Reno Aces Sport Marketing Plan West Virginia University- IMC 630 Sport Marketing Taylor C. Haas 1 Reno Aces: Part I. Planning Project Objectives 2 The Reno Aces are a minor league baseball team located in Reno, Nevada. The Aces are a Triple-A affiliate team of the Arizona Diamond Backs and are a member of the Pacific Coast League (Wikipedia, 2014). Today, the team franchise is owned by SK Baseball, LLC and has made the Aces Ballpark in Reno their home since 2009. 3 History of Aces Ballpark has a great deal to with the team’s permanency in Reno. Originally a project created by Sierra Nevada Baseball that fell through due to financing issues (Wikipedia, 2014). 4 SK Baseball, LLC proposed to purchase the project in 2007. The endeavor was created to redevelop an aging section of downtown Reno called the “Freight House District” (Fine, 2014). 5 First pitch “crosses the plate” on April 17, 2009 (Fine, 2014). The ballpark has already enriched the Reno community by having hosted the 26th Annual Triple-A All-Star Game in 2013 (Fine, 2014). The Aces have been active in creating and preserving “a dedicated focus on making a positive impact in Reno and the surrounding Northern Nevada region” (MiLB, 2014). 6 The Ace’s presence has created a positive impact on the local community as well as the economic prosperity. In a University of Nevada study, if baseball left the Reno area, the region would lose (University of Nevada, 2012): 472 direct jobs 119 indirect jobs 143 induced jobs $28.8 million annually in economic impact 7 In conclusion, the Reno Aces have had a TREMENDOUS impact on the local community. 8 “The Reno Aces Baseball Club is a highvalue community asset, offering a great in-park experience and the notion of being a kid again” (Hill, 2015). 9 The core product is a quality & memorable entertainment experience for fans and visitors by meeting and exceeding community and fan needs to create return visits. The Aces Ballpark experience promises fun and excitement for people of all ages. 10 2015 Goal: to sell out 22 Friday and Saturday night games on the Aces’ home schedule by targeting and engaging members of the Reno community that are most likely to respond and attend games (Hill, 2015). 11 Engage the community through positive ballpark experiences. Create greater top of mind awareness for the Reno Aces. Assist ticket office and sales staff to increase ticket sales. Generate a positive buzz. Build game attendance and frequency. Reach tourists. 12 Build the brand image and persona of the Reno Aces within the area. Create awareness of baseball games as an alternative entertainment option in the Reno area. Generate more interest in attending ballgames among younger generations by creating a viable entertainment opportunity. 13 Minor League Baseball fans have a different fan base than Major League Baseball. The biggest difference in the games is the money, due to the amount of media coverage Major League Baseball receives (Electro-Mech, 2009). Having made this distinction, consumer needs also vary greatly because of the level of involvement of minor league baseball fans versus those who follow major league baseball. 14 In a study conducted by California State University at San Bernardino (Newman, 2005): 76% of fans that attend minor league baseball games go to the ballpark to be entertained “Fans are not as interested in the baseball game as they are to the entertainment experience associated with the game… Many fans don’t actually watch and completely understand the baseball game; they come for the whole entertainment experience” 15 In a study conducted by California State University at San Bernardino (Newman, 2005): The desired entertainment experience entails gaining a sense of belonging, the food and drink experience, and to be social among friends and other people. The study also concludes that fans expect to enjoy themselves in a “fun, clean, and hassle-free environment”, and do not really care who wins the game, so long as it was a good experience. The most critical finding in the study was that most ballpark visitors, who do attend a game, do not come back; suggesting that customer service needs are not being met. 16 In an interview with the Aces Marketing and Community Relations Senior Manager, Audrey Hill, “Fans attend Reno Aces games because of the ballpark experience. Our ballpark is easy, laid back and wholesome for fans to enjoy with family and friends. Aces games are a fun, easy way to escape from reality for the night” (Hill, 2015). This resonates perfectly with the findings of the California State University study; that fans attend minor league baseball games to be entertained by the whole ballgame experience, regardless of the actual game that’s taking place in front of them. 17 Entertainment needs don’t include what’s happening on the field, or whether or not the Aces actually win, but rather that food and drink expectations are fulfilled, ticket prices are affordable and advantageous, and that there are plenty of incentives for attending the games that cater to the social and entertainment experience. 