Arena Commission

MAC Commission Meeting February 10, 2026 MAC Commission Meeting February 10, 2026, 11:30 a.m. Commission Members Present: Kirk Madsen, Mark Eckman and Rod James Commission Members Absent: Marshall Redmond City Employees Present: Mimi Dobson, Danielle Bemis, Mayor Jill Shudak Caesars Entertainment Members Present: Mark Vacanti, Thomas Roberts, Janae Sternberg, Amanda Kelley, Shari McCormick, Pete Shaner, Robin Gilmore, Rob McCracken, Brookelyn Kipp, Stephanie Doty 1. Call to Order - 11:32 a.m. Mark Eckman 2. Roll Call: Kirk Madsen, Rod James, Mark Eckman all present 3. Approve Agenda February 10, 2026 – Mark Eckman accepted a motion to approve, Rod James motioned, Kirk Madsen second motioned, motion passed. 4. Approve Minutes A. November 18, 2025, Mark Eckman entertained a motion to approve Kirk Madsen motioned and Rod James second motion, motion passed. 5. Presentations A. Presentation by Harrah’s Iowa Arena Management – Mid-America Center Operations Update - Mark Vacanti, MAC General Manager Good morning! I would like to welcome Mayor Shudak today and I appreciate her taking the time to learn about our operations at the Mid-America Center. We had several key positions open over the last couple months in a number of departments. I would like to thank the team members that helped to fill in the gaps during that period. I feel that the focus on preparation has made these types of times more manageable. Abby Williamson, our Entertainment Manager, left at the end of January. We have a new Entertainment Manager starting the first week of March. He will oversee our Box Office operations and Marketing here at the MAC. Brookelyn Kipp has been assisting during Abby’s absence. Brookelyn is our Marketing Specialist and has been with us for almost 2 years. And today is her birthday! Happy Birthday! Our Concession Supervisor left at the beginning of January. We looked at our bench strength and were able to find some expense savings by promoting our Banquet Coordinator to a new role as Food and Beverage Supervisor. Our operations team was also able to fill the Production Lead position which has been open since late last year. It is extremely impressive that even though we were short-handed in a couple key roles the team took steps to ensure the guests never noticed a break in our level of service. 1  MAC Commission Meeting February 10, 2026 We have also been busy looking at in-house entertainment options. Offers were submitted for a number of comedians and shows. We booked a comedian for December and are closing on another rock show. I was contacted by a new agent/promoter, Gate 52, that is looking to route Mexican Regional and Latin artist through the area. This could be the type of summer business that could help to fill the slower arena season. Tour rehearsal season is upon us; friendly reminders will be sent out to our industry partners. Rob continues to work with Cody Smith on CIP plan to ensure we are scheduling project activity around our event schedule. Past Events November 2025 ❖ Council Bluffs Kennel Club, Before Thanksgiving They have over 700 dogs competing for that blue ribbon ❖ Beautillion December 2025 ❖ CheerSport – the first of our 6 cheer events for the season ❖ Callahan Craft Fair Winter ❖ CB Wrestling Classics – 4,500 attended with over $40,000 in Concessions sales. ❖ JE Dunn Holiday Party ❖ 2025 IUOE Local 571 Holiday Party ❖ Powerhouse Wrestling King and Queen – Sunday event, 3,000 Attendees and $30,000 in Concession sales ❖ MAC Shootout -bragging rights Iowa vs Nebraska – High School teams competing over one weekend, 2,000 in attendance, weekend before Christmas. ❖ JBP Concrete and Construction Holiday Party ❖ Timpte Inc. Holiday Party January 2026 2  MAC Commission Meeting February 10, 2026 ❖ Nationwide Expos Home - 2nd show with us ❖ Midwest Oncology Practice Society Meeting ❖ Celebration