CHICKENSTOCK 2008

[Nifty-Chicken]

Yup, you guys are on the right track. I go to tradeshows / events all the time where there are TONS of vendors that compete. I just wanted you guys to keep in mind that the vendors may simply want to know that "other" vendors (names don't need to be disclosed) "may" be there. So, just make sure they have as much info as possible so they aren't surprised when they show up. (I'm just naturally over prepared... it's the Eagle Scout in me).

You're doing a superb job!

 

[eggcetra_farms]

You should ask the places you've contacted for some money. I don't mean you just say hey give me some money, but for their money we could put their logo on anything that gets printed such as t-shirts, banners, flyers, etc. Just like with any other festival type thing where you hear "Giant 2008 Festival brought to you by Acme Company and XYZ Inc." or "XYZ Inc., a proud sponsor of the Giant 2008 Festival." Perhaps we could come up with some sort of guidline on sponsorship. Of course, the larger the donation, the more spotlight on the company. This is only an example, but for instance $5,000 earns you a "spotlight" sponsor position. You can get your logo printed on all festival t-shirts for $500. These don't have to be the actual numbers, but I'm sure that when these companies ask what we want of them, this is a lot of what they're getting at. Of course we want their participation, but they're not stupid. They know we are going to be asking for funding. We have to let them know what our expectations are. We are SELLING them an opportunity to participate in the Nation's largest ever chicken fest........think of it that way.

I'll ask again, what are everyone's thoughts on May? Too soon? I could alway tell Mr. Anderson what fits for us.

 

[eggcetra_farms]

Ok, here's what I'm thinking. We need to come up with a figure that will cover all imaginable expenses. For example:

Cost of printing "x" number of t-shirts
Cost of printing "x" number of flyers
Cost of printing "x" number of banners
Cost of placing "x" number of ads, be it printed, radio, tv or otherwise

Those are just some items off the top of my head. Once we have that figure, we know what we are shooting for with the sponsorship money. We will need to break this number down into manageable levels. I'm sure McMurray has more spending money than "John Q's Hatchery," though both would like to participate. It has to be affordable.

I also personally think that if these companies want a booth at this thing, there should have to be some kind of money given for it. It wouldn't make sense to just give a company a spot for free, when we're trying to get funding. I've seen many places that do this. We could have them pay just for a space, or for a certain size booth (such as a one table booth, two table, etc.).

There's a lot of stuff to think about.

 

[Carole AM]

Thanks, Carla for posting this on the ez board BYC!
This is definately something I'll keep my eyes on.

A bunch of us met up at the Nationals in Indy last November. We used a tent area that a friend had, created a banner, and had a get-together dinner afterwards. We met lots of BYCer's that way.

Please keep us informed. I'd vote Iowa--its closer! BUT I will travel for chickens.

 

[wegotchickens]

Booth cost will also depend on where this is held. Some venues charge for electricity; A per-plug fee, even as high as $24 per cable. So the date and venue will help determine how much to charge vendors to rent a space at "our" convention. Also, will they bring their own tables or will BYC have to rent/provide them?

 

[eggcetra_farms]

Ok, I know there's some concern about posting emails here, but I thought this was important enough to put on here.
***********************
Jessica,

I was just contacted by the American Bantam Association and they have been approached by a person other than you concerning a potential “Chickenstock.” Who is the actual representative from your side that we should be talking to about this issue? Also, is your intent to contact several organizations and try and coordinate them? I assumed you were interested in dealing with the APA.

Dave Anderson
**********************
Now, I'm not sure what to say to Mr. Anderson. He's the only person I've contacted about this event, and as far as I know he was the first to be contacted. I just assumed that we were coordinating the Chickenstock with the APA. I don't know what to say. I thought the list of people contacted was all businesses (I just quickly scanned it). I need to let him know something soon.

Ok, upon reading this it sounds like I'm ticked off. I'm not, I just need to know what to say to him. Should I tell him there was a miscommunication and that, yes, we'd like to work with him? He's expressed plenty of interest.

 

[Buckguy20]

I definatly think we should tell him we will work with him. His group may be the most important piece of this puzzle.
Do you know who contacted the ABA. Was it someone from our group or was it someone promoting another chickenstock.
Monty

 

[eggcetra_farms]

I just assumed that 2mnypets had contact them, as she had sent out numerous emails. However, I don't reacall seeing them on her list of contacts, so....?????? I'm confused whether she did or not now.

 

[eggcetra_farms]

I couldn't make Mr. Anderson wait any longer, so I emailed him back. I told him that yes, we are very interested in working with the APA and that I was not aware that the ABA was contacted. I explained to him again what our goal is with Chickenstock (as in a chicken expo type event), and that I'm confident that our teaming with the APA would make such an event possible.

I hope he hasn't lost interest now. I told him that we were not looking for competition between different organizations and apologized for any confusion.

I'm still confused myself.

 

[Chickemee]

Well when its decided when the event is gonna take place, we can probibly get a discount price for the banners and t-shirts. She has her own graphics shop in Colorado.