As a way to draw increased awareness and attention to some of the standup sponsorship opportunities on our site, we have decided to set apart one blog per month to put the “Spotlight on Sponsorship”! If you have a premium level listing on SponsorPark, and would like to have your event featured, please contact Stephanie.Lochmiller@SponsorPark.com to submit your event. This week our event focus is the Mike Ditka Resorts Celebrity Golf Outing
Mike Ditka Resorts will be hosting their 2nd Annual Mike Ditka Resorts Celebrity Golf Outing on April 16th–18th, 2010 with all proceeds benefiting the Gridiron Greats Foundation. Mike Ditka, is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for 3 years.
The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) corporation, established to provide financial assistance and coordinate social services to dire need retired NFL players who are pioneers of the game and have greatly contributed to the NFL's status as the most popular sport in America.
Surviving Sponsorship in a Heated Economy
Over the past year, the celebrity golf outing has had to make a few adjustments to survive the heated competition a down economy has brought their way. With people giving less, or not at all, they’ve implemented successful twitter and other social media campaigns focused on driving donations, and registrations, and have turned to sites like SponsorPark to help draw in additional sponsors at little to no cost. “With the tough economy we have turned to using sites like SponsorPark to increase traffic to our proposal. The simplicity and user friendly approach SponsorPark takes, has made the process that much easier for us to secure sponsorship” said Webster.
The event is annual and they look forward to growing their attendance numbers over the next few years. For more information check out their listing.
What Makes this a Stand Out Event?
According to Chandra Webster, Event Director for the outing, “Our event is unique and different as far as a golf outing is concerned, as it’s not just a golf outing, but it is a weekend filled with great hospitality, benefits a great cause and of course of great people. It’s got something for everyone, from sports minded, to spa minded to cause minded patrons!”
Event Overview
The event kicks off in Kissimmee Florida, Friday night with a welcome reception from 7-10 p.m. featuring cocktails and hors d’oeuvres for guests to enjoy and a chance to mingle with Coach Ditka himself.
The celebrity golf outing will begin Saturday morning with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. at the top rated Mystic Dunes Golf Club in Celebration, Florida. Those choosing not to participate in the celebrity golf outing will have the option to partake in one of the luxury in-house spa services that will be provided or just relax at one of the two spacious pools at the beautiful Mike Ditka Resorts- Runaway Beach Club in Florida.
Following the celebrity golf outing and luxury spa services, guests will be invited to join their favorite celebrities for a night of fun which includes cocktails and hors d' oeuvres, live entertainment, as well as a silent and live auction. Mike Ditka will also be hosting an awards ceremony honoring the day’s best golfers as well as the event’s top contributors and sponsors to the Gridiron Greats Foundation.
The amazing weekend will wrap up Sunday morning with a farewell brunch from 8 - 11 a.m. Sponsorship packages range in price and can be found on their SponsorPark listing.