B&A International Classic - not NPC approved

[ben 1]

I think your smart enough to know why??   

1st   Most pros get blackballed in the IFBB...pros dont want the risk. Look at priest....

2nd  The upcoming pool of athletes for the future is Amatuers...npc or natty alike.

3rd   99% of registered pros are not on contract pay from weider but still yearly pour out "due fees" for nothing to show for it.   Now add in amateurs and the pool is quite large for sure!!!

4th    All buisnessmen know there is an outlay of cash to make make a profit. Sometimes it takes years to turn one.....I know this is listed as a "Production" so its legal terms may be different.....

5th     Any athlete who has spent so much money to get to vegas for the USA champs owes it to themselves to jump in the next day to see what happens.   Theyre already in shape so why not???

6th    Bodybuilding is nothing more than a "Bikini" contest anyway.  The hawiantropic competitors can roam around the country making money at local shows......why canyt bb's?
Listing it as a "production" is more appropiate anyway.   Think about it, "competiting" is just part of the production......


Im definitly going to attend....

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thanks for your support!

[ben 1]

Ben, I sincerely wish you all the best on your show. I admire your efforts here , and know you realize this will be an uphill climb until the show gets "established" . Trying to start a new successful bodybuilding organization is a lot like trying to start a viable 3rd party in poltics.
If your concept is good and people like the show, it will spead and the show will grow. If it comes off poorly attended and/or disorganized it will crash and burn. EVERY successful promoter has to start somewhere however.
Good luck, you have more guts than ambition than me.
Howard

Hi Howard,
we will do whatever we can to make it a great experience for our Athletes.
Important: We are not an organization,we are a Production company!
Thank you very much Howard.
Ben

BTW I like challenges!

[Disgusted]

Just thought I would posty this. I found it very interesting. Maybe Ben could elaborate a little.

"Let me tell you what really happened.We were at the Olympia Expo and we gave out thousands of flyers and business cards.2 days later someone from the NPC called me
on our B&A phone and said that the NPC would be glad to sanction our show.I said "no" like i said no to all the other Organizations because we want no politics involved in our show,this show is for the Athletes and the best Men.Women/Figure Girl will win the car.Back then everything was still fine and when i and also Athletes asked the NPC if the could compete in our show the answer was"yes"Now time went by and more and more Athletes are interested in our show and I was still under the impression that yes means yes and did send out emails to Athletes were i stated that NPC Athletes can compete in our show but the NPC got probably scared and insecure(which i do not understand at all because we are a production company and we will never be an Organization) and now they say that you will get punished if you compete in our show,go figure.Our show will be the best show any Amateur will ever attend because we really care about our Athletes and there are thousands of other Athletes out there who do not give a damm about the NPC.We still will put up posters about NPC shows and other Organizations like we say on our website.We are" in for the Athletes" and nobody else.

Ben& Astrid Promoter of the most amazing Amateur show in the World!!"

[ben 1]

Just thought I would posty this. I found it very interesting. Maybe Ben could elaborate a little.

"Let me tell you what really happened.We were at the Olympia Expo and we gave out thousands of flyers and business cards.2 days later someone from the NPC called me
on our B&A phone and said that the NPC would be glad to sanction our show.I said "no" like i said no to all the other Organizations because we want no politics involved in our show,this show is for the Athletes and the best Men.Women/Figure Girl will win the car.Back then everything was still fine and when i and also Athletes asked the NPC if the could compete in our show the answer was"yes"Now time went by and more and more Athletes are interested in our show and I was still under the impression that yes means yes and did send out emails to Athletes were i stated that NPC Athletes can compete in our show but the NPC got probably scared and insecure(which i do not understand at all because we are a production company and we will never be an Organization) and now they say that you will get punished if you compete in our show,go figure.Our show will be the best show any Amateur will ever attend because we really care about our Athletes and there are thousands of other Athletes out there who do not give a damm about the NPC.We still will put up posters about NPC shows and other Organizations like we say on our website.We are" in for the Athletes" and nobody else.

Ben& Astrid Promoter of the most amazing Amateur show in the World!!"

