Arnis tournament expenses

Are you thinking of organizing an Arnis tournament?  Here’s a general view of what you have to pay for.

Advertising Expenses

• Photography and design works for advertising materials
• Promotional events
• Fees for advertisements placed in newspapers and magazines, and on radio, TV, and online

Office Expenses

• Rent of office space
• Office supplies
• Telephone and other utilities
• Postal expenses

Finances

• Accounting charges
• Depreciation of assets
• Taxes and fees

Venue Expenses

• Venue rental
• Electrical and audio equipment
• Banners / signages
• Tables and chairs
• Stage
• Winners’ podium
• Matting
• Transportation for equipment
• Maintenance fees
• Miscellaneous (tapes, markers, scorers, etc)

Participant Expenses

• Gear (Helmets, protectors)
• Padded sticks
• Medals
• Trophies
• Certificates
• First Aid Kit (wound care, ice packs, bandages, etc.)
• Medical insurance

Staff Expenses

• Payroll
  • Director
  • Secretariat
  • Judges and referees
  • Table committee
  • Armorers
  • Timers and scorers
  • Medic
• Training / Orientation
• Overtime pay
• Apparel / Uniforms
• Food and drinks

Miscellaneous

• Honoraria / Gifts for Guests of Honor
• Tips
• Photography and video
• Security

Oh my, this is scary.  No wonder there aren’t a lot of tournaments around.

But wait. Remember, a lot will depend on what size and how lavish or lean you want your tournament to be.  You can always modify things according to your goals and vision.

So, my friend, if you feel it in your heart that you’re meant to organize one, go on. Be brave.

For those of you who have already organized tournaments, I send my sincere admiration and respect.  You are fearless.

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This post may be idealistic for the Arnis world now, but at least we can start the  conversation.

What are your thoughts on this?

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I wrote this post after reading the article Race Fees: Where your money goes from a back issue of Runner’s World magazine, (August 2011, pp. 80-83).  To read a shorter online version, click here. It says that participants are actually getting more than their money’s worth because of all the expenses. Race fees alone don’t balance the books so organizers rely on sponsors and donors.

Photo credit: Morguefile