GOPHER STATE RACERS’ SPORT PROMOTION BLITZ

By Deone Roberts, AU Sport Development

The American Racing Pigeon Union has been conducting zone meetings for nearly a year in an effort to improve communication between the national headquarters and members. Seeing and hearing the information is sometimes helpful in gaining an understanding of what is available through the national office for the members.

It was at the Plains Zone Meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, December 2005, that Mark Spurgeon became aware of the materials and assistance available for promotion of the sport through the AU. He, and the Gopher State Racers, determined that they would pull out all the stops to getting the racing pigeon sport in front of more people.

A local fair provided a quick start to club promotion plans. The AU provided promotional flyers, AU publications and other informational literature to hand out, and the AU display. The AU also generated press advisories to local media. With the display and materials on hand, members of the Gopher State Racers manned a booth for six days during the fair. An estimated 300,000 visited the fair, a terrific number of people with which to share the sport!

Club members enjoyed sharing information with folks that stopped by the booth. Many expressed serious interest. As a result, one person has already started his loft and intends to begin racing; another person is making preparations to participate; another is keeping in touch with members and yet another would like his children to get involved in the sport.

An additional noticeable benefit from their efforts, Gopher State Racers members have seen a huge increase in hits on their club web site following the fair.

Since Mark caught the attention of a local cable television producer, he will also appear on the Owatonna Today Show to present more information about the birds and the sport.

The club will work toward keeping information in front of the public, following the television show. Options considered are approaching the area newspaper for an article and placing an ad in the paper to draw further interest. The club also plans to host a get together to help the prospective members get better acquainted.

This is a great beginning at getting in front of more people to increase interest for both membership and understanding of the sport. The GSR members that manned the booth: Mark Spurgeon, Allan & Carol Spurgeon, Vince Spurgeon, Rett & Sandy Finch, Chuck & Elaine Stensrud, Terry Miller, Dave Gehrke, and Jody & Joel Jandt, can be proud of these initial steps in promotion of their hobby.