OT - Movie Night at the Inn, 4-month review

Last spring you guys helped me pick out a high-def projector system,
with the intention of showing aviation movies in the hotel, for free,
every Tuesday night. Armed with your advice, I converted our meeting
room into a small, 25-seat theater, with surround-sound, for a very low
cost -- right around $2,000.

I also added a computer with MS Flight Simulator and X-Plane, with the
intention of letting folks "fly" the 104-inch screen as an in-house
flight simulator.

Just wanted to give you an update on how it's going:

We've shown 14 feature-length films (we've taken a few Tuesdays off),
an equal number of "specialty" aviation videos (documentaries, mostly),
and had one major "live" presentation (Bill Fox, the SR-71 Blackbird
expert who donated lots of stuff for our Blackbird Suite).

"Movie Night" has attracted a small group of dedicated aviation movie
regulars, and a larger number of occasional drop-ins, mostly from the
pilot community. Attendance has ranged from 4 to 30, depending on the
night. (A real trick, given our 25-seat capacity!)

The flight simulator has been a success, too, and has proven to be
quite popular. I haven't had time to add the "cockpit" and
yoke/pedals, but hopefully that will be added this winter.

Strangely, someone has always managed to smuggle adult beverages into
the theater, so no one is thirsty. We always provide snacks and soft
drinks, and someone usually leaves a few bucks on the table for us,
which generally covers the amenities.

In short, it's been great fun, and we've met a lot of great people
through this little side venture. Best of all, I was informed today
that our Chamber of Commerce is awarding us their coveted "Innovative
Business Award", at least partially because of our "Movie Night at the
Inn" program.

Has their been any downside? Well, some of the movies haven't been
great. "Blackhawk Down" was violent and depressing (and, of course,
that was the night we attracted some kids), and Frank Capra's "Prelude
to War" was almost unwatchably propagandistic. No one complains when
it's a free movie, but we still feel bad when the movie ends with a
groan.

On the other hand, Howard Hughes' "Hells Angels" was very well
received, as was "One Six Right" and the newly remastered "Spirit of
St. Louis". So things tend to even out.

I'm truly disappointed that Movie Night hasn't attracted younger folks.
As with general aviation as a whole, our regular crowd is older,
probably averaging 50+ years old. This is NOT the market we need to
attract, if we want GA to remain viable. We're hopeful that the
crowds will get younger over the winter, since there will be less
things to do in the evening when the weather gets cold.

As always, many thanks to everyone here for help and advice. The
equipment has proven to be easy to use and durable, the picture and
sound are hard to beat, and -- as always -- we're having a great time
with it!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay Honeck wrote:
SNIPPED for brevity

Strangely, someone has always managed to smuggle adult beverages into
the theater, so no one is thirsty. We always provide snacks and soft
drinks, and someone usually leaves a few bucks on the table for us,
which generally covers the amenities.


Now that's the 'America' that I grew up in. 8^)

MOnk

"Jay Honeck" wrote:
I'm truly disappointed that Movie Night hasn't attracted younger folks.
As with general aviation as a whole, our regular crowd is older,
probably averaging 50+ years old. This is NOT the market we need to
attract, if we want GA to remain viable.

But the older crowd has more discretionary income and recreation time
available than younger folks. For example, when choosing Recreation
Vehicles, younger people tend to purchase trailers averaging $14,000 while
the over 50 crowd tends to buy motorhomes averaging $60,000[1]. It seems to
me the discretionary income for the over 50 crowd is more in line with
general aviation costs than that of the younger crowd. Likewise, the over
50 crowd is likely to be empty-nest couples than the younger people who are
more likely to have to worry about traveling with children. Targeting older
people plays into the strength of GA's more numerous and generally cheaper
2-seat planes. Imagine how well general aviation would have done if it had
managed to attract a reasonable fraction of the 8.6 million Americans who
bought RVs (and I don't mean Van's Aircraft!)

So targeting younger folks is reaching out to the wrong demographic, IMHO.

[1] "Goin' Mobile - recreational vehicle touring - Brief Article -
Statistical Data Included"
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...17/ai_74011910

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
ups.com...

Has their been any downside? Well, some of the movies
haven't been great. "Blackhawk Down" was violent and
depressing....

I loved Blackhawk Down. Since I wasn't there I do not know how accurate it
was, but I felt it gave an excellent depiction of combat, and showed the
military to be the professionals that they are.

However, the scene with the white soldier being undercover in the all black
bazaar was hilarious. He certainly wasn't very incognito.

Jay Honeck wrote:
Last spring you guys helped me pick out a high-def projector system,
with the intention of showing aviation movies in the hotel, for free,
every Tuesday night. Armed with your advice, I converted our meeting
room into a small, 25-seat theater, with surround-sound, for a very low
cost -- right around $2,000.

