Re: Next Board Get Together 2019

[gyso]

Food for thought:

The schedule does not have any Saturday night games for us to attend early or late in the season (in order to avoid snow for people driving or flying to the get together). That leaves us with a couple options.

1. Rent a room and watch a game on a big TV. That would include Oct. 26, Nov. 9, Mar. 21 and Apr. 11.

2. How about scheduling around a Friday night game? Those who can would arrive early and attend the game together and we could still meet up on Saturday night for those who cannot attend the game. That would include Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Mar. 27 and Apr. 3.

October 25 and 26 would allow for both options. That weekend wins my vote so far.

Steve

[mrkleen09]

This was my note to Rich and Dean in an earlier conversation - reposting here for the group

Let me begin by saying I am in and I think we should explore the idea
> of a suite. Gives us a chance to have our own space, to maybe even
> eat at the game, and to also get to talk to everyone vs just the
> people sitting next to us. Having said that, prices for suites are
> likely $4000 for 14 seats - which is about $285 per person, so a big
> on the high side. I think if we reached out to the Celtics, we might
> be able to get a deal - as we have quite a compelling story to tell as
> a group. Could even reach out to NBC Sports Boston and see if they
> might supplement the idea with some discounts. What are you thoughts
> on this?
>
> Looking at the schedule, there are only a few games that meet the
> criteria of being on a long weekend, and frankly against teams that
> would be more affordable.
>
>
> Saturday, January 18, 2020 vs Suns is a Saturday night game and that
> Monday is MLK day. I think we could work a deal for this date.
> The Celtics play a back to back post Christmas with Cleveland on
> Friday, December 27 and Toronto on Saturday, December 28
>
> Another idea is going to see them play the Knicks in NYC instead.
> They play down in Manhattan on December 1 at 3 pm, which could be
> interesting.
>
> Interested in hearing your thoughts
>
> Paul

[gyso]

Good for 8:00 PM (Eastern), Tuesday (tomorrow evening): Dean, Paul and myself.

Rich, how does that time work for you?

Pete? BobH? Dboss? Do any of you guys want to participate in the call?

I apologize, Dboss, I cannot remember your name. I guess in situations like this, we prefer to use our real names.

Steve/gyso

[gyso]

Paul,

Less than $300 each to watch a game in a suite?  We can do that.  

I had been paying over $200 per seat to watch games in Charlotte.  I actually stopped going to games because the price was approaching $300 (and more) per seat.  I like to get good seats when Janie and I go.  I definitely would make the exception in this case.

Steve

[mrkleen09]

That was an estimate - but $4000 for 14 seats vs a lesser team like Phoenix would be $285 per person.

I think one of us should write a letter to the Celtics, explaining who we are - how long we have been friends, that we likely have more than 500 years of combined fandom and that we get together every few years to see a game and connect in person. I bet they would cut us an even better deal based on who we are. Maybe NBCSN would even do a feature on us, who knows.

Tomorrow night at 8 would likely work for me as well. But thinking we might get more of the details worked out here before a call. But either way is fine.

[NYCelt]

8 eastern tomorrow night is good here.

A Friday night at the start of the season would give us the best shot with weather.

Suite sounds good here as well. How quick would we fill the suite? 14 seats, but standing room too?

dboss is David

Dean/NYCelt

[gyso]

Standing by when we want to talk.

112288   Rich

Rich has not logged into the board since last Thursday. Someone needs to reach out to him if we still want to use his conference line and do this tonight.

Pete, BobH, David? Do you want to participate?

[NYCelt]

I just left Rich a voicemail message.

Also got a PM from BobH that he's heading for Burning Man tomorrow. Not certain of his availability tonight.

[pete]

8 is ok

[NYCelt]

Confirmed with Rich

Tonight's call 8pm Eastern

1-641-715-0861

Code; 306584#

[NYCelt]

Rich has a change to that number

1-605-313-4802

same access code; 306584#

[pete]

Great talking with ever one last night, sorry for being late to the party!

Pete

[mrkleen09]

Heard back from Marc our account manager on this, and he is exploring some options for us.

The only potential sticking point is that we need to pay IN FULL UP FRONT to reserve a suite.

So unless one of us is willing to put $4500 or so on a credit card, it would be nearly impossible to reserve a suite.

I will get details and maybe people will surprise us and we will get a fast response from a enough to know it makes sense financially. But I am not in a position to float 5K at this point.

More to follow later today.

[NYCelt]

Paul,

I don't think anyone would want to make the payment upfront without some guarantees.

Once you have some more details, we could always float the idea and cost estimate to see who is interested. Perhaps if there are enough takers, we can figure something out.

Thanks again for the work you're doing on this!

