How Garner Embraced It’s 15 minute Multimedia Blitz Sonya Shaw, CPRP Director Garner Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources

 January- Town’s Mayor receives word  Staff Brainstorm  American Idol Permission to Host Weekly Viewing Parties

 February-May 2011  Top 20 finalists  News releases and PSAs to Local Media ◦ Garner Citizen ◦ Garner News ◦ Garner-Clayton Record ◦ The Independent ◦ News & Observer ◦ WRAL (channel 5) ◦ WTVD (channel 11) ◦ WNCN (channel 17) ◦ Carolina 14 ◦ WUNC ◦ WTSB (radio 1090) Town Website, Facebook, Twitter, Citizen Newsletter Department E-blast list Fliers at local businesses, schools, churches, library and Town facilities First week attendance????

 Outreach to business community- #1 Lowes Food  Viewing Parties take on a life of their own  Local business sponsors for weekly viewing parties ◦ PKD Screen Printing ◦ Chick-Fil-A ◦ Little Caesars Pizza ◦ Taco Bell ◦ Discount School Supply  Attendance  Move to GMHS

 Local and national media coverage  Weekly attendance over 2000  Research prior Idol hometown tours  Outreach to American Idol Producers  Conference call with Town officials in Conway, Arkansas- Kris Allen  Past experiences a plus  Propose tentative tour schedule and budget

 Event Logistics ◦ Staging, Sound ◦ Josh Turner visit ◦ Parking ◦ Security ◦ Shuttles ◦ Signage ◦ Traffic Control ◦ Safety (Police, EMS) ◦ Weather/Rain Plan ◦ Vendors ◦ VIP-Sponsors ◦ Staff/Volunteers ◦ Website/Marketing  Proposed Budget- $61,000  Town Departments ◦ Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources ◦ Public Works ◦ Police ◦ Economic Development ◦ PIO ◦ Finance ◦ Human Resources ◦ Inspections ◦ Fire  County Departments ◦ Sheriff Office ◦ Emergency Management ◦ Emergency Medical  State Highway Patrol  Downtown Association  Chamber of Commerce

Chose Lake Benson Park as event location Drafted hometown tour ideas to highlight the best of Garner Had large stage banner made Hired our own camera crew Chose shuttle bus routes

 Event Challenges ◦ Weather ◦ Elected officials ◦ No control ◦ Including local businesses ◦ Finale  Huge Success ◦ Pre-Show ◦ Lowes Food/Parade ◦ Estimated Attendance- over 30,000 ◦ Worldwide media coverage ◦ Positive exposure for the Town ◦ Economic Impact- $1.5 million ◦ Emmy Nomination ◦ Excellent fundraising efforts- over $53,000 ◦ Community Pride

Sonya Shaw,