Hey, I'm all for this. I've got an excess of time on my hands and a paucity of ca$h, so I'd make the perfect sponsor-ee

JD

lisamcgu, I just came back from another day of "work" and I am speechless (as well as a little embarassed). I don't think I will ever be able to live up to those words, but I can guarantee that the next round is on me the next time I pass by HB

Uh, isn't this pretty much what we already do? But hey, sounds fun to me. I'll join in the party.

Edited to add, we do get miles and it is in biz or first class, right?


[This message has been edited by stimpy (edited 08-10-2002).]

Humph! Sounds like what I do for a living lately. It'd be a busman's holiday.

I think stimpy and essxjay would make a great team!

But whatever FlyerTalkers do participate, if you get to Germany, particularly the southern part, drop me an e-mail. (I'm assuming that Internet access is allowed, or even encouraged. If not, and you're in Munich, just drop by the Hofbr�uhaus - I'll be the one with a beer. )

Seriously, though, along the lines Dudemon suggests, it might be appropriate to establish an aid network for "our" participant.

[This message has been edited by Counsellor (edited 08-11-2002).]

It wouldn't be fair to let flyertalk have a team...IT WOULD BE NO COMPETITION...We would win hands down.

Count me in!!

I'd do it. I've got 6 months off starting Oct 1st. What do you say Empress, you into it?

YGM...count me in.

Some updated info on the event:

- FF miles can be earned on some of the long haul flights; hotel points are earnable as well
- Since the flights won't be announced until day or two before departure, your chances for upgrading will be tough, but doable if you have status with the carrier.
- Announced First prize is $50K in cash and prizes; realistically $30K will be cash, the other $20K in prizes. So, figure $15K per team member.
- Actual cost is $10K if you want to compete for Prizes; $8K if you just want to do it for fun. Figure another $2k in non-included expenses (visas, customs, immunizations, approx. 50% meals,travel prep/equipment/clothing, etc.)
- approx. 50% of the $10K cost will be tax deductible

I would like to float this trial balloon regarding an 'incentive' approach to sponsor recruitment:

20 units of $600 required= $12K

- each unit would be eligible for a drawing of 8 United SWUs (chances of winning 1:2.5)

- each unit would be returned $750 if I finish First; $500 if I finish second; $250 if I finish 3rd...it is at your discretion if you want to donate any or all of your proceeds back to event charity.

- Here's the rudimentary math:
- $600 unit gross commitment
- $300 is tax deductible; if you are in the 35% tax bracket= $100 write off
- UA SWU valued at approx. $300

$600 gross unit cost
-$100 write-off
-$300 SWU winning drawing

$200 adjusted unit cost

So, sponsors would get upfront benefit (40% chance of winning SWU drawing) plus backend refunds if our team performs well.

I trust that this strategy allows for sponsors to enjoy more tangible benefits for their effort and risk.

Look forward to appropriate feedback.



[This message has been edited by beaubo (edited 08-14-2002).]

I think beaubo would have been the guy to figure out how to turn a profit (no pun intended) at The Last Supper!

You go, bobo!

Certainly seems a better investment risk than buying United stock right now!

I don't get this bit...

ScottC-

GreatEscape2002 is meant to raise money for charity, so part (about 50%) of the registration fee is earmarked as such; the other 50% is to pay for travel-related expenses, which is not tax-deductible.

I'm not a lawyer or accountant, rather I'm giving you the info as best as I can relay it from the source.

PremEx- Since there are likely a number of FTers who might be interested in being 'sponsored', I figured that I might as well determine if there is a way to get a competitive edge in raising $$....which should be proof to prospective sponsors that I can be equally competitive on 'their dime' during the GreatEscape2002 event!

Beaubo, thanks for the explanation.

Glad to see this back in the buzz of FlyerTalkers. Here's the deal. I'm willing to put up $10,000 to get this going to create a two-person team representing FlyerTalk. Among the manynames suggested to me in addition to those volunteers are chexfan, PremEx, Vulcan, QuantumLeap, and Burkey.

I'm thinking of running this pastthe Talkboard on input of how to choose the Team FlyerTalk and also how to rasie the matching $10,000 which I don't think will be all that difficult even with the plan by beaubo though I'm willing to kickoff the fundraising of the other money by donating another $100.

While I'd jump at this in a second I'm very comfortable knowing that some of the best travelers in the world are on FlyerTalk and will put my support behind the team. There is little doubt of the ways we could leverage the knowledge this board has to finish well.

I would love to see thread stay active with support, comments and the formation of a real committee to put this all together. It's fun we can actually all share in..

Again, I'm in for $10,000 corporate sponsorship and another $100 in personal contribution toward funding Team FlyerTalk. We need team leaders and a rational and fair way to select the team.

I would be unable to be an actual flight participant.

Randy,

How about this idea for team selection? Using a two-tiered selection process:

1. Prospective candidates would list their qualifications, in a format similar to that posted by MikeFly, which would be a bit more detailed with respect to the information, of course. Example: Which languages do you speak fluently? Which countries have you visited?

This information would be listed on a Candidate Selection Form, that the TalkBoard could develop.

2. If this is the 2nd Annual Event, then there must be a synopsis of the first event accessible from somewhere. It should be obtained in order that a quiz could be created from it which would test the candidates on different scenarios related to the competition. Added to the quiz would be other questions such as, "Who among the FlyerTalkers would you contact if you needed assistance with this particular problem?"

The TalkBoard could devise and/or administer the quiz.

Input on the Candidate Selection Form and the quiz could be forwarded to the TalkBoard by people not wishing to participate in the event, but interested in helping with this process.

This proposed process would assure that the two most capable people would be fairly selected for the event.

Finally, several people would be needed to set up the Support Team. They would gather contact names and numbers of FlyerTalkers around the world interested in being on the Support Team that would help the participants solve the logistical problems and game questions in the real-time game conditions.

Just an idea. Hopefully you can use some of these concepts, if not all of them.

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The perfect ladies' man is a perfect gentleman.