Joan Balinson & John Terence, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

"Grand Finale" photo taken by Gary McWilliams, Ontario Visited
Interview with Ms. Joan Balinson, Executive Director &
Mr. John Terence, Producer
Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

The IMPORTANCE OF SPONSORSHIP, FUNDING & GRANTS … Part 2

 With regard to Corporate Sponsorship, Executive Director Joan Balinson states … “It is increasingly difficult to obtain corporate sponsorship for a two show event which happens only once a year.  We have a full sponsorship fulfillment package tailored to meet the marketing needs of each company.  Our sponsors are invited to a very exclusive Chairman’s Reception in one of Hamilton’s finest military messes and given tickets in VIP seating to the show of their choice.”

As an aside, Mr. Terence reiterates how important Corporate Sponsorship is to the funding of this event (and festivals and events alike). Because of the scope of the show and the costs, this festival relies on sponsorship and grant funding to help make the shows viable. John shares his vision and sells the concepts and conveys his message to these groups, because once they believe in what you are trying to accomplish they are more apt to assist.

I spoke with Mr. John Terence, the Producer of the Festival about the encouragement of Youth to either participate or appreciate the performances during the Tattoo. Both he and Joan acknowledge that this Festival does Encouragement of Youth - On the Friday before the show; we run a full education programme for elementary students, in particular from inner city schools.  There is no charge to the students as the program is funded by The Rotary Club and The Hamilton Spectator.  The students have a hearty lunch, a brief talk on the role Military Music has played throughout the centuries, a performance by our guest bands, then an opportunity to move to the floor of the coliseum and mingle with the musicians.

(To Be Continued)

Joan Balinson & John Terence, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

"Grand Finale" photo taken by Gary McWilliams, Ontario Visited
Interview with Ms. Joan Balinson, Executive Director &
Mr. John Terence, Producer
Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

The IMPORTANCE OF SPONSORSHIP, FUNDING & GRANTS …

With the economic challenges today, it would seem it is critical to obtain/maintain Sponsor funding and Other Sources of funding. How you go about obtain funding? I asked Ms. Balinson, of the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival how their Festival keeps “Sponsors” interested in supporting your efforts and “keep them happy”. With regard to Funding, she replies ... “We find it impossible to mount a show with a budget of $ 300,000 and cover the costs by ticket sales.  We offer a very low ticket price for seniors, veterans and families.  Consequently, we are very dependent on corporate sponsorship and grants.”  With regard to Grants, Joan tells us … “Due to the unique nature of the program, music, dancing, military drills, pageantry, and the fulfillment of our mandate “Connecting Canadians to their Military through Music” we submit government grant applications at all three levels.  The challenge is that the available grants are being reduced each year.  The problem with the special funding for the Commemoration of the War of 1812 set aside by the Federal Government and administered by Department of Canadian Heritage is that the announcement of the funding and the amount of time allotted to submit the application process was very short.  Then the review and notification of the successful applicants was going to take 5 months.  In the case of the Tattoo, with a theme of the beginning of the War 1812 and show dates of late June, 2012, we could not wait until May to know if we had the funds to engage the Re-enactment Bands and Units from outside the Country so we had to decline the opportunity.  I was informed by staff that we could only apply for 2012 despite the fact that we are commemorating the War in our shows, 2012, 2013 and 2014.”

(To Be Continued)

Joan Balinson & John Terence, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

"Grand Finale" photo taken by Gary McWilliams, Ontario Visited
Interview with Ms. Joan Balinson, Executive Director &
Mr. John Terence, Producer
Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION ...

