Author Topic: What do you look for in a contest? (Read 2363 times)

Paul Taylor · « **on:** September 13, 2011, 09:08:56 PM »

Thinking about the light turn out at our local contest it got me to thinking. What do folks look for when putting there contest schedule together?
I know some of the of obvious reasons- Budget, distance and in some cases kitchen passes.

But what is the deal maker or breaker.

(excluding the NATs and Brodaks)

Jim Fruit · « **Reply #1 on:** September 13, 2011, 09:49:18 PM »

Paul:

Sometimes light turnout can be caused by proximity to other events with similar schedules. I know that AMA tries to consider locations and proximity when providing contest sanctions, but that is usually in consideration of within each District. In reading the posts within this website, I notice that a lot of the guys drive a long ways to attend their favorite contests. In doing so, they are no doubt crossing District borders. Nothing wrong with that, but it will make those who are considering a contest date think about conflicting schedules outside of their own Districts. I don't know if this was your situation, just a thought.

Jim Fruit

Howard Rush · « **Reply #2 on:** September 13, 2011, 10:36:47 PM »

In my case, it's having an airplane.

Michael Massey · « **Reply #3 on:** September 13, 2011, 10:51:00 PM »

From a contestant standpoint, I want very advance notice for planning purposes. A "firm" annual date would make it something you could schedule early and set it aside as one of your regular contest weekends.

Things that add that "icing" would be a nice flyer (posting) with the flying schedule/events as well as facility descriptions. You might even add local lodging and eateries if you are located where that might be relevant.

Brian Massey · « **Reply #4 on:** September 13, 2011, 11:14:03 PM »

For me; Travel Distance (I drive about 650 miles for the NW Regional, and that's my max right now), my budget at the time, and the event being on an "open" weekend for me (I am involved with several other groups/hobbys, and lead time for planning is a key).

One of the groups I'm involved with is a Pontiac Club. We have put on and hosted Pontiac/Oakland Western Regional Conventions twice in the past 6 years. These are 4 day events with banquets/guest speakers/tours/ and all that stuff. It is about time for us to do it again, but with the economy being as it is, we may not because of the fear of not being able to draw enough partisipants to break even. I'm sure that the economics of travel/eating/lodging etc has a big influence on the travel decisions many make right now. Yea, it's only $15.00 to enter one event, but with every thing said and done, it may have taken $500.00 or more to be able to plunk down the 15 bucks on the registration table.

I would love to attend the Nats or Brodaks, but you're talking a couple of weeks on the road and 3500-4000 miles of driving. Just not in the cards right now. It would be great if one of these events could travel West some time.

Brian

Larry Fruits · « **Reply #5 on:** September 13, 2011, 11:52:29 PM »

Paul:
As stated above travel distance, lodging, number of possible events to enter (distance vs number of events entered, vs number of nights in motel) all add up. Not to mention current fuel costs.
It comes down to economics. If I am going to travel a long distance and have to stay a couple of nights in a motel, I like to enter more than one event if available. If not, I limit my travel distance to out and back same day. Not very economical to travel very far, spend a couple nights in a motel, for just one event, with exception of the Nat's.
I personally also watch the weather forecast for the contest area. The forecast is not a guarantee, but if it looks a bit chancy, I may decide to stay home rather than travel 300 to 400 miles one way and get weathered out.
Also don't forget that your contest was held on the same weekend as the team trials this year. You may have lost a few contestants to it, even though they may not have flown at the team trials, they go to watch.

Larry

ChrisSarnowski · « **Reply #6 on:** September 14, 2011, 06:31:55 AM »

I have a lot of conflicts in contest dates since I like to fly both stunt and speed limit combat. If I can get a buddy to go to a contest with me then that makes the deal. With the exception of Brodak's we stay within the 3-4 hour driving range. I have yet to make a contest at Flushing Meadows, but hope to do so next year (this year looks bad again for me). Family in the area is also a draw for me, since maybe I can get my brother or sister's kids to come and watch.

-Chris

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #7 on:** September 14, 2011, 07:08:39 AM »

All of my reasons are summed up in this short video http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/8273610/money-for-imac

LOL

Zuriel Armstrong · « **Reply #8 on:** September 14, 2011, 07:48:56 AM »

I've not ever been to a contest I didn't really enjoy. Economics and distance play a role, as well as my work schedule. Each year I know I plan to attend certain contests, mostly due to the fellowship I know I will enjoy. If the above were not a factor, I would attend them all.

Like Howard, I need an airplane. Flying a Ringmaster for flying all of the events is not as fun as it would appear. Sorry Brothers!!!