of Service ❖ Deep South Spirit Cheer and Dance ❖ Conductix Holiday Party ❖ Council Bluffs Fire Department Training - Physical Training ❖ Wiese Enterprises ❖ Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting – larger than recent events ❖ Bellevue University Graduation with 500 Graduates, 2,500 Attendees Upcoming Public Events February 2026 ❖ Act 1 Talent ❖ OneOK - New group training, lunch and learn, 1st time with us ❖ MCDA Cheer & Dance Competition. ❖ Agriculture Appreciation Banquet moving to June 2025, large event. They have had bad luck with the weather in winter in January so have decided to move to summer. ❖ Titanium Fire Sprinkler Company Holiday Party ❖ Cardin Int'l Circus 1st of 3-year deal, good partnership ❖ KC Card Shows Expo February ❖ Ovation Dance ❖ Midwest Green Expo - Trade Landscaping and building materials. ❖ Rainbow Dance Competition - 2-3 days, 1st Competition of 11 ❖ Ovation Dance Competition ❖ Union Pacific Finance Meeting with 500 from their Finance team, 1st year, all day event 3  MAC Commission Meeting February 10, 2026 ❖ Jennie Edmundson Dance to the Beat - They are back! Previously at the Warehouse they decided to return to the MAC. ❖ The River City Chili Fest 1st year, Winter fair with The River Radio ❖ Spirit Catholic Radio Banquet - Pete details this one and this is the 5th year March 2026 ❖ Jim Hawk Annual Sales Meeting ❖ Northern natural Gas Inspector Training ❖ Workrise Team Meeting and Dinner ❖ Gas Gathering Specialists, Inc Dinner -with smaller groups breaking out for dinner ❖ PrimeTime Dance Competition ❖ NJCAA Wrestling - Added more ladies teams, IWCC Hosts, 3-year contract, with 2 years left ❖ Ovation Dance ❖ Midwest Spring Classic Cheer – Arena event ❖ Showbiz Dance Competition – In Exhibit Hall with 11 total Dance ❖ NAU Country 2025 Claims Adjuster School ❖ PRCA Championship Rodeo ❖ KC Card Shows Expo 2nd time ❖ Prestige National Talent Competition ❖ Family Financial Solutions Group April 2026 ❖ Heartland International National Dual Wrestling Tournament – Arena, Ballroom and Exhibit Hall, High School teams moving to the Fieldhouse. Director of this event is looking at potential summer wrestling freestyle event ❖ PrimeTime Dance Competition ❖ Rockstar Championships ❖ Midwest Oncology Practice Society Meeting April 4  MAC Commission Meeting February 10, 2026 ❖ Thunderstruck Dance Productions ❖ Spotlight Events ❖ Brick Days – Hobbytown owner from Lincoln puts on the event ❖ Kids Artistic Review May 2026 ❖ In10sity Dance ❖ Jabberwock Scholarship Pageant – First time booking with Amanda ❖ Council Bluffs Community Schools Testing – All at the end of May ❖ Thomas Jefferson High School Graduation ❖ Abraham Lincoln High School Graduation ❖ Lewis Central High School Graduation ❖ Midlands Humane Society – moved to the end of May ❖ Mystic Fest Spring – Consumer Show 5  MAC Commission Meeting February 10, 2026 Event Attendance ❖ Numbers Down in November There was a Govt. Shutdown Capital Update ❖ Current Projects – Retractable approved for Mid-June ▪ FY26 – approved ❖ Arena Seating for the retractables install mid-May through June ❖ Arena Floor Seating – May delivery ❖ Parking Lot Phase VI ❖ Utilities Vehicle - Received new Gator awaiting new truck ❖ Future Projects 6  MAC Commission Meeting February 10, 2026 ▪ FY27 ▪ Phase II Arena Seating ▪ Boiler Replacement Phase 1 of 2 - asked to break the project into two phases ▪ Roof Replacement Phase IV ▪ Parking Lot Phase VII ▪ Performance Stage 24 years old, delaminating, new one is lighter and has wheels quick turn around on load-in and load-out ▪ FY28 ▪ Arena Seating Phase III ▪ Boiler Replacement Phase II ▪ Carpet replacement –12 years old right now will be 14 years old at this point of change ▪ Concession Stands –refresh needed ▪ FY29 ▪ Banquet seating, furniture and wallpaper ▪ FY30 ▪ LED Arena lighting ▪ FY31 ▪ Chiller replacement 30 