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BillyGoat · 10-14-2008, 03:05 PM

Well after years of yearning and wishing then riding in airliner for five hours, (changing planes once) I finally made it to my first Tucson Aerobatic Shootout. What a treat to finally see top pilots from all over the world compete head to head, especially in the anything-goes-freestyle event. Matt Chapman’s mid day display was just exceptional. Simply icing on the cake of a fun and entertaining weekend.

Kudos to those who managed the competition! Very well planned and from a spectator perspective, very smoothly operated. Even enjoyed the MC who did a great job of keeping spectators, like myself, informed and engaged.

On the other hand I was surprised how under marketed this event was. I stayed with a friend who has been a Tucson resident for years and never knew this event was going on just on the other side of the mountain. Yet being a non R/C'er I believe he enjoyed the event more than I did. He is already talking about who he’s taking out there next year.

Like many in the R/C world I have come to recognize the TAS as the primer R/C competition, but it sure didn’t feel like it. To start with, we had a heck of a time finding it. Most garage sales have better signage. Info from the web wasn’t much better. This event is just a page on DA’s web site. Big mistake, it should have its own site and domain name, done by a professional web developer.

Between two guys where one has a marketing education but never work in the field and the other that lacks the formal education but whose business is very dependent on good marketing, My buddy and I came up with several ideas, ideas that would draw MANY more spectators. So much so TAS organizers would be wishing for more parking capacity on Saturday and Sunday. Thus bringing income that would far exceed the expense to draw them there. Then we had ideas that would give the event the world class feel it deserves. One I will say is food. Bring in more than one vendor for choice and shorter lines. Also would recommend using vendors that work from purpose built trailers, like those seen at fairs and such. I wondered how much dirt was in my burger Saturday. Think I had my answer later that night.

This is not a slam on the event, I absolutely enjoyed myself. Although I know somebody is going flame me for my assessment. Oh well.

TAS organizers are severely short changing themselves and I’m posting this here at FG because I figure the chance of the right eyes seeing is good.

Bottom line… Hire a professional marketing person/firm for this event. They would be well worth their weight in gold.

10-14-2008, 03:05 PM	#1
BillyGoat Gettin' Lower! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA Posts: 45	TAS from a first timer spectator Well after years of yearning and wishing then riding in airliner for five hours, (changing planes once) I finally made it to my first Tucson Aerobatic Shootout. What a treat to finally see top pilots from all over the world compete head to head, especially in the anything-goes-freestyle event. Matt Chapman’s mid day display was just exceptional. Simply icing on the cake of a fun and entertaining weekend. Kudos to those who managed the competition! Very well planned and from a spectator perspective, very smoothly operated. Even enjoyed the MC who did a great job of keeping spectators, like myself, informed and engaged. On the other hand I was surprised how under marketed this event was. I stayed with a friend who has been a Tucson resident for years and never knew this event was going on just on the other side of the mountain. Yet being a non R/C'er I believe he enjoyed the event more than I did. He is already talking about who he’s taking out there next year. Like many in the R/C world I have come to recognize the TAS as the primer R/C competition, but it sure didn’t feel like it. To start with, we had a heck of a time finding it. Most garage sales have better signage. Info from the web wasn’t much better. This event is just a page on DA’s web site. Big mistake, it should have its own site and domain name, done by a professional web developer. Between two guys where one has a marketing education but never work in the field and the other that lacks the formal education but whose business is very dependent on good marketing, My buddy and I came up with several ideas, ideas that would draw MANY more spectators. So much so TAS organizers would be wishing for more parking capacity on Saturday and Sunday. Thus bringing income that would far exceed the expense to draw them there. Then we had ideas that would give the event the world class feel it deserves. One I will say is food. Bring in more than one vendor for choice and shorter lines. Also would recommend using vendors that work from purpose built trailers, like those seen at fairs and such. I wondered how much dirt was in my burger Saturday. Think I had my answer later that night. This is not a slam on the event, I absolutely enjoyed myself. Although I know somebody is going flame me for my assessment. Oh well. TAS organizers are severely short changing themselves and I’m posting this here at FG because I figure the chance of the right eyes seeing is good. Bottom line… Hire a professional marketing person/firm for this event. They would be well worth their weight in gold. Last edited by BillyGoat; 10-14-2008 at 03:12 PM.