The Hollister Airshow lost money for the second consecutive year, while city officials this week discussed potential changes for 2013 such as moving the event weekend and altering the number of days for the show.
Hollister City Council members Monday received a report from Airport Manager Mike Chambless, who noted that expenses exceeded revenue by nearly $18,000 for the event on Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
Expenses for the 2012 Hollister Airshow came to $43,668 and revenue was at $25,985 for a net loss of $17,683, according to the Chambless report.
That compares with the 2011 event that lost $2,809 following the inaugural air show in 2010 that brought in $4,479, according to the data.
With about $18,000 remaining in the event’s fund balance – city officials allocated $33,500 the first year and another $38,500 the second year – it appears as though Hollister leaders are intent on organizing a fourth air show.
They will have to do something about the negative fiscal and attendance trends. Hollister officials at Monday’s meeting talked about looking into moving the event away from Memorial Day weekend so that weather is less of a factor. Organizers blamed much of the disappointing 2012 numbers on inclement weather Friday, when much of the final planning was happening, and then again on the first of two event days Saturday. Officials also discussed either trimming it to a one-day show or expanding into three days, while no decisions were made Monday.
BY THE NUMBERS
2012 attendance: 2,488
2011 attendance: 3,350
2010 attendance: 3,606
2012 net profit: –$17,682
2011 net profit: – $2,809
2010 net profit: $4,478
2012 estimated economic gain: $107,240
2011 estimated economic gain: $156,612
2010 estimated economic gain: $54,090
