pic: Growth of FIRST in Michigan

[MrBasse]

Originally Posted by wilsonmw04

how much does the average event cost?

When we looked at hosting a Westside event, we were told to expect at least $15-20k. $25k if you wanted to play it safe or have anything above and beyond the normal district event.

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by MrBasse

When we looked at hosting a Westside event, we were told to expect at least $15-20k. $25k if you wanted to play it safe or have anything above and beyond the normal district event.

You're saying that's for startup or year over year?

[cbale2000]

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

You're saying that's for startup or year over year?

I'm pretty sure that's just an estimated cost range provided by FiM. We got a similar estimate our first year, and then we had to work out what our actual recurring costs would be for our specific event. It's more a fundraising target than anything else.

Costs for specific districts vary due to a variety of factors.

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by cbale2000

I'm pretty sure that's just an estimated cost range provided by FiM. We got a similar estimate our first year, and then we had to work out what our actual recurring costs would be for our specific event. It's more a fundraising target than anything else.

Costs for specific districts vary due to a variety of factors.

I understand that costs are different, just trying to get at what he means. Type of venue, geography, amenities built into the facility vs what the event itself would have to cover (specifically, power) are just some of all variables that contribute to the cost.

[Jim Zondag]

Our average district event cost is about $18,000.
Several of our events get sponsors from local businesses and have zero net cost to our FIRSTinMichigan Organization.

[cbale2000]

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

I understand that costs are different, just trying to get at what he means. Type of venue, geography, amenities built into the facility vs what the event itself would have to cover (specifically, power) are just some of all variables that contribute to the cost.

Right, but what I'm saying is the estimate they got was likely generic and not tailored to their location.

That said, I can provide a few examples of costs associated with events (Dollar values listed are approximate and specific to our event in Midland. Actual costs will vary by event):

Recurring Costs:

• Pipe and Drape (for dividing pits, blocking off the field area from the stands, etc.)
  - $1600
• Table & Chair rentals (for team pits, field equipment, pit admin, etc.)
  - $500
• Multimedia Equipment (Projector(s), audio mixer, speakers, mics, radios, etc.)
  - $2750
• Generator for pits (Cost to rent if you don't have one, and cost of fuel)
  - No cost for us, school district has a generator and donates fuel
• Cost of DJ (unless role is filled by a volunteer)
  - $500
• Cost of food for volunteers
  - $3850
• Cost of Janitorial services and event Security
  - $250 for security, janitorial services donated by school district
• Gaffers Tape
  - $650

One Time Costs:

• Installing Ethernet runs for field and pits (if needed)
  - $1600
• Floor Tarps if not already owned by venue, and Masonite (may have to be replaced every few years due to degradation)
  - $3250

And those are just some of the basics; there are, of course, also extras that events may opt to buy. For example, after our first district event we decided to build our own livestream system for streaming events and running the event projector, and more recently, we purchased our own sound equipment so we didn't have to rent it (we looked at getting a projector too but the cost was a bit high for what was required). We probably have over $10,000 that we put into multimedia alone over the past few years just to go above and beyond event basics.

[MrBasse]

What cbale said is pretty right on. We have a very up to date gym as it was just built six years ago. We also have two more gyms to hold pits and practice fields.
The 15-25k target was a rough estimate, we were told we could probably come in cheaper because certain infrastructure was already in place. I was just starting to look into detailed costs when we were told that we would no longer be able to host unless it was a week one event. This was after Bag day and all our facilities were already reserved by then.