The recent discussion over whether to allow West Ocean City-based businesses to sponsor Ocean City special events is perplexing. It’s an easy decision that has been clouded by overthinking.
At some point in time, it appears Chick-fil-A, which has locations in West Ocean City and Salisbury, as well as across the country, expressed an interest in being a sponsor for the Town of Ocean City’s special events. Without a clear policy in place to govern these sorts of things, no decision was made with the idea it was going to be discussed with elected officials.
The consensus was the city should not accept an event sponsorship of any sort from businesses operating outside of town limits that could be perceived as competition to existing town-based businesses. We disagree and see no reason why there should be any concern with this matter at all.
Sponsors are imperative to underwrite expenses associated with special events. Flat monetary contributions in exchange for the promotion and publicity that comes with the sponsorship are critical for events’ long-term sustainability because the dollars committed help offset some of the expenses that go along with putting on these events, which are largely aimed at being economic development generators.
In our view, it’s basically akin to what the town’s Recreation and Parks Department does with its sponsors for its youth sports and camps through the “Community Team” initiative. These sponsorships help offset the cost of referees, jerseys and trophies and whatever costs go into these programs. There is no rule governing non-Ocean City based businesses from sponsoring because the philosophy is the more the merrier. The only thing the businesses get in exchange is their logo on the jerseys and some good will. Most of us do it just to be a community player and support our youth.
The concept of restricting sponsorship for town-run events is problematic and short sighted. In the example of Chick-fil-A, town officials argued allowing the fast-foot restaurant to become a sponsor would be unfair to island-based businesses selling similar fare. That’s a narrow minded approach.
We don’t view Ocean City businesses as that sensitive to this sort of thing. There should be a policy in place to allow Ocean City businesses first opportunity but after a certain amount of time and ample notification accepting a sponsorship from businesses in West Ocean City, Berlin or wherever should be permitted.
To deny these branding opportunities and disqualify these viable operations from being able to spend large sums of money seems foolish, particularly when Ocean City-based businesses are not chomping at the bit to be a sponsor and to help offset some of the expenses associated with putting on these large events.
There’s also a fairness and consistency issue. The town does not restrict its ad agency charged with selling bus advertising from approaching non-Ocean City businesses.
We see no reason why Ocean City should not allow businesses with roots outside the island to be sponsors of the town’s events. This week’s decision needs further review before the town loses out on a possible new revenue source.