years old SALES REVIEW –Amanda Kelly & Shari McCormick Sales Contracted ➢ Union Pacific – 500 Members • February 2026 ➢ Nationwide Expos Home Show • January 2027 – Bi -Annual ➢ Timpte Holiday Party • December 2027 – Bi -Annual ➢ Mystic Fest – Spring and Fall – Working on 2028 and 2029 Bookings • May 2026 • October 2026 • May 2027 • October 2027 ➢ Iowa Rual Water Association - First event here. We are excited to have them • September 2026 ➢ O Con – Always a great event! • July 2026 ➢ Bellevue University • January 2029 7  MAC Commission Meeting February 10, 2026 • June 2029 • January 2030 • June 2030 ➢ United Way of the Midlands • July 2026 ➢ AEA Purchasing School Spirit Show • August 2026 ➢ MCDA Cheer & Dance • February 2029 • February 2030 ➢ Army National Guard Dine Out • September 2026 ➢ Showbiz Dance • March 2029 ➢ PrimeTime Dance • April 2029 Sales Projections On the Radar…. Amanda and I are working on booking: ❖ MAPA Four State Economic Development Conference ❖ 2 Indian Weddings 2026 and 2027 ❖ North American Dart Organization ❖ Premier National League Wrestling ❖ Iowa County Treasurers Association – Shari McCormick in process of on booking for 2028 ❖ Midwest Petroleum Equipment Rebooking… ❖ Deep South Spirit ❖ Spirit Catholic Radio ❖ Council Bluffs Kennel Club ❖ Nuke-Con Also booked working on contracts ❖ Mystic Fest Amanda Kelley Just returned from Annual Sales meeting; lead volume was up this year for smaller tier cities which includes us. People want to meet in person. Attending sports trade shows in April and November 8  MAC Commission Meeting February 10, 2026 Shari McCormick has been in Des Moines getting groups with Iowa Bankers Association, third party vendors and Trade shows in October. Joining MPI. Caesars Sales Team nationwide can book the property FINANCIAL REVIEW – Janae Sternberg, Caesars VP Finance We had a $32,000 loss but we are still ahead by $190,000 from last year. Weather has hurt attendance, but we have three big months ahead for improved revenue. No major snow removal costs this year, and we are continuing to see savings from contracted vendors. Mid America Center Financial Comparison Actuals Budget Variance Actuals Actuals 7 months ended 1/31/2026 1/31/2026 1/31/2025 1/31/2024 Net Income 2,000,542 2,113,269 (112,727) 1,640,692 2,310,872 Operating Expense (2,332,578) (2,543,692) 211,114 (2,162,321) (2,323,002) Actual (Loss)/Income (332,036) (430,423) 98,387 (521,629) (12,130) Base Fee (38,149) (73,750) 35,601 - (200,685) Total Loss (370,185) (504,173) 133,988 (521,629) (212,815) MARKETING REVIEW Marketing/Entertainment – Mark Vacanti Social Media Performance ✓ Facebook impressions are higher than all other platforms as usual Be sure to follow our social media pages & share posts! Sharing is the best way to ensure more people see our events & attend! • Facebook – Mid-America Center (Face Book by far the best) • Twitter – @BackAtTheMac • Instagram – MidAmerica center Facebook consistently has more clicksI! We are keeping people engaged. 9  MAC Commission Meeting February 10, 2026 ❖ Circus - 4 Performances ❖ Expecting about 60% of sales to occur day of show ❖ BOGO ticket offer available – mailed vouchers to area businesses. ❖ Ads are running on radio & TV since mid-January, Box office is usually busy on day of performance ❖ Majority of tickets will be sold on the day of show ❖ Ticketmaster Premium email, 20% off finals ticket. Sent to 20,000 look-a-like buyers to help increase awareness of the event ❖ Expecting about 40% of sales to occur on the day of show ❖ Valentine’s Offer is running now through end of February: Buy One Get One 50% off.\ ❖ St. Patrick’s Day Offer running March 2-19: Buy 3, Get 1 Free ❖ 4 Performances ❖ Marketing begins 3/2 on radio, TV, and digital. 