I really like this idea, especially if it's set somewhere central so it's easy access for everyone. I also wouldn't mind an entry fee, especially if a ticket number doubled as a "star prize" raffle ticket, (and the star prize doesn't have to be massive its the chance to win something we all like)
If I can offer a suggestion on the structure for consideration, Bully has said that the event would be for
all paintballers, could we open it up further. I work in HR and every year there are events like this organised, they basically split into 2 parts, the paid event and the free event. Paid delegates get into all the special talks, have an exclusive area and usually have paid for the 2 days; free delegates get to walk around the vendor stands and chat and purchase and get to see the event but not all of it. Sometimes the vendors put on a demonstration or something that they can watch or a talk from someone but the point is they don't get to see the whole event unless they upgrade their ticket, (if allowed at the event) or they pay entry to the talk etc they want to go into and that is usually more on the day that it would have been pre-booked. But if you hook them with the freebies then you can get them into the rest of the event (exclusive evening dinner-dance perchance
)
Would this work here? Surely one of the good things about a national event is the publicity, somewhere like the Trentham Gardens site mentioned earlier would probably know who in the local media might cover the event and even if it doesn't make it onto local TV it might hit local radio and if part of the fee we paid put an ad in the local paper advertising the event you might just get a few people coming along to see what it's all about, hell they might just buy something from a vendor or sign up for info on local sites; if nothing else it would raise the profile of paintball.
I know this would complicate things with event liaison, security, insurance etc etc, but it could be an extra source of revenue for the event (car parking, catering etc) allowing it to be even better.
Feel free to tell me its running before walking but I though it better to contribute than sl@g off