About 150 managers met for the Association of Luxury Suite
Directors meetings to discuss ideas to keep suite holders "in the
seats." Labor disputes and a "new scrutiny by corporate
bottomline watchers" has some in the industry "very concerned"
about current trends. Tax code changes disallowing skybox
deductions "have hurt the industry," according to Thomas
Lawrence, Manager Dir for Penthouse Suites, which runs boxes at
Mile Hile Stadium. Lawrence: "It's getting tougher. Some of
these guys are afraid to allocate resources to (skyboxes) because
they have to answer to stock holders." Chargers Marketing
Manager Ted Sprink noted the "regional challenges" clubs face.
In San Diego, where the city has been hit hard by the slow
economy, the Chargers have leased only 40% of their skyboxes
despite going to the Super Bowl last year. But in Chicago,
Bismark Caterers "will nearly double its menu items in United
Center boxes this year to 56 items, offering everything from
caviar to canapes" (Janet Kidd Stewart, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/11).
