Nashville is now officially up next.
With the responsibilities of hosting the 2016 NHL All-Star Game in mind, the Predators sent a delegation from Tennessee to Columbus for this year’s showcase. It wasn’t the first such trip from Nashville for the group, but it provided a key, firsthand look at the culmination of Columbus’ work leading up to the game.
Predators President and COO Sean Henry, one member of the traveling group, noted the similarities between Columbus and Nashville — two cities that were selected together in 1997 as sites for NHL expansion teams. (Nashville debuted in 1998; Columbus in 2000).
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One Blue Jackets sponsor used creativity to reach out to fans.
Photo by: IAN THOMAS / STAFF
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“Columbus in a lot of ways is a similar market as Nashville, and we do things in a fairly similar way, especially in the way we try to connect with the community,” Henry said. “It’s been a good learning experience seeing how well things have played out here.”
Earlier this season, the Predators sent 15 ticket-sales staffers to Columbus to learn more about how the Blue Jackets handled matters in the previous year, such as marketing All-Star Game tickets to current and potential season-ticket holders.
One result is that the Predators plan to send renewal packages for next season earlier, with clear information on the game and surrounding events but without pushing forward the payment deadline.
The Predators in December also announced the creation a local
{podcast}
SBJ Podcast:
Hockey writer Ian Thomas and Alex Silverman talk about the NHL All-Star Game in Columbus as well as the World Cup of Hockey and the NHL's future participation in the Olympics.
organizing committee board of directors chaired by Chris Karbowiak, chief administrative officer for Nashville-based Bridgestone Americas. Including members of the committee, about 15 people involved in the planning of next year’s game headed to Ohio for this year’s all-star events.
Henry said one of the best learning experiences came from seeing how Columbus used outdoor space and the Greater Columbus Convention Center near Nationwide Arena as hubs for all hockey-related activities. Nashville will try to replicate those experiences at the Nashville Convention Center, which is located across the street from Bridgestone Arena.
NHL ALL-STAR GAME NUMBERS
33,500
Visitors to the fan fair during the All-Star Weekend.
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Cars given to players by North American league sponsor Honda. Two went to the last two selections in the fantasy draft, one to the game’s MVP, and one to the Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin, who donated it to a hockey program for special needs youth players in Northern Virginia.
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Times the Blue Jackets’ cannon shot off following goals by the home team during the game — it malfunctioned once — continuously startling out-of-town fans and players.
More than $100 million
Potential revenue from the relaunch of the World Cup of Hockey. The NHL and NHLPA will share both expenses and revenue.
— Compiled by Ian Thomas
Another aspect of Columbus’ weekend that Henry hopes Nashville can replicate is how Columbus-area sponsors welcomed fans in their own ways. For example, Nationwide, which has its headquarters just a few blocks from its namesake arena, lit the sides of its building in the Blue Jackets’ blue and red colors and arranged its office lights to spell out “Welcome Fans” at night.
“I’d like to see if we can work with our sponsors to see if they can show some personality in a similar way,” Henry said.
Nashville will certainly bring its own style to the weekend, as well, Henry said, noting that he hopes the city will be able to highlight the honky-tonks and restaurants near the Predators’ arena. The Predators will likely announce further details soon regarding their plans.
For the team, the timing of the spotlight is almost ideal. The Predators sit atop the Central Division, and Henry said Nashville — which hosted the NHL’s 2003 entry draft — is ready for its next close-up.
“The All-Star Game is the second-biggest party the NHL has after the Stanley Cup, and we’re looking forward to showcasing our city on an international stage,” he said.
