Companies plying the aviation trade—airframers, avionics manufacturers, engine builders, pilot emporiums, headset sellers, fuel companies—are often approached to sponsor some flight or promotional event or another. “It’s for the good of the industry,” goes the reasoning.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/insider/shark-says-no-thanks-to-pushing-a-youth-record