Still don't know if I should be posting this information...

UDE is creating a sponsorship program for the Elite Series. Basically one player from each ES location will get 5 packs of MTU to use for his Sealed pool instead of having to pay the $20 entry fee.

You award this sponsorship through your Hobby League events either as a prize for the winner of an HL tournament, top score for HL events in a week/month or as a sportsmanship Award.

The sponsored player will receive the 5 packs during the the pack pass out for the Sealed pool at the ES.

If the winner of the sponsorship does not show up at the ES event, the packs may be used as a door prize during the ES event.

Wow, thats pretty cool! How are you going to hand yours out?

Nice info. I wonder how UDE will enforce/credit this with the store. Honor system? Does the store have to do it as part of getting the Elite kit? Do they get comp'd for the packs?

Hmmm, the more I think about it, it's probably part of the contract for UDE renting game space from the stores for that day. (?)

Either way, it's a cool little incentive.

I'm wondering if UDE will also provide judge compensation in the kits as well like they used to do for PCQs. I am very, very curious how the transition from using PTOs to using stores will work.


Also, just got word on our local Atlanta store being chosen as one of the Elite Series stores. Color me very happy about that.

It seems they are still working on the Elite Series details but I can answer some questions:

1. UDE will ship each location the 5 packs. If the player who won the sponsorship doesn't play, you should door prize them... but you don't HAVE to.
2. No judge comp as far as I know. Each store has to arrange how they willl comp their judges.
3. No product from UDE either, each store has to order a sufficient amount based on their expected numbers. This is the one difficult point because you don't want to over or under order and with WF around the corner after the Elite Series, you don't want to be stuck with too much MTU.

My thought is it might be best to award the packs to the individual with the greatest number of losses for the given time period. This awards attendance, perseverance, and acts as an incentive to less skilled or experienced players. It is also unlikely to be branded as elitist, or another example of how the "pros" get everything.

So I guess this suggestion completely killed this thread huh?...interesting.

Well that is kind of cool. I am just so happy that the Wilson, NC store got approved for the Elite Series. It is only 2 hours away from me and I can play for a chance to get one of those EA EomE's:).
later,
Kj

People will be losing left and right... heh.

I think I'm going to do something with either the Random Punks or Spiderman (err... Spider-Man) Marquee events to award the sponsorship.

I'll probably also have one of my own... can't let UDE outshine EW.

you really think the Spider-man Marquee events are going to happen before the Elite Series? I know its supposed to be one a month but the Random Punks kits have yet to arrive as far as I know and its after the original time frames for them to be run! So they will be run during Spideys time, will spiderman even get his turn? Who knows City champs are supposed to be every 3 months according to UDE!

By the way I like Kariggi's idea a for stores that have a regular hobby, a great way to get new comers to play in a higher level tourney. As long as they come regularly they have a shot!

American Maid,
although the kits have yet to arrive I think most stores have had their events already. I know the NC stores have already finished their events.
later,
Kj

The City Champ won't be until World's Finest becomes legal ... so it will be difficult to squeeze Spidey in there, but considering that Release Celebration will probably be all in a single week [when the set is released] ... it won't matter too much if he overlaps with that time frame.

Mines been cancelled 3 weeks in a row, and I made plans to drive the 2 hours through the brutal Friday night LA traffic, got a sitter. and had it cancelled 3 times so its true i may be a little bitter! and yet I plan to try again this Friday! But in less I'm feeling allot friendlier than I feel now. NO COOKIES! they were baked and eaten three weeks ago, sorry erick

The only two shops in my area have yet to run their events, holding till product arrives.

Hello!
Yes, UDE will be sponsoring one participant for every Elite Series location. In fact, my little cubicle is made that much smaller by the fact that I have around 26 Large DHL boxes being assembled for each location. (the packs are already in the box) along with some additional product for other prize support - door prizes, sportsmanship, etc...

I'm very excited about this event and hope everyone else is as well. If you guys have any ideas for this please let me know! I'd be happy to do as much as I can to please the masses. And get these boxes out of here. ;)