I'd say it's popularity has forced certain feds or organizations to focus on particular aspects of the sport. For example RPS have their endless records and divisions providing an environment that encourages participation. EPC is focused on community, charity, look and feel and is much more competitive in execution. OPA/IPF is focused on traditional professionalism and building a perception of credibility.
These have likely always been around, but I am getting the impression that the loyalties are strengthening due to increased exposure. It is creating a "you can't be seen doing this with that person/org/fed/comp/gym, etc." environment. This complicates an event like mine's ability to attract and confirm sponsors, athletes and fundraising dollars.
We are seeing (in my area, anyway) more people getting involved, more meets are being organized and so we are all trying to settle into our own market share by choosing a path. It's not enough anymore to simply say I'm running a meet and welcome the athletes. Athletes are aligning themselves with orgs that share their values towards the sport. I think part of the challenge is that it is becoming much more mainstream and visible and so reluctance to be in the same place as certain people, brands or feds is growing.
Not all of these things are particularly bad. They just provide challenges to me as a meet director. The effect this mainstream activity has had on my meet is that there is greater exposure, which is nice, but there's also greater challenge to attract and retain lifters. LFK is the first of its kind, as far as I know in Ontario, and even Canada for that matter. My model was unique and was working great. My total funds raised has been improving every year and that's great but at what cost? It is time to pack it in on a high note instead of exposing it to the possibility of fizzling out. For now I am working to find ways to improve the model.
