As the cars arrived at the center of town, people climbed out of them with a purpose. Many more dressed up than they’ve been for years. Most came in small groups. Parking spaces filled quickly… 
You see, MUM brought Steven Covey – business/self-help author and lecturer to the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center. After receiving an award, Dr. Covey wowed the crowd with thoughts around how to grow companies by truly engaging and nurturing employees – what a concept 
I watched as people streamed out of the Center, and rushed to my lunch appointment at Revelations. I’d never met the person I was about to meet with before, so I stood near the door. As I did, within less than 10 minutes, the line at the counter had reached the door.
When my appointment arrived, he and I decided to leave since it was so crowded. We walked over to Red Rock Grill which was practically empty. We sat down and ordered, and within minutes, Red Rock too, was a mass of humanity.
My appointment, who hadn’t attended the Covey event, wondered aloud about the crowds. I mentioned that it was due to Steven Covey being at the Center and that launched us into a discussion around the importance of the Center to Fairfield…
Let’s face it, a lot of people were against the Center from day one. Some never understood it. Many misconceptions still guide people’s opinions of it. At the end of the day however, there is no denying that when events are held at the Center with mass appeal, that the crowds come, they stay, and they spend money at local businesses. In the case of Dr. Covey, of course we have to thank MUM, but regardless of who you thank, how many towns in SE Iowa can boast that they hosted Steven Covey, The Second City Comedy troupe, and Paul McCartney’s son all within the matter of a few weeks? Only a town with a facility like the Center.
I know that you’re still out there, people who still believe that building the Center was folly. And perhaps at the time it was. But the fact remains that it is here. There is a beautiful building that is now starting to break even on an operating basis, with new management who is attracting the type of talent to town who appeals to a broad cross-section of attendees – not just Fairfieldians either!
As such, we have two choices as a community. Support it, so that we can derive pleasure and revenue across the board from it, or to let it die, leaving a huge scar on this incredible community that we call home.
When my family and I were deciding to move to Fairfield for a job that I had received an offer for, the Center among other things, was a major factor in our decision. Coming from Denver (and originally from NY) we were used to having a wide range of entertainment options minutes from home. The Center affords us this.
Although I was recently laid off from the job that brought us here, our family has fallen in love with Fairfield and as such, we’re going to stay. And if we’re going to stay I thought, we’re going to support those entities that helped to attract us to Fairfield in the firstplace – one of those being the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center.
What about you?
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wow – Wonderful article Mark! I'm fully in your camp with this one. I'm sharing this across my networks – and I would hope you send it to the Ledger, too.
Put this in the Fairfield Ledger please!~~
I don't live in Fairfield but have driven an hour to attend two events so far this year held at the convention center. I don't know how much it cost the city of Fairfield or the details of any controversies over the center but I think it is a great resource for SE Iowa and not just Fairfield.
As a small business owner I can tell you I am envious that the Fairfield community has this type of attraction right downtown.
Also, this is a great site. I enjoy reading the news and opinion as well as all the community discussion you've got going on.
Fantastic piece Mark and written with a reasoned and clear voice!! Because I had to take Dr. Covey to the airport after the event which was a blessing…I was also missing out on the inevitable buzz that I knew would move thru our wonderful city around the event. Had not seen that communal mix in the Sondheim before and it was a great feeling. I am posting to my FB page and hope many others do as well….
Great article! Agreed! It was fun to be a part of the post-Covey buzz. I hope that a task force will be set up to discuss how we can implement some of his ideas in our town.
Because Dr. Covey was coming to town, Monica Hadley and I got to interview him on Writers' Voices, which was a great opportunity for us, and for KRUU. KRUUfm.com's robust worldwide listenership undoubtedly creates toursim and attracts new students and residents, as it educates the world about our amazing community. The positive ripple effects just keep going!
Well said, Mark.
If you're a supporter of the FACC, you don't need to wait for some "promoter" to bring an attraction here. You can be that promoter yourself.
Look at the rates here: http://www.fairfieldacc.com/pav_rentalrates.html — for as low as $400 + $0.50 per patron, a non-profit organization can rent the Sondheim Center for 1/2 a day. Naturally, you need to pay the talent (unless they volunteer to your non-profit org), but given the quality of the facilities the prices are excellent.
The for-profit rates are pretty attractive too. For $1200 (or 10% of the gross receipts, whichever is greater) the facility is yours for a day. MANY professional musicians, comedians, lecturers, entertainers, religious and spiritual speakers — all with national reputations — could be affordable to bring in.
Question is: what do YOU want to see here? Don't wait for someone else… do it yourself.
