Discussion: Early Registration

Howdy Folks,

Thought I would throw this question out there and see where it leads, not pertaining to any event, just a question for discussion.

"What would make / tempt a racer to sign up early for an event?"

Depends on length/duration cost etc. of the event.... and depends what you mean by "early"

1st - Must be a credible event/organization/RD/.....

Low/no down payment and reasonable fee schedule
Discounts on entry fees
Discounts/options on accomodations
Well defined event when possibility of conflicts is low (for long term planning)
Discounts
Discounts
Free stuff
Playoff tickets for a Leaf's game (may never have to deliver on this one)

The trouble for me is that typically I do three or four races a year of a magnitude that an early registration discount would be worthwhile considering... i.e. the races cost a minimum of ~$150. I don't have the disposable income to pay for all three / four of them in the Spring, so I usually pick the one where there is a chance that it might fill up or something.

Basically it's all about the discount and / or the threat of not getting a spot for me.

Of note, I've never not received the same swag as early-registrants when I register late. Also of note, Maritimers are notoriously slow to register for events of all kinds.

An idea Troy... would you ever consider accepting installments? $25 a month from January on? I know I'd sign up for that in a heartbeat! It's always an easier pill to swallow when you break it up. There are enough on-line options to accommodate this without too much trouble as well. Paypal, interac e-mail transfers, I bet Atlantic Chip might even be able to work something out.

A

I will sign up early for an event if:
- there is a price break or risk of a sell-out, and
- if I know for sure I'm doing the event

If there is any doubt about whether I'll do the event, I prefer to pay a slightly higher price in order to have more flexibility in making my plans for the year.

Having done a lot of work on the registration side of events, this is a question I think about a lot too. I think the key is to become one of those "must do" events so that people will be interested in signing up early to receive some minor incentive because they know they will be signing up eventually. If people are leaving things open because they might not want to do your event, then the discounts typically aren't enough to change their late-registering behaviour.

I think it's also important to choose earlybird/regular/late fee dates that seem rational for the type of event. We all know that for some events, it's not important to know the number of participants until two weeks prior. For events that require more planning and that have more variable and optional expenses in their budget, the earlybird date can and should be set earlier, and participants can appreciate that.

I agree with the above points. IMHO there are two types of races: ones you try and fit in your schedule, and ones that you schedule everything else around. If it is the latter, then we won't hesitate to sign up as soon as registration opens.

It is always nice to get a discount, or free swag, but that doesn't have much impact on our overall decision. I also agree that if it is a race we are on the fence on, but that has a risk of selling out early, we will tend to book early and risk the cancel fee.

Yep, what everyone else said. I think the discount structure I seem to see for most adventure races is probably right. It's enough that it nudges us to plan rather than procrastinate, but it's not so much that we'd mind paying the full rate if we wanted flexibility. You're not influencing our decision, just getting the information and $ out of us sooner.

With Phantom, you've got a mix of hard core AR types and "regional" participants who are newish or more casual racers. My hunch is that it's with the latter crowd that the discount might actually increase participation. It gives them an incentive to commit now, rather than later when there will be more competing events and logistical difficulties and other reasons not to participate.

There are some sports and events where the early registration discount structure tends to be so extreme that I won't participate if I can't register early. I think it's basically because I somehow don't see that discount as legit (even though I understand price discrimination and generally think organizers should do whatever they like). Also, sometimes there are incentives that are entirely legit, but so significant that I won't race if I can't get them. For example, something like several days free accommodation with early registration is pretty common and often worth as much as the race fee itself.