Subject: RE: "Sponsorship" opportunity You DON'T necessarily have to wear it .... there is an honor type system usually with sponsors unless you sign an agreement (which usually involves financial sponsorship, not just product support ). But usually you will wear it out of courtesy and to help promote the company that assisted you.
Comet, it's not a high horse, it comes from someone who for a few years DID have to negotiate sponsorship deals with company reps. and the companies themselves for a team that I created and was captain of. It's experience, not one-upmanship. It would be the same as when I give someone advice on running or cycling. It's not something I pulled out of my azz and being elitist, it is 18 years of real-world exeperience, take it or leave it as one sees fit. But one should not presume to make a well-educated comment on it if they have never been on the other side of it. I cannot presume to tell anyone what an IM feels like as I've never done one, and so I don't.
I proudly wear my BT trisuit (and paid full price for it ) because, like you, it is a community I strongly support and want to see grow in the best possible way. And assuming I get my ICF slot I'll proudly be wearing my "Team Ironman" colors at IMFL next year because I raised money to support my quest and to give something back to the community (whereas some others just used it as a way to get into the race - not that there's anything wrong with that ).
I do see this as a "sponsorship" opportunity knowing how the system works. I'm not a top 5 AGer (yet ) in tris and can't go on a cold call to get free stuff from a company even if I still have some connections in the bike industry. So I'll take what I can get with what's available. As I said, I'm using their product anyways. |