Hey, Take my post as a suggestion and insight or helpful advice. I am not trying to squash the idea! Only make you aware of some stuff you may already know or not.
I think it is great that a shop is trying to put a team together. Athelets can typically do more as a team than individually. Most sponsored skiers that I know have a favorite shop that they worked through to them from relationships with reps directly. So getting discounted gear is good but it is probably not needed.
Big Boulder had a shop team competition last season. Did you guys participate in that? If you did, I didn't know that you were there, because there was no name branding on the athletes. In other words:
Is there a contract that team jackets are to be worn, that the shop appears first on competition entry forms, that logos displayed are being paid for podium shots? Entry Fees and travel money are key for level of skier that I think you are looking for. Podium money is a bonus! Otherwise, whats in it for the athelete?
Is your shop's focus on getting more people into the store or more people online? One of the things that we have with our local shop is a refferal program where the people we send to the store get a discount. What all is involved in your program? What are your closest mountains? Have you tried making an announcement on a local board like
www.paskiandride.com
Best of luck - don't lose the faith! It's a good idea that should work for both the athelete and the shop. (if done right)
