There were many different things to think about when preparing for the event. These are three things that were the most important.
Customer: There is definitely a pre-existing fan-base for Cyclocross. Spectators and racers keep up on their own with all of the races. This meant that our job was to try to increase new spectators coming out; specifically, Joan wanted us to get college student interest up. Using things like facebook and posting fliers on campus was how we went about getting information to this untapped generation.
Capabilities: Our biggest set back to capabilities was that one of our significant sponsors pulled out. With a huge deficit, we were forced to find ways to publicize and produce an event that was used to a much larger budget. But because our event had been going on for many years, we did not have to work through some of the kinks of a first time event. In the end, the addition of our event planning team was a significant help to filling in the gaps that were left by the budget deficit.
Competition: As mentioned before, there is a pre-existing fan-base to Cyclocross so getting people to come out was not the biggest challenge. Cycylocross racers love getting messy and would come out no matter what the conditions were. Unfortunately, the weather was our biggest competition for getting new spectators to come out. On weekends with good weather, any number of random people will be out in the park that would have been potential spectators. But because of the rain and cold, many people decided to stay home. Luckily though, it did not effect too many of the die hard racers and fans.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The 6 A's of the Mercer Cup
This is a detailed account of everything our group did to prepare for the event:
Anticipation: Anticipation for the Cyclocross event has been going on for quite some time but really kicked in to high gear in the last 2 months as our event planning team took on promotions. Our first step was to create a facebook group for Mercer Cyclocross. From there, “Mercer Clyclocross” created an event for the actual day of the races. The event was able to contact of all of the friends of Mercer Cyclocross to get information out about the big event with periodic updates as well. Next, we handed out postcards with event information at Community fest. We also placed some under windshields. Along the way, we also posted on various Cyclocross-related web forums to hype up the event. Next, we hosted a clinic on riding basics to increase interest in new riders. Before the clinic, we placed fliers throughout the TCNJ campus, as well as posting on the facebook page. Our final step of anticipation was to send fliers home with students from Lawrence High School.
Arrival: Arrival was very important for the event because had large quantities of people coming and going throughout the day. Once you entered the park, an electronic sign told drivers where to head for parking. Once you reached the marina (where the event was held), signs told cars to turn right into the parking area. A parking attendant collected money and directed cars where to go. Originally we had a volunteer directing cars where to park but we found that they were fairly able to figure this out on their own and were able to use that volunteer elsewhere. Additionally, we had course marshals at the course crossings to direct spectators once they entered race grounds.
Atmosphere: The atmosphere of a cyclocross race really creates itself. The combination of sponsors, racers and spectators builds into this excitement. Old racing friends catching up since their last race, discussing who they think is going to win. Everyone gets in to it. Additionally, an announcer could be heard almost anywhere throughout the park broadcasting how the races were going. The cow-bells that people were ringing also pumped of the level of excitement.
Appetite: Food was a key requirement of an outdoor, daylong event as ours was. Warm food and drinks were absolutely necessary because people were standing around in the cold for all of the races. We had a VIP tent that provided coffee, oatmeal, muffins and cookies for the VIP sponsors, racers and volunteers. There was also a sitting area available for spectators to sit down while they ate and still be able to see the races. On Saturday, the food truck had warm sausage, hot dogs, chicken tenders, etc. but they did not have any vegetarian options. Luckily, they picked up on the demand and had veggie burgers for Sunday.
Activity: We didn’t want too many things going on at once to distract people from watching the races. We had races going on at almost all times which made for constant entertainment. Although there were not any interactive activities, spectators could watch the pit crew, bike washing and awards ceremonies as well.
Amenities: There were not any amenities for the spectators of the races, although, there were sponsor tents with various items on display. The amenities we had were for the racers. The winners of the races received a check as well as a gift bag containing things like cliff bars, bike products, t-shirts and socks. We also provided amenities to the volunteers of free food and t-shirts.
Anticipation: Anticipation for the Cyclocross event has been going on for quite some time but really kicked in to high gear in the last 2 months as our event planning team took on promotions. Our first step was to create a facebook group for Mercer Cyclocross. From there, “Mercer Clyclocross” created an event for the actual day of the races. The event was able to contact of all of the friends of Mercer Cyclocross to get information out about the big event with periodic updates as well. Next, we handed out postcards with event information at Community fest. We also placed some under windshields. Along the way, we also posted on various Cyclocross-related web forums to hype up the event. Next, we hosted a clinic on riding basics to increase interest in new riders. Before the clinic, we placed fliers throughout the TCNJ campus, as well as posting on the facebook page. Our final step of anticipation was to send fliers home with students from Lawrence High School.
