Topic: 2012 All Star Game for Ottawa?

[Small Town]

From Twitter:

 SportsBizNews:  Rumor du Jour: Gary Bettman in Ottawa on September 15 to announce the 2012 NHL All-Star Weekend will be hosted by the Ottawa Senators

[FBK]

I hope!! I might actually be in Ottawa at that time too!

[thirstymoose_2000]

There's been pretty strong rumours all summer. Not a whole lot of people will be able to see the actual game live, but there should be some fun activities for fans around the game. Would be good for the city.

[playertobenamedlater]

There's been pretty strong rumours all summer. Not a whole lot of people will be able to see the actual game live, but there should be some fun activities for fans around the game. Would be good for the city.

Yeah, there typically aren't any seats left over for the general public for these things. But like you say, there should be some fun events around town associated with the game.

[rose]

Yeah, there typically aren't any seats left over for the general public for these things. But like you say, there should be some fun events around town associated with the game.

I am seldom interested in watching the actual game in any case.  But some of the events could be fun!

[Jasonf6]

Yeah, there typically aren't any seats left over for the general public for these things. But like you say, there should be some fun events around town associated with the game.

It's kind of sad though since it's the general public who actually watches the games.  The corporate tools who buy all the seats up aren't going there for the hockey.  They should regulate the number of seats available to the corporate people to say 45% of seating/boxes and leave the rest for those who actually watch the game.

[FV]

If you could get tickets, an Allstar game might be OK to watch but on TV I don't bother anymore.  

[Jasonf6]

If you could get tickets, an Allstar game might be OK to watch but on TV I don't bother anymore.  

Ya, same here.  I won't watch say baseball or football on tv but if someone had tickets I might go watch live. 

[FV]

I can't stand baseball but it's the only major sport with a meaningful Allstar game. 

[Billy_Muckwalt]

Whenever you can get this many hi profile players under one roof, even if it is just shinny, it's still pretty special. Good for autograph seekers and memorabilia hounds... lol   

[FBK]

Sens hosted the draft, now its time to do the all-star game. 3 years ago Ottawa hosted 2 games of the Finals. Well Ottawa has done good in the past 3 years hosting important things. Who would have thought all of this would happen within 5 years

[Scary]

I imagine season ticket holders should be able to get tickets, right?

[rose]

I imagine season ticket holders should be able to get tickets, right?

Seems to me I heard somewhere that at the last few all-star games, season ticket holders and corporate (sponsors) seats filled the arena for the skills and the actual game.  Tickets easier to come by for the 'young stars' game.

[thirstymoose_2000]

The corporate tools who buy all the seats up aren't going there for the hockey.  They should regulate the number of seats available to the corporate people to say 45% of seating/boxes and leave the rest for those who actually watch the game.

The All Star Game is all about the NHL smoozing corporate sponsors and showing them a good time. It isn't about hockey at all, and they certainly aren't going to cap the number of guests that they will invite in favour of the ticket buying public. Just the reality of it.

[rose]

The All Star Game is all about the NHL smoozing corporate sponsors and showing them a good time. It isn't about hockey at all, and they certainly aren't going to cap the number of guests that they will invite in favour of the ticket buying public. Just the reality of it.

Exactly.  In reality, I seldom watch the game itself but I do like the skills competition just for the 'fun' of it.  But I do think that it would be great for the economy/profile of the city.   

[Jasonf6]

The All Star Game is all about the NHL smoozing corporate sponsors and showing them a good time. It isn't about hockey at all, and they certainly aren't going to cap the number of guests that they will invite in favour of the ticket buying public. Just the reality of it.

Oh, I know.

[Sugar J.Hyde]

If I can get tickets I'll be all over this.

[FV]

I've never really believed things like this do anything for a cities profile and the impact to the economy is minimal.  It's a nice thing to have in your city but there is nothing wrong with Ottawa's profile or how the city is looked at by outsiders and this game probably won't make a difference one way or the other.  

 

[rose]

I've never really believed things like this do anything for a cities profile and the impact to the economy is minimal.  It's a nice thing to have in your city but there is nothing wrong with Ottawa's profile or how the city is looked at by outsiders and this game probably won't make a difference one way or the other.  

The Hotel Association would disagree with you.  The estimates of how much business it would bring to the area was fairly high (can't remember it off the top of my head) and the Tourism Association likes that Ottawa would be showcased across North America....particularly since they hope to move Winterlude up one week to run in conjunction with "NHL All Star Week" which they feel will - depending on potential activities - be a good adjunct to that yearly event.   

[FV]

I was hearing the same things about the draft a couple of years back.  Will it bring some money into the local economy, sure but I really can't imagine it's significant.  Most people at the game will be from Ottawa.  As far as showcasing Ottawa, yes people will watch the game and I'm sure the networks will put on some Ottawa filler pieces.

If Ottawa's profile means something to you then yes this can't hurt but I just don't think it does a whole lot.  I think most people have an understanding about what Ottawa is about.  That's just my opinion.