That is what happened.Can i prove it? No,do i have a name? No.I did not even really listen to that except the guy said that he was from the NPC.I do also not remember other People who called me and made the same offer because it was not important to me.However friends of mine who compete with the NPC asked back than People in charge of the NPC if it was ok and the answer was always yes!We even had a meeting with a bunch of Female NPC Bodybuilder in the New Orleans Hotel before the Olympia.The spokes person (I will not say a name because she really helped me out and still does) said also that she spoke to the people in charge and everything was fine.When January came around it changed.Since i stated the whole time that NPC Athletes can compete,they made me look like a big liar.A bad guy who tries to trick Athletes in his competition.That is what happened.
Ben

[War-Horse]

That is what happened.Can i prove it? No,do i have a name? No.I did not even really listen to that except the guy said that he was from the NPC.I do also not remember other People who called me and made the same offer because it was not important to me.However friends of mine who compete with the NPC asked back than People in charge of the NPC if it was ok and the answer was always yes!We even had a meeting with a bunch of Female NPC Bodybuilder in the New Orleans Hotel before the Olympia.The spokes person (I will not say a name because she really helped me out and still does) said also that she spoke to the people in charge and everything was fine.When January came around it changed.Since i stated the whole time that NPC Athletes can compete,they made me look like a big liar.A bad guy who tries to trick Athletes in his competition.That is what happened.
Ben

Welcome to the Big time.....lying whores in the NPC and IFBB.  Business as usual.

[Chick]

That is what happened.Can i prove it? No,do i have a name? No.I did not even really listen to that except the guy said that he was from the NPC.I do also not remember other People who called me and made the same offer because it was not important to me.However friends of mine who compete with the NPC asked back than People in charge of the NPC if it was ok and the answer was always yes!We even had a meeting with a bunch of Female NPC Bodybuilder in the New Orleans Hotel before the Olympia.The spokes person (I will not say a name because she really helped me out and still does) said also that she spoke to the people in charge and everything was fine.When January came around it changed.Since i stated the whole time that NPC Athletes can compete,they made me look like a big liar.A bad guy who tries to trick Athletes in his competition.That is what happened.
Ben

Just who is "They"...?

You delt with nobody in any official capacity....you don't even know if the person you were talking to, has ANYTHING to do with the NPC.

Whoever it is that IS helping you, obviuosly doesn't have the vested authority to make any such claims, or promises....do us all a favor and name her, her mouth was writing checks she couldn't cash....

[240 is Back]

Just who is "They"...?

You delt with nobody in any official capacity....you don't even know if the person you were talking to, has ANYTHING to do with the NPC.

Whoever it is that IS helping you, obviuosly doesn't have the vested authority to make any such claims, or promises....do us all a favor and name her, her mouth was writing checks she couldn't cash....

Nice! 

Share her name!  Let's get to the bottom.  Either a rogue employee, or NPC dirty tricks!  Either way, it'd be nice to see the cause of this misunderstanding.

[Chick]

Nice! 

Share her name!  Let's get to the bottom.  Either a rogue employee, or NPC dirty tricks!  Either way, it'd be nice to see the cause of this misunderstanding.

It's not any dirty tricks, just someone talking out of their ass...

[dearth]

it could never be a fault of Manion's NPC 

It's not any dirty tricks, just someone talking out of their ass...

[timfogarty]

tell me Chick, or anyone from the NPC,  what is the motivation to threaten athletes with being blacklisted if they enter this contest?   the purity of the sport?   then why aren't you banning Musclemania, NGA or WNBF athletes?  why haven't you even threaten to ban anyone who enters pro contests in Musclemania, NGA or WNBF in the future?   to protect your monopoly?   but then again, why aren't you sending out warnings to athletes to not enter Musclemania, NGA or WNBF pro events?

it is very strange that this is the only contest with prizes that matters to you.

[ben 1]

Just who is "They"...?

You delt with nobody in any official capacity....you don't even know if the person you were talking to, has ANYTHING to do with the NPC.

Whoever it is that IS helping you, obviuosly doesn't have the vested authority to make any such claims, or promises....do us all a favor and name her, her mouth was writing checks she couldn't cash....

She helped me out and still does big time.I would never do that.Loyalty is not just a word for me.She was not the only one who said that back than.You could asked anybody from the NPC and they would say it was ok.It was not her fault.I am pretty sure that nobody in the NPC at that point was sure what they were saying.They only got sure when they felt threaten which is a total joke for me but maybe they were right and i did not realize it back than.I do not care about the NPC.I did not start a war.I have emails in my email forwarded to me from sponsors of my show,where they get blackmailed by a very important NPC guy.No i will not share the information,i am loyal to my sponsors to but i know what really is going on and Bob you know i am right.Of course you will say again"proof it,say a name" but i am not.It is what it is.
We are in for the Athletes and that is all what matters.
We will show Athletes respect and a great time and nobody will get rushed on stage liker a certain Organization loves to do.

www.internationalclassic slasvegas.com  most rewarding Amateur show in the world in 2008!

