How to Increase Attendance?

[GreatestStory]

Tailgating is the party before the game. People tailgating are more likely to go inside the stadium compared to people sitting on their couch.

Tailgating needs a major overhaul. I understand we need to pay if we want to be "big time", but the reality of it is most of the big time programs do NOT charge for tailgating. Sure they have areas for "premium/turnkey tailgating" where businesses/groups can pay to have the spot set up with tables, chairs, catering, etc., but that is only a small portion of their available tailgating area.

Can someone tell me how much Florida, Ole Miss, LSU, etc. charge for tailgating?

They are all known for their tailgating, and they all offer premium turnkey tailgating, but other than that they all have a "first come, first serve" policy.

I'm not going to link them all, but here is the Ole Miss' policy: With the exception of approved University-sponsored tents, all spaces are first come, first served. (SOURCE: http://olemissgameday.com/football/tailgating/ )

We could keep the whole TG1 area closest to the oak and the first couple rows of the other TG1 along Reinhardt (where they have the Cajun Walk) as reserved, other than that let people tailgate and do their thing. People would set up in the free spots as close to the stadium as possible, which would cause tailgating to be more concentrated toward the front of the stadium and not randomly spaced out all over the place.

Tailgating used to have a waiting list and the university took advantage of the situation by raising costs. This generated more revenue (which was the correct thing to do at the time). Unfortunately, increased pricing and requirements over the years caused a lot of tailgaters to give it up. Tailgating started to suffer and they never made changes to evolve with the "current state of tailgating".

SUMMARY: It's time to take a look at the current tailgating model and make major adjustments.

[RedTails]

Brilliant Idea.

If manpower is preventing some of these ideas from coming to fruition, they need to reach out for help. I get it, running an athletic program is hard enough without having to worry about putting on an event.

I think whoever is in charge of gamedays and events at the university needs to reach out to the executives at Festival International. They specialize in putting on big events that speak to the typical person in Lafayette and surrounding areas. I believe the team at FIL recently took over putting on Downtown Alive, Rhythyms on the River, and Festival Acadien.

If there was a way to get them onboard for 2023 and beyond and allow them to plan and run football events, I think it would do wonders for the gameday experience. From technologies (RFID like referenced by Cajun_in_NM), to the overall experience period.

I know Turbine has coined the phrase, "They are head over heels in love with the concept of outsourcing work to disinterested parties" but FIL team would be an interested party.

I really think it would make a way better gameday experience and allow the athletic department to maintain their focus on supporting our coaches and student-athletes.

Plus an announced partnership in the local media would generate some buzz.

[Cajun_in_NM]

If manpower is preventing some of these ideas from coming to fruition, they need to reach out for help. I get it, running an athletic program is hard enough without having to worry about putting on an event.

I think whoever is in charge of gamedays and events at the university needs to reach out to the executives at Festival International. They specialize in putting on big events that speak to the typical person in Lafayette and surrounding areas. I believe the team at FIL recently took over putting on Downtown Alive, Rhythyms on the River, and Festival Acadien.

If there was a way to get them onboard for 2023 and beyond and allow them to plan and run football events, I think it would do wonders for the gameday experience. From technologies (RFID like referenced by Cajun_in_NM), to the overall experience period.

I know Turbine has coined the phrase, "They are head over heels in love with the concept of outsourcing work to disinterested parties" but FIL team would be an interested party.

I really think it would make a way better gameday experience and allow the athletic department to maintain their focus on supporting our coaches and student-athletes.

Plus an announced partnership in the local media would generate some buzz.

Why isn't downtown alive moved to Cajun Field 6 times a year, for home football games? I'm sure the downtown businesses could be shown plenty of space to do pop-up shops in the tailgating area, and not lose revenue. Moreover, if you bring your ticket stub to the after party (downtown or tailgate), you get 20% off (only valid after 3rd quarter)).

[GreatestStory]

Regarding parking:

We know exactly how many passes to each parking lot have been sold. Instead of keeping each lot the exact same size every year, and having hundreds of unsold spots, make the size of each lot reflect the amount of passes sold (and throw in some extra in each lot for possible issues).

The lots for highest donors are closest to the stadium and work your way outward. That will leave all the unsold spots in the back of the lot towards Bertrand instead of sprinkled throughout each lot.

Then sell those unused spots in the back for $20 a pop (which is currently above their face value). Not only would this generate more revenue, but no drive up customers are getting better parking spots than fans who bought parking passes for the entire season.

When we have a lot of unsold parking spots, I don't understand the need to be an RCAF member to buy a parking pass for the season. Why add that extra restriction? Extra restrictions should only be added when we are sold out of parking spots and still have a demand.

I have covered quite a few issues regarding parking and tailgating, maybe later I can get to all the issues inside the stadium.

GEAUX CAJUNS!!

[moorecajun]

I stopped getting 20 tickets that we would hand out to customers because of the digital ticket situation.

What is the digital ticket situation? They will print them out for you at the Cajundome if you go by.

[RedTails]

Why isn't downtown alive moved to Cajun Field 6 times a year, for home football games? I'm sure the downtown businesses could be shown plenty of space to do pop-up shops in the tailgating area, and not lose revenue. Moreover, if you bring your ticket stub to the after party (downtown or tailgate), you get 20% off (only valid after 3rd quarter)).

Nah that will never happen. Downtown businesses/customers/DDA love Downtown as much as posters on this site love Cajun Field. Not saying there couldn't be some mutually beneficially promotion created between the two, but DTA would never leave DT.

[Cajun_in_NM]

Nah that will never happen. Downtown businesses/customers/DDA love Downtown as much as posters on this site love Cajun Field. Not saying there couldn't be some mutually beneficially promotion created between the two, but DTA would never leave DT.

That's sad, if true. Seems the smaller the town, smaller the try. Come to Albuquerque or Houston, and events are commingled all the time - with businesses benefitting bilaterally.

It's a shame, really, to see/hear this from afar.

[Duggie35]

Why?

Because they can't handle the crowd we have now!

[Jacob81]

Because they can't handle the crowd we have now!

So it in fact would generate more money if concession would get their heads out of their asses.

[Jacob81]

Because they can't handle the crowd we have now!

If this is the problem and so say won’t be fixed till the renovations are done then we might as well stop selling tickets and try to cater to the diehards that are left.

[Turbine]

No. Tailgating would remain the same. Only thing I am suggesting is requiring and scanning a Game Ticket to enter the fenced area around the Stadium

Cajun Basin should be the destination.

Football Game: Main Attraction.

Tailgating: Opening Act

Concert: Concerts make more money than MBL AND NBA

Food Trucks: No brainer

Attend one or attend all, just get inside of Cajun Basin.

[Turbine]

Nah that will never happen. Downtown businesses/customers/DDA love Downtown as much as posters on this site love Cajun Field. Not saying there couldn't be some mutually beneficially promotion created between the two, but DTA would never leave DT.

You are correct but a independent Cajun Basin Bash FIVE football days a year and perhaps a baseball day or two as well might grow legs.