As many of you know, I volunteer at a Pioneer Village which is fairly close to my home community. I realize the importance of the Volunteers being appreciated. I, as one of them, have been truly blessed with the ongoing, constant courteous appreciation extended to me from the Lang Pioneer Village & Museum Managers and Staff. It makes me feel very much appreciated and needed. They have even called me “a valuable part of their team”. That, my friends, goes a long way for me. I want to volunteer all the more, knowing that somehow I can make a difference, that what I am contributing is appreciated and does matter. Joan at the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival tells us that … “On-site volunteers receive a t-shirt for identification; meals and snacks.  Within the following few weeks we send letters of appreciation, hold an appreciation dinner and present certificates according to years of service.  Also, volunteers are scheduled so that they can see show on the off day.  We treat our performers very well, and there is a waiting list of international bands who would like to perform in Canada.  We are limited only by funding.”  With that being said, next week Ms. Balinson shares with us the Importance of Sponsorship Funding and Grants.

(To Be Continued)

Joan Balinson & John Terence, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

Interview with Ms. Joan Balinson, Executive Director &
Mr. John Terence, Producer
Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival
Volunteer's for Success ...

For many festivals and events, it is critical to have volunteers! As part of my conversation about the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival, I continue with my interview with Ms. Balinson and Mr. Terence. A lot rides on the tasks taken during a performance by the team and volunteers. Mr. Terence tells us he …“encourages his volunteers and team to use their initiative. He shows them how to and when to use their initiative. He gives them the freedom to make decisions themselves, but, he does encourage them to call for assistance to be guided by him”. Once John “gives them the answers and directions, he trusts them to do it!” He states that he “deplores micro-management”. He feels “that by micro-managing people all you are doing is demonstrating to them that you do not trust them. Again, he encourages initiative! If you see a situation that needs to be addressed you do it!” Sometimes mistakes do occur. John feels “it is important (stating several times during our interview) “that “it is important to always end a discussion on a positive note”. A situation/person may need to be addressed for their error, but, John feels “it is critical to always offer a solution!” Part of his leadership and in getting others to take leadership depends on this important step in managing Volunteers! Mr. Terence says “it is important to give your volunteers/team instructions and the tools, whether it is psychical tools or words or pictures and diagrams. John relies heavily on diagrams coordinates during a performance. It is also important to let them do their job, then it is equally important for them report back to you”!

Next week we will discuss "Volunteer Appreciation" ... a subject I feel is of upmost importance for Festivals and Events!

(To Be Continued)

Joan Balinson, Executive Director, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

Interview with Ms. Joan Balinson, Executive Director
Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival
Volunteer's for Success ...

For many festivals and events, it is critical to have volunteers! As part of my conversation about the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival, I asked both Ms. Balinson, Executive Director and Mr. John Terence, Producer of the Tattoo, how many volunteers they required for the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival and did they have any systems in place to “keep the volunteers happy”.

Joan Balinson, Executive Director, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival shares with us, “CITA (Canadian International Tattoo Association) is a not for profit registered charitable association.  As such we operate with a very limited budget.  All planning and execution of the production is done by volunteers.  From our board of directors, down to senior managers, Festival and show weekend volunteers, we utilize 80 people to help us put on the largest military tattoo in Central Canada”.

Mr. John Terence added, "quite simply the show would not go on without Volunteers”! Approximately 40-50 volunteers work with John alone, not to mention all the other teams. There are various co-coordinators in place and coordinators that liaison with all the Cadet services. The Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival holds a wonderful Volunteer Appreciation night.  I mentioned to John that I felt Volunteers are the upmost importance to the ultimate success of a festival/event/production and John said “that’s absolutely it! It is important to keep the volunteers happy! You will ultimately end up working with higher quality people with high quality work ethics”. John says “these volunteers take a lot of pride in doing their job well, no matter how menial”. Again, John repeats his comment that “he tries to instill in his volunteers that no matter how small or menial a job might be, it most likely is critical to the intricacy of the overall performance. If the visual cues are not on time, it could affect in a major negative way”. I said to John, there must be a “Lot of Trust”! He replied … “no kidding!”  I very excited to continue this conversation with Mr. Terence and Ms. Balinson, as they both have a lot of great advice to contribute to this topic..

(To Be Continued)

Joan Balinson, Executive Director, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

Interview with Ms. Joan Balinson, Executive Director
Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival
This Year at the Tattoo ...

