Rave Promoter Insomniac Claims Troubled 'Electric Daisy Carnival' Had Greater Impact on L.A.'s Economy Than NBA All-Star Weekend

By Dennis Romero Wed., Mar. 23 2011 at 7:00 AM

Categories: Raves

Caesar Sebastian

Ravers at EDC.

A study commissioned by a controversial rave promoter claims that its troubled Electric Daisy Carnival last summer "boosted economic output in Los Angeles by almost $42 million" and had a bigger economic impact on L.A. than the NBA All Star game.

The study, conducted by Beacon Economics and released last week, sounds almost like a prelude to another lobbying effort to place the event at the taxpayer-controlled L.A. Coliseum once again.

The promoter, Insomniac Events, recently announced it's moving this year's party to Las Vegas June 24 and 25 following revelations that the Coliseum events manager doubled dipped as a hand for the promoter, which could illegal.

After the dual role of Todd DeStefano was revealed last month, at a time when Insomniac was in the midst of a full-bore effort to get the Coliseum Commission to approve its June event, the venue's general manager resigned and commission president David Israel said EDC, as it's known, was a no go for summer.

Caesar Sebastian

EDC.

EDC saw more than 200 medical emergencies, 60 mostly drug-related arrests, and the subsequent death of a 15-year-old girl who had taken ecstasy. Video also depicted a crush of chaos that appeared to end in injuries for some.

The event drew about 160,000 people over two days at the Coliseum.

Afterward some leaders, including Antonio Villaraigosa, questioned why such raves were being held at public venues like the Coliseum and Sports Arena four times a year.

EDC was put on thin ice, at least on paper.

The study sounds like a primer for why Insomniac should be allowed to continue promoting events at the Coliseum and its sister venue, the Sports Arena.

Among the report's claims, according to an Insomniac statement:

Tags:

Coliseum, coliseum commission, economic impact, EDC, Electric Diasy Carnival, Insomniac Events, raves

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Unbearablepleasures

is Dennis Romero the only writer at the L.A. Weekly who covers EDC related news? He needs a break.

Dennis Romero=LOSER

Why is Dennis Romero so stupid, inaccurate, and obsessive...get over it already, you suck as a reporter..i could have written a better article than this piece of shit!

Davit

It's easier for government to punt than take on the task of managing an event that brings so much money to the city of LA. It's also easier for journalists to print innuendo and hearsay without digging to find the facts. Among the many misrepresentations and inaccuracies in the short article above: The event drew over 190,000 people. There were not 200 emergencies. There were 200 state-mandated trips to the hospital, most related to under-aged teens drinking. Once discovered, medics must take individuals to the hospital whether they need one or not. There were 2 larger-scale incidents in the two-day event that were addressed quickly and professionally. And regardless of the status of Mr. DeStefano, for the state earn revenue (which we so desperately need), and improve upon the stellar record of this huge and long-running show (the largest rave in the world had 1 truly serious incident in 190,000 attendees = .0005%) we need MORE cooperation between government and producers. As opposed to a "ban everything" mentality means $42 million in revenues will move from CA to Nevada where it will earn closer to $60 million in revenue this year.

Big Mike

Way to loose your summer bonus LA! I hope they find something that can raise that much money for summer but i doubt it!

wouldn't you like to know

watch them send Insomniac a personal letter to come back next year or use their location for any event they want during the year lol

DAZE710

i just want to say thank you to the moronic city of LA for not allowing this economic cash cow to happen this year. Sure theres drugs there.... but then again, im almost certain you can go across the street and pick up a dime bag. Its not like there forcing people to do drugs when they enter the gates. Last i heard this was a free country and we could choose what WE want to do and WE have to pay the consequence's for what WE do to our selves. Vegas is alot more fun place to be. The city of LA sould use some of its money to clean up the area around the sports arena instead of paying of paying for studies on proposed football stadiums in the middle of the city.