So let’s say a contest could get a large cash donation and do cash prizes for contestants and other fun stuff but the sponsor in question was gambling related how would folks feel about this?
What if the venue was a casino?
Would people feel weird if it was a large Christian mega church?
How about if the contest took sponsorship from a sports book or a buy now pay later firm?
These are all hypothetical and I have some moral quandaries around these myself but I want community consensus because realistically there is an absurd amount of money being tossed around in these spaces and it would expand the contest significantly.
If such a sponsor was present how much of a presence is too much? Would branding on the lanyards for the staff and contestants be too much? Would large banners be obnoxious?
Trying to find where the line should be drawn because if up to me I wouldn’t even take TurboTax money but I’m also realistic that money is the only way to get stuff done.
Give me your thoughts tell me your opinions. Make me feel bad for even considering it or jump in with suggestions on specific brands I could reach out to in this vein of thought. I’m truely conflicted but willing to explore non conventional sponsors because large venues in DC are absurdly expensive.
I understand the money aspect, but the fact that this hobby is untouched by some of the darker things mentioned are one of the really big appeals. One of the last “pure” hobbies out there imo
Id be remiss to not acknowledge that BNPL is around, this is a hobby centered around consumerism after all lol (children, and grown adults for that matter, please do not Klarna your YoYo)
Speaking for just the venue issue my only concerns are if it is family friendly and appropriate for kids that are into Yoyo. A casino may (and often have age limits) and some families may not want their kids around an environment like that unless it’s a completely separated room or building. My thought is just I was to get as many people (especially kids) to a contest and interested in Yoyo. I get some people may have problems with religion and I totally get that but I personally see no issue of using a church as a just venue. I have been to a contest in a church before and there was nothing wired or awkward about it and the contest was great.
As to sponsors I think (just my opinion) that they should be aligned with the goal of the contest, whatever that may be.
Just my 2 cents
To that point would a brewery be off for a contest? ECM last year was at a fun brewery and I didn’t see any issues.
What was the venue for nats in vegas?
For the sponsor thing what if it was a tech company or food like idk Duncan donuts or something like that?
If I limit fundraising to only yoyo brands it’ll severely handicap what can be done as there just isn’t that much money in this hobby for all the events.
Not trying to argue even though it reads that way just playing devils advocate and trying to sus out how far the line needs to shift
100% I can only speak from my own opinion and from the limited experience of contests I’ve been to in my 10 years in the hobby. Really there’s no perfect senecio for a contest that will cater perfectly to everyone. I would just go with what you would think would go with what the majority of the people attending said contest would be fine with and enjoy.
Also what about the trend of including other hobbies like fingerboard or kendama or juggling? Is that popular or desirable? Too much going on or a cool thing? If it is a joint event i would want activities planned for all things present not just yoyo.
No I get that I’m trying to simply see where public sentiment sits because as I’ve reached out to venues I’ve had suggestions from some to reach out to local mgm casino and that made me hit this moral quandary because I could but should I?
At the end of the day I’d just go with your gut. You could also consult a few people from the local scene and make a collective decision. I’ve never organized a contest before but am good friends with a couple people that have. So take or leave my advice, after all I am just some random guy on the internet lol
All kidding aside I wish your contest all the best and I hope for a big turnout!
For the church thing there is a church that offered and it would be free but they would want us to say a prayer at opening and closing and I don’t have a problem with that but I feel that might be uncomfortable for some. Maybe I’m wrong but Idk,.. sadly the church doesn’t fit some of my goals for easy transit and food nearby.
Another interesting one is universities or libraries or schools but there are strict county level rules or school specific rules that restrict sponsors and paying for the event like it has to be free participation even for contestants and sponsors have to be approved by the university. The venue would be free but funding would be super limited.
If I went for a larger venue like an expo center I would have to charge a cover fee just to enter or even have like a table cover for groups to buy tables to conglomerate at.
I would want free entry for spectators myself but if the venue was too cost prohibitive and I can’t morally accept certain sponsors that might be the way around funding is a cover charge.
Any quandaries around the above thoughts.
Idk my wife said my budget spreadsheet and requirements list for venues is overkill but I kind of feel like it would make for a better event to over think some stuff upfront.
i think the inherent problem with sponsors outside the hobby is that they all have their own agenda and it won’t be pushing the hobby of yoyo forward. i think yoyo has a broad enough audience that everything should stay as neutral as possible. i would personally pass on attending any event at a church, casino, or bar. none of those are my scene or places i feel comfortable personally
There really aren’t many third spaces or event areas that aren’t corporate in some way. Even some theaters I’ve talked to are owned by banks or by hotel chains now and show capital one Hilton as the brand.
I do appreciate the feedback on all this from those that have responded. It reinforces my assumptions and feelings but I wanted to be sure I’m not off base
Technically even physical non cash prizes are considered taxable income at the value of the prize regardless of how much. I wonder if any contest or winner actually declares it though. Heck the online contests with prizes even. (I brought this up when planning yoyo boomer club prizes as an example…)
I dunno, I just want to hang out and yoyo with people and have fun. It in no way needs to be fancy, and the prizes could suck, I would just be ecstatic to yoyo with other people that cared for the hobby as much as me. Would also be super dope for people to test out each other’s yoyos if comfortable and make trades and what not. Could be in a Walmart parking lot or behind a Dollar General for all I care.
