Minister willing to work with concert promoter despite criticisms DAVE STEWART The Guardian
Tourism Minister Valerie Docherty says the province is willing to work with concert promoter David Carver next year, despite his comments in Tuesday’s Guardian.
“My philosophy with a lot of things has always been — you get more flies with honey than vinegar and I guess that kind of sums it up,’’ Docherty said in an interview outside the P.E.I. legislature Tuesday when asked whether Carver’s comments hurt relations with government.
Carver gave an address at UPEI Monday night in which the promoter said he will be back next year with a proposal “but I’m confident I won’t get the provincial government’s support.’’
Carver made his presentation at the invitation of Ron MacNeill, who just happens to work for Docherty and who is helping the province draft a new concert policy.
Carver accuses the province of standing in his way but the minister doesn’t see it that way.
“We haven’t heard from him in months so to say we’re standing in the way, I’m not sure what I’m standing in the way of at this point in time,’’ Docherty said. “The unfortunate thing is Mr. Carver has gone to the media first as opposed to my department.’’
The minister took exception to Carver saying that he took all the financial risk with the Black Eyed Peas (2006) and Aerosmith (2007), two successful shows that took place at the Charlottetown Driving Park Entertainment Centre.
“The amusing thing is we gave him almost, if not more than, $350,000 for Aerosmith. Yes, he took risk but we had some input in it as well. It’s not like he put the concert 100 per cent on his back.
“It will be interesting to see if his proposal (for next summer) isn’t asking for any government money.’’
The province went in a different direction this year, backing a concert Carver was not involved in. Alanis Morissette headlined a show in Alexandra. While the site got rave reviews it didn’t draw nearly as many people as government hoped it would.
The province contributed a $100,000 grant to the show plus an additional $400,000 in bridge financing, bringing the total commitment to $500,000.
“Of that, $100,000 was a forgivable grant and the other they are paying back $100,000 of the $400,000 bridge loan so the cost to government, over and above what was planned, is $300,000 that is being looked after by my department so taxpayers are not going to have to . . . we’re not going to have to find another $300,000 somewhere else.’’
Docherty said Carver is more than welcome to submit a proposal for a major concert next year, adding all that matters is whether the show is beneficial to the tourism industry.
“David has definitely done a very good job, there’s no doubt about it,’’ the minister said, referring the Peas/Aerosmith shows. “Nobody ever questioned his ability. The difficulty is that we have to work together and this is not what has been happening. Trying to work together via the media is not necessarily the best way to go about it.’’
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JD from PE writes: Can anyone say spoiled brat....
This Minister sounds like some kind of spoiled child.
He said..she said kind of comments.
I would imagine they should be glad to work with him....HMMMMMMM $350,000 for Aerosmith and it drew what 35-50,000 people VS $300,000 for Alanis which drew 3,000 people.
I would say the Province should be quite willing to work with him and stop the childish behaviour and comments Minister.
This is a very prime example of Government and a Minister having to eat a serious feed of crow.
Maybe they will learn a lesson from all this. They don't know everything.
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Cannot believe she said that from pownal, pei writes: After losing 400,000 dollars on the misconceived Summerset Liberal' Fest in September, I cannot believe that Minister Docherty said that it was ok because the cost to government, over and above what was planned, is $300,000 that is being looked after by my department so taxpayers are not going to have to.... Does she actually not realize that 'government' money is tax payer money. As well, Minister Docherty needs a refreasher in basic math: a loan loss of 300,000 thousand and a grant of 100,000, actually adds up to a cost of 400,000. It is not her department it is 'our' department. This is not some kind of monarchy, with her as Queen Bee, but actually a democracy.
This story leeds me to the following two conclusions.
1- Carver can do these events and make money for himself and all involved. He needs provincial cooperation not a cheque. He has to be allowed to have his events. Carver must practice what he wants to preach, that is pay as you go . He appears to be taking a very firm political stand and will likely we heavily vested in the Tory Party. This is very unfortunate, as he'll likely expect major financial spport, if the Tories ever form government in the future.
2- Valerie Docherty, and her Deputy Minister, have lost, any and all, support of the Tourism Industry. She has continually shown a lack of judgement and understanding, and is not up to the challenges this important industry faces, during this severe economic down turn. Premier Ghiz has to reorganize his government and attempt to have a better second term than the lack lustre first term. Docherty must be removed from her post ASAP.
