Trumpets Workshop Wed, Aug 13 @ 2 PM & 7 PM

August 11, 2008 by bobfrank.

DON’T MISS THE TRUMPETS BOARD WORKSHOPS ON WEDNESDAY, AUG 13 @ 2 & 7 PM!

Although not widely promoted, the Trumpets Board Workshops to be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 2 PM and 7 PM in Hanneman Hall will likely be a turning point in the checkered history of this SCA restaurant facility.

Carl Weinstein, Shirley Cheri and I will be leading three different discussions to gather more member feedback, and to develop some recommendations for consideration at the September board meeting.

Shirley Cheri has declared she will lead discussions about the “minimalist” option where I understand she will propose that SCA should only ask RMI to contract for (1) a full-service Bar for members only with all types of beverages and pre-packaged snacks, (2) offer full service catering by multiple companies in support of clubs and activities department events, and (3) offer no scheduled table services in the restaurant area.

Carl has said he will lead the discussions about a long-term lease using a broker. However, he and Roz Berman have been sending mixed signals since they announced they have been holding private discussions with an owner of one of the Omelet House chains in North Las Vegas. I will be interested in hearing from Roz and Carl about how an Omelet House chain owner/operator could have gained the range and depth of expertise to handle the Trumpets operations at SCA.

For the third approach, I will lead discussions on what I believe will be the “best choice” option using a “two-step approach” to take advantage of the lessons learned by the previous Trumpets Working Group and with S&D Cafe. With assistance from some SCA members, I will discuss how it could be possible to quickly contract for 6 to 12 months with a SCA-proven catering vendor that already operates a highly successful LV restaurant. At least one leading restaurant company is ready to propose to the Board some very favorable Terms & Conditions in support of this two-step approach.

The proposed goal will be to “test the feasibility” of members-only restaurant, bar and catering services contract. At the end of the service contract period, SCA would consider such options as (1) continue the contract with updated terms and conditions, (2) convert the contract to a multi-year lease, (3) convert the contract to a public access lease where SCA has options for revenue sharing on the public catering business, or (4) transition to a “minimalist approach”.

It is currently envisioned that such a two-step service agreement could include most of the key terms and conditions (T&Cs) proposed by the previous working group so that, if both parties wish to do so, a transition to a multi-year lease (at some time in the future) could be quick and transparent to our members. Also, if either party wished to end the contract early, it would be easy to do so.

As envisioned, this two-step contracting/lease strategy would allow SCA to avoid significant business risks and operating losses. It would also give our 10,000 members the chance to demonstrate if they have sufficient interest in enjoying private food services or if there really is no choice but to allow public access.

Details on how this could become possible will be included in the presentations and discussions. So, if you share in the passion to do something smart with the Trumpets space, DO NOT MISS THIS WORKSHOP!!

Bob Frank, SCA Director

Posted in SCA Board, Community Affairs, Clubs & SIGs, Operations | Print | 1 Comment »