This program is designed to enhance the facility’s ability to serve the ticket-buying public more efficiently by utilizing local volunteer groups to supplement paid temporary/seasonal staff members. Additionally, the program offers and opportunity for these local volunteer groups to raise funds for their respective organization.
For program inquiries, please contact Anthony Sforza, Assistant Food & Beverage Manager and Program Administrator here.
Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville is looking for local non-profit groups to supplement our paid seasonal Food & Beverage staff for events held at the venue. In the case of these events, HCCA offers the opportunity for non-profit groups to work in concession stands as a fundraising opportunity for their given organization.
OVERVIEW
The following is a guideline detailing information surrounding the operation and goals of the volunteer concession staffing program at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville.
PROGRAM GOALS
Utilize local volunteer groups to supplement our paid seasonal Food & Beverage staff for events held at the venue. In the case of these events, Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville offers the opportunity for volunteer groups to work in concession stands as a fundraising opportunity for their given organization.
POTENTIAL EARNINGS
Volunteer groups working at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville will earn percentages of sales on a commission basis while volunteering with the facility. Groups will earn 10% of Net Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverage sales and 5% of Net Alcoholic Beverage sales.
Potential earnings are based on the group’s availability for events. The more events a group signs up for, the higher the earning potential. Groups can expect to be requested to work 8-10 larger arena shows and 10-15 Thomas Wolfe Auditorium shows, with average annual earnings of $10,000. Note, the quantity of available events and total earnings cannot be guaranteed as the program is reliant on the total number of booked events and total need for volunteer staff to work said events.
The above earnings averages does include cash donations. Groups working in concession stand or beer portable locations may place donation jars on the counter tops. This jars must be plastic, must have a nicely printed group logo and must clearly state that all donated funds are to be given directly to the group.
The Harrah’s Cherokee Center sets a minimum commission on each location guaranteeing a group at least $150 for each portable location and/or $250 for each main concession stand per event.
SCHEDULING EXPECTATIONS
Total need for staffing levels in the facility is dictated by total ticket sales or expected sales leading into a given event. There will be times that ticket sales in the last week prior to an event will require the addition of a volunteer group. When this occurs groups may be asked to work an event with less than 5 days’ notice. Our Food & Beverage staff commits to request volunteer groups for events with as much advance notice as possible, but short lead times prior to events may occur. Upon signing up for the program, a volunteer group agrees to be available to work at least one shift for each of the below events. Please note, the list of available events to work will substantially increase as we get closer to the start of our event season.
- Arena Event on 8/6, 8/7 & 8/8
- Primus on 8/28
- Arena Event on 10/8 & 10/9
- Billy Strings on 10/29, 10/30 & 10/31
- Arena Event on 10/28
- Avett Brothers on 11/19
- Arena Event on 12/11
- Arena Event on 12/31
- SoCon Basketball Tournament 2022 on 3/3/22 – 3/7/22
*Arena Events = Unconfirmed/unannounced events in the venue.
RECRUITMENT
Recruitment of volunteer groups will occur every two years, and as necessary throughout the year if groups are removed or drop out of the program. Recruitment will be an ‘Open Call’ format, meaning all interested groups; including groups currently working in the program must apply during each open call. Open calls will be advertised via press release from the City of Asheville Public Information Office, posts on the Harrah’s Cherokee Center’s website and social media pages and via word of mouth.
Groups will have 30 days to apply. Applications will be reviewed by the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Food & Beverage Department. Selections will be made based on groups past experience with live events, specifically those in which alcohol was served, relevant ties to events held at the center and reference checks. Interviews will be requested of volunteer group leader(s) and references will be checked prior to contract execution with any group. Groups must agree to all terms and conditions of the Volunteer Concession Contract in order to be accepted into the program. In order to apply please visit, please visit Volunteer Concession Program page.
Applications for inclusion in the program will only be accepted during open call periods. Applications received outside of open call periods will not be retained.
EVALUATION
Performance of volunteer groups will be evaluated on an annual basis. Groups will be evaluated based on three main components
- Over/Short:
- The Harrah’s Cherokee Center tracks over/short amounts based on collected cash and credit card sales at all events.
- Consistency and accuracy in both cash and credit card transactions in vital to efficient and profitable operations in the Food and Beverage department
- Groups will be evaluated annually based on the over/short amounts at all events
- Staffing Levels:
- The venue tracks the total number of volunteers that show up to work a given shift.
- Staffing needs will be communicated by the venue for each event that is available for volunteer groups to work
- A group’s ability to staff sufficient numbers per the contract will be evaluated.
- Violations of program rules/expectations:
- Rules and regulations as related to the program are detailed throughout the Volunteer Concessions Contract.
- Violations are tracked and will be evaluated. Please note that violation of certain rules and regulations can lead to a group’s removal from the program.
SUMMARY
The Harrah’s Cherokee Center’s volunteer concession staffing program is designed to enhance the facility’s ability to serve the ticket-buying public more efficiently by utilizing local volunteer groups to supplement paid temporary/seasonal staff members. Additionally the program offers an opportunity for these local volunteer groups to fundraise for their given organization.
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