Sailing regattas provide an excellent venue to easily reach a large, active, and affluent audience, providing a significant return on a relatively small investment.

There are a variety of opportunities for companies both large and small to invest in one of Lake Erie’s premier International sailing events. The national scope, coverage and attention of the Lake Erie Interclub Cruise will provide an outstanding opportunity to showcase your firm’s products and services.

Sponsors are being sought for various levels ranging from Event Program Advertising to Event Sponsorship. In addition, we are seeking donations-in-kind to spice up social events.

The Lake Erie Interclub Cruise will take place on Lake Erie for (5) days in late June. The event is being co-hosted by The Buffalo Yacht Club, The Buffalo Canoe Club, The Erie Yacht Club, The Dunkirk Yacht Club, The Sugarloaf Sailing Club, The Buffalo Harbor Sailing Club, and The Dover Yacht Club. The combined membership of these prestigious and honorable Yacht Clubs exceed 5,000 members.

The event will attract over 75 yachts from the Great Lakes Region. The sailors will travel from all parts of the United States and Canada to compete for the Lake Erie Interclub Club Cruise Trophy and it’s prestigious sister trophies. As some will travel far to experience the thrill of the Lake Erie Interclub Cruise, the majority of our Interclub Cruise sailing community hails from the Lake Erie and Lake Ontario Region. Major Lake Erie and Lake Ontario cities include the following: Buffalo, Erie, Toronto, Dover, Dunkirk, Detroit, Cleveland, Rochester, Ashtabula, London, Hamilton, Toledo, and St Catharine’s.

During the regatta, (5) races will be sailed over (5) six consecutive days, with social activities each morning and evening, including an opening and closing ceremony. With up to 75+ boats expected for the event it promises to be a colorful and exciting event with 650+ competitors and numerous other spectators, officials, and interested parties.

According to US Sailing and the National marine Manufacturer’s Association:

Over 77 million people participated in recreational boating in 2000;
16 million of those recreational boaters sail

Recreational boating is the 5th fastest growing sport in the US

The sailing industry has enjoyed 8% year-on-year growth

Did you know, the average sailing Yacht in the Lake Erie Interclub Cruise has (6) six sailors. Also to be noted, the largest yachts in our sailing completion sail with a crew of (14) fourteen. There is no question about it, sailing at this level is a team sport, with both male and female crews and skippers making the winning difference.

Other premier sponsored sailing events include the Volvo Ocean Race, the Acura SORC, and the Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship. These have become known in sailing circles as simply the “Volvo,” “Acura,” and “Rolex.” In addition most America’s Cup entries bear the name of their major sponsor, with the BMW / Oracle racing team being a top contender in 2006.

• Extensive local media coverage, with national coverage in sailing related media
• Opportunity for enhancement, differentiation, and exposure for a brand
• Sales and customer relationship management opportunities
• Premium business to business opportunities
• A unique marketing opportunity

During this years event , sponsors will receive placement and advertising on all regatta materials, web sites, yacht club banners, etc. depending on their level. Select sponsors will also have press coverage, the opportunity to attend all functions, speak at the opening and closing ceremonies and at each evening’s festivities.

Media coverage is expected from the local newspapers, local television stations, and national sailing publications.