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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 16, 2012
Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI Event Recap
Cedar Rapids, IA The Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI Advisory and Executive
Committees would like to thank
the citizens of Cedar Rapids for welcoming the RAGBRAI
participants to our community on July 26 and
27. Together our community hosted 20,000 riders and guests at
three campgrounds and in homes
throughout the area, shuttled them downtown to RAGBRAIs 40th
Celebration, hosted a free kids zone
and bike safety event, and followed it up with Breakfast on the
Bridge in New Bohemia/Czech Villagethe next morning. Riders safely
navigated the events and nine mile route through Cedar Rapids.
Nearly 20 planning committees spent seven months and thousands
of hours planning and preparing for
the cyclists. In all, 700 community members filled 900 shifts
and volunteered 2,000 hours, which can be
valued at $43,580 in labor costs.
The overall budget to hold Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI was
approximately $400,000. Expenses included
$195,000 for main stage and local entertainment at the
campgrounds; $100,000 for staging, seating,
video screens and insurance; $40,000 for law enforcement and
shuttles; and $50,000 for signage,
fundraising, printing, portable toilets and campground
amenities.
Revenue included a total of $210,000 in cash donations and
sponsorships, a net $50,000 in beverage
sales, $75,000 in concert ticket and merchandise sales and
$25,000 in vendor fees. In addition, Cedar
Rapids RAGBRAI received thousands of dollars worth of in-kind
services from local businesses, media
partners, nonprofit agencies and local government.
Expenses exceeded revenue by $25,000. The committees will ask
the Cedar Rapids City Council to
donate money from the hotel-motel tax fund to cover the
outstanding balance. This request will not
impact local property taxes.
I am proud of our city. RAGBRAI was a great way to show off
Cedar Rapids to thousands of peopleacross the country and around
the world, said Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett. Our community
profited in a variety of ways. From the server at a local
restaurant that made $185 in an hour and a half
in tips, to filling rooms at our local hotels, to riders
visiting our local attractions, businesses and
nonprofit vendor booths, there are endless examples. I believe
our investment in the RAGBRAI events
was worth every penny.
According to RAGBRAI, the total direct, indirect and induced
spending related to RAGBRAI events in
an overnight stop can be equated to a $3 million investment in a
community.
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Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI
The Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI Advisory and Executive Committees
included representatives from the
Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Cedar Rapids
Metro Economic Alliance, Cedar Rapids
Community School District, Linn County Trails Association, Cedar
Rapids Main Street: Czech
Village/New Bohemia District, City of Cedar Rapids, Linn County
and Source Media Group.
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Contact:
Marilee Fowler, Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors
Bureau, 319-398-5009, mfowler@cedar-
rapids.com
Sandi Fowler, City of Cedar Rapids, 319-286-5077,
[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
