Well, if everybody has a decent camera these days, they why not just ask amateurs to submit photos in return for attribution and a small prize to the next event

Well, if everybody has a decent camera these days, they why not just ask amateurs to submit photos in return for attribution and a small prize to the next event or cash reward if their photo gets chosen? There's no need to hire photo journalists if you really don't want to. Also no need to use their work (for a profit!) without asking or paying because you decided it was unnecessary.