Appalachian State University
the holmes center at appalachian state university

Holmes Center Policies

concert at the holmes center

Alteration Policy

The Director of the Holmes Center as well as the Director of Design and Construction must approve, in writing, all plans for alterations or renovation to the Holmes Center prior to commencement of work.

Animals on State Property

Unattended or unleashed pets on property owned or controlled by the university are not allowed. Also, for safety and health reasons, animals leashed or unleashed are not permitted in a University building, except in the following cases:

  1. Animals providing assistance to handicapped, mobility-impaired persons
  2. Animals used in research and teaching and authorized by designated department officials
  3. Special circumstances or events subject to approval by university officials (e.g. Circus, other special events)

Announcing and Paging

The Holmes Center does not announce or page individuals unless it is an absolute emergency.

Assisted Listening Devise Policy

Assisted listening devices are available at the SW box office located at section 9. A valid driver’s license is required in exchange for an assisted listening device.

Banner Policy

Signs are allowed under the following conditions:
1. No Poles, sticks or any other holding device
2. No offensive or degrading language
3. No profanity
4. Sign cannot be attached to any surfaces in the facility
5. Sign does not block any other guest’s view

Camera Policy

Video cameras and audio recording devices are prohibited in The Holmes Center for all non-university events. Still cameras will be allowed unless stated otherwise. This is subject to change on a per-event basis. If a guest brings an unauthorized recording device, the guest will be asked to take the device out of the Holmes Center. The Holmes Center cannot hold any personal property belonging to a guest.

Children Policy

Children aged 2 and under are not required to have a ticket for admission to most events. Requiring children under 2 years of age to have a ticket is at the sole discretion of the client/promoter.

Combustible Material Policy

The use of any combustible materials inside the Holmes Center such as hay bales must conform to the following guidelines:

  1. Keep the materials a minimum of 10 feet away from all entrances/exit points
  2. A fire watch will be required during the time the materials are in the facility
  3. Must be sprayed or treated with a fire retardant material

Corporate Sponsor Policy

The Holmes Center and Appalachian State University own the signage rights both inside and outside the Arena. Advertising signs and/or banners promoters wish to display, must be pre-approved by the Holmes Center Management. The Holmes Center reserves the rights to any advertisements placed in the building or on the surrounding properties. The Director of the Holmes Center and the Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs must approve the content and placement of any advertising at the Holmes Center. Advertisements or sponsorships will not be sold by other departments without consulting Holmes Center management.

Eviction Policy

The following behaviors or activities are causes for eviction from the Holmes Center:

  • Use of profanity or unacceptable language of any type
  • Possession of illegal or unauthorized items
  • Unacceptable dress
  • Public drunkenness
  • Entering or attempting to enter any “off-limit” area such as the playing surface, stage area, backstage, or restroom of the opposite sex
  • Participating in a fight or instigating a physical or verbal altercation
  • Verbally abusing, threatening, or intimidating other patrons or building employees
  • Throwing objects of any type at other patrons, employees, or guests of the Holmes Center
  • Possession of stolen tickets
  • Possession of any unauthorized banners or signs

Food and Beverage Policy

The Holmes Center has exclusive overall food and beverages sold and served throughout the facility. The promoter, exhibitors, or their representatives may not sell or give away any food and beverage items at any time without the permission of the Holmes Center Management. Food and beverages may not be brought into the Holmes Center for the purpose of distribution to patrons without the expressed written permission of the Holmes Center management. Patrons may not bring food and beverages onto the premises of the Holmes Center at any time. The Holmes Center reserves the right to utilize reasonably available space for the sale of concession items on the floor of the facility.

In accordance with the laws of the state of North Carolina, it is against the law for a promoter, exhibitor, or patron to bring alcoholic beverages into the facility for any purpose.

An event will be able to give away free food to patrons for a buy-in amount of $1,000.00 to cover any losses the facility may incur from concession sales.

Catering

ASU Food Services has the exclusive right of first refusal on all catering services for events held in the Holmes Center including all food and beverage as well as alcoholic beverages.  In the event that ASU Food Services cannot cater your event, the Holmes Center will get the waiver from ASU Food Services to allow another licensed and inspected caterer to handle all catering needs.  The caterer will need to provide a letter stating that all food has been prepared in a commercial kitchen.

