Event Progress Report 8

I just got back from a meeting with the Presidio Trust regarding my event. I went down there this morning and it was great to get to see the location and hear a lot more about the event. My contact was extremely nice and eager to help, so I feel like I got some great information. We talked a lot about audience, a conversation I intend to continue with the head of the Shakespeare Festival tomorrow morning, and I learned a lot about the Presidio Park in general. A lot of what I assumed about the size of the event was correct, but I think I did slightly underestimate the reach of the program. Each night typically draws about 800-1000 people, which is great for the space, but he did say they would be happy if more people came. The audience is on the older side, and I got the sense that they would be very interested in attracting a younger crowd as well. We spoke a little about how the Presidio neighbors the Marina, home to many a twentysomething, and how few people consider the Presidio as a "destination" like they might Golden Gate Park or Dolores Park.

I have often wondered why they would want to attract more people, given that the event is free, so we talked a lot about the various motivations of the park and the Shakespeare group. Donations play a big role, and it's always good to have successful events if you want to continue to get community support and financial backing. Shakespeare in the Park is a good example of one of the things that the Presidio Trust is doing to help promote the park as a place to visit. They are doing a number of other things to switch the perception of the park, and it was interesting to hear about it from the inside. A lot of my more detailed questions will be answered by the Shakespeare people, but I got a number of ideas from my conversation this morning.