I just got back from the Fiesta Bowl for an awesome game between Oregon and Kansas State. My son and I went out together and had a fantastic time. We participated in as many of the activities as possible so as to take it all in. As an event planner myself, I stood in awe thinking about all the planning and coordination that went into that event. It's hard to fathom the amount of details that would have to be managed to make sure that everything goes smoothly. Even with all of that planning though, I am certain that there were some hiccups somewhere. It's not possible to put on an event of any size without having an issue somewhere along the way. The only question is how do we deal with it and can we minimize it to affect as few people as possible.
Have you ever thought about hosting an event? As a participant, we mostly show up just prior to an event and then leave as soon as the awards are done. Sometimes we might volunteer for a water station, or possibly to help with registration, but beyond that our involvement with a race is minimal. Planning and management of an event though is a whole new ballgame that most people will never attempt. I remember the very first event that I directed was the Jingle Bell 5K here in New Braunfels. I had no idea what all would be needed other than a passion for running and a little background in event planning. That first event was a huge surprise to me on so many levels. i discovered that I really enjoyed directing an event probably more than participating. One of the joys that I have now is that I get to work with so many race directors and coordinators for all of the events that you participate in. There are some really good directors out there and some novices but one thing that they all have in common is a desire to plan a quality event for your enjoyment. Their ultimate desire is to host a good event that will raise money for their particular cause but they all recognize that the participant must have a good time and come away with a positive feeling. It doesn't always happen that way but that is their intent.
Athlete Guild was born out of a desire to help as many non-profits as possible achieve their financial goals with their events. I have seen so many events over the years struggle to host a good event and meet their financial goals either because they lacked the experience, didn't market properly, or overspent with their vendors. It is a lot of work putting together a quality event but I've learned with a little guidance, dedication, and great volunteers, anyone can do it and meet their objectives. If you have ever though about putting your own event together, I would highly recommend doing it. Find a cause if you must or event think about doing it for profit. Whatever you do, get good guidance, quality help, and give us a call. We'll help you make sure that the event is a success and meets your goals.