Helium Balloon Policy

The Holmes Center’s fire alarm system is equipped with laser sensors in the rafters, therefore Helium balloons are not allowed in the Holmes Center.

Lost and Found

During an event, all lost and found items are turned into the First Aid station at section 9 on the concourse. At the conclusion of the event, all items are brought to the main offices on the ground level under the SW entrance. Patrons may call the main office at (828) 262-7890 on the next business day. The Holmes Center will make every effort to return the property to its rightful owner.

Marquee Policy

The Holmes Center marquee is to be used for the announcement of all Holmes Center events as well as other Appalachian State University events, which meet the following criteria:

  • Event is open to the public
  • Event occurs in Holmes Center, Farthing Auditorium, Kidd-Brewer Stadium, Varsity Gym, Plemmons Student Union, Legends, IG Greer, or Valborg Theater
  • Event is a University event such as Convocation, Commencement, Open House, etc.

The Holmes Center Management will have the approval of any message placed on the Marquee. No commercial advertisement will be placed on the marquee unless it is a title sponsor of an event.

Merchandise Policy

The Holmes Center will enter into one of three types of agreements:

  1. A flat rate is a one-time fixed dollar amount agreed upon by the facility director and the merchandising agent. In this agreement, the merchandiser will pay all taxes.
  2. Per person fee based on a pre-determined amount to be charged for each person attending the event (turnstiles count).
  3. Percentage of sales fee is where the facility receives a percentage of the income derived from the sale of merchandise. The percentage split in the Holmes Center is 70% to the merchandiser and 30% to the facility if the facility supplies the labor to sell. If the merchandiser sells the novelties, then the split would be 75% to the merchandiser and 25% to the facility. The Director of the Holmes Center will have final approval of all merchandise splits. The business manager of the Holmes Center will contact the event merchandise representative to do an inventory count of all merchandise available before and after the event.

Motorized Vehicles Policy

Motorized vehicles are only allowed in the Holmes Center during load-in or load-out of a show. If a motorized vehicle is stored in the building such as in a car show, then the vehicle must have less than 1/8 of a tank of gas and its battery must be disconnected.

Open Flame Policy

It is the intent of this policy to reduce potential hazards which may contribute to loss of property or life at Appalachian State University. This policy is not intended to restrict the use of laboratory, facilities maintenance, or food service equipment used in normal operations.

Open flame devices are not allowed in any academic buildings unless a permit has been obtained from the University Safety Office. Permits may be granted on a case-by-case basis for special events, and only when specific safeguards are taken to avoid ignition of combustible materials or injury to occupants. Safeguards include adequate fire detection/alarm systems, on-site monitoring, fire extinguishers in place, sturdy protective candle holders and/or bases, and globes as needed.

Property and Equipment Damage Policy

  • Damages of any kind should be promptly reported to the Holmes Center Management.
  • The client is responsible for any damages to the building, furnishings, or equipment. The client is invited to inspect the facilities prior to move-in and following move-out accompanied by the operations manager or building superintendent.
  • Decorations may not be taped, nailed, tacked or otherwise fastened to any surface in the Holmes Center without approval of the Holmes Center management.
  • Adhesive-backed decals and stickers may not be distributed anywhere on the premises.
  • Only chalk or tape is to be used to mark the arena floor.
  • Tape removal is the responsibility of the client.

Re-Admittance Policy

Once a patron exits the building, re-entry is not permitted except with an un-scanned or scannable ticket unless otherwise permitted by building or show management.

Smoking Policy

The Holmes Center is a smoke-free facility. Areas will be designated for smoking on a per-event basis. University policy states that smoking is not allowed within 50’ of any entrance.

Wheelchair Policy

The Holmes Center has a limited number of wheelchairs available for patron use. First Aid staff and management staff will use wheelchairs to deliver a patron to the ADA accessible seating as well as pick them up at the conclusion of the event. First Aid is located at section 9 on the concourse.