2014 Midwest Launch Overview

2014 Midwest Launch Overview
Fishing Tournament Sponsorships
• Bass Pro Shops and NITRO sponsor some of the best
known trails in the country
– Currently Sponsor:
• NATIONAL: B.A.S.S. Elite, B.A.S.S. Opens
• REGIONAL: Oakley Big Bass Tour, USA Bassin’, WON Bass, B.A.I.T.
• DEALER: NITRO Big Bucks Trail (Sylacauga Marine), Renegade Trail
(Renegade Marine)
• Expansion using the traditional sponsorship model
requires a significant incremental investment
– Traditional sponsorship promotes additional brands along
with our own
– While our sponsorships are extensive, they cover less than
40% of our potential market, and are not scalable
Fishing Tournament Sponsors
(cont.)
• Research suggests that sponsored
tournaments helps drive business
– Dealer-Trail interaction increases
– RSM-Dealer interaction and support increases
– Anglers from sponsored trails buy our boats and
merchandise
New Tournament
Sponsorship Concept
• Create a National Bass Pro Shops branded
fishing tour focused solely on our brand.
– Sanction existing local team tournaments as
qualifying events (similar to FedEx cup in golf).
– Teams earn points based on their performance in
sanctioned tournaments.
– Top 150 Teams qualify for Regional Championship
How Does it Work
– Teams must be amateur anglers and be Outdoor Rewards
members.
– Teams pay a $20 membership fee per person to join the
program – includes BPS Fishing Tour hat and decals
– Teams fish the sanctioned tournament as normal paying
the required tournament entry fee.
– Teams earn points based on their performance. First place
1 point, 2nd place 2 pts. Etc.
– Teams may fish as many sanctioned events as they want
but only their best 5 finishes count towards Regional
Championship qualification.
– Top 150 Teams qualify for Regional Championship
Canada Test Launch
• Launched in June 2013
• Over 50 Teams Participated
• Sanctioned events provided by Competitive
Sport Fishing League
• Teams competed for a spot in year-end
Championship at Lake Simcoe
• Fishing Tour Anglers spend twice as much as
the average Canadian Angler
Tour Launch Timeline
• 2014 Midwest Region Fishing Tour
• States included:
– Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas
• Expand in 2015 to 4 regions with Regional
Championships
• National Championship in spring 2016
comprised of Regional Top Finishers
Midwest Participating Locations
•
Arkansas
– Bass Pro Shops Little Rock
– Bradford Marine (3 Locations)
– Whit’s Marine
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Missouri
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Bass Pro Shops Springfield
Bass Pro Shops Branson
Bass Pro Shops Columbia
Bass Pro Shops Independence
Bass Pro Shops St. Louis
Pros Choice Marine
Oklahoma
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Bass Pro Shops Oklahoma City
Bass Pro Shops Broken Arrow
Jimmy Houston Marine
Sundown Marine
Boat House Marine
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Texas
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TMBC Ft. Worth
Bass Pro Shops Dallas
Bass Pro Shops Garland
Bass Pro Shops Harlingen
Bass Pro Shops Katy
Bass Pro Shops Pearland
Bass Pro Shops San Antonio
TMBC New Braunfels
TMBC Midland
TMBC Abilene
TMBC Austin
TMBC Beaumont
TMBC North Houston
TMBC Longview
Waypoint Marine
Dusty Rhoades Marine
Trail Selection
• Stores should assign a “Captain” who is
passionate about tournament fishing, and knows
the trails!
– Example: Marine GSM, Fishing GSM, Service Manager,
Sales Associate
• How Many:
– 2-3 trails per Bass Pro or Independent Dealer
– Store or dealer selects up to 20 sanctioned events
– Trail should have a history of a minimum of 25 boats
per event
Trail Selection (cont.)
• Quality:
– A professionally run tournament trail is important
as their trail will be associated with the Bass Pro
Shops brand
– Tournament director should be well respected
with a good reputation
– Tournament trail must have a history of fish care
with quality fish tanks, oxygenation and preferably
a live release boat if possible
Trail Selection (cont.)
• Promotion:
– Tournament trail must have an active website with
timely updates.
– Tournament trail must be willing to promote the
Bass Pro Fishing Tour on their website
– Tournament director should host tournament
registration at store locations whenever possible
Benefits for a Trail
• Opportunity to be associated with the number
one retailer in the fishing industry
• Association with BPS will increase trail
participation
• Trail will be promoted in Bass Pro Shops
marketing materials
• Tournament officials will receive 25% discount
cards on Bass Pro Shops branded items and
preferential pricing on TMG boats
Event Support/Promotion
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Mailers
Signage within all participating locations
Fully Functioning Fishing Tour Website
Social Media Support
Email Support
Fishing Tour Website
POP Materials
Tournament Director Sheet
Next Steps
• Stores recruit tournament trails to participate
as sanctioned trails. Tournament Trail Kit to
be provided.
• Bass Pro Fishing Tour website launched
• POP kits sent out to begin promotion of the
Tour
• Anglers begin registration on website