HELP FOR LOCAL MR WHIPPY

[Splitzzzzz]

Well done TWA...another great 1/2 IM......just one negative!

Before "Flaming" me, please read full thread.

On Sunday Night 02 May, I ran into the local Mr Whippy at "The Nard" and got chatting. He seemed quite disgruntled with the lack of assistance he was given from TWA to have his My Whippy Van down at the Expo.

We'd both had a truck load of bourbon so I'm a bit unclear on what the exact problem was but it was either TWA not allowing him there or TWA asking a rediculous fee thereby making it not viable.

He was a good bloke, not rich just a struggler.

Busso do a great job of having us there every year so I'm a bit dissappointed that a helping hand wasn't extended to this bloke. I know there were a lot of businesses in the Expo that prolly paid top dollar to be there, but they weren't local Busso businesses were they?

Lots of other businesses in Busso benefit from the 1/2 IM so to me it's a damn shame this bloke misses out.

Apart from not supporting a local business, I'm sure many of the masses of spectators there would have appreciated a choc coated double cone and a Mr Whippy van would add to the carnival atmosphere! (I don't recall seeing an icecream vendor at the Expo but I was pre-occupied with doing the 1/2 IM without putting myself in hospital!)

Now having said that, I am aware that I was only getting his side of the story and that there may be perfectly acceptable reasons for him not being allowed there. Hopefully some-one from TWA will post here to clarify this.

With enough supporting comments here, maybe TWA can bend the rules to get this bloke a spot next year. With his permission, I post his details in case some-one from TWA wants to contact him. Bob Layng 0429 183 192 / 9752 1271.

Cheers

PeterW

[jhope]

I'm all for a soft serve after the race... and you can never get enough of "greensleeves".....sure, let him make some money on the day, poor bugger!

[Marathon Man]

Interesting you should say that,
I was in booking my accomodation for next year's half and the Kookaburra Caravan Park manager made comment that when the Ironman is on, the organinsers come over and ask if there are any issues. He mentioned that the Half Ironman people don't bother to make any contact with them, almost appearing very arrogant...once again just the messenger.

I think that the half i just competed in was a very well ran event, where obviously a lot of thought and effort went into making it run so well.

Well Done TWA

[Splitzzzzz]

Interesting you should say that,
I was in booking my accomodation for next year's half and the Kookaburra Caravan Park manager made comment that when the Ironman is on, the organinsers come over and ask if there are any issues. He mentioned that the Half Ironman people don't bother to make any contact with them, almost appearing very arrogant...snip......

Excuse my ignorance but does TWA have anything to do with organising the Full IM or is it just TA?

Cheers

PeterW

[Rick]

Neither - up until now it has been run my IMG. This year it has been taken over by WTC. TA and TWA are the governing - not for profit - organisations that govern the sport in Australia/WA. TWA will certainly be involved at some level ie sanctioning/officials etc but do not actually organise it as per the 'half. OK? OMG, LOL!

[Splitzzzzz]

.............snip............... OK? OMG, LOL!

What the?

[senortodd]

Neither - up until now it has been run my IMG. This year it has been taken over by WTC. TA and TWA are the governing - not for profit - organisations that govern the sport in Australia/WA. TWA will certainly be involved at some level ie sanctioning/officials etc but do not actually organise it as per the 'half. OK? OMG, LOL!

That is correct for IMWA but not for BHIM. BHIM is owned by TWA and ran with help from Trievents.

[jhope]

alright, glad we sorted the ownership issue out... so what, what about Mr Whiipy!

[Splitzzzzz]

alright, glad we sorted the ownership issue out... so what, what about Mr Whiipy!

Yeah +1....nothing from TWA yet!

[wendy]

When HIM first came to busselton, I owned a business that provided services that could be useful to the event, and while I operated, each year the event organizers used my business for supplying these particular items to the event and my small business - total employees 3 - made a profit from the event each year. They didn't have to, they could have used Perth, interstate or overseas suppliers if they wanted and it may well have been cheaper for them to do so. When the IM turned up, we approached the orgainsers and asked if we could supply the same services to them. The best deal they could offer us was that if we wanted to become a sponsor and offer everything for free, they would use us. We didn't accept their 'offer' and they used an interstate organisation who provided an imported product and we never made a $ out of that event.

At that time, I knew of several other local small businesses that were being used by the HIM. I don't know if things have changed in the last few years, but my partner and I always appreciated that the HIM guys would turn up, happy to use local services and leave as many $$ in the town as they could.

[Triatx]

TWA in running the Half have since day 1 in 2002 tried where possible to use local suppliers for every thing we can.
It makes practical sense and saves us carting stuff from Perth.
There are some instances where it is not possible either due to lack of availability in Busselton or bunbury or significant cost differences.
In terms of suppliers on the park,all of these pay a fee to be there,this goes to TWA and assists in reducing our running costs and what you pay.
When it comes to food suppliers,the people you saw on the park also pay a fee,but additionally they must comply with local authorities and the Health Dept requirements.
They cannot simply turn up at the last minute and expect a spot.
Whilst i hear what you guys are saying about Mr Whippy,perhaps he didnt tell it like it was,and i can assure you if he had followed the correct protocal he would have been welcomed.
I for one think ice cream is a good thing anytime,so lets get him to make contact for next year.The costs are not prohibitive as seen by the increase in numbers each year of exibitors.
TWA have fought to retain this event for the membership,despite attempts by others,and everything the board does reloves around the best return to the sport here in WA.
It may come as a shock to some of you but because of the noticable step up this year in the quality of the event,we are looking at break even as a good result,and then to be built on as we go.
All the financials are available to members at the AGM each year,so feel free to turn up and have your say.
Trust this helps clarify the situation.
Mark Batten
TWA Board.

[jhope]

Thanks for the heads up Mark,
Good luck next year Mr Whippy!

[Splitzzzzz]

Yeah thanks Mark,
Like I said, I was aware what he was saying miught not be the full story.
I'll touch base with him soon and steer him in the right direction.
Cheers
PeterW