A Plan that WILL work

[14-H]

At the APBA Annual Meeting, Richard Hearn (with some convincing), presented the APBA Board of Directors with a proposal to assist the Board in revolutionizing the way APBA does business by streamlining its office operations and "going digital" with regard to how APBA communicates with its members and those in the public who are interested in our sport. This plan would revamp entirely the APBA Website to bring all of the internet activity under the APBA umbrella and allow clubs and members to more easily promote the sport. At the conclusion of the presentation to the BOD, the Stock Outboard Promotional Chairman advised me that he would recommend that Stock scrap the promotional budget passed hours earlier in favor of using the funds towards this proposal.

Here is the short video Richard played to the BOD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFZ0z5Fm-Ng

[blueskyracer]

I am sorry but if you are going to network to the masses but your program (APBA boat racing) is not worth the time and money for a family then what good is it.

[HRTV]

At the APBA Annual Meeting, Richard Hearn (with some convincing), presented the APBA Board of Directors with a proposal to assist the Board in revolutionizing the way APBA does business by streamlining its office operations and "going digital" with regard to how APBA communicates with its members and those in the public who are interested in our sport. This plan would revamp entirely the APBA Website to bring all of the internet activity under the APBA umbrella and allow clubs and members to more easily promote the sport. At the conclusion of the presentation to the BOD, the Stock Outboard Promotional Chairman advised me that he would recommend that Stock scrap the promotional budget passed hours earlier in favor of using the funds towards this proposal.

Here is the short video Richard played to the BOD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFZ0z5Fm-Ng

Not sure I get your point? This is old outdated news; the numbers have probably tripled since this YouTube video was posted. The world is a different place today; you either get on-board or get left behind! APBA was left behind years ago and now they plan to catch up?

[Haüenstein]

I am sorry but if you are going to network to the masses but your program (APBA boat racing) is not worth the time and money for a family then what good is it.

Is this the official Hydroracer.net position?

[blueskyracer]

Is this the official Hydroracer.net position?

Nope just based on all the other posts made for the last two months on the doom and gloom of boat racing that we have to monitor on HR.

I will race with whom ever is still around till I can not move

[csh12M]

Spot on!

I am sorry but if you are going to network to the masses but your program (APBA boat racing) is not worth the time and money for a family then what good is it.

Spot on!

It is very exciting that APBA may move into the 20th century an update its market presence, visibility and back office process, but it is not the only answer. If the products "value proposition" is not in line with the new leads you are still stuck. It is up to the Categories to fix their products.

We cant stick our head in the sand and hope that APBA will finally fix it for us. What we can do is prepare, and make sure our classes (product) and "value proposition" (how much time can I race my product per the $ it cost me) are the best they can be.

One video on the importance of social media is not going to suddenly sell 50 Sidewinders to some untapped market.

Thanks,
Dean Sutherland
12M

[B Walker]

Ed,

Can the entire powerpoint presented to the board please be posted here?

There was alot more to it than inclusion of social networking to promote APBA.

I have been told it was very informative.

BW

[Haüenstein]

Nope just based on all the other posts made for the last two months on the doom and gloom of boat racing that we have to monitor on HR.

I will race with whom ever is still around till I can not move

Cool. I know Ed is the one who conflated the two issues (digitizing vs. race program/format) in the first place, but that's obfuscating things.

Even if a bit late, as Dan points out, and without hearing all the details yet, this process seems like a positive. I also believe the emotional value proposition of outboard racing is good enough that we should, you know, continue to promote our sport.

I have a question for Dean: If I back off, thereby prolonging my race, does that increase the value I extract from racing? : )

Mike H.

[csh12M]

Real World

Only if in doing so you allow the 12M to slide by than by all means please maximize your ROI!

Seriously though, real world example. MHRA Racer School just picked up a new family. Father, son and daughter all intend to racer. The boy and girl are 14 and 16 years old. They bought a good used A rig for $3,500, unfortunately, when they tried it in AXSH, they got smoked. Ok, no problem buy and add a Merc to the equation, another $3,500. BTW they dont interchange on boats very well due to transom height and setback. No problem buy another boat, $1,200 used. Dad wants to race and gets into a 20SSH and likes it, cool, $3,500 for his used rig. Trailer for three boats three engins, $700. Now we get to the safety equipment, brother/sister can share gear, $1,000, and another $1,000 for Dad. Add APBA membership for one year and we are at a whooping $13,000. What does this $13k buy you 15 minutes a piece to race each day. Yes, I know, family fun and togetherness and values ect. I get it, that does have a lot of "intangible value" but Cmon...really? How do I sell this.

