I feel that your responses are gonna differ from who's perspective you are getting. Parents, coaches and cheerleaders all expect something different from a competition and to satisfy every single request is quite the challenge.
From a cheerleader's point-of-veiw:
-I like the big productions. Lighting, sound, everything. It makes it feel special. My favorite competition ever? U.S. Finals, strictly because of the stage effects. It just makes the competition memorable for me and my team. (And memorable keeps them coming back.) Epic music is really cool to walk out to, too. But don't play the same song over and over until it's perminantly stuck in my head forever and when I watch Pirates of the Caribbean, I know what song I walked out to. Anyone who's ever been to U.S. Finals will recognize this (0:26-0:52):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiHLMHHbemM
-I'm gonna be honest, I really do like getting well thought out competitor gifts. I think COA has done a spectacular job with this, they are, in my opinion, the best company for spectator gifts. Not once have I ever gotten a repeat gift two years in a row. I LOVED the COA flip-flops (I stole my brother's that year, I know, I'm a terrible sister... But I just couldn't get over how comfy and lightweight they were). I also STILL use the black drawstring participant bag I got like 7 years ago. (The one that has all the logos from the different competitions in a circle.) I have used it ever since I got it to carry my shoes and stuff to every single practice. I'm surprised that it has held up over the years. So, the point is, as far as spectator gifts go, make them useful and unique. I can't tell you how many duplicates of Jamfest disposable cameras or CD caeses I have, neither of them I need since no one carrys CD's around (except cheer coaches) and everyone has digital cameras and they have camera's on their phone. And to the Texan who didn't have the chance to ever use their COA winter gear, I'm sorry. But as a New Yorker, I enjoyed tem very, VERY much! (and still do!)
-Arena food if you can help it (sometimes you can't, I get that! All depends on the arena.) I'd love to see healthier AND cheaper options as far as food and drinks go. If it's possible bring in vendors who offer both those things (it's cool to bring in vendors with fruit, but I don't want to buy an apple for $3 thats bruised and looks disgusting, thanks.)
-I agree with the not restricting photgrphy thing but I also understand that the picture and video companies are there to make money, too.
-Because I am/was an avid cheerleader both on the mat and off, I like when competitions have judges that make those recordings. Score sheets are gonna say the same thing over and over and over but its different when I actually hear someone tell me them whose not my coach. It gives it a personal touch. I also like the play back of our performance. I can see how we did and what I can expect at awards. (Parents, unless very educated, don't know what the judges are looking for so you don't get a real sense of how you did.)
-My brother would tell you to add things for guys at the vendors. I never really got anything at the vendors anyways but I like patches, something cheap that I can collect. I don't need a thousand and one
more event t-shirts. They always cost too much anyways.
-Medals or something for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. We work hard all season. It's nice to get a medal or ribbon to commemorate what we have achieved. Also, don't shower first place teams with banners, jackets, medals, trophies, and minature ponies and then give second place a stupid ribbon. Especially if you're putting on a big name nationals where people pay a lot of money to not only compete but travel to so they ca attend your event. coughcoughU.S.Finals2010.
From a spectator's point-of-view:
-Fair admission. Especially since I am a college kid, my money is limited. I don't want to pay $25 to go to a competition thats in an arena, there's nothing special done to the stage and I'm only gonna be there for 4 hours because only 4 organizations brought teams. The most I am willing to pay is $50 for a two day, spectacular competition that has high calibur teams. e.g. something like SpiritFest in CT where they have it in a really nice casino.
-ON TIME. ON TME. ON TIME. Seriously, it's my biggest pet peeve. Especially if its on a Sunday, I have school the next day and I still have to travel 4-5 hours to get home.
-Don't make performance orders like $7. Unless they have coupons to the $3 fruit vendor for me.
-Entertaining MC's. Get someone who knows what they are doing. Someone who knows how to pronounce the teams name, where they are from, and knows how to read the sheet at awards so Craptastic All Stars isn't announced in 1st when they actually got 5th. Also, I like someone who knows how to use a microphone, otherwise all I hear is mumble, mumble, mumlbe all competiton.
-Move the teams along. I'm not saying I want something equivilant to rapid-fire performances but we don't need 5 minutes in between teams. Take time for the judges to finish what they are doing and get ready for the next team but i don't need to hear "Party in the USA" TWICE between teams. (When you are actually competeing, even a 30 second wait is AGONIZING!)
That' pretty much it for now, my hand is tired. I must say, COA is one of my all time favorite competition companies. You guys do a great job every year! Good luck this year! I'm glad you made this thread! It shows you're really there for your customers :) And sorry for the novel.
