HAPO Center reports rising bookings, facility upgrades and new marketing push

Franklin County commissioners heard an annual operations update Monday night from Mike McCall, HAPO Center manager, who said the HAPO Center is seeing increased bookings, completed capital repairs and stepped-up marketing that together are improving the facility's financial outlook.

McCall told the board the center hosted large events late in 2024 — including a 1,350-person corporate Christmas dinner and a multi‑day father‑daughter dance that drew more than 6,000 attendees across the weekend — and that early‑2025 bookings now include about 20 events, eight of them new to the center. "This is an annual report as a business would look at it of 60 pages of numbers," McCall said, adding the presentation was meant to show how the center is performing "physically at the center itself, culturally" and in customer feedback.

The nut graf: Commissioners were shown a mix of short‑term, low‑cost investments and marketing work designed to increase usable inventory and box office revenue. McCall said recent improvements — new atrium paint and carpet, new drapes, new tables and flat‑screen TVs (including 75‑, 86‑ and 98‑inch displays) — were completed during a 10‑day window in January to avoid disrupting bookings. He credited volunteers and county staff for a cleanup and leveling project on the east lot, which he said increased usable load‑in space and parking access.

Details: Joanna Ruiz, the center's new director of sales, described marketing changes and a new customer relationship management (CRM) system that tracks inquiries ("suspects") through prospecting, proposals and contracts. Ruiz said the center joined the Eventective platform and reported 74 leads, 20 direct referrals and sharply higher online profile views after regaining access to the center's social media accounts. McCall said the center captured about 40 leads from one bridal expo through on‑site outreach.

McCall noted that many recent events returned positive promoter feedback; he displayed a letter from the Sportsman Show promoter saying exhibitor and attendance numbers were higher than pre‑COVID levels and praising facility staff for responsiveness. He also said the youth hockey association and ice pavilion remain heavily used, with a state tournament expected to bring 19 teams to the area.

Planned next steps and constraints: McCall said organizers plan a full open house in late April to merchandise the venue for corporate and wedding markets, and the county and volunteers plan to build simple additional locker rooms to improve tournament efficiency in the ice pavilion. He also flagged ongoing needs: replacement chairs, continued maintenance and planning for a new HVAC and parking overlay. County administrator Eric Johnson and commissioners were described as engaged in contract monitoring and grant‑funding conversations; McCall said the team is looking at a potential $3,000,000 Commerce grant for HVAC work.

Commissioner response and community involvement: Commissioners praised staff and volunteers; Commissioner Baumann and others described volunteer cleanup work that opened new staging and parking areas. McCall and commissioners discussed capacity constraints (McCall estimated the center could probably stretch to 1,500 for some events with creative table arrangements) and the team's effort to market the center as a flexible alternative to nearby convention facilities.

Ending: McCall asked for continued county support while the management team pursues new contracts and grant funding. Commissioners thanked the HAPO staff and volunteers and encouraged follow‑up on the planned open house and the pending HVAC and parking projects.