The SCOOP Joan tells us ...“Central Canada’s premier Military Tattoo featuring the pageantry of massed military bands, pipes and drums and special guest performers is very pleased to announce our 21^st Military show for 2012. On Saturday June 23 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday June 24 at 2:30 pm, we will be featuring a commemoration of the 200^th Anniversary of the start of the War of 1812-1814, and the 150^th Anniversary of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (WR). Invited performing groups include the following: Special Guests- Pioneers of Canterbury Marching Group (Christchurch New Zealand)…The Windsor Regiment Band (Windsor): The Royal Regiment of Canada Military Band (Toronto): The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Military Band (Hamilton): The Military Band of the Ceremonial Guard (Ottawa): …The 48^th Highlanders Pipes and Drums (Toronto): The Lorne Scots Pipes and Drums (Brampton): The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Pipes and Drums (Hamilton): The Pipes and Drums of the Ceremonial Guard (Ottawa): The Dundas Pipes and Drums (Dundas):…The Tattoo Dancers: 13^th Regiment of Foot (Hamilton Re enactment Group): Winning Cadet Band in Ontario: 1812-1814 Re enactors (Hamilton): Danielle Bourre (Singer): The Fiddle Kid (Liam McGlashon)"

"The Tattoo is a registered Not-for-Profit charitable organization and is a 2 ½ hour show with over 500 performers composed of military bands, pipes and drums, dancers, song, pageantry and special performing groups. Special emphasis is always given to our veterans from all theatres, and they are included in the show. There is no other show of this scale west of Halifax, and we provide the experience for the general public to connect the public to the military through music.”

Joan tells us that the “Tattoo Buffet Luncheon usually accommodates 400 people at the Hamilton Convention Centre.  This year, we are serving a typical pub style lunch with Steak & Kidney Pie, potatoes, vegetables, shortbread dessert.  We have door prizes, live entertainment and two pipers who escort the guests to make the ten minute walk to Copps Coliseum where they go to their seats to see the show”.

“The adult ticket price is $48.45 per person. Senior/Group ticket price is $37.15. Veteran’s ticket price is $25.85. (All prices include facility fee and HST).  You will also have the option of purchasing a ticket to the Tattoo Luncheon prior to the Sunday performance. Ticket price of $33.90 (includes HST) will give you a hot buffet luncheon, entertainment, and a chance for a door prize. We will then have a few pipers lead everyone down the street to the arena, and as you already have your Tattoo ticket, you will be able to go right in to your reserved seat.”

Next week I will be reporting on one of my favorite discussions with Ms. Balinson ... The Inportance of Volunteers. My interview article will focus on Volunteers for Success!
(To Be Continued)

Joan Balinson, Executive Director, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

Interview with Ms. Joan Balinson, Executive Director
Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

Introducing Joan Balinson ...

For this edition of THE INSIDE SCOOP, I am pleased to share with you some of the insightful information from one of the leaders in the Festival and Event industry, Ms. Joan Balinson, Executive Director of the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival. We met, in person, with Joan at last year's spectacular Tattoo, where I found her to be quite knowledgeable and well informed. Ms. Balinson has a lot of information and SCOOP to share with others ... A bit about Joan … “In 1989, Joan established About Town Event & Meeting Planners, an independent full-service company specializing in the co-ordination of logistics and marketing for conference and event management. She also offers consulting services to small non-profit organizations on board and organizational development, marketing and fundraising practices. She has been an instructor for all the local community colleges and the Ontario Tourism Education Council, and delivers seminars to private agencies on special event management. Presently she serves on the Board of Directors for Tourism Hamilton, PATH Employment Services. Her memberships include IMPAC (Independent Meeting Planners of Canada), Canadian Public Relations Society and Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.”

“The Canadian International Military Tattoo, an inspiring 2-1/2 hour show of stirring music, dancing, pipes & drums and military displays, will feature a commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the 1812-1814 War; the 150th Anniversary of The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (WR); along with International Guest Performers. A Signature Event in the City of Hamilton.”

(To Be Continued)