01/31/12

eHow On-Line

Super Bowl Party Like a Pro Guide

By Richard A. Webster

Every year, the parties thrown during Super Bowl weekend in the host city become bigger and more lavish to the point where, for some people, they have become more important than the game....The majority of parties, even if they are billed as invitation-only, are accessible if you know what you’re doing.

The key is figuring out which party will provide the most bang for the buck, says Phil Tanguy, founder of On Point, a special events tour operator based in Houston.

The best events are thrown by companies to entertain customers, sponsors and advertisers because they have unlimited budgets that allow them to afford the best entertainment, food, drinks offers and decorations.

People should avoid parties thrown by inexperienced event organizers, says Tanguy. Often these organizers are only interested in their return on investment, so they will skimp on the extras like handing out free tickets to women.

“You want to make sure it’s not all guys at the party, that there’s a good mix," Tanguy said. "But if you’re just profit motivated, handing out comp tickets to local girls will hurt the bottom line, so many don’t do it.”

If it’s your first time going to the Super Bowl, the best way to figure out which party to attend is by going through a trip adviser or asking experienced fans, says Tanguy. They will know the track records of event organizers, who has a history of throwing the best parties and who delivers on their promises.

Usually the dead giveaway that a party won’t be something special is if it is being promoted on local radio and billboards or if fliers are being handed out in public directing consumers to call a phone number to buy tickets.

“Some of these event organizers think the Super Bowl is an opportunity to get rich, but it also comes with a lot of risk,” Tanguy said. “They may not sell enough sponsorship to cover fixed costs, so they’re scrambling trying to sell enough tickets to fill the venue.”

In the end, many inexperienced event organizers are crushed financially.

“We see it every year where parties get shut down, and as a consumer, not only do you not have party to go to on Friday or Saturday night, but you’re stuck trying to fight to get your money back,” Tanguy said.

To ensure the best experience, fans can go through companies that arrange Super Bowl trips. A basic package through On Point, which includes game tickets, four nights at a hotel, transportation and commemorative gifts, costs $4,700 per person.

The deluxe package includes entrance to the exclusive parties and can run up to $15,000 per person.

“It might seem like a lot of money, but for many people this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and they want to make it memorable,” Tanguy said. “You can go to the Super Bowl or you can really go to the Super Bowl.”

People who are on tight budgets can pay between $250 and $400 to attend the less-exclusive parties, but the wow factors like headline entertainment and beautiful women will be lacking, says Tanguy.

For money-conscious people, he suggests they don’t go out every night and save their money for Saturday when the biggest events are held.

Fans also need to be wary of bars or clubs that charge hundreds of dollars just to walk through the door. They should call ahead and ask what’s being offered.

“Everyone wants to make money, so you need to ask what value you’re getting for your money,” Tanguy said. “Are they bringing in a DJ you wouldn’t otherwise be able to see? Is there a complimentary drink? Make sure you’re not just paying a really steep cover charge to hang out with folks that would be there on a regular Friday or Saturday night.”

Going to the Super Bowl should be a special experience, and that can cost a lot of money, says Tanguy. However, in these tight economic times, people should consider whether it is a good use of their finances.

“Do you want to spend that money going to the Super Bowl and all these parties or do you want to upgrade your sofa and get a new plasma TV at home? There’s a lot to be said for that,” Tanguy said.

In the News 01/21/06 01/26/06 04/30/06 07/05/06 11/20/06 03/01/07 04/29/08 11/01/08 04/06/09 01/31/12 Press Releases Media Contacts Company Fact Sheet First Name: Last Name: Email Address: unsubscribe		View cart Print 01/31/12 eHow On-Line Super Bowl Party Like a Pro Guide By Richard A. Webster Every year, the parties thrown during Super Bowl weekend in the host city become bigger and more lavish to the point where, for some people, they have become more important than the game....The majority of parties, even if they are billed as invitation-only, are accessible if you know what you’re doing. The key is figuring out which party will provide the most bang for the buck, says Phil Tanguy, founder of On Point, a special events tour operator based in Houston. The best events are thrown by companies to entertain customers, sponsors and advertisers because they have unlimited budgets that allow them to afford the best entertainment, food, drinks offers and decorations. People should avoid parties thrown by inexperienced event organizers, says Tanguy. Often these organizers are only interested in their return on investment, so they will skimp on the extras like handing out free tickets to women. “You want to make sure it’s not all guys at the party, that there’s a good mix," Tanguy said. "But if you’re just profit motivated, handing out comp tickets to local girls will hurt the bottom line, so many don’t do it.” If it’s your first time going to the Super Bowl, the best way to figure out which party to attend is by going through a trip adviser or asking experienced fans, says Tanguy. They will know the track records of event organizers, who has a history of throwing the best parties and who delivers on their promises. Usually the dead giveaway that a party won’t be something special is if it is being promoted on local radio and billboards or if fliers are being handed out in public directing consumers to call a phone number to buy tickets. “Some of these event organizers think the Super Bowl is an opportunity to get rich, but it also comes with a lot of risk,” Tanguy said. “They may not sell enough sponsorship to cover fixed costs, so they’re scrambling trying to sell enough tickets to fill the venue.” In the end, many inexperienced event organizers are crushed financially. “We see it every year where parties get shut down, and as a consumer, not only do you not have party to go to on Friday or Saturday night, but you’re stuck trying to fight to get your money back,” Tanguy said. To ensure the best experience, fans can go through companies that arrange Super Bowl trips. A basic package through On Point, which includes game tickets, four nights at a hotel, transportation and commemorative gifts, costs $4,700 per person. The deluxe package includes entrance to the exclusive parties and can run up to $15,000 per person. “It might seem like a lot of money, but for many people this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and they want to make it memorable,” Tanguy said. “You can go to the Super Bowl or you can really go to the Super Bowl.” People who are on tight budgets can pay between $250 and $400 to attend the less-exclusive parties, but the wow factors like headline entertainment and beautiful women will be lacking, says Tanguy. For money-conscious people, he suggests they don’t go out every night and save their money for Saturday when the biggest events are held. Fans also need to be wary of bars or clubs that charge hundreds of dollars just to walk through the door. They should call ahead and ask what’s being offered. “Everyone wants to make money, so you need to ask what value you’re getting for your money,” Tanguy said. “Are they bringing in a DJ you wouldn’t otherwise be able to see? Is there a complimentary drink? Make sure you’re not just paying a really steep cover charge to hang out with folks that would be there on a regular Friday or Saturday night.” Going to the Super Bowl should be a special experience, and that can cost a lot of money, says Tanguy. However, in these tight economic times, people should consider whether it is a good use of their finances. “Do you want to spend that money going to the Super Bowl and all these parties or do you want to upgrade your sofa and get a new plasma TV at home? There’s a lot to be said for that,” Tanguy said.