When tickets go on sale for an event or concert, the concept of when to purchase tickets is always an important one.  For the consumer, buying tickets when they go on sale can often make sure you don’t get sold out of a show or an event.  But, it does so much more than simply ensure that one can go to the event.  The ramifications for venues, promoters, bands and vendors are massively important.  

Let’s break down why.

When event promoters and venues put on a show, it’s always a risk.  In order to put on any kind of event where people buy tickets, those putting shows on have to spend thousands (or tens or event hundreds of thousands) of dollars to make sure that event space is secured, print pieces are designed and printed, marketing is purchased, bands/talent is paid in advance, tables and chairs can be purchased or rented, food and drink are ordered accommodate expected number of consumers, and so much more.

So if you’re a ticket buyer, why do you care?

The answer is that when tickets are purchased in advance promoters and vendors can typically anticipate and plan so much better to make sure that the consumer experience is a good one.  Further, it allow venues and promoters to plan budgets to make sure that they can put on more events, book even better talent, and make the consumer experience better and more cost effective.

All too often events or shows are canceled all over the country because of a lack of advanced ticket sales.  This hurts so many people involved in taking the risk to put on more events to please the masses.  When bands, vendors, etc., are not sure if people will show, they need to charge more in other areas to make up for lost revenue or increased shipping costs, etc., when a show or event under performs expectation, or in the worst cases, is cancelled.  

So what does that do?

It ultimately means that costs have to raise to the consumer and sponsors, and ultimately, results in less events, lesser talent, and higher ticket prices.

So how does everyone win?

Purchasing tickets early means that costs are kept lower all around, sponsors are more confident to pitch in, and those of us who put on events sleep a lot better at night!  More than that, it makes sure that the consumer doesn’t get sold out of things that they really want to go do.

Most promoters and vendors will offer early bird pricing and/or a difference between a standard/day of price to work to incentivize consumers to purchase early.  For those putting on the event, it means they know how many people are coming and how much more work they have to do to make a profit to continue to operate their business, pay their staff, vendors, etc.  And for the consumer, they save money on shows and events they want to attend!

We at JEP are extremely thankful to the Colorado Springs community for being so supportive and purchasing tickets to events and concerts early to make it so that we can line up more events.  The more tickets are purchased early, the more we can put on great events and shows for the public.

Selling out our upcoming show at The Whiskey Baron (Saturday, April 21st) featuring Joe Nichols, Danielle Bradbery and Exit West a full ten days in advance is something we’re extremely thankful for.  Moments like this only mean we can work harder for everyone we work with and for.  And at the heart of it, we work for the consumer.

We can’t wait to tell you what we’re planning for you next, and it only happens because you keep partying with us.

Thank you for backing us up, Colorado Springs.  I promise we’ll continue to do the same!

- JE

Owning, operating and/or running a business is hard work.  Weather you’re an owner or a GM, your job is to get your business noticed by as many of the right people as possible in order to turn a profit.

But how do you do that?

Do you take meetings with every radio station, TV station, newspaper, trade publication, web SEO Company and blog that comes your way?  How do you know what’s best?  The real answer is: you shouldn’t.  Your time should be spent running your business and doing what you do best.  Leave all of those meetings (and knowing what meetings to take vs. what isn’t worth the time) to those that do that everyday.

Here’s where a Marketing/Ad Agency come into play.  So, what do just about all agencies do for clients?  Here’s a list of what all of the good ones will do:
Take all of the meetings and phone calls from marketing companies (you can and should come along on the ones that you want)
Negotiate rates on your behalf
Work to create effective copy for all mediums (If an agency doesn’t have a creative department in-house to produce video, audio and graphics they should absolutely make these services available to you)
Track all inventory to make sure that all of your spots are getting run according to contract.
Find new and creative ways to market your business that are proactive, not simply reactive to why calls to sell you marketing.  (i.e., don’t just buy what’s being sold, but buy what is best for the business.)

Now to the really important question that: How does all of this get paid for?

With nearly every media that can be purchased (radio, tv, print, etc.) each station will kick back 15% of a total spend to an agency for placing the marketing with them.  i.e., you don’t pay any more as a business owner or manager!  Being that agencies work with so many other companies, the media is happy to offer us this percentage to keep bringing them work.  Some agencies will require a monthly retainer and/or charge for production services in addition to that 15% from the media companies.

The moral of the story is, if an agency is only asking for the 15% from media entities, you don’t pay anything directly to have an agency!  Imagine having a expert (or a team of experts) at your disposal all for the same money that you currently spend on marketing already.

“Hey dude, didn’t you say that this would always be on July 19th?  What’s up with July 20th?”

Yes, we did.  The best laid plans, right?  We always wanted 7/19 Day to be on July 19th.  But, we made the decision that it was more important to have a killer event at an amazing venue and provide the best experience.  