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Don't believe the Hype from PE writes: If you take everything out but the number you see that Carver asked for $350K for Aerosmith. Aerosmith has been around for decades, has had number 1 hits in at least 3 decades, if not 4, and is commonly reffered to as a super group. The province made their money back off this, and then some. Meanwhile, the province puts $500K into Alanis. She had number 1 hits in 1, maybe two decades. She plays University bars, when she is lucky. And she could not sell 1/4 of the tickets Aerosmith sold. Quite frankly, it would be quiate a coop right now for Alanis to open fro a Group such as Aerosmith. In fact, right now the only schduled preformances on her site are as part of a Green Christmas Variety show in small centres. It would be like watching her do two or three songs at the Mac. The Province lost more money on her, then they put up for Aerosmith.
I am generally not one to call for minister's resignations, and my views are predominantly liberal, but it might be time to let Ms. Docherty develop on the back benches for a while and give someone else a shot at this portfolio.
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Quiet Observer from Charlottetown, PEI writes: She doesn't understand how she is getting in the way? Did she not go out last year and try to book concerts on her own and get turned down by everyone? The province got into a business that was none of her business.
The provincial government puts money into every major touyrism event that happens on PEI, so putting money into a concert is no different that putting it into some other major event.
Let the promoters (whether it is Carver or someone else) do the concert, invest in the event as they would any other major event, but stay out of the business yourself. Let the professionals do it.
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PEI concert promoter from PEI writes: Carver got a lot more than $350K from the government for Aerosmith. He got ALL the PST, plus money from the city. $500K for Alanis Morissette? What were they thinking? Why is the government in this business at all? These are really commercial enterprises. It's very nice to be able to say to my friends from away that so and so played here, but I'd be just as happy to say some jazz great or classical musician came. There are lots of musicians just starting out who could use the support. And of course there are those seniors who can't afford their medication.
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David Carver from Stratford, PE writes: Unfortunately the media only has the space/time to deliver part of the story here.
Prior to the summer of 2008, when we (myself, Tourism PEI, and every tourism operator, store, gas station, hotel, restaurant etc.) lost the Eagles to Moncton, I pitched Tourism PEI on another marquee artist, indicating that if the province were interested, I would submit an offer. Tourism PEI indicated we would have the same deal pints for this artist that we had for the Eagles.
I had the artist seriously looking at the offer. It takes an artist months to say yes or no, and during the waiting period I read a story in the Guardian that said the Minister of Tourism had a binding offer with another promoter for the same act. That artist passed on my offer and on coming to PEI. Essentially the Minister took a business idea of mine and brought it to the competition. Despite this, in my opinion, questionable policy for courting entrepreneurs to the province and then taking their ideas to other entrepreneurs/competition, when that artist passed on the offer, I emailed Tourism PEI the idea of Van Halen as another option. The email I got back said the province was not interested in Van Halen as it did not fit with the provinces marketing strategies. A short while later, I read in the Guardian that the Minister of Tourism was in negotiations with Van Halen’s agent.
FOR THE RECORD With respect to taxpayers money and sponsorship, at the end of the day the taxpayers of PEI neither have their money at risk, nor actually even have any of their money invested in my concerts. The PEI Government is not diverting funds that could go to Health Care. They are neither risking nor investing taxpayers dollars (in my shows anyway) HOW THE NUMBERS WORK. (Before you naysayers write back and say, sure Carver is spinning this, call any accountant in the province. They will verify this) A concert like Aerosmith generates over $250,000 in PST from ticket sales and day of show event sales. From an economic impact of $12 million (this is from Tourism PEI and although I believe it is closer to $15 M, I’ll work with their numbers) the province generates an additional $1.2 Million in PST. All this in one weekend. So, a marquee concert generates $1,450,000.00 directly to the province. Someone comes to you saying they will execute, in one weekend, a business idea AT NO RISK TO YOU, and when it is over you will have a $12 Million economic impact, $3 Million dollar marketing impact, and a PST influx, again in one weekend, of $1,450,000, again all at no risk to you. Any person from this planet would say, “well, what do I need to do to make this happen.” All my investors and I ask for is a sponsor fee to a) reward our taking the risk, b) to help protect our downside, which c) allows us to make offers for marquee artist in the first place. So, in the end, what would you rather have, 100% of nothing, or the higher share of $1,450,000.00. The reality is that the province only pays a share of that sponsor fee, and it is generated mostly from the PST I pay them, plus a small amount, which is generated from the $12 M economic impact and $1,450,000.00 PST. The host city (through hotel taxes etc) Confederation Bridge and other entities contribute significantly. And for those of you that think profit is a dirty word, none of my investors are from PEI, and yet through my passion and their generosity and entrepreneurial spirit, they invest in high-risk concerts. None of them, prior to my speaking passionately about what I consider my second home, had any particular knowledge or affection for PEI until, you know, they came here and now, of course want to move here. What do they do with their share of the profit? Reinvest it and even more, with me so we all can benefit from bigger concerts in PEI. I personally like the Minister and Deputy Minister of Tourism. I think they should stay on and enjoy the ride. I just want to bring concerts here, promote this wonderful province, and earn and then be treated respectfully.
