What do you look for in a competition?
If the answer were simple, there would only be one type of competition to choose from. Every competition company thinks they know the industry answer to this question. But more importantly, they think they know YOUR personal answer to that question. I've started to realize, in my old age of 34, that there is no wrong answer, but rather hundreds of correct ones.
I believe that competitions take on the personality of their leaders, implementing their philosophies and strengths. Our products are a blend of what you want and what we believe!
At NCA, the score sheet drives almost every important decision. We want our customers confident they got a fair shake from the judges during their 2 minutes and 30 seconds on the mat.
At Cheer Power, Regina Symons is passionate that every child feel special and every parent leave her Awards Ceremony excited about cheerleading. I've actually seen some parents leave their events with more awards than the kids!
At All Star Challenge, Don Collins and crew want innovation, theater and colorful drama! At their Battle Under The Big Top competition, the circus atmosphere begins with the website, carries through the lobby, and ends when a real circus performer hand you their trophy. It's quite an experience.
And ultimately, it's ALL important. You want a fair shake from the judges, you want your parents to fall in love with the competition, and you want your kids to experience the fun of a circus when they take the floor.
As a coach I picked events based on a nice Coaches Hospitality Rooms, free massages, and social opportunities with fellow coaches and good friends. As a Gym Manager, I liked events with low price points because it made my parents smile. And I always sprinkled in a few small, local competitions (with NO industry friends) because my junior team needed a confidence boost before getting to Nationals.
When I was younger, I thought my way was the best way - a snob, if you will. When I attended American Cheer Power as a coach, their staff threw me a beach ball to kick off the Awards Ceremony, I threw that beach ball right back at the staff! I wanted my trophy, why was everyone having fun?!? It was time for serious awards, darn it! But Cheer Power got it right. I'm smarter now. And if you give your customer what they want while giving them what you believe in, you can't get it wrong.
Here are some important questions to answer for your business when putting together your competition schedule:
- Is your program established?
- Do your parents need to have input with your schedule?
- Does your team need a dose of 'bad medicine' to jump start their work ethic?
- Does your team need an easy win to inspire their self-confidence?
- Is your team ready to travel and experience new competition from other parts of the country?
- Will you benefit more from a Worlds Bid or a first place trophy at the local high school?
- Do your parents need a pep rally?
- Is there even anything left in the budget to go to one more event?
I'm proud to be a part of Varsity All Star...a portfolio of offerings that cover the gamut. Between our 14 all star cheer and dance brands and hundreds of events, I guarantee we've got an experience that's PRECISELY what your business needs at that very moment. One Day, Two Day, Low Stress, Nationally Televised, Everyone Goes Home A Winner, Everyone Goes Home In The Top 20, we're committed to covering it. OK, no more sales pitch.
So tell us - what is it that YOU look for? What's important to you and your athletes? Be specific or be general. But most importantly, be honest. Your schedule depends on it.
