Celebration CEO expects decline in sponsorships

Wednesday, April 1, 2009
By Mary Reeves

Doyle Meadows

Across the country -- across the globe -- it's the same. From nonprofit groups to super sports franchises, everyone is feeling the crunch as corporate sponsorship declines. In The New York Times, it was reported that the LPGA Tour is dropping four tournaments because three title sponsors dropped out, and the PGA Tour will lose three title sponsors but no events. NASCAR teams, such as Richard Petty's, have merged with others because sponsorships have dried up. Honda ended its Formula One sponsorship.

So how does that affect Bedford County?

The Celebration.

Corporate sponsorship is a major source of funding for the organization, and hard times ahead for the corporations could mean hard times ahead for the world's biggest horse show. But Doyle Meadows, CEO of the Celebration, doesn't think so.

"I anticipate a reduction in corporate sponsorship," he said, "but many of the people from this community, as well as surrounding areas, believe in the walking horse program and The Celebration and will continue to sponsor. In many of these cases, it's a personal decision. They love the industry and they justify sponsorship on a personal level, if not on a business level."

He said the box seat sales for this year's Spring Fun Show, scheduled for May 21-23, are actually well ahead of the sales this time last year.

Meadows said there is no way of knowing how the Celebration sponsorships will turn out until July.

"Connie (Nixon) is putting the corporate sponsorship packages together right now and sending them out," he said. "We won't know until July 1."

Meadows decided last year to be proactive.

"We started that before the economy got so bad,' he said. "We've been very proactive, cutting the budget and looking at all aspects."

Some of those previous cuts included jobs, when several grounds workers and public relations director Chip Walters were let go.

"We had to tighten our belt and be especially streamlined so we can withstand the revenue reduction," said Meadows.

Corporate perks

The Celebration offers sponsorships between $6,500 and $250,000. Some of the perks include, among other things: A box of six seats for the Celebration and/or seating for all events in Calsonic Arena; use of stadium four-color electronic message center; listing of five illuminated sponsor signs; VIP Parking.

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Expects?!!! Oh I don't know. Companies loosing $$$ right and left? This ia "duh" moment..... of course sponsership will be down. It's down for everyone.

-- Posted by sameoldstory on Thu, Apr 2, 2009, at 1:25 PM