CASE Committee Meeting Packet Materials 2020.04.16Page 1 of 2
TO: CASE Committee FROM: Danita Dempsey, CASE Manager RE: Special Event Budget Impacts Related to COVID-19; Culture, Arts & Special Events: Overview, Goals & Ideas DATE: April 8, 2020
SPECIAL EVENT BUDGET IMPACTS: The impact of COVID-19 is far and wide across the globe. Avon
Town Council and Staff has been and will continue to monitor the Public Health Orders and make the
necessary operational and budgetary adjustments. In order to navigate a new financial reality all departments in the Town have been revisiting their 2020 budgets anticipating significant reductions. Staff
has identified $363,568 in savings to the Special Events budget described below and in Attachment A.
On average, there is a minimum 90-day pre-event planning window which once inside this window, the
likelihood of recovering expenses is reduced and the ability to execute becomes more stressed. The Town
cancelled the Avon Egg Hunt in mid-March; and, Staff has recommended the cancellation of (1.) Salute to
the USA which provides the greatest reduction in expense. Town Council will make the decision regarding
Salute to the USA cancellation by the end of April. (2.) A substantially downscaled AvonLIVE! utilizing local Eagle County talent which provides more flexibility should we need to cancel programs related to Public Health Orders. And, postponing the rollout of the additional new event concepts until 2021: (3.)
SunsetLIVE!, (4.) Pose & Paddle Battle, and (5.) Summer’s End at the Northshore.
Also, cancellation of the Circus was recommended due to (1.) tented indoor venue even with proper
distancing and some open walls is concerning with current environment, and (2.) performers travel to
California from other states prior to Colorado for their tour.
And, cancellation of the Vail Valley BrewFest in Avon was recommended due to (1.) low confidence in brewery desire to travel to an event (2.) foresee brewery focus will be on getting tap rooms operational, and (3.) may not have easy access to human resource due to layoffs.
Subject to Public Health Orders, further budgetary constraints and/or third-party producer cancellations or
postponements, we desire to move forward with the following events:
1. Possibilities in Avon: Weekly Art Expo
2. Vail Lacrosse Tournament – moved to July 27 – 29
3. Beaver Creek Rodeo 4. Triple Bypass – Sept. 26 on hold for postponement date 5. Avon Arts Celebration
6. Dancing in the Park
7. Colorado Classic
8. Community Picnic
9. Vail Valley Soccer Tournament
10. Man of the Cliff
CULTURE, ARTS & SPECIAL EVENTS – OVERVIEW, GOALS & IDEAS: As we embark on the identified
CASE Committee work of “…review, research and provide guidance and advice on the Town’s cultural,
arts…” programming and discover the “C” and “A”; I wanted to provide a very preliminary draft outline which
Page 2 of 2
includes an overview, goals and short-term project/activation ideas to guide the conversation and provide a
forum for feedback. As you will see, the focus was primarily developing our community culture and arts and
less about economic drivers although the later continues to be an important part of our work.
I will present a PowerPoint during the meeting which is too large to send electronically however, below is a
brief summary:
1. Overview:
a. Purpose: To develop strategies, initiatives and a shared vision for creating a vibrant
mountain community through the widest interpretations of culture, arts and special events. b. Background: In the most recent ten years Avon has made a few major advances in support
of culture, arts and special events. I will provide a few examples. c. Vision: Through a portfolio of enriching arts, culture and events; create an environment for
healthy connection by providing a space where placemaking, vibrancy and creativity,
shared and individual experiences, history and traditions, values and expressions are
fostered.
2. Goals: Actions which are community focused and hit multiple goals are highly attractive. Actions
that do not include a community focus may not be appropriate (i.e. driven by number of attendees
or number of days). a. Community: Develop a portfolio of opportunities which build vibrant community
connections with long-standing residents and new arrivals. Four “cornerstones” which tie
back to building vibrant community connections and are not mutually exclusive; will be
presented with ideas on activations / tactics. These cornerstones are:
i. Placemaking ii. Creativity iii. Historic Preservation iv. Environmentalism
b. Economic Drivers: Identify strategic investments in infrastructure and venues. Three
cornerstones will be presented with ideas on activations / tactics:
i. Enhance
ii. Encourage iii. Engage
Thank you, Danita