As McGregor Hall gears up for another jam-packed season of concerts, plays and more, its Executive Director Mark Hopper knows that a well-attended event at the downtown venue creates a big ripple effect felt throughout the city.
And Hopper has a study to back him up.
Well, it’s in draft form, but the board got the initial results at the meeting earlier this week.
“The numbers that we see, so far, are very exciting,” Hopper said during Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny.”
A previous economic impact study looked at a 12-month period during 2018-2019, and results indicated that McGregor Hall contributed just shy of $3 million to the city’s economy.
The most recent study looks at the 4-year period between 2019 and 2022 and it states that McGregor Hall contributed about $15.6 million during that time. And, Hopper reminded, two of those years the venue was shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When folks come to a competition, show or concert in downtown Henderson, there’s a good chance that they’re going to find a restaurant or lodging, too, Hopper said.
Those meals and overnight stays add up over time and put more money in local businesses and tax revenues as well.
One revision Hopper and the board would like to see is a year-by-year breakdown so they can have a better idea of impact per year.
The study is looking only at McGregor Hall’s impact within the city limits, but Hopper said the county surely benefits as well and folks in the tourism department are always happy to talk up events at McGregor Hall.
“Pam (Hester) has been on our team since Day 1,” Hopper said. “She’s been a great advocate for us.”
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Coming up at the end of January, legendary beach music band The Tams will perform, followed by some beach music with a West Coast flavor when Sail On – The Beach Boys Tribute comes to town on Friday, Feb. 9.
McGregor Hall will host Contemporary Christian musician Michael W. Smith on Thursday, Mar. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
“This is a big one for us – we’re on his national tour,” Hopper said.
And comedian Karen Knotts will take the stage on Sunday, Mar. 17 for a matinee performance called “Tied Up In Knotts,” a time to entertain the audience with stories about her dad, Don Knotts.
Visit mcgregorhall.org for a complete schedule of events and to purchase tickets.
