Please let me express my thoughts on Tournament Sponsorship; these ideas are designed to provide guidance and information to potential sponsors. All of the information is subject to change. The contribution values are flexible based on the total number of sponsors and the value of the prizes collected for the tournament. The decision of what item is selected for each prize position, is made at the last minute in an effort to scale the prizes. I know the scalable approach to prizes distribution may sound like an unfair way of doing business contributions, however the sooner we get the prizes the sooner the links and logos are posted on the web-site, so there are tradeoffs. The only advertisement position on the sponsor's page that is reserved is the one for the sponsor providing the Grand Prize. Others may appear in a first come approach or on the need of the web-master to organize the data.

The value of the contributions, goods, or services, are how we determine what position the prize is placed so these levels could go up if other sponsors provide better/higher valued prizes. Alternatively, we could leave the dollar values as they are listed and offer 4th, 5th etc. This is why it is so difficult to provide a definitive matrix. Below is a guide we try to start with;

•Each first place ( inshore and offshore) category value should start at $250 and up
•Each second place ( inshore and offshore) category value should start at $200 and up.
•Each third place ( inshore and offshore) category value should start at $150 and up
•All items with values of less than $100 will likely be utilized for extra categories or door prizes.

Yes we are planning for at least five categories with first place prizes, this has the potental for many different first place sponsors. We try to make prizes for each position of equal value, even if they are provided by multiple sponsors. When collecting the items we need to know the recommended retail value of the goods and/or services, this enables us to scale the prizes and adjust prizes in positions as required. The higher the value the more likely it is to remain at the top, if the scale increases in value, and it usually does.

Our goal is to spread the wealth of prizes, a winner of a category prizes will not be eligible for other categories (this is explained better in the rules). We try to ensure all participants get something to remember the tournament in the form of door prizes, captain's bag contents and of course the category prizes, based on results of the tournament.

One way of addressing your advertisement goal and targeting your audience is providing items that are included in the captain's bags (approx 75 captains bags, the number may vary with actual number of participants). There can be flyers, promotional information, advertisements and of course small prizes in the captain's bags (an example could be sun screen, lures, whistle, or any item collected for distribution). The captain's bags are distributed at the captains meeting the night before the tournament. This provides information for the kayaker to review before and after the tournament. Another way is to provide numerous prizes that may be utilized as door prizes.

As mentioned previously; web-site links, frequent mentioning of the sponsors during the captains meeting and weigh-in celebration is what we offer in return for sponsorship.

Our forum is a place for the membership base to provide feedback. Word of mouth is an enormous factor in providing hits on our sponsor's web-sites, especially if the web-site is attractive, offering needed/wanted kayaking items at a reasonable price. For sponsors that provide a discount to our membership base we provide a link on our links page as well as the sponsor's web page.

We recognize that most companies have limited resources and are careful in choosing how effectively their limited advertisement dollars are spent. It is important to provide the most effective return of your advertisement dollars. This is why targeting your audience is important, sponsoring a kayak fishing tournament for a company that sells products that may interest kayak fishermen makes good business sense. With this in mind we do not tell potential sponsors a fixed or required value to qualify nor do we limit our sponsorship to kayak or fishing related businesses. All contributions are equally welcome regardless of the amount.

Please contact us for additional information at gckfa@hotmail.com.

Michael Clubbs
GCKFA Web-Master