My First Professional Event: North Texas Soccer Association's Tide American Cup

Planning my first professional event was a journey filled with excitement, creativity, and invaluable lessons. The North Texas Soccer Association's Tide American Cup was for the littlest players, aged U6-U8, held in early May. The goal was simple: ensure these young players had a blast while fueling their passion for soccer.

Focusing on Fun

At such a young age, soccer is less about tactics and winning and more about having fun, learning to play with others, and fostering a love for the game. With that in mind, I aimed to create a memorable and enjoyable experience for the kids, while staying within a tight budget.

Creative Entertainment

One of my first ideas was to bring in a face painter. I faxed (yes, faxed!) a local artist the team names, which included fun and imaginative ones like ladybugs, dragons, and tigers. She came out to the tournament and painted the kids’ faces to match their team mascots. This simple addition brought immense joy and excitement to the event.

Engaging with the Sponsor

Our main sponsor was Tide, and we had a representative flying in from their corporate office. To highlight Tide’s presence, we coordinated a large obstacle course inflatable. But I wanted to ensure Tide was remembered long after the event. So, I created two Tide-themed games:

Tic Tac Tide: Using boxes of Tide and small Reebok (Reebok was our official sponsor of NTX Soccer at the time) soccer balls, we set up a tic-tac-toe game.

Tide Bowl Game: I set up empty jugs of liquid Tide and provided a Reebok soccer ball for the kids to kick and knock the jugs down. Every child received a prize, regardless of whether they knocked down all the jugs.

These games were a hit. Each child received two free tickets to play, with additional tickets costing 25 cents each. I spent around $250 on supplies and prizes. We grossed $500 on those two games, demonstrating just how popular and engaging they were.

Additional Activities

We also had a snow cone vendor to keep everyone cool and happy, especially as the day grew hotter. This simple addition was a big hit among both kids and parents.

Key Takeaways

Planning Tip: Face paint runs when it gets hot. While the kids didn’t mind and the parents were just happy their children were enjoying themselves, it’s something to consider for future events.

Guest Experience Tip: Enhancing guest experience doesn’t have to be expensive. With creativity and thoughtful planning, you can create a memorable event on a tight budget.

Reflecting on the Experience

The event was a massive success. The kids had a fantastic time, the parents were thrilled, Tide was pleased, and my boss was happy. Most importantly, I got to spend the weekend surrounded by soccer, something I’m passionate about.

Although it was my first event, it remains one of my favorites. Watching those little players with their tiny legs, so short you couldn’t tell where their shorts ended and their shin guards began, having the time of their lives, was truly rewarding.

If you're planning an event, remember that creativity and a focus on guest experience can make a huge impact, no matter the budget. And if you ever need help planning an event or even organizing travel for life events, Cline & Co is here to assist you.