Often times we come to the end of the year and things heat up in the skatepark. Lots of kids coming in with the bad weather, lots of vacation times, sales and park rentals. But make sure that with all the things going on you take the time to celebrate your people. A holiday party is a great way of letting your workers and your people whom you feel add so much value to your park know you appreciate them, their commitment, and their efforts. It's ok to close early one day during the holidays, many stores do. Celebrations can be at the park if you all like to skate, they can be at a restaurant, your home, the bowling alley, or a bar. Depending on who your workers are, you can set the event to be the type of celebration they'd enjoy. Make sure you get some unique gifts to give out, and something for everyone like a hoodie, special order hat, or something. There are many ways to celebrate the season and your people so take the time to show you care. It is ok to do your celebrations after the holidays especially if people you ask can't make it.
The holidays can also be a good time to celebrate your members. I have written often about how to make your memberships "value added". Having a member celebration day with lots of extras, a DJ, a raffle, some special food or other offering goes a long way to making those members feel a part of something special. While you could be monetizing the time, spending some money to make people feel like a part of something special can go a long way to making your park work financially. If you think about what it could mean to you, each member that talks you park up positively, whether they come down regularly or not is free advertising. Word of mouth is a "viral" loop you need to create to get people in the door and excited about springing for the extra membership cost. So a special holiday member party is a good way of helping create and keep the positive buzz about your park.
Happy Holidays. I hope you can make 2015 the best one yet!