Sean McEntee · « **Reply #9 on:** September 14, 2011, 08:08:40 AM »

I think weve sufficiently touched on economics, distance and so on....

One aspect is proximity to other contests, but an important factor to growing an event like that is repeatition. Im not sure how long you have been puting your guys' contest on, but it takes a few years to build steam. Its harder to get a following if you dont have it every year, and having the contest on the same weekend every year i.e. 3rd weekend of a given month, is important. That way people dont need to know the exact dates to plan for it. People just know to set aside that weekend for that contest. The Sig contest is always the 4th weekend of June. The WKSI is always the third weekend of August. The Broken Arrow in St Louis (which is coming up folks!) has been on the 4th weekend of September in the twenty-something years that it has been running. That stability, I think, is vital to get people to get new and repeat entries.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #10 on:** September 14, 2011, 11:43:42 AM »

Good point Sean.
This contest is fairly new but has been on the same weekend each year.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #11 on:** September 14, 2011, 12:01:02 PM »

Having a group dinner (typically) Saturday night at a restaurant, or BBQ/Potluck at a local flier's home is a big selling feature. A Banquet...is somewhat less enticing. You don't want folks to have dinner alone, after visiting the drive-thru at Dairy King.

The BEST contest I've been to is Bruce Perry's "Prairie Fire" in August, Edmonton, Alberta. Group dinners out Thursday (after mowing), Friday (after practise), Saturday (after OTS and Classic) and Sunday (after 4 skill classes of PA). Bruce knows all the best places to eat, knows the owners by first name, and they know him by first name. The food is always awesome, and Canadian beer (and wine) is top notch (except Kokanee, which is disgusting).

Steve

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #12 on:** September 14, 2011, 01:31:10 PM »

Well Lou fed everyone lunch on Friday then everyone was invited back to his house for BBQ. Saturday the club provided lunch for a donation. He even setup a horse shoe pitch if anyone wanted to play.

The first few years of the contest we had big turn outs.

Peter Nevai · « **Reply #13 on:** September 14, 2011, 01:44:52 PM »

Wet T shirts

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #14 on:** September 14, 2011, 02:31:52 PM »

Quote from: Peter Nevai on September 14, 2011, 01:44:52 PM

Wet T shirts

Not sure I would want to see Lou or some of the other guys in wet T-shirts.

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #15 on:** September 14, 2011, 02:42:54 PM »

Your all welcome to come to our September Contest just East of Tulsa. Always a large turnout - food, raffle and Balloon bust to boot. Sep 24-25

http://www.tulsacl.com/StuntContest.html

Dave Adamisin · « **Reply #16 on:** September 14, 2011, 03:16:06 PM »

A second flight near the end of the day.

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #17 on:** September 14, 2011, 03:34:55 PM »

Wine flowing freely and loose women.

This doesn't explain why I show up at control line contests, obviously.

Brian Massey · « **Reply #18 on:** September 14, 2011, 04:51:00 PM »

Quote from: Tim Wescott on September 14, 2011, 03:34:55 PM

Wine flowing freely and loose women.

This doesn't explain why I show up at control line contests, obviously.

Are you hoping for that Wet T-Shirt contest??

Brian

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #19 on:** September 14, 2011, 05:07:44 PM »

Quote from: Brian Massey on September 14, 2011, 04:51:00 PM

Are you hoping for that Wet T-Shirt contest??

Not if it's the guys who usually show up here in the NW!

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #20 on:** September 14, 2011, 05:27:01 PM »

I don't know... I think I recall seeing a picture of Leo and some other guy in a grass skirt and skimpy tops. Not sure what was up with that?

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #21 on:** September 15, 2011, 11:45:35 AM »

Leo and Keith Varley I beleive it was,, it was in McMinnville, ( before they ripped out our flying circle and put a water park there,, ) we always did a pot luck thing on sat nights at the contest. One year it was themed,, yep you guessed it, a Hawain luo (spelling?) Leo and Keith volunteered to do the grass skirts and coconut shell bra routine,, or they were volunteered, or,, maybe they just wanted to wear skirts? anyway, it was a hoot,,

Randy Powell · « **Reply #22 on:** September 15, 2011, 12:14:19 PM »

Well, what I look for most is fun. I usually find it. Nice weather is always a selling point.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #23 on:** September 15, 2011, 12:20:36 PM »

Yea Leo and all the gang at Delta park are fun to be around. And Randy we had both of those elements. Fun and gpod weather.

Author Topic: What do you look for in a contest? (Read 2363 times)

ChrisSarnowski

Dave Adamisin