the two years, the event will bring 20,000 people into our community and generate $11 million for the local economy. The Empire Statesmen Drum Corps, Rochester’s very own five-time World Champions, will play host to this prestigious competition — the largest Rochester event in terms of drawing outside dollars and people since the Ryder Cup in 1995.
How did Rochester land this entertainment and economic powerhouse?
As chairman of the 2006 and 2007 Drum Corps Associates World Championships, I can explain.
Rochester has a long history with drum and bugle corps shows going back to the days of Holleder Stadium, so we at least had a history.
Then, last August, Rochester was asked to put together a bid to host the upcoming championships. David Bruni, assistant director of the Empire Statesmen, and I, business manager for the Statesmen, immediately contacted the Greater Rochester Visitors Association to start the wheels in motion. GRVA’s professional staff is so in tune with what to do that they made the process very easy.
However, there are many steps involved, many questions to be answered. Would PAETEC Park be available? Local police have to be involved for many reasons, including traffic control and public safety. All 47 hotels countywide needed to be informed so they could hold blocks of rooms. The Rochester Riverside Convention Center needed to be put on hold for the opening events. Forty-seven schools, in the city and elsewhere in Monroe County, needed to be booked for rehearsals.
These are just a few of the details that went into a proposal of this size.
Rochester was up against Winston Salem, N.C., in this bidding war. We had to show that Rochester was the place to be. With the brand-new PAETEC Park as the site, the wonderful hotels, convention center and having a city that is easy to get around, we had a nice bid to offer.
The offices of the Rochester mayor and Monroe County executive also were on board to help in any way, showing that the county and city could work together to make this a wonderful choice.
The bid was presented to Gil Silva, DCA president, and within one week Rochester was awarded the prize.
Buell is business manager, Empire Statesmen; and local chairman, 2006 and 2007 Drum Corps Associates World Championships.