Arrival: Arrival was very important for the event because had large quantities of people coming and going throughout the day. Once you entered the park, an electronic sign told drivers where to head for parking. Once you reached the marina (where the event was held), signs told cars to turn right into the parking area. A parking attendant collected money and directed cars where to go. Originally we had a volunteer directing cars where to park but we found that they were fairly able to figure this out on their own and were able to use that volunteer elsewhere. Additionally, we had course marshals at the course crossings to direct spectators once they entered race grounds.
Atmosphere: The atmosphere of a cyclocross race really creates itself. The combination of sponsors, racers and spectators builds into this excitement. Old racing friends catching up since their last race, discussing who they think is going to win. Everyone gets in to it. Additionally, an announcer could be heard almost anywhere throughout the park broadcasting how the races were going. The cow-bells that people were ringing also pumped of the level of excitement.
Appetite: Food was a key requirement of an outdoor, daylong event as ours was. Warm food and drinks were absolutely necessary because people were standing around in the cold for all of the races. We had a VIP tent that provided coffee, oatmeal, muffins and cookies for the VIP sponsors, racers and volunteers. There was also a sitting area available for spectators to sit down while they ate and still be able to see the races. On Saturday, the food truck had warm sausage, hot dogs, chicken tenders, etc. but they did not have any vegetarian options. Luckily, they picked up on the demand and had veggie burgers for Sunday.
Activity: We didn’t want too many things going on at once to distract people from watching the races. We had races going on at almost all times which made for constant entertainment. Although there were not any interactive activities, spectators could watch the pit crew, bike washing and awards ceremonies as well.
Amenities: There were not any amenities for the spectators of the races, although, there were sponsor tents with various items on display. The amenities we had were for the racers. The winners of the races received a check as well as a gift bag containing things like cliff bars, bike products, t-shirts and socks. We also provided amenities to the volunteers of free food and t-shirts.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Portland Cup
What better way to finish the USGP season than in Portland, OR. The finale takes places on December 6th and 7th and pre-registration is now open. Last year's race was was held in near Hurricane condtitions and boasted some of the biggest fields of the whole season! Year in and year out, Portland offers up the crowds of afficianados the conditions and level of racing that people expect from the sport of 'cross and provides a true test to the amateur and pro athlete alike. Pre-registration closes on December 3rd so don't miss out on this opportunity.
http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=7120
http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=7120
Monday, November 17, 2008
Race Results
Please click on the following links to find the results from all of this past weekend's action!
http://www.bikereg.com/Results/2008/11/15-USGP-Mercer-Cup.asp
http://www.bikereg.com/Results/2008/11/16-USGP-Mercer-Cup.asp
http://www.bikereg.com/Results/2008/11/15-USGP-Mercer-Cup.asp
http://www.bikereg.com/Results/2008/11/16-USGP-Mercer-Cup.asp
Leave Your Comments
Thanks to everyone who came out to support the event this weekend whether you were a rider, spectator, or volunteer. We want to know what you liked or disliked about the event so that we can make the proper adjustments for next year. Please leave any of your comments in the replies or feel free to email us at TheMercerCup@gmail.com.
We will have official results and videos from the event within the next few days. Thanks again for all of everyone's support.
We will have official results and videos from the event within the next few days. Thanks again for all of everyone's support.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
This Weekend's Schedule
Friday
4:00 PM Clif Bar Kid's ClinicSaturday
8:00 AM Cat 4 Men 30 minutes
8:45 AM Cat 3/4 Women 30 minutes
8:45 AM Junior 10-16 30 Minutes
9:30 AM Cat 2/3 Men 40 minutes
10:30 AM Masters 45+ 40 minutes
10:30 AM Masters 55+ 40 minutes
11:30 AM USGP UCI Junior 17-18 40 minutes
12:30 PM USGP Masters 35+ (Cat 1-3) 45 minutes
1:45 PM UCI Elite Women 40 minutes
3:00 PM UCI Elite Men/U23 60 minutes
Sunday
8:00 AM Cat 4 Men 30 minutes
8:45 AM Cat 3/4 Women 30 minutes
8:45 AM Junior 10-16 30 minutes
9:30 AM Cat 2/3 Men 40 minutes
10:30 AM Masters 45+ 40 minutes
10:30 AM Masters 55+ 40 minutes
11:30 AM USGP UCI Juniors 17-18 40 minutes
12:30 PM USGP Masters 35+ (Cat 1-3) 45 minutes
1:45 PM UCI Elite Women 40 minutes
3:00 PM UCI Elite Men/U23 60 minutes
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Pre-Registration Closed
Pre-registration is now closed. Over 1,000 riders have already signed up! Riders are still able to sign up the day of the race so don't miss your chance!
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