18 The most important aspect of the Reno Aces’ games is the fan experience. The core product and positioning is to create a memorable and exciting entertainment experience by meeting and exceeding the entertainment needs of the Aces fan in order to create returns to the ballpark. 19 Reno Aces: Part II. Current Market Analysis 20 State Economic Trends The state of Nevada is making a come back from the epic housing slump and accompanying severe recession. Today the pace of recovery is accelerating, unemployment rate of 6.5% (December 2014), up from 13.9% in 2010. Recent improvement in economic standing can be attributed to region’s important hospitality and tourism industry, which employs 28% of workers in the Silver State. Source 21 Reno’s economy is based in trade and service sector, 65% of work force are employed in these occupations. Gaming (gambling) represents a significant portion of the growing economy and assessed valuation. Reno is experiencing gradual diversification of business with expansion of distribution, warehousing, and manufacturing facilities. Reno’s economic future is bright, cited by Kauffman foundation as the country’s “most consistent standout” for startup business. Source 22 Reno was #1 on Inc. Magazine’s “Best Places to Do Business in America” based on job growth figures. Nevada has no corporate or personal income tax and is a “right-to-work” state, making it ideal for business development and growth Reno’s recovery showing promise for sizable economic boost with new technology sectors. Source 23 Population in Washoe County continues to grow, projected to grow by 147,422 people over the next 20 years (Shearer, 2014). Washoe County’s most significant racial/ethnic groups are 64.7% white, 23.3% Hispanic, and 5.7% Asian. (US Census Bureau, 2015). Reno consists of generally White Collar employees (53%). (Onboard Informatics, 2014). 24 Reno is currently evolving from a gambling and tourism town into a technological hub. Apple is building a large data center in Reno, Tesla is currently building a manufacturing plant in the area, and Amazon, eBay, Zulily and Urban outfitters have relocated their distribution centers to Reno (Respaut, 2015). With more professional and technological industry opportunities, Reno is attracting top young professionals to the area (EDAWN, 2014). 25 In regards to the ‘changing face of Reno’, CEO of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN), Mike Kazmierski stated that the population could grow to over 500,000 “sooner than later” and that within five years, he sees Reno with a “vibrant downtown, college town feel, and high tech hub”. (Fehrenbacher, 2014). 26 The Aces Ballpark is the only baseball game entertainment experience in town, but there is an abundance of entertainment options that create competition. Other entertainment options include casinos and gambling, dining, UNR sports, shopping, museums, the circus, outdoor recreational activities, concerts and nightclubs. 27 Events that compete with the Aces Ballpark experience are: Reno Tahoe Open Tour de Nez-Vada Grand Venture Sports Festival Cinco De Mayo Reno River Festival Reno-Tahoe Odyssey Rock N Roll Revival Street Vibrations Reno Rodeo Wanderlust and Burning Man NV Chamber Music Festival Reno Air Races Rib Cook Off Hot August Nights Lake Tahoe Summerfest 28 Ability to host 9,100 individuals through general admission (Wikipedia, 2014). Weekly games and low cost tickets. Freight House District: a yearround entertainment complex attached to the Aces Ballpark that routinely features concerts, and festivals in conjunction with ballgames (Downtown Makeover, 2015). Offers a variety of restaurants with extensive dining options. 