[Vince B]

Not sure giving so many trophies is a good idea. After the 1980 Mr Olympia only one trophy was presented. No one has ever destroyed a cheque, though.

Ben is holding an unofficial, unsanctioned contest with prizes that are too big. A recipe for disaster for sure.

Gotta love the way Bob Chick has an official but appointed position to represent the professional athletes. The irony there is very apt.

[onlyme]

This come to mind.  Why is Chic commenting on this.  He has NO capacity to do so.  Is he not the IFBB pro rep.  Yet he is on here debating over a subject he has NO authority.  This proves 100% that the IFBB and NPC stooges use Chic to let people know how things are going to be done.  They are 100% telling him what to say and do.  But in reality whatever he says means as much as those no name people he said were talking out of the arses.  The problem with this is what Ben says is most certainly 100% true.  He has not one reason to lie, yet the NPC and IFBB has many reasons.  This is another circumstance where the IFBB and the NPC are trying their hardest to stop someone from bettering bodybuilding.  I just hope Ben sells out the event and competitors can see through all the bullshit the NPC and IFBB spewes out to try and control them.  It appears to me Ben and Astrid both have their feet on the ground and can't and won't be bullied.  Good for them and I hope everyone supports them.  As long as they have the resources to pull this off then awesome.  All you need to do Ben in concentrate on the promotion within Las Vegas.  Get to all the gyms and there are a ton of them and get out posters.  Getting a mailing list of the NPC competitors is pretty easy too.  Spend time on the internet and look up competitors websites and directly contact them.  The best thing was to schedule the show the day after.  You have all those competitors to pull from.  And guaranteed you will.  With the prizes you are offering I can see quite a few of them entering.  Use the internet as much as you can; boards, forums, blogs, websites, etc.  It's amazing what you can get done and no one can stop it.  Good job

[Vince B]

I gotta say that no one is his right mind would want to promote a bodybuilding contest!

[onlyme]

I gotta say that no one is his right mind would want to promote a bodybuilding contest!

Not true.  No one in their right mind would want to promote an IFBB show.  NPC is bad enough but the IFBB is just plain stupid.  It was like when I promoted armwrestling events.  I did it not to make money but because I loved armwrestling and wanted to put good events on and promote the sport to try and make it bigger.  I see thats what Ben is doing.  It's not all the time about the money especially if you have it and you are not counting on making a living from it.  You do it cause you love it.  If you make something then great if not then you come back the next time and try to make your losses less and hopefully make a little.  In this time you can't do to many things in a small way and expect to get anything done.  You have to make it big and you have to stick out.  this show certainly does this.  If Ben was just doing a small show at a local high school no one would be talking about it.

[Disgusted]

I am NOT on the side of anyone BUT!! I am all for the athletes having a choice and to be able to win some money. What Ben is doing is great as far as I am concerned. Now, we have the NPC supposedly saying they will ban or suspend anyone who enters this show. If this is so then why havn't they put anything in writing?? They put out an announcment for the IFBB, but there was no mention for the NPC members specifically being suspended??

I would think that if the NPC did suspend anyone it would be a losing situations for them. Think about it, if some of the top ten guys who entered the USA decide to enter this show and get suspended then they will not be able to enter the Nationals, the North Americans and the USA the following year. The quality of the shows would be greatly diminished and lets face it there are not too many great "up and comings" in the National ranks at the moment. If a bunch of nobodies enter then it won't matter to them anyway, but no matter what 3 people will walk (or drive  ) away with a car along with some other great stuff.

[timfogarty]

It was like when I promoted armwrestling events.  I did it not to make money but because I loved armwrestling and wanted to put good events on and promote the sport to try and make it bigger.

that's the problem.   for some, being an NPC contest promoter is their full time job.  It is their only source of income.  they're promoting a show.  that it's a bodybuilding show is immaterial.

[onlyme]

I am NOT on the side of anyone BUT!! I am all for the athletes having a choice and to be able to win some money. What Ben is doing is great as far as I am concerned. Now, we have the NPC supposedly saying they will ban or suspend anyone who enters this show. If this is so then why havn't they put anything in writing?? They put out an announcment for the IFBB, but there was no mention for the NPC members specifically being suspended??

