BCTC Winchester-Clark County Draws Quite a Crowd at Their Outdoor Amphitheater with Movies.
Winchester-Clark County - Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Winchester, KY, built a 600-seat outdoor amphitheater on campus with the hope it’d be an awesome outdoor event space for students. But when it sat empty for an entire year, they knew they needed the right idea to fill those seats. By taking the outdoor movie idea other communities were doing and bringing it to their campus, they created an awesome movie series that introduced the community to their campus and supported local businesses and organizations.
The series was initially established to build awareness, increase enrollment, raise money and give back to the community. “Other venues in town were hosting plays and concerts, so outdoor movies seemed like a good fit for us because no one else was doing it,” stated Bruce T. Manley, Campus Director at BCTC Winchester-Clark County. With a volunteer planning committee that helps coordinate the dates, movies, pre-movie events, concessions and sponsors, this dedicated crew knows the high value of these events for the college and the community
In terms of sponsors for this series, BCTC Winchester-Clark County partners with the local public school system to find parents and student groups willing to volunteer. Thanks to “such a great giving community,” Manley explains local businesses can also sponsor the series at four different levels: $250, $500, $1,000 and $2,500. Anyone who sponsors a movie event also receives free snack tickets to pass out that are good for free popcorn, a snow cone and a water. These coupons are a great way to help advertise and get people to attend the movie. The college also offers special deals for vendors on different nights and waives fees on theme nights.
Manley also adds the college goes all out when it comes to advertising these events through purchased Facebook ads and printed flyers that are given to churches, the public library, businesses, elementary schools and even added to the tops of pizza boxes at the local Domino’s.
"Other venues in town were hosting plays and concerts, so outdoor movies seemed like a good fit for us because no one else was doing it." Bruce T. Manley, Campus Director at BCTC Winchester-Clark County
One huge draw for the movie events has been changing Readifest, a back-to-school event held by the public school system for the last 20 years, from a downtown outing to a pre-movie event on campus. This venue change came with a transportation challenge for some, but thanks to some additional prep work, over 2,000 people attended – double the size of last year’s event. And more than 700 attendees stayed for the movie.
Some of BCTC Winchester-Clark County’s most recent movie events include a “Sing” movie night accompanied by Winchester’s own version of The Voice singing competition, a “Beauty and the Beast” themed night where a local ballet group danced for their summer recital, and a “The Lego Batman Movie” screening that was a part of this year’s Readifest. Overall, this movie program has been such a success that BCTC Winchester-Clark County was even featured on the local news!
For anyone looking to start their own campus movie program, Manley has some wise words of wisdom: “I rely on Courtney [my account executive] to make good idea recommendations. She’s great to bounce ideas off of. I also get good ideas from other universities Swank works with. We even started a ‘best seat in the house’ raffle this year after watching what another college did with their event. Remember to show newer movies, be professional and listen to feedback. And, of course, have fun!”