I also added a computer with MS Flight Simulator and X-Plane, with the
intention of letting folks "fly" the 104-inch screen as an in-house
flight simulator.

Just wanted to give you an update on how it's going:

We've shown 14 feature-length films (we've taken a few Tuesdays off),
an equal number of "specialty" aviation videos (documentaries, mostly),
and had one major "live" presentation (Bill Fox, the SR-71 Blackbird
expert who donated lots of stuff for our Blackbird Suite).

"Movie Night" has attracted a small group of dedicated aviation movie
regulars, and a larger number of occasional drop-ins, mostly from the
pilot community. Attendance has ranged from 4 to 30, depending on the
night. (A real trick, given our 25-seat capacity!)

The flight simulator has been a success, too, and has proven to be
quite popular. I haven't had time to add the "cockpit" and
yoke/pedals, but hopefully that will be added this winter.

Strangely, someone has always managed to smuggle adult beverages into
the theater, so no one is thirsty. We always provide snacks and soft
drinks, and someone usually leaves a few bucks on the table for us,
which generally covers the amenities.

In short, it's been great fun, and we've met a lot of great people
through this little side venture. Best of all, I was informed today
that our Chamber of Commerce is awarding us their coveted "Innovative
Business Award", at least partially because of our "Movie Night at the
Inn" program.

Has their been any downside? Well, some of the movies haven't been
great. "Blackhawk Down" was violent and depressing (and, of course,
that was the night we attracted some kids), and Frank Capra's "Prelude
to War" was almost unwatchably propagandistic. No one complains when
it's a free movie, but we still feel bad when the movie ends with a
groan.

On the other hand, Howard Hughes' "Hells Angels" was very well
received, as was "One Six Right" and the newly remastered "Spirit of
St. Louis". So things tend to even out.

I'm truly disappointed that Movie Night hasn't attracted younger folks.
As with general aviation as a whole, our regular crowd is older,
probably averaging 50+ years old. This is NOT the market we need to
attract, if we want GA to remain viable. We're hopeful that the
crowds will get younger over the winter, since there will be less
things to do in the evening when the weather gets cold.

As always, many thanks to everyone here for help and advice. The
equipment has proven to be easy to use and durable, the picture and
sound are hard to beat, and -- as always -- we're having a great time
with it!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay,

Have you put posters up at the university? That is sure to get the
younger crowd, but you might get 100 drunk kids.

Have fun! Wish we could come! Congratulations on the award.

Margy

Congrats! But you're gonna have to have a weekend matinee for us out of
state working types!
Jim

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
ups.com...
Last spring you guys helped me pick out a high-def projector system,
with the intention of showing aviation movies in the hotel, for free,
every Tuesday night. Armed with your advice, I converted our meeting
room into a small, 25-seat theater, with surround-sound, for a very low
cost -- right around $2,000.

I also added a computer with MS Flight Simulator and X-Plane, with the
intention of letting folks "fly" the 104-inch screen as an in-house
flight simulator.

Just wanted to give you an update on how it's going:

We've shown 14 feature-length films (we've taken a few Tuesdays off),
an equal number of "specialty" aviation videos (documentaries, mostly),
and had one major "live" presentation (Bill Fox, the SR-71 Blackbird
expert who donated lots of stuff for our Blackbird Suite).

"Movie Night" has attracted a small group of dedicated aviation movie
regulars, and a larger number of occasional drop-ins, mostly from the
pilot community. Attendance has ranged from 4 to 30, depending on the
night. (A real trick, given our 25-seat capacity!)

The flight simulator has been a success, too, and has proven to be
quite popular. I haven't had time to add the "cockpit" and
yoke/pedals, but hopefully that will be added this winter.

Strangely, someone has always managed to smuggle adult beverages into
the theater, so no one is thirsty. We always provide snacks and soft
drinks, and someone usually leaves a few bucks on the table for us,
which generally covers the amenities.

In short, it's been great fun, and we've met a lot of great people
through this little side venture. Best of all, I was informed today
that our Chamber of Commerce is awarding us their coveted "Innovative
Business Award", at least partially because of our "Movie Night at the
Inn" program.

Has their been any downside? Well, some of the movies haven't been
great. "Blackhawk Down" was violent and depressing (and, of course,
that was the night we attracted some kids), and Frank Capra's "Prelude
to War" was almost unwatchably propagandistic. No one complains when
it's a free movie, but we still feel bad when the movie ends with a
groan.

On the other hand, Howard Hughes' "Hells Angels" was very well
received, as was "One Six Right" and the newly remastered "Spirit of
St. Louis". So things tend to even out.

