Vol. 18, No. 14Dec. 10, 1998

Events involve planning, attention to details

Domenick Sicilia (left), Sylvester Johnson (center) and William Matthews during a
concert set up in the Acierno Arena.

The Blue Hens women's basketball team played an exhibition game against the Slovakia team on a Friday night. After both teams had walked off the court and the last happy University fan had gone home, another team- for whom the name of the game is customer service-stepped in.

There was some fast action moving up and down the court as people hustled to move baskets, hide bleachers and remove floors. While not much of a spectator sport, this is a job that still needs top-notch teamwork.

Sylvester Johnson, Bob Carpenter Center, and his second team of student employees were converting the multipurpose facility from a basketball court to a showcase for a weekend craft show. Within a 90-minute period, the facility was ready for craft vendors to set up and score high with holiday shoppers. The only sign of the game was the tell-tale scoreboard hanging above.

"It's very important," said Dominick B. Sicilia who heads the behind-the-scenes BCC team, "that people are satisfied after attending an event here and that they want to come back. We want everyone to walk out with smiles on their faces."

Like any carefully chosen team, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, Sicilia stressed. Team members include Johnson, formerly a UD assistant athletic director; Bill Matthews, maintenance/technical coordinator; Karen Lofthouse, events coordinator; and Vicki Scott and Shanna Cunningham ticketing managers. Another crucial element is the student employees, without whom the events would not be possible.

Since opening in 1992, the Bob Carpenter Center has hosted numerous concerts and special events, as well as three America East basketball championships and will host its second Beast of the East wrestling event this month.

What kind of game plan does it take to get the 120,000-gross-square-foot facility ready for an event?

Heading the list are communication, preparation and uncounted team hours, Sicilia said. The first point of contact is with Lofthouse, who lets clients know of the building's availability and sends out an information packet with rates and requirements. Sicilia assesses how well the event can be handled in the building and whether the vendors and those attending will have a positive experience. Soon to follow is a person-to-person meeting with the promoter for a tour of the center.

Karen Lofthouse (left), Vicki Scott (center) and Shanna Cunningham handle much of the
office work and ticketing at the Bob Carpenter Center.

As contracts are being signed, other details are firmed up on electrical needs, floor space, catering, stage requirements, permits and public safety issues, to name just a few.

Working together means keeping each other abreast of what is happening whether it's a speedy e-mail, a quick chat in an office or hallway or an all-staff meeting.

Besides the internal communication, there's a need to keep promoters informed. Sicilia's staff also networks with personnel at sites where performers have appeared previously, to learn about special needs or possible problems. They also keep an open dialog with support systems within the University.

At event time, the entire BCC team is at work. Radios in hand, each member walks through the event ready to troubleshoot and back up another's position, if needed.

As an event ends, student employees are placed strategically at each exit, waiting to question patrons about their Bob Carpenter Center experience-an important evaluation tool. And, as with any game, the team is ready to critique its performance afterward and get ready for the next event.

-Paula Kelly
Photos by Robert Cohen