WORK TOGETHER!

Build strong and positive relationships with other gyms, schools and recreation leagues in and around your area. Use each other to share ideas and discuss potential opportunities. Together, find ways to show the amazing energy and undeniable benefits of cheer and dance. If you can successfully create these relationships, each of you will benefit more in the long run!

	Stacy Stith - Funtastic Flyers (FL)
	Recently renewed our membership with our local Barter Exchange program, which allows them to get services they need like plumbing, advertising, etc, without any cash outlay.
	Shannon Gregg - Fire and Ice Allstars (PA)
	Focus NOT on getting kids from other programs, but kids that are currently playing soccer or taking flute lessons (anything but cheering). Going in with a couple other programs in area and set up one booth at local Kidapolooza – to increase awareness in the community. They keep each other “in the know” of bad debt customers that may leave one program for another. Offers free camps to rec leagues – only asks them to bring a non-perishable food item for the food bank.  Get good press for it and typically pick up a few kids for classes.  These kids would have otherwise not been able to afford a camp like this.
	Travis Franklin - Southern Extreme (TN)
	Do performances at local school events, local college basketball and football games, and other community activities.  Many times these performances don’t cost you anything and the events are happy to have some additional entertainment.
	Kevin Hooker - Elite Cheer Nebraska (NE)
	Philanthropy creates very positive PR for cheer Consult with other professionals in the industry for ideas and tips!
	Bill Yeates & Nicky Terrase - Spirit Professionals (LA)
	Go to local competitions to support each other Put on an event for charity.  We hold Kickin’ it for Kids, a competition where teams make a donation, and all donations go to charities.  There is a charge for spectators at the gate.
	Aaron and Joelle Scott - Universal Kentucky Cheer (KY)
	They want to help the local schools and rec teams continue to succeed. They have the email address of all coaches within 30-40 miles They offer them discounted rates to use their facility prior to competitions or during summer for camp purposes. Offer discounts to teams that already tumble there
	Caryn Hale, Wanda Whipkey, Laura Dudley  - American Elite (OH)
	Goes to schools and does gym classes and allows them to come to open gym Contracted with a local dance studio to provide a full fledged dance program.
	Craig El - Ultimate Athletics (IL)
	Participate in festivals with other programs Main reason to build a good competitiveness with others Teach kids they can be friends with someone in another program and compete against each other. Everyone bought into it, and the kids really enjoyed it.
	Jason Mitchell – Arizona Heat (AZ)
	AZ gyms coming together has put the focus on the whole group, rather than individual success.  We join together and attend the same events that have plenty of other teams. We also do scholarships for seniors that supports the kids and helps keep them in cheerleading. It also gives recognition to Arizona.  We have another cheer program in Arizona that works out of our facility that brought in a new spring floor and allowed cost benefits for both programs.
	Karrie Tumelson - Spirit Elite (MO)
	Attend conferences to learn from others and share ideas with others Visit other gyms to see what they are doing well and what you can learn from them! Bounce ideas off other local (or not-so-local) gyms!
	Todd and Amy Bragan – High Fly All-Stars (AL)
	Focus on school teams: Include schools teams in activities with the all-star program.  Schools allow High Fly to use their gym for their “First Flight” local performance day, which saves them the cost of renting.  Training school teams bring in athletes for tumbling classes who are training to make those school teams.
	Stan & Patrice Stec - Allstar Athletics (IL)
	Host events with other gyms in the area like we have with Ultimate Host USASF Credentialing at your gyms and invite other programs
	Robbi Messer - Orlando All Stars (FL)
	We try to keep egos off the floor. If you need help, ask for it. We do a lot of coach swapping as we get closer to comp season. “You spend a day cleaning my jumps and I'll spend a day cleaning your stunt sequence.” Get a Booster Club.  Our club is made up entirely of parents, and they are a not-for-profit organization.  They run all our fundraising. This has taken such a burden off of us and has created a huge camaraderie among the parents.
	Sean Sutton - Cheer Force One (AL)
	Host community/benefit events.  CFO will be hosting event benefiting the Susan G. Komen for a Cure Research Foundation. This event is open to all middle school, freshman, JV, and varsity teams in the area as well as recreational teams.  The Mobile Youth Football Cheerleading Conference is a contact we used to reach nearly 100 recreational teams in the area.  By utilizing this resource, we have increased awareness of our event and our program.  We have several school and recreational teams along the Gulf Coast interested in this event, and it should prove to be a great benefit for such a worthy cause.