29 Growing diversified economy means increasing discretionary income within Reno Area population. With Tesla and Apple moving into Reno, young professionals are relocating into the area creating an opportunity to attract a younger and more vibrant crowd. The Aces Ballpark experience offers an all inclusive entertainment option, unlike many other entertainment options in Reno. 30 STRENGTHS: WEAKNESSES: • The Aces are the only professional ballgame experience “product” in Reno Area. • Brand new facility • Freight House District offers many entertainment and dining experiences that can suit a variety of consumers’ tastes and preferences. • Ability to host over 9,000 fans at each ballgame. • The Aces are still considered new to area. • Residents possess a lack of awareness of the ballgames each week. • There is a lack of awareness about the entertainment options within ballpark beyond the ballgame itself. • Fans currently consist of “emptynesters”, not young and active community members that have the ability to share experiences with other 31 OPPORTUNITIES: THREATS: • Growing, young economy. • There are other entertainment options in • Introduction of higher paying, Reno Area that compete with the professional jobs in area. ballgame experience. • New and emerging media create • Weather affects game attendance unlike platforms to draw the community closer competitors. to share and promote the Aces • Possibility of new entertainment experience. experiences entering blossoming • Social media allows younger generations community. to share their experiences prompting peers to join in or experience the games themselves. 32 Reno Aces: Part III. Consumer & Market Analysis 33 • • Minor League Baseball Fans (Secondary Data) • 43 Million Fans Nation Wide. • 2/3 of fans are 18-44 years of age. • 50% of fans have at least one child in the household. • Hispanics make up 12% of fans nationally. • 56% Male, 44% Female • Median Household Income of $73K, 40% higher than the National Average. (Scarborough, 2012). The Current Aces Fan (Primary Data) • The majority of Reno Aces fans (35.8%) are empty nesters, aged 45-69 years old (Hill, 2015). • They possess above average discretionary income, leisure time, and above average interest in Minor League Baseball. • Highly motivated by ticket and food discounts. (Hill, 2015). 34 The Aces Ballpark’s market includes residents of the Reno-Sparks-Tahoe greater area.(Secondary Data) 49.6% Female, 50.4 % male 2012 Population of 437,330. Age percentages of key market segments: ▪ 20-24, 7.9% 25-29, 7.1% ▪ 30-34, 6.4% 35-39, 6.2% ▪ 40-44, 6.6% 45-49, 7.0% ▪ 50-54, 7.2% 55-59, 6.8% ▪ 60-64, 6.2% 65-69, 4.9% Education: High school graduate or higher, percent of persons aged 25+: 86.9% Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons aged 25+: 27.3% Reno Greater Area Median Household Income, 2009-2013: $53,040 64.7% Caucasian, 23.3% Hispanic or Latino, 5.7% Asian (U.S. Census Bureau, 2015) (EDAWN, n.d.) 35 Greater Reno Area Psychographic Information: Active lifestyle, young at heart (RSCVA, n.d.). Recreational lifestyle, area citizens enjoy cultural events, excellent public services (Washoe County, n.d.). 36 Land Area of 6,302.37 square miles (U.S. Census Bureau, 2015). • Zip Code Information (Onboard Informatics, 2015): 89431, 89433, 89501, 89502, 89503, 89509, 89519, 89521, 89431,89432, 89434, 89435, 89436, 89441 • Secondary Market Radius (Outer Rims): Carson City, Truckee, Incline Village, Mount Rose Area, South Lake Tahoe 37 First Market Segment: Current Aces Fan: ▪ Aligns mostly with the 80/20 Rule, where 80% of the product is consumed by 20% of fan base (Reed College of Media, 2014). ▪ Empty nesters aged 45-69. ▪ Geographic: Living in greater Reno area. ▪ Income: $50,000+ per year. ▪ Without children in the house under the age of 18 Psychographic Information: ▪ Possesses extra leisure time ▪ Above average discretionary income ▪ Highly motivated by ticket deals and food discounts. ▪ Values savings, perceived “deals” ▪ Interests in minor league baseball are above average ▪ Attitudes and opinions about ballgame experiences are positive. ▪ Values the entertainment provided by the baseball game. 38 Second Target Segment: Potential Aces Fans: ▪ Millennial's, men and women aged 1834 ▪ 21.4% of area population. ▪ Geographic: Living in the Reno-Tahoe area. Psychographic Information: ▪ “The Social Generation” Value authenticity, creativity and community. ▪ Have open opinions ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ and attitudes about new experiences. Savvy with new and emerging social media. Founders of social media movement. College students or professional careers High level of interest in quality entertainment options. Care about families, friends and philanthropic causes. (Nielsen, 2014) 39 Third Target Segment Potential Aces Fans “Full-Nesters”- have at least one child in the home. ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Single parents, married or unmarried with children. Primarily White, Hispanic or Asian Families Income: $40k or higher Geographic: Greater Reno Area (Washoe County, Truckee Meadows Area) Family household sizes in Washoe County: ▪ 42,963- 2 persons ▪ 22,694 3- persons ▪ 19,906 4-persons 9,726 5-persons 4,239 6-persons 3,240 7-or-more Psychographic Information: ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Values time with family and friends. Finds fulfillment in career and family. Enjoys family entertainment options and affordable pricing. Makes time for family on weekends. (City-Data, n.d.) 40 Reno Aces: Part IV. The Marketing Plan 41 The Core Product: the Ace’s baseball game. The Game or Event Product- is a quality & memorable entertainment experience for fans and visitors that promises fun and excitement for fans of all ages. 42 The Aces Ballpark Experience offers a wide range of entertaining product extensions beyond the game itself (the core product). Venue Amenities: Freight House District- a year-round entertainment complex located within the Aces Ballpark that features a variety of restaurants and bars, and routinely features concerts and other attractions (Downtown Makeover, 2015). ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Duffy’s Ale House- offering pizza and beer Bugsy’s Sports Bar and Restauranttraditional sports bar menu with full views of the Ace’s field Arroyo Mexican Grill 250 Lounge/Night Club- late night entertainment, DJ’s, private meeting space. Center Bar- features the Heineken Stage Children’s Play Zone Event Plaza- Large grass area located in front of the ballpark- good for bbq’s, tailgating, festivals, concerts, beer gardens (Freight House Reno, 2015). and shows. Ace’s & Visitor’s Clubhouse Fantasy Baseball Party Decks- Open party decks above left and center field, private bar, panoramic views of Reno Batting Tunnels The Aces Team Store Parking- metered parking, Aces Parking Pass and Valet Concessions- traditional ballpark concession stands located within the ball park. Archie- The Ace’s Mascot 43 Single Game Tickets: General Admission: $7-$8 (Kids under 12, Seniors 62+), $8-$9 Tier 2-4 Right Field Reserved: $12-$13 (Kids under 12, Seniors 62+), $13-$14 Tier 2-4 Left Field Reserved: $13-$14 (Kids under 12, Seniors 62+), $14-$15 Tier 2-4 Infield Reserved: $16-$17 (Kids under 12, Seniors 62+), $17-$18 Tier 2-4 Infield Premium: $24-$25 (Kids under 12, Seniors 62+), $25-$26 Tier 2-4 Home Plate Premium: $30-$31 (Kids under 12, Seniors 62+), $31-$32 Tier 2-4 Sports Bar Patio: $21 (Kids under 12, Seniors 62+), $22 Tier 3 Bugsy’s Seats: $26 (Kids under 12, Seniors 62+), $27 Tier 3 Extra Game Experience Costs: Metered Parking Concessions Food and Beverage Aces Memorabilia and Merchandise • The average cost for a family of four to attend a Reno Aces Ballgame is estimated to cost nearly $211.68 • This includes 4 non-premium tickets, two beers, four soft drinks, four hot dogs, parking and two adult sized hats. (This estimation is based on The Fan Cost Index for MLB).(Team Marketing Report, 2015. 44 2015 Ticket Plans Full Season & 36 Game Ticket Plans Partial Season Ticket Plans ▪ 21, 14 or 7 game plans • • • • Dugout Club: $2,160 (Full Season) Home Plate Premium: $1,800 (Full Season) Infield Premium: $1,368 (Full Season), $720 (36 Game Plan), $441 (21 Game Plan) Infield Reserve: $864 (Full Season), $468 (36 Game Plan), $294 (21 Game Plan), $196 (14 Game plan), $98 (7 Game Plan) • Left Field Reserve: $720 (Full Season), $360 (36 Game Plan), $231 (21 Game Plan), $154 (14 Game Plan), $77 (7 Game Plan) 45 Ticket Benefits Season Ticket Holder Promotions ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Free give-aways for ticket plan holders Tickets received in Aces backpack Aces Season Ticket Holder hat Special-Edition Bobblehead Replica Aces jersey for full-season ticket holders Archie’s Kids Club: ▪ Opportunity to meet Aces player and win prizes ▪ Free T-Shirt ▪ 10% Discount at Reno Aces Team Store every Sunday ▪ Official Membership Card ▪ Sunday Raffles ▪ E-mails regarding upcoming Archie events ▪ Exclusive entry to Archie’s Kids Club- only events 46 The Reno Aces Ballpark Experience offers a number of different promotions for each game held at the ballpark. Kids Eat Free: First 500 kids 12 and under through the gates receive a voucher for free hot dog and bag of candy. Kids Run The Bases: All children under 12 run the bases after the game every Friday, Saturday and Sunday home game. Circus Circus Family Sunday: Play Circus Circus baseball bingo and follow the onfield action to win prizes. Dollar Menu Monday: $1 Hot dogs all game long. 2-For-$22 Tuesday: Get 2 general admission tickets, 2 hot dogs and 2 sodas. Seniors Eat Free: The first 250 fans over 50 receive a free hot dog. Coors Light Thirsty Thursday: $2 Coors beer specials and $2 sodas Adult Run the Bases: All ages run around the bases after the game. St. Mary’s Fireworks Friday: Post game fireworks every Friday Girl Scout Night/Scout Night: Discounted tickets Super Saturdays: post game fireworks, give-aways for first 1,000 fans Bad Songs for a Good Cause: Supports Ronald McDonald House, fans buy a bad song to be played at a visiting team at bat Dog Days of Summer: Bring a friend to the park for discounted tickets Bully’s Sports Bar & Grill Friends and Family Deal: For $17, receive right field seat, Reno Aces hat and Bully’s wing voucher for an order of wings. 47 The Ace’s Ballpark is located in downtown Reno, Nevada, also known as “The Biggest Little City in The World”. Triple-A Baseball’s most popular venue, with more tickets sold per capita than any other host city (Reno Freight House District, 2015). Opened in 2009, the ballpark can comfortably hold 9,013 fans, with 6,500 premiere seats. Ticket Purchase locations: Aces Ballpark Box Office RenoAces.com Stubhub.com, Ticketmaster.com, Excite.com El Dorado Resort & Casino 48 2014 Media Partners: MiLB.tv MiLB.com My21TV- 15 Games all season. Reno Aces YouTube Channel Fox Sports Radio 630 AM Social Media Facebook: Reno Aces, Freight House District in Reno, Nevada Twitter: @aces, @freighthouseRNO, @renoaces_pr Blog: http://reno.mlblogs.com/ Instagram: #AcesMemories 49 Reno Aces: Part V. Evaluation & Modification in Plan (Future Direction) 50 Is the Product Position/Concept viable? Are the goals and objectives realistic? The Ace’s Ballpark experience is a practical product position/concept that is easily understood by the greater Reno community as a viable entertainment experience option. The 2015 Goal is “to sell out 22 Friday and Saturday night games on the Aces’ home schedule by targeting and engaging members of the Reno community that are most likely to respond and attend games (Hill, 2015).” ▪ The 2015 Goal is realistic…HOWEVER: there are two major target segments that are not currently engaged in the marketing strategy that would assist in reaching the set goal and objectives. 51 Product Position ▪ The Ace’s Ballpark experience is positioned correctly to the majority of current customers (Empty-Nesters), but is missing the mark in reaching Reno’s socially active Millennial's and FullNester Families. ▪ More effort is needed to position the Aces Ballpark experience in the target segments’ mind as a unique, viable, memorable and exciting entertainment option in the Reno area. 52 Are the promotional efforts reaching the intended audiences? Current promotions like Dollar Menu Monday, Two-For-$22 Tuesday, Seniors Eat Free Wednesdays and Bully’s Sports Bar & Grill Friends and Family Deal are reaching the intended audiences and do cater to the needs of the Empty Nesters. However, better promotions need to be created to meet the highly social entertainment needs of Millennial's. More appropriate promotions for families would also create return visits to the Aces Ballpark. Promotions on the weekend that intend to reach families include Kids Run the Bases, Bully’s Sports Bar & Grill Friends and Family Deal, Circus Circus Sundays and fireworks shows, but may not be effectively meeting the needs of families with limited discretionary income. The Good: There are currently a variety of promotions to get people to the Aces Ballpark on each day of the week. Needs Improvement: The Aces could benefit from creating new pricing programs for families and different promotions for active Millennials. 