10  MAC Commission Meeting February 10, 2026 ❖ Valentine’s offer running now through 2/15: Buy an Adult Ticket for 50% off & Get 50% off a Child Ticket. More clicks have been going through Facebook. Facebook engagement is up 122% over last year We have gained 94 followers since last year. Number of posts published is up 10% over last year Please share our posts on social media. Other Marketing Updates nterna Marketing Mark Eckman discussed collaboration meeting we held in January BANQUETS/CONCESSIONS REVIEW – Pete Shaner, Food and Beverage Manager Adjusted Banquet Menu - Beef offerings and costs to stay in line ❖ Working to keep our costs down with the price increase ❖ Beef prices up approximately 9% ❖ Sought after cuts up 15% Continuing to onboard Team Member and Department training ❖ Several new team members – with referral program and refresher training. 11  MAC Commission Meeting February 10, 2026 ❖ Fine tuning areas ❖ Beverage Services ❖ Formal tables Settings ❖ Creating memorable Experiences Pete stated that connections to guests, warm greeting and departure greeting will be a top priority for all upcoming events! Concessions Overview - Event Call-Out’s ❖ TSO Show ❖ CB Wrestling Classic ❖ Powerhouse Wrestling ❖ MAC Shootout ❖ Nationwide Home Show ❖ Bellevue University ❖ Deep South Cheer & Dance ❖ MCDA Cheer & Dance Offerings: ❖ Breakfast Pizza ❖ Breakfast Croissants ❖ Fruits/yogurts Banana Wraps for Wrestling sold out! B. Report -Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau Mark Eckman reviewed the monthly report that was given out at the beginning of the meeting and answered any questions. Mark Eckman spoke about rebranding project. 12  MAC Commission Meeting February 10, 2026 6. New Business – A. Management Agreement Negotiations -Discussion and Possible Action on Designation of Lead Negotiator City Attorney Mimi Dodson provided a handout to the board and discussed the Arena Commission duties as board members under the City Municipal Code to negotiate and make recommendations on the management contracts and renewals. She mentioned the problem with the board acting as the negotiator was the board must operate in open meetings. She recommended the board designate a negotiator since the board operates in open meetings and it is difficult to negotiate in that setting. The designated negotiator will provide recommendations for the board for their consideration. City Attorney Dodson discussed the current management agreement, financial performance, capital expenditures from page 2 of the handout. She noted the city has three options for the management agreement, renew on the same terms, issue and RFP, or her recommendation is to negotiate a new contract. City Attorney Dodson reviewed Page 4 of the handout – Potential options of types of agreements. She sent out public records requests to other municipally owned venues on management contracts and financials. She recommended the board select a negotiator to give that person time to receive and analyze the information from the public records request and have time to negotiate between April and May to be ready to discuss a tentative agreement at the May meeting or if not ready at that time the discussions could happen at the August meeting. If there was no agreement at that point, there would be time for the City to put out an RFP. Rod James motioned to designate City Attorney Mimi Dodson as the Lead Negotiator for management agreement, Kirk Madsen 2nd the motion. No discussion, the motion passed 3-0. Mayor Shudak added that the city is looking to improve on the contract and also maintain the relationship and build from where we are. She also stated it looks like numbers are improving each year and the number of events are going up. 7. Set date for next meeting Next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 11:30 AM 8. Adjournment Mark Eckman asked for a motion for adjournment, Kirk Madsen 1st approved and Rod James 2nd Motion, motion passed Meeting adjourned at 12:28 PM 13