SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Thousands of fans are expected to fill the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater Tuesday night for Jelly Roll’s concert, but tourism leaders say the event’s impact extends far beyond the stage.
The concert is expected to generate about $1 million in economic activity throughout the Syracuse area, with spending reaching hotels, restaurants, bars and local businesses before and after the show.
“The easy thing is hotels, restaurants, taverns, the tickets, concessions,” said Danny Liedka, president and CEO of Visit Syracuse. “But then what also goes into consideration is the jobs created and the money spent from those jobs that comes back into the economy.”
Liedka said the amphitheater has generated more than $200 million in economic impact since opening in 2015. Liedka said concertgoers like LeKia Hill provide an immediate impact to the economy.
“Normally, I would probably stop to get something to eat with my daughter,” Hill said. “When Lil Wayne was here, that’s what we did. And afterwards, I’ll spend my money on maybe some apparel or something for the memories of it, and also frequent a vendor to support the business.”
Liedka noted that not all spending impacts the economy immediately, but that much of the rapid spending comes from the hospitality industry, especially for a high-demand act like Jelly Roll.
“The induced portion could take a little time because the people make the wage and turn around and spend that money in the economy, the jobs that are created by it,” he said. “Hotels tonight are doing really well. Restaurants and taverns will do well, and an act of that magnitude will push that place to its capacity.”
Local businesses near the venue also expect to benefit. Sam Mangano, owner of Bianchi’s Catering and Pizza, said concert nights typically increase sales by 8% to 12%.
“We do see more customers. We do see some more foot traffic,” Mangano said. “A concert like tonight and Jelly Roll, that’s going to be huge. It’s going to bring a ton of traffic through.”
Liedka said weekday concerts can provide an even greater boost because they generate business during times that are typically slower for hotels and restaurants.
“Our weekends are strong with or without the concerts,” he said. “But when you put it on a Tuesday or Wednesday, it just makes that whole week complete.”
Syracuse is expecting some of its biggest economic boosts this summer to come from the state fair, music and ethnic festivals, and youth sports, with the addition of Carrier Park, according to Liedka.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Jelly Roll concert expected to bring $1 million economic boost to Syracuse
Trinity Corbett, Anchor: A concert may last just a few hours, but its impact on a city can last much longer. Tonight, Jelly Roll’s concert in Syracuse is estimated to bring in 1$ million to the local economy. Our NCC News reporter Spencer Buley shares what the overall impacts of summer concerts look like. Spencer?
Spencer Buley, Reporter: Yeah guys, thousands will be gathered at the Empower FCU Amphitheater, which is located just behind the New York State Fairgrounds, but they’ll be spending their money in a lot of other different places than just the venue.
Buley: For many fans, concerts are about music. But for businesses, they’re also about money.
Danny Liedka, President and CEO of Visit Syracuse: Summer and early fall, I would say, are the peak.
Buley: Some fans say they spend money on gas, dinner, drinks, parking, and even hotel rooms before they enter and after they leave a venue. One of those is LeKia Hill.
LeKia Hill, Syracuse Resident: I would probably stop to get something to eat with my daughter. Then afterwards, I’ll spend my money on maybe some, like, apparel or something, and also frequent a vendor to support the business.
And that’s exactly the kind of spending tourism leaders like Danny Liedka hope for.
Liedka: The easy thing is hotels, restaurants, taverns the tickets concessions. But then what also goes into consideration is the jobs that creates the money spent from those jobs that comes back into the economy.
Buley: Liedka says the amphitheater has generated more than $200 million in economic impact since opening. He says a lot of the immediate impact comes from spending on hospitality and food, especially for an artist as big as Jelly Roll.
Liedka: Hotels tonight are doing really well. Restaurants and taverns will do well, and an act of that magnitude will push that place to its capacity.
Sam Mangaano, Owner of Bianchi’s Catering and Pizza near the amphitheater, says they see an eight to twelve percent increase in sales on concert nights.
Sam Mangaano, Owner of Bianchi’s Catering and Pizza: A concert like tonight and Jelly Roll that’s going to be huge, you know. So it’s going to bring a ton of traffic through.
Buley: Leidka says having concerts of this size on a weekday add even more benefit.
Liedka: When you put it on a Tuesday or Wednesday, it just makes that whole week complete.
Buley: Leidka says another helper is that concert rates tend to be higher in the summers which increases sales tax, and he says, quote, this country is run on sales tax. Guys, back to you.
Corbett: Thanks, Spencer. Gates open for Jelly Roll tonight at 5:30 p.m. with the show scheduled to start at 7 p.m.