Summit Update #1

All,

I’d like to thank everyone that has sent comments and questions. In order to keep as many of you informed as possible, this will be the first of several updates I will be making related to what will be going on in Seattle this weekend. Mark and I will be flying out tomorrow night, but before we do I’d like to highlight some of the things we want to discuss while we are there.

Relations with stadium staff and security. It’s no secret that this is probably the single biggest issue for us as well as a number of other teams in MLS. We want to be in a situation that allows us to be both vocal and visual without having to constantly run everything through a corporate machine. Within reason, we want the rules to be relaxed and handled more leniently for organized supporters.
What kind of relationship should a club (and the league) have with its supporters groups? What kinds of promotion and material support should be exchanged between them?
What methods do other supporters groups use to raise money? Also, how structured is their budget and the way they handle cash?
How do the most successful groups draw newcomers into their sections and recruit members? In what way can (or should) the club help with growing the supporters sections?
What are effective ways of branding for the supporters clubs and also the team by extension?
What have other groups done to create more organization in the stands with chants and choreography?
How do other groups handle tickets? Do they get a special deal from their FO’s? Or do they purchase a large block of seats in a desirable location?

These seven points are the key things I would like to bring up, but I’m not 100% sure what to expect from this or if other representatives will come up with good ideas. If there is something important you think I’ve left out, please let me know. I’ll be checking my email throughout the weekend and will be certain to add something if anyone out there has a good suggestion.

For those of you that want to be informed as possible, MLS will be steaming the event live on Saturday, and we will also try to keep you all posted on here.

Thanks,

- Quinn