The Olympic Track and Field Trials are going on here in Eugene, Oregon. The city has been getting ready for these two weeks for a long time, now that it’s finally here it’s exciting to see all those plans being put into action.

Besides the track events themselves, there’s a festival going on at the same time, just adjacent to Hayward Field. This festival is free to everyone. There are huge screens for people to see the events, free music, booths for food, areas for kids and information about everything from environmental concerns to local businesses.

Safeway is sponsoring a pedal tent, called the Track Town Pedal Station, where people can sign up or walk in and pedal a bike to generate power that then is used to power the fan festival’s stage. (make sure to watch the video to get a glimpse of our own Kristen Langham in the green, pedaling to generate some of that power!)

In another part of the festival, long ropes dropped down from trees where kids of all ages could clamor up and down the magnificent tree’s on the University of Oregon campus. This was sponsored by the Pacific Tree Climbing Institute and – according to Timmy, the 4 year old son of our CEO – a huge hit.

Sponsoring local events can be great advertising for your company. You don’t always have to spend big bucks for a huge tent and big giveaways. Sometimes it can be something small, yet powerful. Sometimes it’s just as easy as walking around the event in your company tshirt.

Never underestimate the power of local advertising and showing up at events. Networking and marketing your small town business can sometimes lead to much bigger things.

‘Chelle Parmele
Social Media Marketing Manager
Palo Alto Software