Questions concerning 2015 sponsored Spyder Events

[hillybillyheaven]

The main topic of conversation at the Blue Ridge event was the BRP sponsored events for 2015….and how some are molded after the BRP owners events where everything was FREE…and some events are very questionable as they are giving almost nothing away for FREE .Don’t get me wrong I am NOT a cheap person but somehow I believe some of these event promoters are missing the BRP “vision”.
I was told from someone that was at the Myrtle Beach rally that BRP is giving the sponsored events $10,000 EACH….not sure if that is true but what I do know is they are giving them SOMETHING MONEY WISE.

The Spyder events that are NOT sponsored can play by their own rules…BUT sponsored events should be different

Look at how lopsided these examples are:

A) I was “told” The vendors at M Beach had to pay $1500 +/- EACH to display and yet rider registration was free
B) But other events rider registration fees can be as high as $40 each , but they are still charging $$$ for “almost” all food but the vendors are free???
C) and some where registration is free but everything else is a charge and I mean EVERYTHING $$$
D) Where does the EXTRA $$$$$ BRPmoney come into play ????
E) And some sponsored events are perfectly balanced with some free some extra $$

In my humble opinion it would be nice if the BRP sponsored events where on a level playing field. Hopefully after 2015 we will see a format where every sponsored event has to follow certain rules because after looking at some of these events they are either right on BRP’s VISION” or WAY OFF

Before everyone jumps on my case I realize how many hours are spent on each event…and it takes MANY volunteers endless hours to make each event happen…I GET IT …but somehow BRP needs to take control and set up a format….because some of these events are helterskeltor…. And all over the board…
The mother of all events is Spyderfest…where I am guessing the MoGang volunteers are at LEAST 100 people helping for FREE…so as you can see it takes a ton of help…Len is very lucky as some events have NO volunteers and most only have 30 or so. It takes a LOT of work….but you should not pocket “most “of the BRP money. They are missing the BRP vision IN MY OPINION

For example: in the past BRP”S Owners Event (days are not accurate but shows a comparison)
​#1: Registration fee : FREE
#2:FOOD : all under a shaded tent with seatsfor all
*Friday FREE Dinner: and it was a Excellant …roast beef and all the sides
*Saturday FREE Lunch..BBQ real nice
* FREE $20 Gas card
* FREE contests and European Giveaway
*FREE T Shirt…value: $10
*ALL rides are free
***NO Vendors

Here is a few examples of 2015 BRP sponsored Events, so you can compare apples to apples..these are just 3 I pulled out of my hat and info came off THEIR websites…the list could go on and on but you will get the drift
*********************************************
SPYDER Rendezvous
http://www.joinsoar.com/home.html
#1: Registration fee : $32.95 Per Person
#2:FOOD :
*Friday FREE Dinner:
*Saturday FREE Dinner
*Sunday FREE Breakfast
*FREE T Shirt…value: $10
*ALL rides are free
*** Vendors are free but need to give donation…+/- $200 for some FREE giveaways sponsored by the vendors
********************************************************************************
SPYDERQUEST

http://www.spyderquest.com/home.html
#1: Registration fee : $40.00 Per Person
#2:FOOD :
* Thursday Dinner $25 EXTRA
* Friday free lunch sponsor Progressive Motorsports
*Friday Dinner Cruise: $45 EXTRA
*Saturday FREE Dinner
*FREE T Shirt…black …value $10
*some rides are free others $$$$ EXTRA cost money…some are a state park fee
*** Vendors are free but need to give donation…+/- $200
for Bingo sponsored by the vendors
***********************************************************************

DEADWOODRALLY
http://d3wr.com
#1: Registration fee : $20.00 Per Person
#2:FOOD :
* Thursday Dinner FREE
*Friday Dinner FREE
*Saturday Breakfast FREE
* T Shirt…are $15 each Extra
*ALL rides are FREE

*** Vendors are paying a fee…I think a small fee….don’t see info

In conclusion:By BRP sponsoring 7 events I think their motivation was to bring “SOME” FREE hospitality to Spyder riders….just like their owners events where EVERYTHING WAS FREE…..I realize Everything cannot be free at private venues ….but “come on” look at the charts….most Food should be free…but that should depend on attendance...a event that only gets 200 signed up should have more free food then a event that has 500 signed up...where is the extra BRP money going??

