No Kenner race
07-14-2009 | 08:04 AM
#32
Registered
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,339
Likes: 1
From: Florida
PSmith - I like your passion and enthusiasm for a race in Kenner! Why don't you produce a race there in 2010? You know that old saying: If you don't do it, it won't get done.
I was the Kenner race producer last year. Here's what you'll encounter:
1. Graft and greed, from the highest levels on down. And it's unabashed. And if you don't play along, you'll run into every conceivable brick wall, roadblock and obstacle that can be thrown in your path.
2. Media apathy. The TV stations didn't care, the newspapers didn't care and the radio stations didn't care that a race was going to take place.
3. Wretched hotels. (I understand a new hotel has just opened.)
4. Lack of decent restaurants and entertainment nearby.
5. Lack of sponsors - or, in my case, sponsorship money that was obtained by someone and not shared, despite this person telling the sponsors they would be sponsoring the race. The lack of sponsors, more than anything, will break the back of any race. In this economy sponsors are especially hard to come by.
6. Crabbers who sense an opportunity to have their palms greased so they won't complain. (Thanks to Stan and Shannon for providing that grease.)
7. Parish administrators who don't like the city administrators, and vice versa. (Played correctly, that can actually work to your advantage.)
8. Two clueless CVBs.
9. Fans who complain because the power lines are in the way.
10. An air traffic controller who believed he was omnipotent.
11. Racers who don't want to return because Kenner doesn't have anything going for it except a park and a body of water to race on.
There were some bright spots:
1. Sal Cimino volunteered his time and stood in the hot sun because he loves the sport.
2. The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce raised the $15,000 the mayor charged me for renting the park.
3. Gary Knight rounded up most of the turn boats.
4. Karen Patterson helped round up the sweep/patrol boats and med boats.
5. Stan Ware and his brother fed the volunteers every day.
6. Ben Zahn and the Kenner fire chief were outstanding to work with.
I have all of the contacts and vendors from last year's race that I'll be happy to send you should you decide to move forward with a 2010 race in Kenner.
Good luck!
Lou Anne Campbell
Campbell Offshore Racing
I was the Kenner race producer last year. Here's what you'll encounter:
1. Graft and greed, from the highest levels on down. And it's unabashed. And if you don't play along, you'll run into every conceivable brick wall, roadblock and obstacle that can be thrown in your path.
2. Media apathy. The TV stations didn't care, the newspapers didn't care and the radio stations didn't care that a race was going to take place.
3. Wretched hotels. (I understand a new hotel has just opened.)
4. Lack of decent restaurants and entertainment nearby.
5. Lack of sponsors - or, in my case, sponsorship money that was obtained by someone and not shared, despite this person telling the sponsors they would be sponsoring the race. The lack of sponsors, more than anything, will break the back of any race. In this economy sponsors are especially hard to come by.
6. Crabbers who sense an opportunity to have their palms greased so they won't complain. (Thanks to Stan and Shannon for providing that grease.)
7. Parish administrators who don't like the city administrators, and vice versa. (Played correctly, that can actually work to your advantage.)
8. Two clueless CVBs.
9. Fans who complain because the power lines are in the way.
10. An air traffic controller who believed he was omnipotent.
11. Racers who don't want to return because Kenner doesn't have anything going for it except a park and a body of water to race on.
There were some bright spots:
1. Sal Cimino volunteered his time and stood in the hot sun because he loves the sport.
2. The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce raised the $15,000 the mayor charged me for renting the park.
3. Gary Knight rounded up most of the turn boats.
4. Karen Patterson helped round up the sweep/patrol boats and med boats.
5. Stan Ware and his brother fed the volunteers every day.
6. Ben Zahn and the Kenner fire chief were outstanding to work with.
I have all of the contacts and vendors from last year's race that I'll be happy to send you should you decide to move forward with a 2010 race in Kenner.
Good luck!
Lou Anne Campbell
Campbell Offshore Racing
Its no different putting on any race at any other city, no one said it was easy. I guess everyone thinks it easier then it is, every city has its issue you just learn to deal with them.
07-19-2009 | 05:23 PM
#33
Registered
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Sarasota, FL
Kenner was a different beast. My two distinct disadvantages, as told to me by the police chief and virtually everyone else I had to deal with, were that 1) I was an outsider; 2) I was the wrong sex. But somehow we pulled it off - and pulled it off well.
I disagree with you. Producing a race is easy. Finding sponsors and making a profit are the hard parts.
I disagree with you. Producing a race is easy. Finding sponsors and making a profit are the hard parts.
07-20-2009 | 08:17 PM
#37
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 1
From: Columbus,MI
Most have absolutely no idea what goes into an event. Yes you have the Insurance, Safety, Hotel, but don't forget all the small stuff like potta potties, vendors, security, State and Local licenses, liquor permits, volunteers, cranes, Coast Guard, Sheriff, EMS, printing, pit passes, trophies, PA system, internet access, announcers, press releases, wrist bands, comp rooms for volunteers, meeting rooms, bouys etc. All these things also HAVE TO BE PAID IN ADVANCE.
We have spent 6 months trying to sell ads in a race program for $250. A program we produce entirely. You need to visit people 3 or 4 times to get paid! Trust me it is much cheaper just to write the check yourself.
If anyone wants to promote a site, you can have Harrison Twp Michigan too.
We have spent 6 months trying to sell ads in a race program for $250. A program we produce entirely. You need to visit people 3 or 4 times to get paid! Trust me it is much cheaper just to write the check yourself.
If anyone wants to promote a site, you can have Harrison Twp Michigan too.
07-21-2009 | 11:52 PM
#40
Banned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,844
Likes: 0
From: Bradenton Florida
