Our major sponsor

As part of the wider content we can include on the website, we thought we'd share some stories from the history (all 26 months' worth) of CPT Aus.

Our first story is the epic experience we've had with our major sponsor: Wizards of the Coast.

Before last year's event, I'd not really had much experience with contacting prize supporters. All the other trivia nights I'd run had either been on behalf of the Social Club at work - and so all the prizes were bought - or on behalf of people who were managing the prize scrounging themselves, and so they just needed me to write questions and be the MC for the night. I had no idea what to expect, and just sent a whole bunch of emails to the kinds of companies I'd like to see the wares of on offer at a trivia night.

Making contact with Wizards was a straightforward process, and the speed with which they responded to me was genuinely surprising. A few emails back and forth - including a couple to Jamie from Child's Play because reasons - and I was talking to the amazing Will. From the get-go he was enthusiastic and positive, with great ideas to elevate the night and generosity of prize support that saw us with SDCC exclusive Magic cards and a signed set of three 5th Edition D&D rule books to auction. The auction items alone accounted for 1/4 of our funds raised last year. Coupled with the giveaway Magic sample decks, masses of Nerf, and general great vibes and game tweak suggestions, the contribution of Wizards to the event cannot, and will never be, overstated.

In short: Wizards care about the community, they care about supporting the event, and they care about giving attendees the best possible experience. We're very lucky, and extremely grateful, that they're our major sponsor.