Everyone needs to be part of a Racer School, and when the student looks at you and says I am in what do I race...you explain it. I am learning that hooking them is the easy part. Selling them on the cost and value for what they are getting, now that's a challenge. Maybe I am being a bit dramatic, but when this family asked me what to do/buy because they could not afford both kids rigs this year I had to ask them, which one does not mind finishing last. The Merc in A or the OMC in AXS.

No amount of APBA presence or Racer School elbow grease is going to fix that problem.

Thanks,
Dean Sutherland
12M

Cool. I know Ed is the one who conflated the two issues (digitizing vs. race program/format) in the first place, but that's obfuscating things.

Even if a bit late, as Dan points out, and without hearing all the details yet, this process seems like a positive. I also believe the emotional value proposition of outboard racing is good enough that we should, you know, continue to promote our sport.

I have a question for Dean: If I back off, thereby prolonging my race, does that increase the value I extract from racing? : )

Mike H.

[14-H]

*** apba was left behind years ago and now they plan to catch up?

yes!!!

[32dubya]

Do this again:

APBA Announces Plan for New Structure Aimed at the Growth of Power Boat Racing

Eastpointe, Michigan, October 5, 2000:

The American Powerboat Association (APBA), the sanctioning body for powerboat racing in the USA from outboards to offshore to unlimited hydroplanes, announced today a comprehensive restructuring plan. Named "APBA Plan 2000", it features paid professional motor sports management and increased involvement of the local regions and members.

"'APBA Plan 2000' is the result of years of discussions, a concentrated effort by the APBA Board over the last several months, and the input of many dedicated APBA members. The plan will allow APBA to function more like a business and provide improved region and member involvement. The plan will position APBA to take advantage of the growth and popularity of motor sports in the coming decades," commented APBA President Mike Jones.

"For much of it's rich 97-year history, APBA has been built on the dedicated efforts of volunteers coordinated by a headquarters and administrative staff. The new structure will position the Association to promote and grow the sport of power boat racing through a professional executive team," added Jones.

"APBA Plan 2000" was unanimously approved in concept by the APBA Board of Directors at its meeting in Seattle, Washington, September 29-30. The plan comes in the wake of new business partnerships of some of the Association's more visible categories of racing. Recently long-term lease arrangements were established with private business partners for the operation of the Association's Offshore and Unlimited Categories. "The lease arrangements provide a predictable revenue stream which gives APBA the ability to fund a paid motor sports executive and promotion team," said Senior VP Don Allen, Sr.

The new executive team will be comprised of a Chief Operating Officer and President, a Promotions Director, and three Competition Directors. An Executive Search Task Force headed by APBA Director Charles Strang has been formed and has begun seeking candidates for the Chief Operating Officer position. A Director for Life of APBA, Strang is also the National Commissioner for NASCAR. "Finding the right individual will be key to the success of the plan," commented Strang. "We are starting immediately and will leave no stone unturned in this effort to find the best qualified individuals to lead our Association."

"Three other task force groups have been formed. These task force groups are designed to work on transition issues, communication issues, and to focus membership input," announced Jones. "The Transition Task Force will be headed by APBA Sr. VP Don Allen, Sr., the Communications Task Force by APBA Director Fred Hauestein, Jr., and the Review Task Force, focusing membership input, by APBA Director Ernie Dawe."

"Prior to Board approval, 'APBA Plan 2000' was reviewed by Category Chairmen, Region Chairmen, and members of Council, in addition to the Board of Directors," commented APBA Senior VP Don Allen, who headed the committee that developed the plan. "We appreciate the valuable comments we received from all those who contributed."

President Mike Jones, summarizing the new plan said, "This is the beginning of a new chapter in APBA's long history. The world of motor sports has become increasingly competitive. Today there are many alternatives for sponsorship dollars, participants, and motor sports fans. Both the Board and I believe that implementing the plan will position APBA for a bright and successful future."

[HRTV]

yes!!!

That’s funny so how many years did it take them to finally decide we better do something before it’s too late. So now as we come out of the worst recession most of use have ever seen, cities and states are still running so far in the red and cutting cost at every corner APBA is going to turn things around.

Good luck with that :-)

[Big Don]

Dan are you saying because we didn't do it before we shouldn't do it now?????

[B Walker]

Using social media to promote APBA is a step in the right direction. It is effective, efficient, and relevant.

Better late than never.

BW

[14-H]

APBA Announces Plan for New Structure Aimed at the Growth of Power Boat Racing

Eastpointe, Michigan, October 5, 2000:

The American Powerboat Association (APBA), the sanctioning body for powerboat racing in the USA from outboards to offshore to unlimited hydroplanes, announced today a comprehensive restructuring plan. Named "APBA Plan 2000", ***."

32: this is NOT a Plan 2000 nor a SEA-TAC proposal! The members are still going to own the company and run the show.