53 Based on market analysis of the greater Reno-Tahoe area in addition to Minor League Baseball data, two market segments were identified and created to meet the Aces’ 2015 goal and objectives. Millennials: With more professional and technological industry opportunities, Reno is attracting top young professionals to the area (EDAWN, 2014). • With the growing young professional population in Reno, it makes sense to engage this non-pattern/light user market segment to move them up the “frequency escalator”. • 21.4% of area population. (City-Data, n.d.) • 2/3 of MiLb fans are 18-44 (Scarborough, 2012) Full-Nester Families: • 50% of MiLB fans have at least one child in the household (Scarborough, 2012). • 56.2% of households in Reno greater areas are “family households” with 2 or more people(City-Data, n.d.), • Another non-pattern/light user segment that could be moved up the “frequency escalator” The Escalator Concept is a graphic representation of consumer movement to higher levels of involvement in a sport, as a player or a fan (Mullin, Hardy & Sutton, 2014). 54 The Aces and The Escalator Current Aces fans occupy the “Heavy Users” portion of the escalator. ▪ Retain: “The escalator concept suggests that sport organizations should first and foremost invest in nurturing existing relationships” (Mullin, Hardy & Sutton, 2014). New Segments (Millenials & Families) ▪ Grow & Acquire: The second and third steps of the Escalator Concept are to focus on casual fans as to make them more avid fans, and to try to create new fans (Mullin, Hardy & Sutton, 2014). 55 Changes to the Marketing Mix as indicated by the market and consumer analysis are a result of who was identified: ▪ Core consumers: empty nesters ▪ Fulfill the 80/20 Rule, where 80% of business is produced by 20% of consumers. ▪ Potential segments: ▪ Millennials- growing population in greater Reno area ▪ Full-Nesters- families in Reno with at least one child 56 How to better serve the identified target market segments: ▪ Better pricing programs for Families ▪ Family pricing packages Season packages, multigame packages, multifamily member packages. ▪ Ticket promotions for families Bring a Family Night (Ticket deals on two families). Family Four and Five Packs ▪ More social media outreach ▪ Less about food, more about community and real ballpark experiences. ▪ Creating the “Aces Story” through the fans. ▪ More contests. ▪ More engaging content pertinent to the Reno community. 57 Better promotions to suit needs of Millennials and families Families: ▪ $1 Family Feast Nights- $1 Hot dogs, drinks and ice cream ▪ Aces T-shirt Give-away nights ▪ Bring Your Grandparent Night- $1 hot dogs and drinks for grandparents ▪ Disney Movie Night- Meet a Disney character in the stands ▪ Family Four and Five Packs-4 or 5 ticket packages with vouchers for 4 hot dogs, 4 drinks and 4 ice creams ▪ Movie Nights- Show a movie after the game is finished Millennials: ▪ Date nights- bring a date and get $2 hot dogs and $2 beverages all night ▪ Singles Night- $1 beers for happy hour in the Freight House District ▪ Beer Voucher Nights- Buy a ticket and get a free beer ▪ Aces Beer Mug Give Away Night ▪ Thirsty Thursdays ▪ More fun and exciting promotions to get the light user interested in coming back and bringing friends. ▪ Reno 911 Night- Dress like your favorite character from the Reno 911 television show ▪ Themed Costume Nights- Zombie Night, 80s and 90s Nights, Pajama Night 58 What should the Aces be doing? • Creating better promotions and pricing packages for a variety of different fans. Research, research, research! • Taking an information-based approach to the creation of promotion, price and public relations strategies to foster success and avoid losing fans. • More knowledge about which promotions were successful, what fans want and dislike about the Aces experience, ideas to make the experience better. • Primary Research through personal interviews during games, surveys and focus groups to improve ROI in marketing endeavors (Product, Pricing, Promotion, Place, Public Relations). 59 Electro-Mech. (2009, July 27). Difference between major and minor league baseball. Electro-Mech. Received March 26, 2015 from http://www.electro-mech.com/team-sports/baseball/difference-of-major-and-minorleague-baseball/ Fine, G. (2014, August 7). Why the reno aces are bigger than baseball. Where Traveler. Retrieved March 26, 2015 from http://www.wheretraveler.com/reno-tahoe/why-reno-aces-are-bigger-baseball Hill, A. (2015, March 25). Reno Aces Marketing Information [E-mail interview]. MiLB. (2014). 