New Management team for Hilton

[majorcyfan]

Was told on Saturday that ISU was going to turn over Hilton to another management team like in the past. Wondering if this is true as I thought ISU Athletic Department was taking it over to make more by eliminating the middleman profit. A bottle of Coke is more expensive at Hilton than at Disneyworld.

Anyone know if so and why the turnaround in thinking?

 

[HHWalters]

It's pretty simple. Hilton used to have a larger number of non-sports events that helped generate revenue. For example, the annual Iowa FFA convention. The few concerts that have been held have had their share of problems. The Athletic Dept. seemed to be unable to handle this at a time when it needs every penny of revenue.

 

[alarson]

Im assuming if they are handing it over they think it beneficial, but one could also think that the decrease in bookings for hilton could also be attributed to a down economy on top of the Iowa Events Center opening up 40 minutes away. Hilton used to be the premier arena in the area, and now theres a newer one nearer to a lot of the population.

 

[Dryburn]

I have no idea if this is true or not, but if it is it would not surprise me. If it is true, I would guess that the AD found out it was not quite the financial windfall for the department that they thought it would be, or the overall financial effects of the takeover proved not to be good for the University as a whole.

I don't really think you can use the competition of the Iowa Events Center as an excuse. After all, Wells Fargo opened in what......2005? Well ahead of when the AD took over Hilton, so they knew what they were up against.

Will be interesting to see if it is true and what their next step is going to be.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

It's pretty simple. Hilton used to have a larger number of non-sports events that helped generate revenue. For example, the annual Iowa FFA convention. The few concerts that have been held have had their share of problems. The Athletic Dept. seemed to be unable to handle this at a time when it needs every penny of revenue.

When was the FFA convention been in Hilton? I thought it was in DSM?

 

[wxman1]

When was the FFA convention been in Hilton? I thought it was in DSM?

It was moved to Hilton and campus for a couple of years before moving back to DSM

 

[CyAg]

Translated, perhaps the $7-10 million increase in the AD budget was net neutral, or a loss.

 

[DesertClone1]

so is this going to the athletic fund or the general fund?
if it goes to the athletic fund... hmm... anyone else find that interesting.
general fund... meh another year

 

[CY9008]

FFA convention was held in Hilton when i was in high school but was moved to DSM for a 4 year span because of disagreements with ISU...but should be back to Ames within the next 3 years..

 

[usedcarguy]

I hope this doesn't put to a stop all the ice cream, walking tacos, etc. as the rubber pretzels and the rest of the stadium food sucks. If it does, I'll be greatly disappointed - unless they start selling beer.

 

[Bobber]

I hope this doesn't put to a stop all the ice cream, walking tacos, etc. as the rubber pretzels and the rest of the stadium food sucks. If it does, I'll be greatly disappointed - unless they start selling beer.

+1 That a boy!:yes:

 

[1100011CS]

I hope this doesn't put to a stop all the ice cream, walking tacos, etc. as the rubber pretzels and the rest of the stadium food sucks. If it does, I'll be greatly disappointed - unless they start selling beer.

The walking tacos have sucked since ISU took over. Hopefully they'll be better now.

 

[alarson]

The walking tacos have sucked since ISU took over. Hopefully they'll be better now.

the food in general has gone down in quality... and the prices have gone up.

 

[farcyted]

The State Of Minnesota

builds a new football stadium for the gophers. We can't use Hilton without paying rent. What is wrong with this picture?

 

[alarson]

Re: The State Of Minnesota

builds a new football stadium for the gophers. We can't use Hilton without paying rent. What is wrong with this picture?

It certainly is interesting. Add to that that even without doing things like that the state still ******* about the tiny amount of support they give the program (even though it could be considered 'marketing $$$' for the university. Also add that ISU and Iowa football are probably cared way more about in iowa than UM football is in Minnesota..

 

[jaretac]

As someone who worked at Hilton for both the middle man and for the athletic department, I'm not at all surprised. The beauty of a management team is that they build connections and in doing so they are better able to bring in business.

I will also say that from day one the athletic departments management of Hilton was, it put it mildly, incompetent. They wouldn't listen to anyone. Supervisors that had been there for 20 were ignored.

 

[HiltonMagic]

:biglaugh:

 

[Dryburn]

Little inside information.....but I will not reveal my sources, so you can choose to believe this or not.

The concessions operation at Hilton (and at Jack Trice) is being taken over by a different company. The contracts had expired, and new ones were awarded. The same company apparently will operate concessions at both facilities. The management of the building still stays with the AD.

I can't give any more details than that. I'm sure some announcements will be made at some point.

 

[VeloClone]

Little inside information.....but I will not reveal my sources, so you can choose to believe this or not.

The concessions operation at Hilton (and at Jack Trice) is being taken over by a different company. The contracts had expired, and new ones were awarded. The same company apparently will operate concessions at both facilities. The management of the building still stays with the AD.

I can't give any more details than that. I'm sure some announcements will be made at some point.

I suppose you can't reveal who got the new contract either...

Not having someone in there who knows more than just college athletics is a bad idea. I know that Wisky ran it through the AD, but they brought in a lot of people with experience running a venue - and I mean in addition to athletics...

I used to work at Hilton, too. I was very concerned as soon as I heard that the AD was taking over. I predicted that the hard times (competing with WF in DM) would suddenly get much worse. I don't think there is any question that they did.

The practice facility should have helped relieve a good deal of the athletics/events scheduling conflict.

 

[Dryburn]

I suppose you can't reveal who got the new contract either...

Not having someone in there who knows more than just college athletics is a bad idea. I know that Wisky ran it through the AD, but they brought in a lot of people with experience running a venue - and I mean in addition to athletics...

I used to work at Hilton, too. I was very concerned as soon as I heard that the AD was taking over. I predicted that the hard times (competing with WF in DM) would suddenly get much worse. I don't think there is any question that they did.

The practice facility should have helped relieve a good deal of the athletics/events scheduling conflict.

I can't really. I'm sure it will be announced soon. There are a couple of companies involved. Not really sure what the responsibilities will be for each, but it might be that the AD is stepping back a little bit. Will be interesting to see what happens.