With the 42nd annual Spring Fling just around the corner, it’s important to look at some of the figures behind this event, considering it’s a major source of revenue for many groups on campus.
The UA spends around $190,000 on Spring Fling every year.
The profit from the event, which is divided among the clubs that participate, was $72,000 last year. Spring Fling is expected to raise between $75,000 and $80,000 for participating clubs this year.
Santiago Kloehr, marketing director for Spring Fling, is excited about the revenue it will bring to UA clubs.
“All the clubs have an equal chance,” Kloehr said. “They all apply to sell whatever it is they’re selling. The process is really fair and they can do whatever it takes to improve their attendance and sales at their booth.”
Distribution of profit to participating clubs is based on how much the clubs make at their designated booths. Sixteen of the clubs participating in this year’s Spring Fling will be selling food. The other clubs will be working commercial game booths.
The expected increase in profit is due to a social media marketing push, which aims to increase attendance this year. A market research survey showed the majority of people who attended Spring Fling last year did so out of tradition.
“We expect that when people come the first time, that they will love it and come again in future years,” Kloehr said. “Our retention rate for our patrons is really high.”
There are sponsors that help cover the university’s initial investment in the event. These sponsors include Sweet Tomatoes, Coca Cola, Eegees, Shamrock Farms, Chobani, FMI Rentals, Geico and Papa Johns Pizza.
Spring Fling had over 32,000 attendees last year. The UA expects more than that this year, hoping people will be enticed by the more than 40 different rides and games, and the more than 20 different food booths.
The average amount a UA student spends at Spring Fling is between $25 and $30. It’s free for students to attend with CatCard, but without it, the entry fee is $5. There was no increase in admission price this year. Wrist bands are $30 on Friday and $20 on Sunday. Half sheets of tickets are $10 and full sheets of tickets are $20.
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