Open Forum

Good afternoon.

My name is Kathleen Lugarich and I'm the Program Specialist at the Army Historical Foundation that supports the National Museum of the U.S. Army. We are looking into developing facility rental packages for military personnel (for special events like reunions, receptions, etc.) and one thing we have learned is that many military groups look for pricing per person that includes food, drink, facility rental, etc. I was wondering if there were any Museums that offer that type of packaging for military groups.

Thank you for your time. I hope everyone is healthy, safe, and sane in these times.

Kathleen

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Kathleen Lugarich
Program Specialist
Army Historical Foundation
Fort Belvoir VA
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Kathleen, I am a food service consultant that has worked with 200 + museums nationwide on their programs. I do not know of any museums that have developed an all inclusive price with rentals included in large part because F&B and the rental program revenue usually belong to different entities. The social market does typically prefer all in pricing as you might find at a banquet hall. I have worked with the National World War II Museum in New Orleans and I recall they hosted a number of reunions so you might check with them. Regardless, if it is something your clients are seeking I think it would be relatively straightforward to determine a rental cost per person based on headcount ranges. Happy to speak in person if it would be helpful.

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Tracy Lawler
President
JGL Food Service Consultants
Princeton NJ
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2020 02:46 PM
From: Kathleen Lugarich
Subject: Event Rental Question - All Inclusive Price Per Person

Good afternoon.

My name is Kathleen Lugarich and I'm the Program Specialist at the Army Historical Foundation that supports the National Museum of the U.S. Army. We are looking into developing facility rental packages for military personnel (for special events like reunions, receptions, etc.) and one thing we have learned is that many military groups look for pricing per person that includes food, drink, facility rental, etc. I was wondering if there were any Museums that offer that type of packaging for military groups.

Thank you for your time. I hope everyone is healthy, safe, and sane in these times.

Kathleen

------------------------------
Kathleen Lugarich
Program Specialist
Army Historical Foundation
Fort Belvoir VA
------------------------------

Original Message------

Kathleen, I am a food service consultant that has worked with 200 + museums nationwide on their programs. I do not know of any museums that have developed an all inclusive price with rentals included in large part because F&B and the rental program revenue usually belong to different entities. The social market does typically prefer all in pricing as you might find at a banquet hall. I have worked with the National World War II Museum in New Orleans and I recall they hosted a number of reunions so you might check with them. Regardless, if it is something your clients are seeking I think it would be relatively straightforward to determine a rental cost per person based on headcount ranges. Happy to speak in person if it would be helpful.

------------------------------
Tracy Lawler
President
JGL Food Service Consultants
Princeton NJ
------------------------------

Hello Kathleen,

I have worked with 400+ cultural institutions in the U.S. for 25+ years as a consultant and former caterer and operator. 

In the world of rental packages they are done ala carte and package pricing. Normally the pricing and/or packages are dictated by the local area market served. 

Most of our clients and other institutions 'benchmark' ALL facility rental market and competitive venues in the area (not including clubs, hotels, etc. for the most part). Then based on the benchmarking they develop pricing, packages or not based on the market(s) they serve to be sure they are competitive.

I am happy to discuss with you if helpful, no cost/charge or obligation, let me know if helpful.

Best regards,
Art

------------------------------
Art Manask
Principal
Art Manask Consulting, Inc.
artmanask@gmail.com
818 358-3588
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2020 02:46 PM
From: Kathleen Lugarich
Subject: Event Rental Question - All Inclusive Price Per Person

Good afternoon.

My name is Kathleen Lugarich and I'm the Program Specialist at the Army Historical Foundation that supports the National Museum of the U.S. Army. We are looking into developing facility rental packages for military personnel (for special events like reunions, receptions, etc.) and one thing we have learned is that many military groups look for pricing per person that includes food, drink, facility rental, etc. I was wondering if there were any Museums that offer that type of packaging for military groups.

Thank you for your time. I hope everyone is healthy, safe, and sane in these times.

Kathleen

------------------------------
Kathleen Lugarich
Program Specialist
Army Historical Foundation
Fort Belvoir VA
------------------------------

Original Message------

Hello Kathleen,

I have worked with 400+ cultural institutions in the U.S. for 25+ years as a consultant and former caterer and operator. 

In the world of rental packages they are done ala carte and package pricing. Normally the pricing and/or packages are dictated by the local area market served. 

Most of our clients and other institutions 'benchmark' ALL facility rental market and competitive venues in the area (not including clubs, hotels, etc. for the most part). Then based on the benchmarking they develop pricing, packages or not based on the market(s) they serve to be sure they are competitive.

I am happy to discuss with you if helpful, no cost/charge or obligation, let me know if helpful.

Best regards,
Art

------------------------------
Art Manask
Principal
Art Manask Consulting, Inc.
artmanask@gmail.com
818 358-3588
------------------------------

Kathleen,

This is a relatively common practice to have "all-inclusive" pricing for events in the private or independent catering and event spaces but less so in the cultural institution side of the events rental business.   If you have an interest, I can talk you through the pros and cons of this approach as well as the needs associated with it as my former business was a banquet and events business that specialized in all-inclusive, value-based packages for weddings and events.   We did well over 3,000 weddings and events per year at that time, so we know that the process can and does work.     We can also discuss several recent clients that we are working with that have various different structures for their events earned income business.

------------------------------
Jeff McNeal
President
Manask & Associates
Arcadia CA
(818) 557-0635
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2020 02:46 PM
From: Kathleen Lugarich
Subject: Event Rental Question - All Inclusive Price Per Person

Good afternoon.

My name is Kathleen Lugarich and I'm the Program Specialist at the Army Historical Foundation that supports the National Museum of the U.S. Army. We are looking into developing facility rental packages for military personnel (for special events like reunions, receptions, etc.) and one thing we have learned is that many military groups look for pricing per person that includes food, drink, facility rental, etc. I was wondering if there were any Museums that offer that type of packaging for military groups.

Thank you for your time. I hope everyone is healthy, safe, and sane in these times.

Kathleen

------------------------------
Kathleen Lugarich
Program Specialist
Army Historical Foundation
Fort Belvoir VA
------------------------------

Hi Kathleen, We are a relatively small military aviation museum that has become a popular event venue for a wide variety of occasions, organizations and individuals. Since we do not have a dedicated space for events and do not have an in-house caterer, The Museum offers a list of recommended carterers, but clients are free to work with any caterer of their choosing. We base our rental fees on the amount of space needed, the number of people attending, the amount of time and whether the event is a business event or a personal event. We also offer rental of tables and chairs at $30 per 60" round table setting for 10 people.
One policy we have, is not to charge a rental fee for any active military organization or event, nor do we charge admission for any active members of the military. It is our way of giving back to our troops that our museum honors. We have had holiday parties, change of command and retirement ceremonies, We also host Honor Flight events at no charge.

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Lawrence Starr
Museum Manager
American Airpower Museum
Farmingdale NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2020 02:46 PM
From: Kathleen Lugarich
Subject: Event Rental Question - All Inclusive Price Per Person

Good afternoon.

My name is Kathleen Lugarich and I'm the Program Specialist at the Army Historical Foundation that supports the National Museum of the U.S. Army. We are looking into developing facility rental packages for military personnel (for special events like reunions, receptions, etc.) and one thing we have learned is that many military groups look for pricing per person that includes food, drink, facility rental, etc. I was wondering if there were any Museums that offer that type of packaging for military groups.

Thank you for your time. I hope everyone is healthy, safe, and sane in these times.

Kathleen

------------------------------
Kathleen Lugarich
Program Specialist
Army Historical Foundation
Fort Belvoir VA
------------------------------