I'm truly disappointed that Movie Night hasn't attracted younger folks.
As with general aviation as a whole, our regular crowd is older,
probably averaging 50+ years old. This is NOT the market we need to
attract, if we want GA to remain viable. We're hopeful that the
crowds will get younger over the winter, since there will be less
things to do in the evening when the weather gets cold.

As always, many thanks to everyone here for help and advice. The
equipment has proven to be easy to use and durable, the picture and
sound are hard to beat, and -- as always -- we're having a great time
with it!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
ups.com...
Last spring you guys helped me pick out a high-def projector system,
with the intention of showing aviation movies in the hotel, for free,
every Tuesday night. Armed with your advice, I converted our meeting
room into a small, 25-seat theater, with surround-sound, for a very low
cost -- right around $2,000.

I also added a computer with MS Flight Simulator and X-Plane, with the
intention of letting folks "fly" the 104-inch screen as an in-house
flight simulator.

Just wanted to give you an update on how it's going:

We've shown 14 feature-length films (we've taken a few Tuesdays off),
an equal number of "specialty" aviation videos (documentaries, mostly),
and had one major "live" presentation (Bill Fox, the SR-71 Blackbird
expert who donated lots of stuff for our Blackbird Suite).

"Movie Night" has attracted a small group of dedicated aviation movie
regulars, and a larger number of occasional drop-ins, mostly from the
pilot community. Attendance has ranged from 4 to 30, depending on the
night. (A real trick, given our 25-seat capacity!)

The flight simulator has been a success, too, and has proven to be
quite popular. I haven't had time to add the "cockpit" and
yoke/pedals, but hopefully that will be added this winter.

Strangely, someone has always managed to smuggle adult beverages into
the theater, so no one is thirsty. We always provide snacks and soft
drinks, and someone usually leaves a few bucks on the table for us,
which generally covers the amenities.

In short, it's been great fun, and we've met a lot of great people
through this little side venture. Best of all, I was informed today
that our Chamber of Commerce is awarding us their coveted "Innovative
Business Award", at least partially because of our "Movie Night at the
Inn" program.

Has their been any downside? Well, some of the movies haven't been
great. "Blackhawk Down" was violent and depressing (and, of course,
that was the night we attracted some kids), and Frank Capra's "Prelude
to War" was almost unwatchably propagandistic. No one complains when
it's a free movie, but we still feel bad when the movie ends with a
groan.

On the other hand, Howard Hughes' "Hells Angels" was very well
received, as was "One Six Right" and the newly remastered "Spirit of
St. Louis". So things tend to even out.

I'm truly disappointed that Movie Night hasn't attracted younger folks.
As with general aviation as a whole, our regular crowd is older,
probably averaging 50+ years old. This is NOT the market we need to
attract, if we want GA to remain viable. We're hopeful that the
crowds will get younger over the winter, since there will be less
things to do in the evening when the weather gets cold.

As always, many thanks to everyone here for help and advice. The
equipment has proven to be easy to use and durable, the picture and
sound are hard to beat, and -- as always -- we're having a great time
with it!



As far as I am concerned Jay, this is exactly the reason that your hotel is
successful. You provide excellent customer service!

Gee wiz, let's spend $2,000 to make our customers happy.

Keep it up Jay!




---
avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean.
Virus Database (VPS): 0637-0, 09/11/2006
Tested on: 9/11/2006 7:57:08 PM
avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2006 ALWIL Software.
http://www.avast.com

Has their been any downside? Well, some of the movies
haven't been great. "Blackhawk Down" was violent and
depressing....

I loved Blackhawk Down. Since I wasn't there I do not know how accurate it
was, but I felt it gave an excellent depiction of combat, and showed the
military to be the professionals that they are.

Agreed, it was a good movie, in much the same way as "Saving Private
Ryan".

However, for a social get-together (which is really what Movie Night
is), you don't want a movie that is unrelentingly depressing, or so
violent and graphic that people are bummed out at the end.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Have you put posters up at the university? That is sure to get the
younger crowd, but you might get 100 drunk kids.

No, we've limited our movie notices to the "Friends of Iowa City
Airport" mailing list. We're trying to build an airport community
first, and attract new folks second.

Have fun! Wish we could come! Congratulations on the award.

Hey, we're not THAT far apart. We were able to visit you before
supper, in one day! And we're flying a "POS Cherokee"...

;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

No, we've limited our movie notices to the "Friends of Iowa City
Airport" mailing list. We're trying to build an airport community
first, and attract new folks second.

.... and that's probably best, since you are exhibiting these movies
publicly without payment to the copyright owner. You might be able to
make the argument that this is a private showing as is, but if you
advertise, you lose all of that.

Jose
--
There are more ways to skin a cat than there are cats.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.