Thomas Hoffman

Well stated Chad!

Thomas Hoffman
Broker
RE/MAX equity group
503-495-5607 Direct
503-475-3417 Cell
www.tomshometeam.com

-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Mt. Hood Cycling Classic
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 11:24 AM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Sponsorship and Cycling In Today's Economy

All right I am going to get up on my soap box for a minute but I just feel
it is really important to continue to stress the importance here. Please
understand I have no intention in turning this into a chat-a-thon on OBRA.
As everyone knows it is fast becoming the worst economic times of our lives
in this country. As a result marketing and sponsorship revenue is down
dramatically. In fact in the past 10 years of promoting I have never seen
it so bad.

Cycling is a unique sport in that you have a tremendous amount of costs
involved in putting on an event yet registration fees are next to nothing.
A standard marathon or triathlon goes for $50 to $100 a day were current
charges for cycling event are $20 to $25 a day and that is with added costs
such as prize money, officials, fuel costs, etc. Stay with me now because
my point is not to start a battle on appropriate registration fees. My
point being is that when you go to events this year I want you to please,
please, please take a hard look at who is sponsoring these events. Without
the sponsors of these events the registration costs would be much hire and
the services much lower. Any time you go to a bigger race realize that more
than 50% of the funding comes from sponsorship contribuitions. Now in this
economic down turn you are getting a chance to see those businesses who have
such a tremendous passion for the sport and willingness to see it thrive and
succeed that they continue to contribute even with the average marketing
budget being cut back by 50% or more.

I know I am stating the obvious here but I also know of so many fellow
cyclist who shop the online outlets and other businesses who contribute
nothing to our local events instead of investing in their local shops and
businesses who do. If you go to a stage race be sure and stay in a host
hotel as they are the ones who are funding the race. If there is a
restaraunt sponsor stop in grab a bite and say thanks. These businesses
NEED to see the benefit of their support both through revenue and through
recognition. Without them we do not continue to have the wonderful racing
opportunities we currently enjoy. Look at it as a long term investment for
the sport. It is far more important now than ever before.

Sincerely,
Chad