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 month our spotlight shines on the 12th FINA/eSynchro World Junior Synchronised Swimming Championships.
What is the 12th FINA/eSynchro World Junior Synchronised Swimming Championships all about?
This year, from August 11th to 15th, Indianapolis will be the host to the 12th FINA/eSynchro World Junior Synchronised Swimming Championships. The event will be held in the IU Natatorium on the campus of IUPUI, and is anticipated to draw in more than 300 of the world’s most elite athletes from 30 different countries, along with their coaching staff, personnel, family and fans.
Since its inception in 1989, the internationally-sanctioned competition has featured both team and duet events, which are Olympic disciplines. The 2010 Championship will be the first to include the free combination event, which has been known in other championships as a fan-favorite, as it incorporates a variety of different routines into one four and a half minute program. Past hosts of the event include Montreal (Canada), Moscow (Russia), Bonn (Germany), and Salerno (Italy). This is the second time the US has been the site for this event.
What makes this a stand out event?
This event is the only female exclusive Olympic sport. Although often seen as a “mystery sport” to the general public, intrigue and interest surrounding the sport often leads to increased media exposure. The event is made up of athletes who are almost always articulate, attractive, and intelligent young women, who are active in their own communities and are very passionate about the sport even after they are no longer able to participate. Synchronized swimming is the Ultimate Team Sport, and the character of its participants shines though in this event.
This is truly a global event that has very inexpensive sponsorship opportunities available to get a partners name in front of an audience of very dedicated consumers. According to Jordan Dillion, Business Development Director for the event “If the global world isn’t your target, we have six national championships that happen domestically every year as well as general sponsorship opportunities of the Senior National Team that will compete in various international competitions, including the 2012 Olympics Games in London.”
Surviving Sponsorship in a Heated Economy
This event, like many others has seen some sponsorship changes in the last few years. According to Dillon, they have adjusted their efforts to work along with the goals of their partners and have noticed more sponsors offering “In-kind Value” as opposed to cash value. They’ve also worked harder to retain the sponsors they have had from past events. They have also turned to SponsorPark to gain additional exposure from those sponsors who are still actively seeking opportunities to support.
Preferred partners?
Being an exclusively female event, they seek partners who are targeting generally female client bases, or aquatics companies. The event does boast a strong community and teamwork based group of athletes so those partners who are looking for a strong moral connection to their product should definitely look into this event. More on the event can be seen at their SponsorPark listing, or you can become a Facebook fan as well as following them on Twitter.