Offseason comp costs?

[joshsmithers]

For a second year I am trying to convince my team hold an offseason competition. We plan on formally discussing this soon, and I was told to try to figure out the costs of previous events. Could anyone be able to tell me the expenses of a previous offseason competition? Ballparks would be ok, but if you can give specific costs of different things, that would be great.

[AdamHeard]

usually $200-500

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

usually $200-500

I believe he's talking the costs associated to running an off-season, not competing in one.

Add a zero to the end of those two numbers, and you'll be a lot closer to the neighborhood of the costs associated with hosting one I'm guessing.

[DonRotolo]

I don't have the costs, but here are some factors to consider:

Venue costs (do you have to 'rent' the gym?), including the costs for any special protection (Monty Madness, for example, bought ~100+ sheets of masonite to protect the gym floor & 25 rolls of tape to hold it together)

Field rental costs (Ask FIRST about that)

Promotion costs (advertising, posters, printing, etc)

Cost Of Sales (buying the food & drinks, for example, including cups, plates, forks, napkins...)

Volunteer costs (feeding them, t-shirts, etc)

Don

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

I believe he's talking the costs associated to running an off-season, not competing in one.

Add a zero to the end of those two numbers, and you'll be a lot closer to the neighborhood of the costs associated with hosting one I'm guessing.

*wooooosh*.... that was something going over my head


I've heard 2k-6k+ depending on the size and quality of event, whether or not you have to pay for venue, field, controls, etc...

I imagine if you get venue, field and controls donated/lent... It could be very cheap to run.

[joshsmithers]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

I imagine if you get venue, field and controls donated/lent... It could be very cheap to run.

Yeah, the plan was to use our two-gym high school as the venue and 1533 would lend us the carpet they supposedly obtained. To be honest, all the conditions(except for finance) look ideal for doing this. We've discussed this off and on over the last couple of years, and all we really need to do is figure out how to work out costs. Would getting a buisness sponsor for this be a good idea?

[Greg Needel]

I think the number can greatly depend on alot of things. FIRST will give their fields to you for free to use, but you need to take out an insurance for them I think $50,000. Also you need to pay the shipping to and from your event. In some cases this can be reduced by partnering with other events in your area assuming that there is somewhere the field can be stored. Additionally to this they also don't come with the disposables (tape, zipties, glass cleaner etc).

From the events I have been involved in the most costly thing is getting the field.

Also you need to figure the costs of facilities, food, security, janitorial, and many other admin costs. The big battle really comes from how many teams you think you will have and how much they will pay to come to your event.

Also the timing of your event is important. During summer it can be difficult to get things organized and to get teams to show up. During the fall there are lots of off seasons and you don't want to subtract from another team's event if you will be inviting the same teams.

[Chris Fultz]

There is a CD white paper called "How to IRI" under my name.

Andy Baker and I wrote it to help teams plan and organize an off season event.

It includes several lists to go through, including info for a budget.

In general, FIRST field rental is free, but you have to pay the shipping to an from your event. And you have to have insurance to cover it. You have to provide game pieces, and you are responsible if anything breaks.

It would be a good idea to recruit a FIRST FTA (Technical Advisor) to assist with the field and scoring systems. You should at least cover their travel expenses.