The Corporate Village is a ritual of team life. Every team has the opportunity to have a team tent in the Corporate Village at the start/finish/overnight area. The space is provided by the National MS Society, tents are secured and rented by the team through the official tent company, and supplies are provided by each team. Read on to find out how to create a memorable corporate/team tent.
Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride 2008 Team Tent Participation Form
CORPORATE/TEAM TENT
Tents come in all sizes. It is a status symbol of the company’s position in the Bike MS event and denotes status in the corporate community.
SIGNAGE
A company logo is a symbol of pride. It represents power and prestige. Bring your corporate banner and hang it in your tent for everyone to see.
TABLES & CHAIRS
Be comfortable. Bring your lawn chairs or rent chairs to accommodate your fellow team riders and their guests. Bike Tour organizers will supply you with a list of tent rental companies who will provide all your rental needs.
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Hire your very own team massage therapist(s). Corporate team members will appreciate it the next morning when they continue their second day of the bike ride. If you prefer, you can ask therapists to provide their services for tip — usually $1 per minute — and pass this cost along to the cyclists. I promise you, they won't mind paying. Note: The Bike MS ride provides massage therapists for all participants, but they’ll have to stand in line and wait their turn.
VOLUNTEERS
Corporate America has recognized that volunteerism plays an important role in branding their products and services while enhancing the quality of life for social concerns. Many businesses have organized councils that make important decisions about community services. It is these groups of volunteers that sign up for a Bike MS weekend to make their co-workers’ Bike MS experience worth repeating.
For those who do not wish to ride but want to participate in supporting their corporate team, the Bike MS creates an opportunity for company volunteers to support their company’s efforts.
Family and friends can also join company volunteers to welcome their riders back from the route.
TENT POSITIONING
Where your tent is located and who you are next to in the Corporate Village will be the talk of the town…or in this case, the village. As the bike ride grows, many businesses want to be in close proximity with their corporate friends they do business with, or they may want to be next to a company they wish they could do business with.
CAMPING
Bike MS participants and volunteers utilize a portion of their real estate for sleeping quarters. In some cases, those who snore are banished to one specified area of their tent from those who don’t.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Although the tour provides participants, their family and friends, and volunteers with plenty of food and beverages throughout the weekend, many teams choose to cater their meals under their tent.
Some companies bring their corporate chef; others simply relinquish this important duty to their volunteers. Corporate teams bring barbecue pits and grills of all sizes and shapes. These grills are also a status symbol, not to mention what may be on the menu for dinner and breakfast. As the Bike MS continues to grow, you’ll begin to see a variety of catering vans pull up to the overnight site. You can bet everyone is watching what the Jones’ are up to now.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY
Does your company have a photographer or videographer? Many companies want to capture the fun and excitement of the Bike MS to share.
CORPORATE CEOs
If your CEO ever wanted an opportunity to meet with his or her workforce in a less-than- boardroom setting, the Bike MS provides this opportunity. CEOs have also been known to ride the Bike MS, right alongside their employees.
VENDORS
Invite your vendors and suppliers to enhance your tent with …
Generators
Air conditioners
Jacuzzis
Music
Themed tents (Texas hold ’em, luau, fiesta)
For more information regarding the Corporate Village, contact
Ailena Parramore
Development Manager
ailena.parramore@nmssga.org
678-672-1000/800-FIGHT-MS
