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Saturday, May 21, 2016

City’s Position On Sponsors Needs Another Look

The recent discussion over whether to allow West Ocean City-based businesses to sponsor Ocean City special events is perplexing. It’s an easy decision that has been clouded by overthinking.

At some point in time, it appears Chick-fil-A, which has locations in West Ocean City and Salisbury, as well as across the country, expressed an interest in being a sponsor for the Town of Ocean City’s special events. Without a clear policy in place to govern these sorts of things, no decision was made with the idea it was going to be discussed with elected officials.

The consensus was the city should not accept an event sponsorship of any sort from businesses operating outside of town limits that could be perceived as competition to existing town-based businesses. We disagree and see no reason why there should be any concern with this matter at all.

Sponsors are imperative to underwrite expenses associated with special events. Flat monetary contributions in exchange for the promotion and publicity that comes with the sponsorship are critical for events’ long-term sustainability because the dollars committed help offset some of the expenses that go along with putting on these events, which are largely aimed at being economic development generators.

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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

How is West OC disconnected from OC except for the bridge? Is West OC subject to the OC tax base? Can West OC establish a separate entity? Can West OC set up their own city limits? Are they allowed to have their own City Council? If not and OC is the govern body of West OC then the OC council is out of order / wrong on this decision. All businesses in OC should stand behind all West OC businesses to have the same / equal rights as they have in OC. West OC paying OC tax base is not getting the benefits and rebell.

Anonymous said...

You want sponsors for your events? Here are some businesses that want to be part of it.

Anonymous said...

Yhey have Coke as a sponsor. I think they are located in Atlanta GA.

Anonymous said...

West Ocean City is not in the city and does not pay city taxes and I am sure they do not want to do so.