Need to compare apples to apples

Again DON”T SHOOT THE MESSANGER….I was just the gossip at the Landrum event got me thinking how uneven these events are….CHOOSE WISELY….how to spend your money IMHO

 

[Dan McNally]

My first question would be where did the person who 'told' you all this get the information . . . as, in my life, I've been told a lot of stuff that just ain't so . . .

As for events costing money, the venues charge for space, many localities require and charge for permits, printing and mailing things cost money . . . I'd take some things with a grain of salt . . . and, if you don't trust the event organizers . . . don't go to their event . . . nojoke

 

[Firefly]

The last thing I would want is BRP making all of the Spyder events into some 'cookie cutter' events that all work the same.
Some will do a good job and the events will continue and grow, while others will not.
Let the public and free market determine what is worthy.
Too much thinking and comparing/complaining how the events work. Don't like how an event is run? Don't go back next time.
None of them cost much money to attend.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kyspyder]

Just a reminder, it's all about the $

 

[JayBros]

Firefly hit the bulls-eye!

 

[BajaRon]

The key here is that each person is free to evaluate the event and is free to go, or not go. Everyone has a different formula for putting a value on an event. That is why each event is similar and each event is also different.

It is ultimately people who organize these events. Different people in different places with different ideas/circumstances/funding/ etc., are going to offer variations on the basic theme. It is the same for every venue. Each restaurant, each theme park, etc., are similar, and also different.

Each of us are given a vote. Your attendance equals your support (or lack thereof). If you want to be blunt, you vote with your wallet.

And yes, money IS a big part of it. But to say it is ALL About money is to take a very myopic view and really misses the point. It is really all about YOU! The bottom line is, if the event does not appeal to you, then there will be no event. Well done events will grow. Poor events will go away.

When it comes to the money part, you have to remember that vendors are people just like you and I. They also need to make a living. So to with event sponsors, etc. They all have expenses, bills to pay and a family to feed. Think about it. How many hours do you intended to work this week for nothing, or at a net loss?

Each Spyder event has to cover the huge costs incurred. It can't be done without a lot of hard work and long hours behind the scenes. Multiply that again with the people you do see working.

I understand that everyone sees this differently. But for me, instead of trying to analyze the system based on possibly unreliable information. I just go and have the best time I possibly can. Enjoying as many aspects as I possibly can. If I like it, I will probably come back. If I don't, I will put my time and effort into a different event.

In the end, it all comes down to the people. Doesn't it always? :thumbup:

 

[maliamd]

There are some good comments here. I would add this. All anyone or anything has is its reputation. If my name was associated with an event, I would make darn sure that it lived up to my standards. Otherwise my name could not be used. BRP needs to think about this.

 

[Deke]

After paying $30,000 for my Spyder, $3,000 for gear, thousands of dollars in mods and farkles, and hundreds of dollars in hotel costs to go to an event, I find it hard to get my righteous indignation up over an event registration that equals the cost of a hoodie, and actually having to buy my own lunch!

I'd love to be all hacked off and suspicious, but I just can't do it.

Deke

 

[hillybillyheaven]

There are some good comments here. I would add this. All anyone or anything has is its reputation.

If my name was associated with an event, I would make darn sure that it lived up to my standards. Otherwise my name could not be used. BRP needs to think about this.

WELL said and excellant piont...BRPS name is on the line as they are a sponsor in a way

 

[Professor]

The only one we've been to is Spyderfest and we had a GREAT time. Was it perfect? No, there were a couple of glitches, but so what? When I was younger, I'd go to something that was really fun and get all bent out of shape because of something totally inconsequential. I'd let it ruin everything. As I've gotten older, I'm much better at not sweating the small stuff - and even some of the big stuff. I don't care what the vendors pay or don't pay. That's their concern, not mine. Did I get $40 worth at Spyderfest? Oh yes!!! If there were a couple of meals included, fine. If not, fine. If a meal was really good, that's cool. If not, who cares? I didn't ride hundreds of miles for a meal. If the event had been a bust, we would have just spent more time exploring the area. As the founder of the university where I teach said, "Don't let the negative few outweigh the positive many."

