Hartford Business Journal

12 Hartford Business Journal • May 14, 2018 • www.HartfordBusiness.com THE LIST Largest entertainment & sporting venues in Connecticut Ranked by estimated 2017 attendance Source: Each venue via survey. Notes: NA = not available or not applicable. Lake Compounce of Bristol does not disclose attendance. Unable to confirm data for Bridgeport's Webster Bank arena, which posted annual attendance of 750,000 visitors in 2015. (1) An additional 11 seasonal employees. (2) An additional 66 student interns. (3) Data from 2017 survey. —Compiled by Stephanie R. Meagher. FOCUS Largest entertainment & sporting venues in Connecticut (Ranked by estimated 2017 attendance) Rank Venue 2017 attendance Employees/ Volunteers Profit or nonprofit Description Top executive Year founded 1 Foxwoods Resort Casino 350 Trolley Line Blvd. Mashantucket, CT 06338 800-369-9663; www.foxwoods.com 11,816,196 5,500 0 Profit Hospitality, entertainment, gaming, retail, dining, golf, spa and hotel Felix D. Rappaport 1992 2 Mohegan Sun 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. Uncasville, CT 06382 888-226-7711; mohegansun.com 9,000,000 7,150 Profit Entertainment, gaming, dining, shopping, hotel, spa, meetings and conventions Ray Pineault 1996 3 XL Center 1 Civic Center Plaza Hartford, CT 06103 860-249-6333; www.xlcenter.com 750,000 NA Profit Hosts Hartford Wolf Pack, UConn basketball, concerts and family entertainment Ashley Vanett 1977 4 Mystic Aquarium 55 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT 06355 860-572-5955; www.mysticaquarium.org 700,821 370 684 Nonprofit Underwater worlds and creatures including beluga whales, penguins and more; interactive experiences, exhibits and animal adventures Stephen M. Coan 1973 5 The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk 10 N. Water St. Norwalk, CT 06854 203-852-0700; www.maritimeaquarium.org 506,236 119 347 Nonprofit Exhibits, sharks, seals, sea turtles, jellyfish, river otters and other animals native to Long Island Sound and its watershed; study cruises, educational programs and IMAX movie theater Brian Davis 1988 6 Dunkin' Donuts Park 1214 Main St. Hartford, CT 06103 860-246-GOAT; yardgoatsbaseball.com 395,000 350 0 Profit State-of-the-art venue and home to the Hartford Yard Goats, a Double-A baseball team affiliated with the Colorado Rockies Mike Abramson 2016 7 The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts 166 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CT 06106 860-987-5900; www.bushnell.org 316,000 100 570 Nonprofit Two performance halls and multiple public event spaces, more than 450 events annually, Broadway tours, symphonies, family entertainment, concerts, local arts and community events David Fay 1929 8 XFINITY Theatre 61 Savitt Way Hartford, CT 06120 203-269-8721; www.livenation.com 312,368 235 0 Profit Indoor-outdoor amphitheater with a capacity of more than 24,000 Jim Koplik 1995 9 Mystic Seaport 75 Greenmanville Ave. Mystic, CT 06355 860-572-0711; www.mysticseaport.org 300,000 300 600 Nonprofit Maritime museum featuring historic vessels, a working preservation shipyard, recreated seafaring village, exhibits, galleries and more Stephen C. White 1929 10 Connecticut Science Center 250 Columbus Blvd. Hartford, CT 06103 860-724-3623; www.ctsciencecenter.org 295,843 86 101 Nonprofit Science-based museum, educational and tourism venue Matt J. Fleury 2009 11 Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo 1875 Noble Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06610 203-394-6565; www.beardsleyzoo.org 280,000 37 (1) 127 (2) Nonprofit Three-hundred animals representing primarily North and South American species; South American rain forest with aviary, prairie dog exhibit, farmyard; hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer, cafe, picnic grove, indoor carousel Gregg Dancho 1922 12 Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field 615 Silver Lane East Hartford, CT 06118 860-610-4700; www.rentschlerfield.com 250,000 NA Profit Hosts University of Connecticut football as well as concerts, international soccer matches, and family entertainment and exhibitions Chris Lawrence 2003 13 Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (3) 205 E. Thompson Road Thompson, CT 06277 860-923-2280; www.thompsonspeedway.com 235,000 NA Profit NASCAR short-track racing featuring modified, late model, limited sportsman and mini-stock divisions; facility includes a 1.7-mile road course hosting sports car and motorcycle events Jonathan Hoenig Donald J. Hoenig 1940 14 Quassy Amusement & Waterpark 2132 Middlebury Road Middlebury, CT 06762 203-758-2913; www.quassy.com 230,000 350 0 Profit Family amusement and waterpark on Lake Quassapaug with more than two dozen rides and attractions George Frantzis II 1908 15 Toyota Presents Oakdale Theatre 95 S. Turnpike Road Wallingford, CT 06492 203-269-8721; specialevents.livenation.com 180,000 35 0 Profit Year-round concert venue and event space for graduations, weddings, parties, proms, galas, meetings and more Jim Koplik 1954 16 Goodspeed Musicals 6 Main St. East Haddam, CT 06423 860-873-8668; www.goodspeed.org 120,000 NA Nonprofit Home of the American musical and birthplace of the original productions of Man of La Mancha, Shenandoah and Annie; first regional theatre to