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Jordan F from Stratford, PEI writes: The Government is in the business because, both of David Carvers Concerts paid Millions in dividends which ended up in the pockets of islanders from tip to tip, Not to mention the exposure it gives to PEI. The Government of the day should be knocking on Mr. Carvers door and not the other way around. I sincerely hope that Mr. Carver returns to PEI with another successful concert in the Summer of 2009. Thank you Mr. Carver for have a concrete vision on how to revive tourism on PEI.
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well then from pe writes: Bring On AC/DC Mr. Carver.....and we'll have someone in the know send Val on vacation that weekend so she doesn't interfere with your plans !!!
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Way to go from PEI writes: Good for David Carver! He is a local with a Vision. Why don't we give these rare finds an opportunity to generate much needed tourism dollars?
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JD from PE writes: PEI Concert promoter.....
Who are you? You make some wild claims in your comments which were answered by Carver himself.
The fact is that PEI doesn't have anyone concert promoter of Carver's quality or with Carver's connections.
If what Carver said in his post is Correct that the Minister took his plan and than sued it as their own. She and her Deputy have NO CHOICE but to do the honorable thing and resign.
What they did is theft and plagiarism and and they have to resign.
This Minister and deputy continue to show their lack ability or skills in anything and no we have credible person saying they stole business plans and proposals.
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lame brain doodling from charlottetown, pei writes: Attended a show at the Confed last night
Full house from what I could see. People ranged from children to pensioners. Two tickets for front row seats cost almost one hundred but so well worth it. There were no rowdy people. Everyone had fun. And guess what, it was old fashioned rock 'n roll. With Mr. Carver's two previous concerts I never heard much of a grumble. Some people unhappy at their inability to really see the entertainers is about all I read that was a concern. I'm sure Mr. Carver would have all that worked out with the next concert. He knows how to get it done. And, of course, he and his investers need a profit, that's just business. The province wasn't out any money, was it. Hand Mr. Carver the reins and let him do the job
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dave from pei writes: Let us not forget,this the SAME David Carver who make very specific promises for the VIP ticket holders for Aerosmith and delivered on NONE of them.I for one do not enjoy being RIPPED OFF,and that was VERY MUCH the case with this promoter.Don't give him ONE CENT until he pays back every penny he owes for services not rendered from previous concert goers.
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jean elmer from egmont, pe writes: Although it is somewhat unprofessional for Mr Carver to hash this out in the media, he makes a very compelling argument. Clearly he has a talent for promotion and the necessary chops. The tourism minister seems completely incompetent and out of touch.
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Steve from Chtown, PEI writes: Hey Carver, what are the chances of getting iron maiden to do a show here??
that would be, as they say in cali...gnarly!!
they played in Moncton and Halifax back in the 80's, then they went huge and never came back to the maritimes again. a concert in PEI would be MEGA huge. c'mon Carver!
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MW from PEI writes: Mr. Carver, please bring PEARL JAM to the Island. They rocked the house in Halifax and St. John's back in 2005, and would no doubt draw a big crowd!
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Mark from Boston writes: Plan early, plan early, plan early (and have a rain plan). BUILD CONSENSUS. Make it clear who the target audience is (any event like this should have details done by March latest), which will determine what logistics may be needed. Get a better venue than CDPEC. Coordinate with all the activity coming with the Canada Games, which will be a huge undertaking in itself. Price everything (and I mean everything from tix to food/drink) reasonably.
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