At age 70, I'm starting to really understand how short life is. I'll let someone else worry about the details. I'm just going to enjoy everything I can.

 

[Highwayman2013]

Every event is run by a different group. How could anyone expect them all to be the same? Remember, variety is the spice of life.
Oh and Spyder Quest was great last year!

 

[NorCalBud]

It is ultimately people who organize these events. Different people in different places with different ideas/circumstances/funding/ etc., are going to offer variations on the basic theme. It is the same for every venue. Each restaurant, each theme park, etc., are similar, and also different.

Each of us are given a vote. Your attendance equals your support (or lack thereof). If you want to be blunt, you vote with your wallet.

In the end, it all comes down to the people. Doesn't it always? :thumbup:

:agree:
IMHO: (1)Every event SHOULD be different, that's what makes them fun! (2)You won't know unless you go! (3)BRP's involvement monetarily should only enhance what would have already been arranged and just make the event that much better.

 

[spydaman60]

on behalf of spyderquest i'd like to respond to the details listed above. there are items which you have failed to mention, and there are items that are just absolutely incorrect. you failed to mention the free "meet and greet" on wednesday evening. the use of the facility cost money, and the appetizers cost money too. for larger numbers of people, the expenses are greater. our first year we had 118 people, 268 our second year, and are anticipating between 350 and 400 this year.
you also failed to mention items such as costs associated with events. our website alone is well over a grand! (maintenance by go daddy) there are banking fees for checking, accountant fees for annual filing. there are costs for disc jockeys for two evenings which you have failed to mention as well.
where you got your information on $200 required donation from vendors to sponsor "farkle bingo" I have no idea. first off, "farkle bingo" is not just sponsored by vendors. we have many spyderlover site sponsors that donate to the event. (whether they come to the event to vend, or they just do it out of the kindness of their hearts) we also have people that attend the event that donate to the bingo. not vendors, and not sponsors. you are correct that we do not charge vendors for vending sites. we do not stipulate any donation amount. we have donations as little as $50.00 and some that donate as much as $650.00 or more. last year we gave away over $4000.00 in prizes. this year we are thinking we might be in the $6k area!!
we don't force people to take the dinner cruise. those that want to, are welcome, those that don't, it's their choice. spyderquest is different from most of the other events. we're all about the rides. this year we have 11 organized rides as well a professionally published map showing 7 rides for those wishing to do their own rides. this map has directions and points of interest for riders interested in doing their own thing. (and not paying for their ride) by the way, that map cost $2500.00 to have professionally printed you should have read the itinerary and you would have seen that the fees for rides are more than just a park fee, but access to mountain roads, gondola ride, tour at ben and jerry ice cream factory with ice cream flavor testing.
as to the amount brp is giving to each event, the 10k is not correct for us. if it is, it's news to us!
we are a "not for profit" event and no one is walking away with any money from this event other than spyder riding attendees that win at "farkle bingo", and vendors that have a successful weekend!!!
you are right about one thing though, and that is the amount of hours that it takes to put on one of these events. I happen to be vp this year and it's just a (glorified) title for a guy that sits behind his computer and begs for items from site sponsors and vendors to make our bingo what it is. we have a president that has spent numerous hours putting it all together with brp and trouble shooting logistics and site planning. we have a treasurer and secretary (husband and wife) that have put in uncountable hours into registration and maintaining the website. not to mention their work is just starting with registration. we have ride captains that have put together the rides and will be trial running them (at their expense) over the americade weekend!
if I wasn't going to a picnic this afternoon, i'd continue writing, but I got to get on the spyder and go!! :2thumbs::2thumbs:

 

[ARtraveler]

Different strokes for different folks prevails--IMO.

A couple years back the big complaint was that there was ONLY one BRP event. Regardless of location, there were those that were not happy, because it was not in their own back yard, or they did not like the specific location. Even I had a problem with LA.

Then, many "events" popped up sponsored by various "local" groups and any and all were invited. Many of these events grew and are now a yearly occasion.

This year, BRP decided to step back and "sponsor" various "local" events. An application process was used and the selection process happened. As usual, not everyone was 100% on board here either.

