Sponsor requests

[ThePrez]

So, I have finally finished our Press Packet Masterpiece.  Now, I would like to hear some companies that you would like for me to send it off to.  This goes for companies that could become financial sponsors, or just companies that you would like to get some sweet deals from.  Get creative and let me know, this is everyone's team.  Thanks,
                                  Blake

[Anthony]

So, I have finally finished our Press Packet Masterpiece.  Now, I would like to hear some companies that you would like for me to send it off to.  This goes for companies that could become financial sponsors, or just companies that you would like to get some sweet deals from.  Get creative and let me know, this is everyone's team.  Thanks,
                                  Blake

Playboy

[dannynguyen]

Dude.  playboy bunny logo on the back of our jersey.  awesome

[cyclingmo]

Then we shall be true "players". YES!

[ThePrez]

ok ok, come one.  Help or I am going to go after only sponsors that I want.  Or better yet, I will get Playgirl to sponsor us just to piss you off.

[FitAlex]

Polar

[ThePrez]

Good one, thanks Alex.  I will send out an email to the rep tonight, I already know her.

[FitAlex]

What about Cliff or PowerBar?

I don't know which you guys prefer. I like Cliff bars, myself, because they're made with healthier ingredients and they don't melt in hot weather like PowerBars. They also taste better, in my opinion.

Another food company you could contact is CytoSport. They make Cytomax, which is an excelent sports drink.

[asinus]

in addition, you guys should check out other food suppliers, like HEB or Whole Foods.  i know HEB sponsors many health-oriented events, like 5k races and marathons.  and plus you can't live on energy bars alone.  bananas, muffins (jumbo!), cookies, fig newtons, etc. are great alternative energy foods, especially early in the morning before a race.  also see if you strike up some sort of deal wherein you specify which products would be of most use to the club, instead of them just giving you random foodstuffs.

you may also want to check out  a local bakery shop.  they usually get rid of the bread they don't sell that day, so instead of them throwing it out, you can take their fancy-style breads, often times you'll get the  delicious pastries they don't sell.  some bakeries even donate their day-olds to charities or churches, so it should be easy to ask for it.

for bike equipment, ritchey has great sponsor deals inwhich you can order stuff at cost

what about UH alumni?  is there a some sort of alumni fund you get money from?

that's all i got.

[cyclingmo]

I remember the MSU Jerseys had the hotter n' hell 100 as one of their sponsors because the event takes place at wichita falls. Could we do a similar thing with MS150 or is MS150 a charity ride while the hell 100 is a non-charity ride?

[ThePrez]

Clif Bar actually came to us already, but I have turned them down.  They wanted way too much from us for what they were willing to shell out.  I am going to contact powerbar as soon as I get their reps name for our area.  The harvest bars are kind of the favorite for at least danny jason and I, so that would be a plus. I am already talking with Polar about getting pro-deals for us.  I will let ya'll know how it goes.  Also, I doubt we could get on with the ms150, but that wouldn't keep us from making our own ride some day.  Keep the ideas coming.
 -Blake 

[cyclingmo]

Hey, we're ligit now. Lets go after the big guys.
We can talk to gatorade and powerade beside cytosport. We can go after Nike and pearl Izumi. We can even have deals with motels where we'll also get a special discount when we go away for Races. We can even go and talk to banks and hospitals like memorial herman (promising them we'll go there if we get sick, haha). I guess i'm just saying lets think big and big things will happen. How about the BMW sign on the back of our jerseys (or the front)?

[cyclingmo]

Forgot to add: Subaru

[ThePrez]

Car companies: no, Car dealerships: yes
if anyone knows some one that owns a dealership, please let me know

[DBackXR4]

Subaru is a good choice.  They offer discounts on cars to IMBA members.  Of course, thing is, with car dealerships, you are dealilng with individual "owners" and each has his idea of what "charity" organization should receive thier attention and money.

Scratch HEB.  HEB does alot of local neighborhood charity and support.  Mostly limited dollar amounts.  To get them to do a team, youwould have to go through corporate headquarters.  UH doesn't offer enough return to them to have them sponsor our team.

The best bet would be to research Mom & Pop corporations in Houston (and immediate area) that are strong enough, civic minded and Houston based.  They would have an interest in sponsoring a Houston Team and University. 

So look for Houston-based business, moderate size, but large enough to afford the expense of sponsorship.  That is how we got Bike Barn.  They are Houston-based and it benefits them to sponsor a Houston University and Team.

Coby