I would think that if the NPC did suspend anyone it would be a losing situations for them. Think about it, if some of the top ten guys who entered the USA decide to enter this show and get suspended then they will not be able to enter the Nationals, the North Americans and the USA the following year. The quality of the shows would be greatly diminished and lets face it there are not too many great "up and comings" in the National ranks at the moment. If a bunch of nobodies enter then it won't matter to them anyway, but no matter what 3 people will walk (or drive  ) away with a car along with some other great stuff.

Yep.  Wonder if the guys who competed and placed high at the USA come and sit in the audience to watch the show.  They see the quality of the competitors is good but they are much better.  They are going to watch someone who has less quality than they have win a NEW CAR.  What are they going to think about the next few weeks.  The fact they won or took 2nd place or 3rd place at the USA or the fact they could have easily won a brand NEW CAR.  I know winning the USA is a huge accomplishment but in reality when you win something you will think about it for awhile then okay.  But when you lose something that you know you should have or could have won, that is what eats at you for a long time.

[Disgusted]

Yep.  Wonder if the guys who competed and placed high at the USA come and sit in the audience to watch the show.  They see the quality of the competitors is good but they are much better.  They are going to watch someone who has less quality than they have win a NEW CAR.  What are they going to think about the next few weeks.  The fact they won or took 2nd place or 3rd place at the USA or the fact they could have easily won a brand NEW CAR.  I know winning the USA is a huge accomplishment but in reality when you win something you will think about it for awhile then okay.  But when you lose something that you know you should have or could have won, that is what eats at you for a long time.

Exactly Keith! I have already heard this kind of talk from more than a few guys. In a time when most guys don't have a pot to piss in (no offense) a brand new car is a hell of a luxury to pass up.

[knny187]

Well...you all know I give Bob shit....but I only call it the way I see it.


I'm on Bob's side here.  Something doesn't smell Kosher


Who the hell does anything to end up in the red?  Not just that...but other things going on seem to be out of order.

[Disgusted]

Well...you all know I give Bob shit....but I only call it the way I see it.


I'm on Bob's side here.  Something doesn't smell Kosher


Who the hell does anything to end up in the red?  Not just that...but other things going on seem to be out of order.

Of course Ben is not PLANNING on not making any money, but he does realize that the first year he may not. Speaking of not making any money, neither the Colorado pro or the Montreal Pro made any money either year. Both of them shows have folded.

[Pete Dimano]

Well...you all know I give Bob shit....but I only call it the way I see it.


I'm on Bob's side here.  Something doesn't smell Kosher


Who the hell does anything to end up in the red?  Not just that...but other things going on seem to be out of order.

maybe the guy will take all the entry fees then declare bankruptcy.  not a bad idea.  that's what i'd do!

[JohnnyVegas]

that's the problem.   for some, being an NPC contest promoter is their full time job.  It is their only source of income.  they're promoting a show.  that it's a bodybuilding show is immaterial.

There is no NPC propmoter making their living off of propmoting BBing shows-and that includes Jon Lindsey.

[ben 1]

It is hard to understand that someone steps up just for the love of Bodybuilding right?
Just to give something back to the Athletes without thinking business here.
Our Plan for the future is to break even.To have one or maybe 2 great Events where it is all about the Athletes.We are financially in a good position to do so.We just love Bodybuilding,it is simple like that.
Maybe every Amateur Athlete will find our Event great and than we will certainly make money but that was never the first thought when Astrid and I stepped up.We do not know what the future brings but at least we will try to make Amateur Bodybuilding better for the Athletes.
Ben

www.internationalclassic slasvegas.com

[knny187]

It is hard to understand that someone steps up just for the love of Bodybuilding right?
Just to give something back to the Athletes without thinking business here.
Our Plan for the future is to break even.To have one or maybe 2 great Events where it is all about the Athletes.We are financially in a good position to do so.We just love Bodybuilding,it is simple like that.
Maybe every Amateur Athlete will find our Event great and than we will certainly make money but that was never the first thought when Astrid and I stepped up.We do not know what the future brings but at least we will try to make Amateur Bodybuilding better for the Athletes.
Ben

www.internationalclassic slasvegas.com

the word "future" & operating in the red don't go