Dean

[mrkleen09]

No worries Dean.

We could get a number and a date and say, Paypal money to Dean by X date and if we dont get lets say 80% or 90% of the money by that date, we move to the seats in the balcony or even just a restaurant in the area idea.

Paul

[NYCelt]

Sounds like a plan.

[mrkleen09]

Update from 5 minutes ago

[NYCelt]

At least they are communicating. We can see what they tell us about availability and have a better idea of our options overall.

[gyso]

Paul,

Does this mean that groups typically pick games and make deposits in the summer (right after the schedule comes out?) and they are now sorting through those to see what's left? If so, perhaps we will need to adjust our process next summer if we want better results. We may need to have our ducks in a row much earlier in order to get pick of the litter, game wise.

Thanks for keeping us up to date as you get information.

Steve

[mrkleen09]

Heard from Marc last night.

Looks like suites are all sold, but still waiting for final confirmation on that. But as of today, here is a list of “group tickets” that we could buy and sit together.

They require a 50% deposit and balance due a month before the game, but for the purposes of this exercise and the fairly low pricing, I suggest we collect the total amount up front so we don’t end up losing any money.

Here are some suggested dates

Friday, 11/1 vs NYK – 14 tickets - @ $50
Friday, 12/20 vs DET – 60 tickets – @ $60
Friday, 12/27 vs CLE – 50 tickets - @ $70
Saturday, 1/11 vs NOP – 100 tickets – @ $110
Saturday, 2/1 vs PHI – 75 tickets – @ $125
Sunday, 3/8 vs OKC – 50 tickets – @ $60
Sunday, 4/5 vs MIL – 92 tickets – @ $110

[NYCelt]

I can lead off with my $.02...

The ideal one to me looks like March 8, based on price and weather potential, plus number of available tickets. My guess is we might need a number in the high teens to low 20s at most.

Saturdays would be best overall, but price and weather could be issues. Zion Saturday 1/11!

November 1st might be 2nd best, although the number of available tickets seems low.

I can't make November 1, and there is a possibility I won't be able to do March 8 due to baseball, but we should go with the best overall for board members, and I'm guessing those two are tops.

...my rambling disorganized thoughts.

Collecting total upfront does sound wise.

[112288]

I believe a group seating at a reasonable price is the best path to a high turnout among our members.  I really am leaning hard for this verse a suite because it makes it inclusive for many of our members who may not be able to afford suite prices, especially if it is a couple with a child.

If the objective is to be able mingle and get to know everyone, in my opinion, it may be best to go to a large food venue such as Boston Beer Works near the Garden, retain a private room and start our dinner early if it is a night game, or start our dinner right after a matinee game.

Talked with Chuck Sullivan about an intro to a point person in the Celtic organization.  He did not have a relationship there.  However, he can help with Red Sox and Patriot games.

I would suggest we circle back on a conference call soon.

My number is 1-605-313-4802 > CODE 306584#

Rich   112288

[NYCelt]

Dinner before or after usually works well. If before, you know folks will also look for a post-game spot.

Beer Works is really close too, and should have a good set up with rooms.

Also, Tavern in the Square is close, I think I recall, if we can't get a reservation at Beer Works. I think Union Oyster House isn't terribly far either; but is that more of a touristy thing? I think most of you know location and quality much better than I would, though. Just throwing those out there.

[mrkleen09]

I think the Saturday and Sunday games make more sense, if we are having a pre game meal. Friday Night in Boston is a nightmare and would be hard to get together that early.

So to me that leaves

Saturday, 1/11 vs NOP @ 7pm – 100 tickets – @ $110
Saturday, 2/1 vs PHI @ 830 PM (This may be too late for fans with kids)– 75 tickets – @ $125
Sunday, 3/8 vs OKC @ 6pm – 50 tickets – @ $60
Sunday, 4/5 vs MIL @ 3:30 pm – 92 tickets – @ $110

I think Boston Beer Works is the best option imo. Same room we had last time.

Not sure Tavern on the Square has a private room, but if they do another option. You will not get a deal at Union Oyster House at dinner time on a Saturday and a private room would be booked at a private event rate, where the other two would let us order off the menu.

So for the sake of argument - lets say Sunday, March 8

Dinner at 330 at Boston Beer Works.
Walk over to the game at 530.
Game vs OKC until 830.

If we did that, we could see who was in town the day before and maybe hit up the Boston Sports Museum.

We need to get back to the Celtics soon - so I suggest we pick a date and start collecting money soon.

Paul

[112288]

Sounds good to me.  If everyone feels like conducting a finale call let us set a time and day.  I am good any time.

My conf number was attached to my prior post.

Rich  112288

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