THE 3rd ANNUAL SUMMIT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS - VIEW PHOTOS & FEEDBACK CLICK HERE
Learn the winning combination for making it to the top.... From the people who have.
Summit Attendee Feedback
Drivers from all divisions of racing representing many US states and Canada attended past Summit events and each one of them offered comments on a feedback form provided at the conclusion of the Summit.
SUMMIT 2010 FEEDBACK
For Immediate Release:
Submitted by Summit Attendee
Kevin Jurrens, Newton, PA
Checkered Flag Flies Over
Third Annual Driver Advancement Marketing Summit
Charlotte, NC, (February 1, 2010) – Alex Bowman and Jeremy Frankoski took the checkered flag in two highly anticipated go-kart races to cap off a successful weekend of educational seminars, expert guidance and networking at the Third Annual Driver Advancement Marketing Summit sponsored by Performance PR Plus.
A rare snowstorm and icy roads in the greater Charlotte area did not result in a caution for summit attendees who drove in from Canada, New York, New Jersey, Maine, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Ohio who had fun taking jabs at those from mild climate states such as North Carolina, Florida and Arizona.
Although Bowman who will compete in the USAC Sprint Car Series this season for Haas Racing and Frankoski the reigning Ford Focus Carolinas Midget champion headed the field on the track, the focus of the two-day event consisted of a variety of high-profile speakers in the motorsports industry. These industry professionals offered insight, guidance and expertise to drivers, parents and those interested in breaking into the sport.
“The Summit is designed for talented young drivers looking to advance their motorsports careers, but who need a baseline understanding of all the things they need to be doing off-track to promote themselves in order to be sponsors-ready,” said Kymberly Brantigan, president of Performance PR Plus and the person responsible for hosting this annual event. “There are a lot of seemingly credible people asking short track drivers for upfront money and leading them to believe they can get them a ride, find them sponsorship or make them the next big star in racing. It simply does not work that way and coming from a short-track racing family and having such respect for the sport, we like to introduce these young drivers to influential industry professionals who help set the record straight and give honest, real-world advice.
“There is so much more involved than just driving the race car, and this Summit teaches drivers about interacting with the media, how to find, pitch and approach potential sponsors and the importance of properly marketing themselves in order to even have a chance to move up through the ranks.”
Speakers included Rick Benjamin, a veteran motorsports reporter and broadcaster; Jimmy Wilson, VP and Series Director of USAR ; Mike Burch, VP of Business Development for Speedway Motorsports, Inc; Megan Reitenour, a female driver currently making a fast name for herself in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program; John Bickford, General Manager of Jeff Gordon Inc.; and Boston Reid, a former Hendrick Motorsports developmental driver and now a successful real estate broker.
Each speaker offered unique perspectives to the eager audience, but common themes reigned supreme throughout the weekend. Drivers were taught to market themselves professionally utilizing popular social media sites like Facebook and Twitter; hand out personalized business cards to as many people as possible; network with as many people that they can but specifically, everyone in their respective series; develop plans and stick with them; and make sure they realize companies are more interested in how a driver can help a company succeed rather than the other way around.
Due to inclement weather, Kelley Earnhardt with JR Motorsport and Chris McKee with Aflac were unable to make it to the Summit, but will make it up through participating in an upcoming webinar for attendees.
Performance PR President Brantigan, along with industry associate Annamarie Strawhand, owner of Drive-In Webdesign, already have begun planning for the 2011 Summit. Drivers from across North America can learn more about upcoming summits by visiting http://perfomanceprplus.com and clicking on the Driver Advancement Marketing Summit logo.
2010 Summit Photos:
Comments from 2010 Attendees:
“Well another year and another great summit! It was nice to be at the summit again this year and "recharge" everything I need to keep in mind this coming season. Every year I pick up new things I can use with my career while reminding me of the things I need to continue to work on. Thank you for hosting the summit each year! “ -- Jeremy Frankoski, 2009 FORD Focus Carolina Midget champion.
“…thank you for a fantastic weekend. The Summit was more than I expected it would be and I really believe it was an important investment for my future.” Kevin Jurrens, Newton , PA
“Thank you so much for inviting my dad and I to speak at the Marketing Summit. We had a great time and it was an honor to be a speaker with all the prestigious people that came to share their story.” Megan Reitenour – second year attendee and second year NASCAR Drive 4 Diversity program driver.
PAST SUMMIT FEEDBACK (2008-2009)
Scroll down to read more comments:
"Fantastic opportunity to learn about the 'soft' side of the motorsports business. I wish I could have gone to this summit 10 years ago!" - Michael Johnson
"I thought this was a great program, especially the honesty of the speakers. Drivers need the honesty about the sport. The Summit was well run, with great food and hospitality. It was above my expectations." - Garrett Alberson
"I came here to learn some things that could help me advance my career. I am leaving here with way more info than I expected! Great course and well worth the trip." - Spencer MacPherson
"Lots and lots of useful information. We have so many things to go home and think about! I feel each speaker was honest, helpful and full of great tips." - Melissa Loney
"Coming into this program I thought I already knew what I had to do and where I needed to be in order to reach my goals. I learned a bunch of great facts and knowledge from each speaker, that I really did not already know! It is a really great program if you are looking to move up in racing." - Jimmy Ford
"I felt the seminar was extremely informative in many aspects of the sport. All of the speakers were interesting, entertaining and very helpful. Every speaker seemed genuinely interested in helping us, and they were open and available for questions." - Jessica Trippy
"Wonderful experience - great speakers - information is second to none - plan to do this again!" - Cliff Daniels
"Excellent overall. Great information for young drivers." - Mike Morisi
Past Summit Highlights - Photo Slideshow (click here)
Click here to see a full list of 2008's Summit speakers.
Click here to see a full list of 2009's Summit speakers.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE OFFICIAL 2009 SUMMIT PRESS RELEASE
Letters, emails and blog posts sent after the Summit:
1/29/2008
Dear Annamarie,
"Thank you so much for speaking with us and sharing your media expertise during the driver's advancement summit. Your presentation blew me away with valuable information. In fact, I wrote more notes during your section than any of the other speakers.Thank you again and I look forward to seeing you at the track!"
Warmest personal regards,
Michael Johnson (Dallas, TX)
Michael@MJDrive.com
2/4/2008 -Tiff's Blog
"I mentioned last time that I would be attending a marketing summit this past weekend. I went on Saturday and Sunday to listen to speakers from various areas of the business side of racing (i.e. Kymberly Brantigan PR), Annamarie Malfitana-Strawhand (web design/marketing), Gray Abercrombie [sponsorship (Lowe’s)], Randy LaJoie (driver safety), Peter Visconti (driver development), Matt Yocum (media), etc.). I heard a lot of new tips and ideas that will be very helpful in putting together sponsorship proposals, marketing myself, and presenting myself to others. Annamarie Strawhand was particularly knowledgeable about web sites and driver marketing tools."
- Tiffany Daniels (Mooresville, NC)
3/22/08
"The 2008 Driver Summit was a wise investment and a great way to start the racing season. It covered everything you need to know about presenting yourself on and off the track to keep your racing career moving forward. It was also a pleasure to personally meet all of the the speakers that participated in the Driver Summit. I will definitely be marking my calendar for next year's Driver Summit!"
- Jeremy Frankoski (Huntington, NY)
