Jason --

I do agree that we have been lax in publicizing the boat and our season. I case in point is the last latitude, it mentioned the express class in its one-design coverage, but did not feature the class with the typical head-shott of the winner, etc.

We do need to do more of that... As Poobah, I should have probably been contacting latitude every month to feed them some stuff. I will sign up to do more of that.... but, I rather like the tradition that we used to have, where the winner of a regatta had to put together a writeup of the conquest... that was a good policy.

I think we should put some teeth into it -- the winner fails to post a story within one week of the victory his season scoring gets dinged one place :-). Rules and traditions without some kind of enforcement mechanism don't last long....

Mark

:: Jason:
::
:: Seems like if you want to increase participation you
:: need a publicity champion. Someone needs to write up the
:: results of every event (social portion
:: included/featured) and send them out to publications
:: targeting the region you want to grow. I just finished
:: reading an article in 'Sail' magazine that was written
:: by Kimball Livingston that featured Moore 24s.
::
:: The things that make a class popular are:
::
:: 1) A boat is fun to sail. (Slam dunk with the Express!)
::
:: 2) Affordability. I think we're covered here.
::
:: 3) An active, fun class. I think this is likely where
:: the Moore 24s have excelled. It's a perception that's
:: fueled by information. Hence the need for a tireless
:: publicist. People need to KNOW they're missing out on
:: great times on a fun, affordable boat, and there's no
:: way to do that other than press. It's a never ending
:: job, but it's the only thing the works.
::
:: ::
:: :: I am looking to move off the weight issue and see if
:: :: anyone has any other suggestions to increase
:: :: participation.
:: ::
:: :: Anyone????