The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority will likely lose money on the Gary Air Show’s cancellation, but it may be less than it’s anticipating and possibly a break-even scenario.
SSCVA Chief Financial Officer Nicole Wolverton told its Board of Directors during its monthly meeting Thursday that there are ancillary costs for the show which the SSCVA is still responsible, such as deposits for the acts that were booked, equipment rental deposits and marketing materials. Show sponsors, however, have been understanding of the situation, and that understanding may be what helps the most.
“We’ve heard back from about 35 of the show’s 70 sponsors, and they’ve told us to apply their money to the fixed costs we have,” Wolverton told the Post-Tribune. “We’ll have more of an idea how it’s going to look at next month’s meeting, but we’re hoping for a wash.”
The City of Gary, along with the Authority, announced August 14 that with the “widespread impact of the recent storms that have caused significant damage throughout Northwest Indiana and the City of Gary,” the city won’t be able to divert resources from its recovery efforts.
SSCVA President and CEO Phil Taillon told the board that he and his team tried everything they could to make sure it would happen, but after touring Marquette Park, they agreed with Mayor Eddie Melton, who said in an August 14 release that given the magnitude of the disaster, “it would not be responsible to extend our resources toward an event when our community needs them most.”
“After 10 months of work, it’s the most depressing thing to have to cancel, but although it hurt, we’re going to come back better than ever,” Taillon said. “Next year is going to be amazing with the Thunderbirds, and we’re just going to work that much harder.”
Taillon also reiterated that SSCVA attorneys are combing through contracts and other policies to see how it’ll be able to recoup any other expenses. Most of the contracts have force majeure, or “Act of God” clauses, he said.
“It remains to be seen, but potentially, we don’t expect to lose a lot of money from this,” Taillon previously told the Post-Tribune. “It’s sponsorship-funded, so taxpayer dollars aren’t involved.”
In other business, Wolverton reported that Lake County in July brought in $322,000 in innkeeper’s tax, which is the SSCVA’s “best ever” collection. Year-to-date, the SSCVA has brought in $2.6 million, she said.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.