Front Office of @YTownPhantoms Visit @Penguins

According to a Youngstown Phantoms press release, the team continued growing their relationship with the Pittsburgh Penguins when members of their front office paid the NHL franchise's offices a visit.

During the visit, the teams discussed a variety of topics, covering nearly every base involving team branding and marketing operations. The Phantoms remain Youngstown's hottest ticket but continue to linger near the bottom of the USHL in attendance each year due to the area's focus on football.



In the meantime, the number of USHL players being drafted into NHL organizations has been steadily improving, with some players even opting into the league over more popular leagues such as the Canadian-based OHL.


Text of the team's press release follows, including quotes from team co-owner and former Penguin Troy Loney, Director of Ticket Sales Adam Bogert and Penguins President and CEO David Morehouse:

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO – Earlier this week, the Phantoms front office staff visited the Pittsburgh Penguins to gain some insight and exchange ideas on everything from ticket sales and marketing, to youth hockey, and many other topics in between. This was a rare opportunity to see the business model of a major professional sports franchise, and learn how the Phantoms can better serve its fan base.

 

“It was great for everyone to hear and see how the most successful franchise in the NHL operates,” remarked Phantoms Co-Owner and ex-Penguin Troy Loney. “This was a very collaborative session where ideas were shared that can help us to continue to build our fan base and grow hockey in the Youngstown area.”

 

The day started with a facility tour of the CONSOL Energy Center that included the Penguins’ locker room and weight room, along with suite and club level suites, followed by an afternoon of discussion with various front office departments and staff members.

 

The afternoon was broken up into four segments: Marketing/Branding, Ticket Sales, Media Relations, and Youth Hockey/Penguins Foundation. Staff members from each department came in and shared various ideas, strategies and initiatives that the Penguins are working on, and some of the ways the Phantoms can improve the fan experience.

 

“It was a great experience to learn from professionals who have been through the ups and the downs of the business,” said Phantoms Director of Ticket sales Adam Bogert. “It was very beneficial to get some ideas on how to better engage and track the fan experience with our team.”

 

The Phantoms are working hard to try and replicate the success that the Penguins have had, and use some of those tools in the Youngstown market.

 

“The Phantoms organization is grateful to Penguins President and CEO David Morehouse and his staff, and we look forward to continuing this relationship in the future,” said Loney.

You can get great seats for your Youngstown Phantoms at great prices by visiting the team's website HERE or by calling (330) 747-PUCK [7825].

For more coverage on the Pittsburgh Penguins, visit PensInitiative.com.