I’d be interrested in people’s take on WTC’s announcement of the new IM XC…
I didn’t get far enough to see the cost. But my take is someone somewhere got a huge boner about creating mission-critical strategic multi-stakeholder brand-value synergy thingies with richer-than-God mid lifers.
Naturally, it will be a hit.
You may be right!
- The progam is there so I " … can enjoy the Ironman journey while maintaining focus on your professional goals."
Does this new chairman’s club platinum membership mean i don’t have to train whist on my Ironman journey?
- “One (1) Ford Ironman World Championship slot will be awarded at each event to the athlete who has most significantly improved his or her PR time.”
Classic.
Does this mean they are taking away Kona slots from other races for the “world’s top business leaders”.?
I’d say that’s exactly what they will be doing. But it’s about executives’ year-over-year self-improvement, so it makes sense.
If you go to the application and take it look at it and the questions that are asked. It looks like a ploy to just identify potential sponsors and businesses that they can try to seek sponsorship and $$$ from. Is this what it’s come to? Of course a lot of the exec’s net worth’s and business revenues/incomes have fallen recently with everyone else.
Wow… $6,500 a slot… for entry, a hotel room, a few meals, and a coaching program…
Not that this wasn’t predictable.
It used to be called the “CEO CHALLENGE”, and it was run by an outside company (not a part of WTC). WTC just brought it in-house and is running the program with a new name this year.
At Kona last year, I talked to one of the CEO’s who was participating in it, and he could have qualified as an age grouper without any problem; he was an outstanding athlete from California.
I don’t think it is really a much “easier route” to get a Kona Slot…although I had considered participating in it in the past…but I ended up getting a Kona slot as an age grouper instead…
I met the nicest fellow and his wife- a delightful pair- at the St. Croix Triathlon who were participating in the Corporate event there. They got some excellent benefits from being a part of the race on that program- a cool uniform, a good course recon that was guided, a nice dinner with the pros and their own bike racks. It was a very nice arrangement that benefitted charity. First class.
They were kind enough to take us on a guided tour of The Beast in their rental van and let us ride up The Best while we were out there. It helped a great deal. Very nice people. He was a banker and she was some sort of genius, I forget what… (it was before my stroke). They came from a high income demographic (understatement).
It was expensive but they could easily, easily afford it and it gave back to a worthy charity. If I had a lot of money and had already satisfied my obligations to other charities I’d consider it.
Wow… $6,500 a slot… for entry, a hotel room, a few meals, and a coaching program…\
Probably not too far off what a lot of folks pay for Ironman, just spread out a bit…
6 months of coaching from Huddle and Roch @ $500 a monty = $3000
Nice hotel room for about $250 a night, more at some of the more upscale spots… Usual trip 10 days = $2500
Meals in Hawaii would average about a $100 a day if you eat out… 10 X $100 = $1000
Entry fee = about $650 I guess, more if you lottery
Qualifying for the slot…This can vary, but most people have to fly to a race, stay a weekend, so about 2 grand+ I would say…
Not sure if they include flight, but for the rest that is at least $600, much more for most…
Add it all up, and it is a bargin at $6500, and you don’t have to do another race to qualify…Sing me up!!!
Qualifying for the slot…This can vary, but most people have to fly to a race, stay a weekend, so about 2 grand+ I would say…
Not sure if they include flight, but for the rest that is at least $600, much more for most…
You have to earn a Kona slot at a qualifying race, so you still have to race twice to do Hawaii. Airfare and meals are not included. It is accommodations, a meal or two, VIP passes and the coaching. Not a bargain if you add up the individual costs.
It used to be called the “CEO CHALLENGE”, and it was run by an outside company (not a part of WTC). WTC just brought it in-house and is running the program with a new name this year.
At Kona last year, I talked to one of the CEO’s who was participating in it, and he could have qualified as an age grouper without any problem; he was an outstanding athlete from California.
I don’t think it is really a much “easier route” to get a Kona Slot…although I had considered participating in it in the past…but I ended up getting a Kona slot as an age grouper instead…
This is not associated with the “CEO Challenges”. The is a rip off the “CEO Challenges”. I guess this is called extended the brand (or maybe the private equity money is a bit tighter or more costly now).
Its WTC’s race…why is it a rip off of CEO Challenges now that they are doing it themselves?
You have to earn a Kona slot at a qualifying race, so you still have to race twice to do Hawaii.]]]]
Did not know that, the way people are bitching about the deal, I just assumed it included a slot too… If that is the case, what is all the fuss about, they qualify just like anyone else, and then get to race in a seperate category once you get there… I see no problem with that…Is Joe going to race in that category, I think he is the CEO of his own business, isnt he???
I see no problem with that…Is Joe going to race in that category, I think he is the CEO of his own business, isnt he???
I don’t see any problem with the Corporate Division. It is just a VIP program for those who are into that sort of thing.
Joe’s already qualified for Kona 2009. Yes, he is CEO of several businesses, but I can plan an Ironman trip for a lot less than $6,500. I don’t think he is interested in the coaching package either. He likes to do things his own way 
It used to be called the “CEO CHALLENGE”, and it was run by an outside company (not a part of WTC). WTC just brought it in-house and is running the program with a new name this year.
Not exactly. The CEO Challenge program was started by Ted Kennedy in 2001. Ted worked as the VP of Marketing & Sponsorship for NA Sports for a number of years and got the idea for this program while doing that job. It’s his idea and concept. The WTC program is virtually a carbon copy of what the CEO Challenge program is, save for the fact that the WTC Program does not have a charitable donation component The WTC went so far as using the same wording that The CEO Challenge Program uses to promote this new event. I wonder where the WTC got the idea for this?
hey there fleck,
Yeah I read the WTC press release and immediately thought of Ted and his company. I love that Ted has now released the CEO Challenge schedule for 2009 and has expanded beyond triathlon with The Masters and a cool event in the fall with George Hincapie.
The WTC/Equity Firm will be an interesting ride to watch in the next 3 years to see what they do with our beloved Ironman. Curiously I am convinced they are going to butcher it given the recent branding of stuff like cologne! But hey, capitalism grants every right to start up a competitor company but my money is on Ted’s group to have a much better run show, more exposure across various events, and the WTC will simply have the Kona card. So what? Small potatoes if Ted is successful with The Masters and what the world of golf can bring his gem.
My buddy did the CEO Challenge at LP in 2007. I went to watch him race, and so was exposed/piggybacked onto the CEO Challenge
While expensive, the accomodations/events/support/graft were first-class. I was pretty impressed. Everything is top-notch.
Well, I am an alum of 5 CEO challange events. Ted Kennedy is one of a kind top notch guy in my book. I think he brought good value to his customers. The New XC program appears to be very similar and I am sorry Ted got squeezed out. Unfortunately that is the way it works sometimes. I may consider an XC race - for the customer, if the value is there then it will work. I will certainly do more of Ted’s CEO Challange races in the future.
On a personal note, Ted is now a good friend. I have become close to his family too. I’m sure this stings, but at the same time I know he will continue to do well. Best wishes Ted and thanks for all you have done for my family and me!
David