So, let me tell you what’s up.

We’ve had a great partnership with Switchbacks FC putting on The 719 Day Brewfest over the last couple of years.  We want to return to this incredible venue for our third straight year.  We wanted it to be on 7/19/2018.  However, The Colorado Springs Sky Sox have a game that day and need all of the parking in those shared lots.

We completely understand and respect their need for all of that parking as they expect to draw a large crowd on a Military Appreciation Night.  So, we decided to come up with a plan B.  But a funny thing happened.  Our plan B turned into a plan A+!

So, on 7/19 itself we’ve rented out the basement at Oskar Blues in downtown Colorado Springs.  The first 200 people to purchase VIP tickets will get an invitation to this private party from 5-8PM.  This party includes attendees first beer, appetizers, and $3 COS craft beer on tap throughout the party.  We’re also going to have a live performance from one of our favorite bands 719 based bands, “Playing With Smoke.”  VIP tickets will be $45, the exact same as they were last year.

Then, The 719 Day Brewfest itself will happen on Friday, July 20th.  So, we get to have our giant party on a Friday night!  Somehow, I became ok with this plan the more I thought about it.  I thought you guys would be too.  Over the past two years, I’ve been so thrilled with the turnout and enthusiasm on a Tuesday and Wednesday night.  The JEP team has been looking forward to this event being on a Friday, we just didn’t expect it to be this soon.

Seriously, 719ers, you guys are one of my favorite crowds of all time.

The party has continued to get even better as we locked in the 719 Day “House Band,” as Mark’s Midnight Carnival Show has confirmed that they will be headlining the event, marking their third consecutive year playing awesome tunes for us.

We continue to sign up incredible local breweries and distilleries from the 719 each day; we’re excited to release our initial list in the coming weeks.  

Please note that if you were with us last year, your early bird GA ticket price is going to be $20, that’s 50% off what the day of ticket price will be.

Let us know your thoughts.  Keep letting us know your feedback.  And we’ll keep updating you about the beer, spirits, bands, food trucks, entertainment and fun coming to 719 Day this year.

Thank you for continuing to come party with us each year, 719ers.  We’re working hard to give you the event you deserve!

- JE

Why Concerts?  Simple.  I’m just a concertgoer too.

As the son of two professional musicians (a cellist and a violist, respectively) I spent my childhood at Lincoln Center, Tully Hall, and the like, learning the importance of live music.  As I grew up, I found myself enjoying more and more shows and finding out the importance of community that surrounds different music scenes.

Moving away from New York City and the east coast, I also found out how much of a hassle the travel element of being a concertgoer can be.

Being a resident of Colorado Springs can feel like we’re professional drivers first, and lovers of music second.  Driving 70-90 minutes each way can get a little tiring.  It can even get a little frustrating when all of the music we want to see only goes to Denver and skips over our beautiful city.  Don’t get me wrong, we love Denver, but we also really love our home city of Colorado Springs.

So we asked ourselves: “Why can’t we start to bring these shows to Colorado Springs in a BIG way?”  

Fortunately, we’ve got amazing media partners (yeah, I’m looking at you 95.1 NASH FM) incredible sponsors (Larry H. Miller Liberty Toyota, Larry H. Miller Toyota of Colorado Springs and Pepsi) venue partners (Whiskey Baron and The Pikes Peak Center) and Box Office Partners (Oskar Blues) who all were of like minds and wanted to join this party.

So we said let’s take the chance.  Let’s go big and not look back.

Why?  Because we’re concert lovers ourselves.  We don’t want to leave a show at 1AM and not have our heads hit the pillow until 3AM.  We want to be able to have a fun night out and catch an ber ride home that isn’t a 70 mile, $150 dollar monster.

So let’s enjoy music, have some fun, be responsible about it, and treat our city of Colorado Springs like the A-City that it is.

More importantly, let’s be concert goers first, and leave the professional driving to zTrip when they take us home after a few drinks.  

We can help folks see a great show, not have to drive, not pay though the nose for ticket (or parking or drinks, etc.) and get people home safe at a decent hour, that sounds like a win to us.

Let’s party, Colorado Springs.  
-JE

Only 11 Days left to buy your tickets to the 95.1 Nash FM/JEP Concert Series!
Concerts include Granger Smith on 2/21, Joe Nichols on 4/21, Casey Donahew on 5/4 and Easton Corbin (at Pikes Peak Center) on 7/11!

Tickets to all four shows are only $87!
Get your season tickets anytime at Oskar Blues Colorado Springs at 118 N. Tejon Street or pick them up Wednesday through Saturday nights at The Whiskey Baron Dance Hall and Saloon.
Thanks to Larry H. Miller Liberty Toyota Colorado Springs and Larry H. Miller Toyota Colorado Springs for presenting the entire series!