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December 1, 2006 > News > Esperanza attendance increases by 200

Esperanza attendance increases by 200

By Perry Factor | Thresher staff

Rice Program Council’s attempt to revitalize Esperanza with an enticing venue and reduced ticket prices paid off. About 580 people attended the Nov. 18 dance, an increase of about 200 people over last year. The dance was held the night of the homecoming football game in the Downtown Aquarium’s Nautilus Ballroom with a “Carp-e Diem” theme.

RPC Treasurer Lizzie Snyder, a Will Rice College junior, said the organization spent about $16,000 on the event. RPC Formals Committee co-Chair Stephanie Swingle said ticket sales earned about $13,000.

About $12,000 of the cost was spent on the venue and catering from Landry’s, Swingle, a Brown College senior, said. The costs were necessary to increase attendance, she said, and extra funds used to set up the event came from the RPC budget.

“We felt like we needed to get everyone excited about Esperanza, so we made a big investment with the Aquarium,” Swingle said.

In addition to the upscale location, RPC hoped that lower ticket prices would increase attendance, Swingle said. Tickets for this year’s Esperanza cost $20 before the event and $25 at the door, both $5 less than last year’s prices.

Swingle said about $980 worth of tickets were purchased prior to Esperanza, most of which came from lunchtime sales at the residential colleges. In addition, about $2500 worth of tickets were sold at the door. Swingle said the high last-minute turnout exceeded her expectations, and she speculated the attendance could have stemmed from excitement over the football team’s 18-17 victory over East Carolina that afternoon.

RPC also made two major logistical changes from last year. To avoid last year’s transportation delays, private coaches from the university to the Aquarium were replaced by Rice shuttles, which was both less expensive and more flexible with scheduling, Swingle said. Secondly, $5 drink cards guests bought at the door replaced a cash bar — which was cheaper.

RPC hired a new disc jockey because of many complaints about last year’s disc jockey. Swingle said this year’s disc jockey was receptive to student requests and played a variety of music. Attendee views on this year’s disc jockey were mixed.

“The way he chose the music wasn’t that great,” Mabel Chan, a Lovett College freshman, said. “He played slow country music at the beginning and got the order [of music style] reversed.”

Swingle said although ticket sales did not cover the costs, the event was a success.

“It was pretty packed — people weren’t just coming for a little while and then going off,” Swingle said. “I couldn’t have imagined [the night] going more smoothly.”

Will Rice freshman Ryan Thaner said he was impressed by the event and enjoyed the evening.

“The whole presentation of the dance was really professional and inviting,” he said. “Everybody seemed to have a good time and said they can’t wait to go next year.”

Esperanza was a significant moneymaker and student attraction for RPC as recently as three years ago. The decline in profitability resulted from a decline in attendance. The 2001 Esperanza at the NASA Space Center attracted 1,000 students, while last year’s event at the Grand Room Event Center drew only 400. Esperanza lost $4,000 in 2005. The event earned $2,000 in 2003 when it was held at the Koch Building and lost $2,000 in 2004 when it was held at the Westin Galleria.

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