We love the FACC and enjoy many events there. We waited with great anticipation to see Steven Covey. One question though, does anyone know what type of fee was paid to the Center to host this event? Did the Center make any money off the event in the end?
Given the financial situation, it just seems like a small cover charge would not set anyone back and would help given the present situation.
I have produced two concerts at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center. The facility was a big draw for Snatam Kaur and her band. Recently Snatam played to over 2,000 people in Barcelona but still Fairfield is one of her favorite venues. I have grateful to every one who has done anything to help the center succeed. My vision of bringing Snatam here rested on the vistion of the people that created the theater and on everyone that have contributed to creating the Fairfield community what it is to do. Every vision, every layer builds on the next. The question isn't is the FACC sustainable and was it a good idea, the question is what can we do to maintain it and support. No backward thinking.
Glad you made that distinction, Mark. It isn't splitting hairs when the FACC is closing in on the programming that will keep it in the black for years to come. It's just the pesky debt that is the problem.
I can appreciate positive stories and points of view around why the FACC is important to Fairfield, but what we really need is some straight talk around the current status of the FACC. I have had four conversations about the FACC with different sets of individuals in town. The one thing that everyone I talk to agrees on is the total lack of information around what is currently going on with the FACC.
To prevent this issue from becoming another polarized Townie vs. Ru debate, with one side waxing poetic and the other side grinding their teeth; I would like to see an article that lays out the situation completely, is pragmatic about the challenges while applauding the accomplishments, and addresses the following questions (which are shared by many people in town):
1. Is the FACC asking for tax dollars from the City of Fairfield?
2. How much money is the FACC asking in tax revenue, and does the City receive ownership in return for bailing out the FACC?
3. Is the FACC really for sale, and for how much?
4. How much debt does the FACC owe, and how much of that debt is paid off in both of the above scenarios.
Great points Will. One of the things that is happening is that a website is being built that will contain ALL of the facts and will encourage discussion and debate.
Prior to that however, I will write the article you've requested. Stay tuned.
Thanks Sue!
Thx Saffi, I appreciate it. I'm just getting the more accurate numbers, then I'll write back.
Oh, prior to that article however, I must add that the city will not be "bailing out" the FACC. It will be participating in its recovery via an investment in it. More to come.
Nice article Mark. I too agree that we if we don't support what is brought to this community, good things will stop coming our way. I was blown away to only have to drive five blocks to attend a free leadership lecture given by one of the best, Steven Covey as well as be entertained by Second City Comedy. Quote from Mr. Covey "Even in tough times, people want to contribute, they want to help, they want to make a difference." I think there are a lot of those people in Fairfield.
Thanks Phllis. I'll definitely send to the Ledger
I will Lisa, thanks!
Thanks for your response Lori, about the Center as well as the Fairfield Voice!
Thanks Erika. I really appreciate it. You guys did a wonderful job with bringing him here and allowing us all to benefit.
Great points Chamaigne, thanks!
Thanks Myron!
Saffi…because Dr. Covey was offering his presentation pro bono, we were asked by him to not charge for the event so of course we honored that agreement by making it a free and open event to everyyone. We had to fundraise to pay his hotel and travel expenses etc and did pay the non-profit fee of 400 to the civic center which was the least of all of our costs for his visit.
It would have been nice to be able to charge given 700 some people attended the event…but the intrinsic value of having many people in that venue for the first time was important I think. Thanks for the inquiry!
Got it. Great points. We were charged for other costs on top of the rental fee but dont have those numbers off the top. I am assuming that the cost structure harkins to a time when it was critical to get bodies in and the schedule book filled…mayhaps those fee structures will change as the sondheim gets busier …supply and demand should kick in at some point?
I do have something to add to Saffi's post.
The Center is not for sale because it is not profitable per se. It is for sale as one option to help to retire debt that was incurred by previous management.
I know that this seems like splitting hairs, but we do want to try to keep the record straight so to speak
Erika, I am not commenting at all on your organization or the costs incurred by you (at least I didn't mean to seem like I was). I recognize these types of events take a lot of resources to pull off. You did a great job. Wasn't the crowd who came to see Steven Covery pretty much the same as the Jack Canfield crowd?
The original post was about the FACC. Realistically speaking, the FACC, which is for sale because it is not profitable, should likely reconsider their cost structure. From a practical perspective, when a non-profit is expecting a full house, there is no possible way that $400 comes close to covering the expenses of climate control, electricity, cleaning, etc.
While my experience is only in larger cities, my recollection is that you can't rent a hotel conference room for a group of 50 for this amount.
Thanks yermama, you are 100% correct. And it WILL retire the debt soon and be in the black in 2010!
Hmmm… I guess I'll wait for your post explaining this in more detail before I respond….