Hi Again.
Your ideas are great and you will find that everyone involved will thoroughly enjoy the experience.
Please find following general info (Ive also sent this to lyle)
Please pass the word on the more the merrier.
If you are interested in setting up an event I will try to go through
the
steps I had to take. (please forgive me if they appear a little
simplistic
but it would obviously be much easier to describe the process face to
face
as it were).
I will try to put it in sort of order (it can be quite a juggling act).
1). Contact martial arts groups (I have about 12 seperate arts who take
part
- I'll try to send a sample of the programme I designed to give you
some
ideas).
2). Set provisional date to suit everyone (make sure it does not clash
with
for example a major sporting event or anything which would keep the
crowds
away).
3). Contact a suitable venue, (make sure it has all necessary
legal/insurance cover - also check on your and the other participating
arts
insurance requirements. (Public liability insurance is necessary in the
UK,
it has cost me approx $600/day in the past for to insure myself in case
the
audience has an accident - but the venue may have that cover. This
last
year I managed to directly involve the charity (Cancer Research UK)
and
organised it under their insurance which saved this expense and all
monies
minus the venue hire costs went to the charity).
4). Publicity. Very important to give at least 6 weeks advanced
publicity,
and don't be shy, its taken me 4 years to be pushy and contact the
TV,radio,newspapers, magazines etc even try to enlist the help/name/
reputation etc of any celebrities you can think of (they will enjoy the
publicity also). You can even use me and my 'challenge' to the martial
arts
world to publicise the 'link' between between the martial arts 'family'
initially in america and the uk (If you know any contacts anywhere else
please pass this idea on, if we can get events like this all over the
world
can you imagine the potential for good)!!! Would CNN or another major
broadcaster be interested? they could contact the BBC in this country?
Can
you imagine the potential. A worldwide martial arts challenge to bring
the
world a little hope.
This may sound a little like 'pie in the sky' thinking but?
5). Involve all members of the participating arts/clubs/groups. the
youngsters really enjoy these events and it boosts their confidence,
pride
in their art/group, teamwork, respect/self respect and awareness of
positive
activities to help others they can become involved with.
6). Sponsors. approach everyone you can think of! They can use the
event
for publicity (you can even hire out advertising).
7). On a serious note, watch out for hijackers - some people may get
involved for their own ends either to promote their own ego's/style/art
(which is ok if it is done properly - but?) or try to make finacial
capital
out of the event etc. you can usualy see them coming!
Hope this is some initial use -have to go now -lunch over.
Please email me and I can try to answer any questions and send you
examples
of posters/programs etc when I can get them converted into a compatible
format for you.
cheers
peter