Volunteers Create the Final Link that makes the Tour of Missouri A Great Success

Corporate Sponsors contribute revenue required that bring an epic event such as a seven stage professional bicycle race to Missouri. But without the literally hundreds of volunteers required from each city where there is a start or finish the Tour of Missouri would still not happen.

As I traveled throughout the state following ToM this year, there were three elements that stand forward making this marvolus event a success. First of course there is Medalist Sports which provides the glue that binds all other elements together. How do they do it? Just spend a few days around Kelly Green, VP of event management, Chris Aronhalt or Jim Birell, Managing partners of Medalist Sports, and you will see! Question. How many knots are required to make a fine swedish doilie? You know, the ones like grandma used to make? Thousands? Well, logistics alone requires more decisions than knots in your grandmas favorite doilie treasure.

Then there are hundreds of contracted crews that move equipment from one location to the next. Its completely amazing to watch as crews roll into the finish location and setup with truck loads of equipment the night before then teardown after the finish and roll onto the next location. And as one group is setting up another group is tearing down leapfrogging across the state from start to finish!

In the end, its the volunteer that stands out most visible and in the greatest numbers. Most recognized wearing the prized volunteer T Shirt. And in many cases the T Shirt is the only actual payment in return for the service. The T Shirt is important! The Tour of Missouri may be an epic event possibly ecliped only by the missouri state fair. But I'm not sure there are more volunteers.

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