Dear Google Researchers,

I'm working on a business plan for a science-themed tour in the U.S
(similar to mobile museum).  I need help with finding comparable data
on costs related to producing such a tour.

I'd like to use music tours (or even other traveling shows) as
comparables. I've been researching into Vans Warp Tour and
Lollapalooza; but have not had much luck in finding info related to
production costs.  Very roughly, how much does it cost to put one of
these multi-city tours together?  Data on smaller events are okay too.

While the specific amount will bary greatly, I'm hoping to find some
rough order of magnitude estimates, or some general industry data.

Much thanks!!
Mark

I'm glad you asked for general info and rough estimates, because
providing specific figures would be impossible. The reason for this? A
great deal depends upon how many individuals will be in the "show"
(actors, technical people, educators, etc.), how extravagant the show
will be (an elaborate setting will obviously cost much more than a
simple one, and an elaborate setting will also cost more to have folks
tear down and put up in each town), where you choose to sleep (a fancy
hotel, an econo-motel, in the bus, etc.), where you choose to eat
(Burgerville or a swanky spot?), how you choose to travel, what sort
of facilities you rent for the show, etc., etc.

However, there are some ways to make calculating all this a little
easier. For example, one site
(http://www.emplive.com/create/stadium/ticket.asp) estimates the
percentages of various touring costs. The idea here was to tell ticket
buyers why ticket prices were so high, so the percentages given are in
relation to that (i.e.: 10% of the cost of one ticket goes to XXX).
Here's the breakdown:

1. 10% goes toward renting the facilities (and as the article
correctly states, this can vary widely, often according to area and
time of year).
2. 1.25% goes toward paying for use of the local box office.
3. 4.5% goes toward paying techies, renting equipment, and any other
costs related to putting up and tearing down the "set" or equipment.
4. 4.25% goes toward advertising.
5. 1.5% goes toward catering for the people involved. (This is a cost
that could easily be cut or reduced by not hiring a caterer, and just
picking up food and drink at a local supermarket.)
6. 70% goes toward paying the performers or educators.
7. 6% goes to pay a local promoter.
8. 1.5% goes toward miscellaneous expenses like insurance, and all
those "hidden," relatively small costs.

One cost that this site does not include is transportation. That would
be renting a bus, for example, and the cost of gas.

These percentages give a rough idea of how much of your total budget
each item might cost.

If a budget seems daunting, I think you'll find it easier than you
might first think. If you've ever sat down and figured a budget for a
vacation, you can also easily sit down and do this for a tour, with
the above information. You just need to factor in how many people will
be involved in the tour, how you'll travel, where you'll eat, and
where you'll sleep.

Other sites that might be helpful:

http://www.harmony-central.com/Bands/Articles/Touring/

http://www.getsigned.com/jeri47.html

http://www.getsigned.com/dave41.html

Some books that may be helpful:
Concert Tour Production Management: How To Take Your Show On The Road
By: Vasey, John
ISBN: 0240802357	
	

Book Your Own Tour!
by Liz Garo
ASIN: 1884615120

Keywords Used:

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cost touring band
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tour* band "how to"
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Good luck and I hope this helps!