The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge
This method of event management is what Aaron brings to the Cycle Challenge.During February and March Aaron joined the current Cycle Challenge Management Team and Board in a number of planning sessions that were held to scope out the look and feel of the Cycle Challenge going forward into the next several years.
This year the Cycle Challenge turns 40 and it was time for Cycle Challenge to look to the future.
Thanks to funding from central government for overseas marketing, infrastructure such as the Website have been targeted for an upgrading. [Go to: cyclechallenge.com for more]
With a fresh set of eyes Aaron is bringing an outsider’s view to the event. This has resulted in the Board approving a number of changes. The relays, previously an integral part of the event were dropped as the numbers of participants could not justify the financial cost. Instead the em-phasis has been moved to a more “Team Based” participation philosophy which allows all riders to cross the finish line in Taupo. The 160km ‘Round the Lake’ continues, the recently introduced ‘Half the Lake’ [80km] from Kurutau will also continue and a new 40 km leg from the Motuapa area has been introduced. The 15km Lakesider, Heart Kids ride, Mountain Bike sections and Enduro events will all continue as before.
Along with a modest increase in the entry fee, discounts for early entry, family groups, sports clubs and corporate groups have also been introduced. To date there has been minimal re-sistance to both the price increase and event changes with entries up 17% and revenue up 16% compared to the same period last year.
With the changes implemented and a strong cost control focus this years event will still return a reasonable surplus.
The Mountain Bike section of the event will have a new start point. Rather than starting on Tongariro Street the riders will now start on the North Domain behind the stage area. They will then head across Redoubt Street, do a circuit of the amphitheatre and cross the main road over the Cycle Challenge bridge before continuing on the rest of the course. This change has been made to enhance the safety of participants.
Aaron then answered some questions...
Q, With the changes to the event like the removal of the relays what impact is that having on the Volunteer Groups that have worked in the event?
A. All the volunteer groups that have previously been involved in the event have been contacted and made aware of the changes. As of today all of these groups have expressed a willingness to continue with the event even if the role for that group may have changed.
Q. How will you deal with the time pressures as we get nearer to the event and continue with running your company—the previous Event Manager worked full time in the three months leading up to the event.?
A. I will continue overseeing the policy and management processes as we get nearer to the event and another member of the Total Sport Team will take on the “hands on” Event Manager role. This is part of the agreed structure with the Board.
Q. What other changes have occurred in the Event Team?
A. Jenny, Hayden and Arthur remain in their current roles and we have introduced Debbie Chambers [also recently moved to Taupo] who is coming to grips with the volunteer management, the Event Expo and those sort of elements of the event.
With there being no further questions Jeff offered a vote of thanks to Aaron for his presentation.