Sturgis city officials are moving forward with plans to seek outside help managing sponsorships for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally by issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to both national and local companies.
City Council members agreed this week that gathering proposals will help determine the best fit for handling sponsorship contracts. Mayor Rod Bradley said casting a wide net will provide valuable insight into available services and options.
The RFP will exclude nonprofit organizations, as officials say creating and managing a nonprofit for sponsorships would require a separate process. Instead, proposals will focus on established firms with experience either nationally or within the local community.
The shift to a third-party model comes after the city voted earlier this year to change how sponsorships are managed, aiming to increase transparency while protecting proprietary information. Under the new approach, overall contract terms with the selected firm will be public, but individual sponsor agreements will remain confidential.
City officials say the Rally generates between $800,000 and more than $1 million annually in sponsorship revenue, which supports general city operations.
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