I like the fact that there are now many options to choose from. One can vote with their wallet and their time. Good events will go on, bad ones will be done and over.

 

[donkes]

I personally love the outside vendors. I get many ideas and new things put on my spyder.

 

[Spyder 42]

Every event is run by a different group. How could anyone expect them all to be the same? Remember, variety is the spice of life.
Oh and Spyder Quest was great last year!

Ima member of both the BMWMOA and the Georgia Club. Each group holds annual rallys but I would not expect the GA Mountain Rally to be anything like the MOA rally due to the number of attendees. The difference is a factor of 10. Would I expect the BMWRA to do it same? No. Until we have a national club hosting the rallys, you are going to see differences.

 

[Dan McNally]

on behalf of spyderquest i'd like to respond to the details listed above. there are items which you have failed to mention, and there are items that are just absolutely incorrect. you failed to mention the free "meet and greet" on wednesday evening. the use of the facility cost money, and the appetizers cost money too. for larger numbers of people, the expenses are greater. our first year we had 118 people, 268 our second year, and are anticipating between 350 and 400 this year.
you also failed to mention items such as costs associated with events. our website alone is well over a grand! (maintenance by go daddy) there are banking fees for checking, accountant fees for annual filing. there are costs for disc jockeys for two evenings which you have failed to mention as well.
where you got your information on $200 required donation from vendors to sponsor "farkle bingo" I have no idea. first off, "farkle bingo" is not just sponsored by vendors. we have many spyderlover site sponsors that donate to the event. (whether they come to the event to vend, or they just do it out of the kindness of their hearts) we also have people that attend the event that donate to the bingo. not vendors, and not sponsors. you are correct that we do not charge vendors for vending sites. we do not stipulate any donation amount. we have donations as little as $50.00 and some that donate as much as $650.00 or more. last year we gave away over $4000.00 in prizes. this year we are thinking we might be in the $6k area!!
we don't force people to take the dinner cruise. those that want to, are welcome, those that don't, it's their choice. spyderquest is different from most of the other events. we're all about the rides. this year we have 11 organized rides as well a professionally published map showing 7 rides for those wishing to do their own rides. this map has directions and points of interest for riders interested in doing their own thing. (and not paying for their ride) by the way, that map cost $2500.00 to have professionally printed you should have read the itinerary and you would have seen that the fees for rides are more than just a park fee, but access to mountain roads, gondola ride, tour at ben and jerry ice cream factory with ice cream flavor testing.
as to the amount brp is giving to each event, the 10k is not correct for us. if it is, it's news to us!
we are a "not for profit" event and no one is walking away with any money from this event other than spyder riding attendees that win at "farkle bingo", and vendors that have a successful weekend!!!
you are right about one thing though, and that is the amount of hours that it takes to put on one of these events. I happen to be vp this year and it's just a (glorified) title for a guy that sits behind his computer and begs for items from site sponsors and vendors to make our bingo what it is. we have a president that has spent numerous hours putting it all together with brp and trouble shooting logistics and site planning. we have a treasurer and secretary (husband and wife) that have put in uncountable hours into registration and maintaining the website. not to mention their work is just starting with registration. we have ride captains that have put together the rides and will be trial running them (at their expense) over the americade weekend!
if I wasn't going to a picnic this afternoon, i'd continue writing, but I got to get on the spyder and go!! :2thumbs::2thumbs:

Well said . . .

There is an old saying in the military that goes: "If the troops aren't b**ching, they aren't happy." If that saying is true, it appears to me that over the last several months, SpyderLovers must be the happiest place on earth! :banghead:

 

[maliamd]

Well said . . .

There is an old saying in the military that goes: "If the troops aren't b**ching, they aren't happy." If that saying is true, it appears to me that over the last several months, SpyderLovers must be the happiest place on earth! :banghead:

I thought the happiest place on earth was Disney World. :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[MouthPiece]

I thought the happiest place on earth was Disney World. :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

You'd think, but I see an awful lot of crying kids. :yikes::yikes:

​Chris

 

[bruiser]

BRP does not have to support any event. They are doing this because they want to. Will they do it next year? Don't know. Just remember WE here on SL voted for what events we wanted them to consider. They chose the events with the most votes.