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November 8, 2007 - Tough Enough to Wear Pink
For Immediate Release: November 8, 2007
Contact: Tom Richter 605-692-7539
Tammy Koolbeck 319-929-5755
Cowboys adorned in pink shirts and chaps, cheered on by a crowd clad in pink t-shirts, proved they were "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" during the opening night of the First Chance Bonanza Rodeo at the Swiftel Center in Brookings, S.D. The rodeo was held Oct. 26-27. The Swiftel Center is managed by VenuWorks.
The "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" promotion was borrowed from a similar themed night at the PRCA National Finals Rodeo. Swiftel Center Executive Director Tom Richter said a challenge issued in the summer of 2006 by VenuWorks President Steve Peters provided the impetus for the event.
"Steve challenged all of the facilities to make a difference in our community and this is what our staff came up with," Richter said. "The National Finals Rodeo had as its focus breast cancer awareness and it grew to some of the regular season rodeos. We have a broader focus of all cancers."
The "pink" promotion keeps 100 percent of profits in the Brookings area and was added to the center's annual PRCA event before the 2006 rodeo. In two years it has generated more than $15,000, which has been split between the Avera Cancer Center Foundation and Brookings Health System. The funds are earmarked for cancer prevention and awareness.
The arena facilitated fund raising by selling pink t-shirts each of the past two years. Richter said the promotion was well received within the community.
"Many different businesses bought shirts for their employees and they were encouraged to wear them for casual Fridays," he said. "Group shots were printed in the local newspaper and companies were challenged to buy shirts and wear pink. Also, the rodeo promoter offered a $2 discounted admission to people who bought pink t-shirts for the Friday night show. Cowboys that wore pink and won that night also received cash bonuses."
Richter said he has been pleased with the promotion.
"We hope it continues," he said. "We have some ideas to revamp and improve it."
BACKGROUND
VenuWorks (formerly Compass Facility Management) is well known for its success in providing full management services for arenas, theaters, and convention centers, which are primarily under the governance of municipalities, counties, colleges, and universities. VenuWorks, headquartered in Ames, Iowa, is the third largest facilities management company in the United States, serving 26 facilities in 15 communities throughout the US. It also manages food and beverage operations and provides event booking and promotion services. VenuWorks also performs feasibility studies and consulting work for clients with existing and prospective public assembly facilities.
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