I saw another portion of the story that did a better job of catching my attention. From the story:
Though the Iditarod is a federal historic trail, the Bureau of Land Management, the agency in charge, does little maintenance. The Iditarod committee has brushed a lot of trail in the past, but that costs money and the (Iditarod) is not in the best financial shape. A non-profit organization, it’s facing the same money problems other nonprofits face in Alaska’s current recession
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So, the Iditarod is "not in the best of financial shape." Ha! For three years now, I have made the case that the Iditarod is caught in their own Monkey Trap by stiffing fans with their counterproductive Insider Program, stiffing sponsors by artificially reducing the fan base and stifling the marketing scope. I sent the Iditarod a lengthy email explaining why their "marketing plan" was not only flawed but counterproductive. I laid out my award winning credentials in tourism and event marketing, and I offered alternate strategic thinking.
Their response? There wasn't one. But there certainly is proof in the pudding as articulated in the quote from the article. Not in the best of financial shape with the "Last Great Race" on the planet? Ha! The race should all but market itself--and it would if the Iditarod would release its clenched fists from around the neck of the race.
In another thread here, I suggested that if one were to remove the "rad" from Iditarod, move the 'o' over between the 'i' and the 't,' the Iditarod could self-identify the bottom line to its asinine "marketing plan." I won't be bothered with the "last great race" this year. From what the article suggests, I am not alone in my thinking. (Note to Iditarod staff--want to keep me out of the race loop through your stupid Insider-only plan--don't bother--I'm no longer interested.)
Link to the original Monkey Trap where a monkey refused to let go of a cherry, allowing itself to be caught. The Iditarod still thinks they can keep a tight fist around the cherry (race) without negative consequences:
http://www.spiritual-short-stories.com/ ... nkeys.html