2014 Reno aces community report. MiLB. Retrieved March 26, 2015 from http://www.milb.com/documents/6/8/6/106539686/2014_Community_Report_23gu7yir.pdf Newman, E. (2005). Minor League Baseball Is All About Being Entertained. Journal of Business & Economics Research, 3(5). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from http://www.cluteinstitute.com/ojs/index.php/JBER/article/viewFile/2770/2818 WikiPedia (2014, July 5). Aces ballpark. Retrieved March 26, 2015 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aces_Ballpark University of Nevada. (2012).Economic and fiscal impact analysis. Reno aces baseball stadium. Center for Regional Studies. Retrieved March 25, 2015, from http://www.reno.gov/home/showdocument?id=37327 Washoe County (n.d.). About washoe county. Retrieved April 19, 2015 from http://www.washoecounty.us/your_government/about-wc.php RSCVA. (n.d.) Reno-tahoe marketing and sales plan 2004-2005. Retrieved April 18, 2015 from http://www.visitrenotahoe.com/docs/aboutus/MP04-05finalforweb.pdf Onboard Informatics. (2015). Reno, nevada. City-Data.com. Retrieved April 18, 2015 from http://www.citydata.com/city/Reno-Nevada.html 60 Downtown Makeover. (2015). Freight House. Downtown Reno Makeover. Retrieved April 1, 2015 from http://www.downtownmakeover.com/downtown_reno/FreightHouse.asp EDAWN. (2014). Greater Reno-Sparks-Tahoe Workforce. Retrieved April 1, 2015 from http://www.edawn.org/whyreno/workforce/ Fehrenbacher, K. (2014, August 10). The changing face of Reno: Why the ‘world’s biggest little city’ is attracting Apple & Tesla. Gigaom. Retrieved April 3, 2015 from https://gigaom.com/2014/08/10/the-changing-face-of-reno-why-the-worldsbiggest-little-city-is-attracting-apple-tesla/ Shearer, N. (2014, October 8). State demographer releases population projections. Retrieved April 4, 2015, from http://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2014/population-projections Onboard Informatics (2014, January 1). Reno. Retrieved April 4, 2015, from http://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/NV/Reno-Demographics.html Respaut, R. (2015, February 26). Reno’s economy is thriving, but will it continue? Review Journal. Retrieved April 4, 2015 from http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/reno-s-economy-thriving-will-it-continue City of Reno. (n.d.). Reno’s economy. Retrieved April 1, 2015 from http://www.reno.gov/business/reno-s-economy UNLV. (n.d.). Reno-sparks/washoe county economic data. University of Nevada Las Vegas. Retrieved April 1, 2015 from http://cber.unlv.edu/WCEconData.html Vitner, M., Wolf, M. (2014, April 14). Nevada Economic Outlook: April 2014. Wells Fargo Securities. Retrieved April 1, 2015 from https://www08.wellsfargomedia.com/downloads/pdf/com/insights/economics/regionalreports/NV_Economic_Outlook_04142014.pdf WikiPedia (2014, July 5). Aces ballpark. Retrieved March 26, 2015 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aces_Ballpark 61 Onboard Informatics. (2015). Reno, nevada. City-Data.com. Retrieved April 18, 2015 from http://www.city-data.com/city/Reno-Nevada.html U.S. Census Bureau. (2015, March 31). Washoe county nevada. Retrieved April 16, 2015 from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/32/32031.html EDAWN. (n.d.) Greater Reno-Sparks-Tahoe Regional Overview. Retrieved April 16, 2015 from http://www.edawn.org/images/uploads/docs/Regional_Overview_-_Washoe_County.pdf Scarborough. (2012, April 10). Minor league baseball attracts a young, tech-oriented fan base. Nielsen. Retrieved April 24, 2015 from http://dialog.scarborough.com/index.php/minor-leaguebaseball-attracts-a-young-tech-oriented-fan-base/ Reed College of Media. (2015, March 16). Lesson 5: Market Segmentation. West Virginia University. Retrieved April 25, 2015 from https://ecampus.wvu.edu/webapps/blackboard/execute/displayLearningUnit?course_id=_31753_1 &content_id=_1609091_1&framesetWrapped=true Nielsen. (2014, January 27). Millenials: breaking the myths. Retrieved April 24, 2015 from http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/reports/2014/millennials-breaking-the-myths.html City-Data.com (n.d.). Washoe county, nevada. Retrieved April 25, 2015 from http://www.citydata.com/county/Washoe_County-NV.html Reno Freight House District. (2015). Reno aces ballpark. Retrieved April 25 from http://freighthousereno.com/reno-aces-ballpark/ Team Marketing Report. (2015, April). 2015 mlb fan cost index. Retrieved April 27, 2015 from https://www.teammarketing.com/public/uploadedPDFs/2015%20mlb%20fci%20%281%29.pdf 62