Get set for Skate America

Published 8:16 pm Friday, September 26, 2008

EVERETT — If you own a business in Everett or a surrounding community, it’s time to wash those windows and to pry the gum off the sidewalk.

The skaters are coming.

And more importantly, the people who love skating will be coming to Everett for several days in October with an estimated $3 million to spend.

That’s the word from the backers of Skate America, who are hoping that if they do things right, the community will get additional payoffs from additional such events and expanded tourism.

Karen Shaw, the city’s economic development director, views the skating event as an important opportunity.

“It’s an opportunity to showcase Everett and to show we can handle these kinds of events,” she said.

While’s she’s hoping that local businesses “will really prosper” from the event, which begins Oct. 23 and ends Oct. 26, she hopes it will also encourage people to come back, perhaps for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, B.C.

Promoters Steve Baker and Laura Lee of Production Sports expect to sell 30,000 tickets for the skating events, but that doesn’t mean there will be 30,000 people. There will be six different ticketed events during the three-day period, so numbers will be smaller than that.

Still, lots of folks are expected in town.

“It’s amazing when we think of the opportunity that this is going to present,” said Louise Stanton-Masten, president of the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce.

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon agreed.

“It will be three days of taking as much money from foreigners as we can, and that’s never a bad thing,” he said.

The event, which involves some 60 skaters competing for medals, will take up a lot of the visitors’ time, but they still will be looking for places to eat, to shop and to be entertained.

“Have a lot of supplies and stay open early and late,” Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson advised business owners.

He also suggested that businesses clean things up and make sure employees are on their best behavior. Everett will do its part by painting light standards and “making sure the city looks in top shape,” he said.

“If we do this right, Everett can become a magnet in the future for more of these events to come,” he added.

Amy Spain, director of the county’s tourism program, also encouraged business owners to “roll out the red carpet,” noting that the event will bring international recognition to the city because of the many members of the media from other countries who will attend.

“We want the eyes of the world to see us in our best light,” she said.

She said the business owners and their employees should be patient with visitors and try to answer their questions or to have information available to hand out. She also recommended that workers go out of their way to be kind and hospitable while behaving in a way that “will make your mother proud.”

“Treat these people like your business depends on it, because it does,” she said.

Lee said most of the ticket holders will be women between the ages of 35 and 60 and that businesses should promote their products and services that appeal to that age group.

“They’ll also drag along their husbands, who will be looking for things to do in Everett,” Lee added.

She noted some skating events will go late into the evening and advised downtown businesses to stay open late. She also noted that there will be a $15 Puget Pass for buses that visitors can buy, so businesses in areas near bus routes could also pursue skate event customers.

Joel Starr, a co-owner of Tailgator’s Joe’s of downtown Everett who has been working on the event through the chamber, said he expects a lot of people in town.

“The feet on the street should be amazing,” he said. “We’re going to get smoked by people.”

He noted that he’s cutting his food menu from 30 items to five or six in order to handle a crowd more efficiently. He also suggested that businesses develop a printed list of other places’ offerings and locations to give to customers if their venue is full.

“Get your windows clean and get the gum off the sidewalk,” he said, adding, “And that won’t matter if you are not friendly.”