receive two Special Tony Awards for its outstanding achievements, Goodspeed produces America's musical treasures to delight, inspire and entertain Michael Gennaro 1963 17 Shubert Theatre 247 College St. New Haven, CT 06510 203-624-1825; www.shubert.com 113,380 12 260 Nonprofit Presents Broadway, dance, opera, cabaret and family entertainment John Fisher 1914 18 Lime Rock Park 60 White Hollow Road Lakeville, CT 06039 860-435-5000; www.limerock.com 104,000 28 230 Profit Major races include IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, Pirelli World Challenge, SCCA and Historic Festival; track days, manufacturer days, winter autocross, summer autocross, charity events, bicycle and running events, July 4th fireworks Skip Barber Georgia Blades Steven Sewell 1957 19 Stafford Speedway 55 West St. Stafford Springs, CT 06076 860-684-2783; www.staffordspeedway.com 103,000 80 5 Profit Half-mile paved oval with NASCAR racing every Friday night from May through September along with Monster Jam, Auto Swap Meets, Motorcycle Swap Meets, Kart Racing and Subaru Meet Mark Arute 1959 20 Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park (4) 161 Brownstone Ave. Portland, CT 06480 866-860-0208; brownstonepark.com 100,000 (5) 225 0 Profit Outdoor adventure sports park for all abilities and ages; rock climbing, wakeboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, cliff jumping, scuba diving, "Survivor- style" competitions, zip lines, swimming, floats, trails; groups, lessons and rentals Sean Hayes 2009 20 Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts 2132 Hillside Road Storrs, CT 06269 860-486-4226; www.jorgensen.uconn.edu 100,000 12 (6) 65 Nonprofit Multi-disciplinary program with internationally and nationally acclaimed artists and ensembles ranging from classical music and dance to jazz, comedy and popular entertainment, campus events and conferences Rodney Rock 1955 20 The Ridgefield Playhouse 80 E. Ridge St. Ridgefield, CT 06877 203-438-5795; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org 100,000 45 12 Nonprofit The Playhouse presents national and local acts and is the cultural hub for the town of Ridgefield Allison Stockel 2000 20 The Warner Theatre 68 Main St. Torrington, CT 06790 860-489-7180; www.warnertheatre.org 100,000 (7) 30 (8) 800 Nonprofit Former movie palace now hosting more than 170 performances, including family entertainment and national performing artists, performing arts school, 300-seat black box theater and 8,000-square-foot costume shop Lynn Gelormino 1931 Source: Each venue via survey. Notes: NA = not available or not applicable. Lake Compounce of Bristol does not disclose attendance. Unable to confirm data for Bridgeport's Webster Bank arena, which posted annual attendance of 750,000 visitors in 2015. (1) An additional 11 seasonal employees. (2) An additional 66 student interns. (3) Data from 2017 survey. (4) Includes Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort. (5) Approximate. (6) An additional 25 paid ushers. (7) Includes events not ticketed. (8) Eleven full-time employees. —Compiled by Stephanie R. Meagher. In order to compete for visitors, we need a marketing budget that, year over year, keeps us in the consider- ation set of consumers. Q. Most people in the state know of the major tourist attractions like Mystic Seaport, the Connecticut casinos, minor league baseball and our coastline beach areas. What are some hidden gems that might get overlooked, particularly by those planning a staycation? A. Where do I begin? Part of what makes Connecticut so unique is the diverse mix of thousands of attrac- tions and hidden gems, from the his- toric and cultural to the relaxing and nature-focused. For example, travelers can find hidden treasures along the Connecticut Art Trail, which now includes 21 world-class museums and historic sites, Connecticut Antiques Trail and Connecticut Beer and Wine trails. Or, visit one of the 169 towns, each with something unique to offer. There's also no shortage of outdoor adventure, relaxation and culinary expe- riences to be had — go for a llama hike, try a meditative retreat or shuck your own oysters. The state tourism website — www.CT- visit.com — has hundreds of suggested travel itineraries and articles, a calendar of events, and now more information about cities, all to help make it easier to find hidden gems and plan a staycation. In fact, the state's wealth of hidden gems is one reason the Office of Tourism established Connecticut Open House Day. The day-long event encourages residents to discover the arts, history and cultural attractions in their own "backyard." More than 200 attrac- tions and other tourism partners have already signed up to participate this year by offering discounted or free admission and special offers. Open House Day is Saturday, June 9. Q. How many attractions do you pro- mote on an annual basis? In 2017 alone, we specifically pro- moted almost 2,000 businesses. A. While we've had the opportunity to meet and speak with thousands of partners, there are still many we don't know. And we can't help promote them if we don't know about them. So please, get in touch with us, and create a free listing page on www.CTvisit.com. >> Q&A continued from previous page

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