Business to gain international exposure as 2011 Amgen Tour of California sponsor

For businesses looking for exposure with active domestic and international market audiences, the opportunity is the Amgen Tour of California and the time is now. The largest sporting event hosted in California includes 27 hours of national television coverage and live broadcasts outside the U.S. in more than 90 countries and billions of worldwide impressions from television, print and online sources.

With the tour’s Stage 1 Start, Finish and Stage 2 Start at Lake Tahoe, The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and North Lake Tahoe Resort Association are organizing sponsorship efforts. The Amgen Tour of California is expected to provide one of greatest financial impacts to the Tahoe basin in years. Based on previous races, the annual economic impact to the state of California is estimated to be $100 million with Lake Tahoe organizers anticipating a local impact of $5 – 10 million resulting from 10 days of events leading up to the race start on May 15. For Lake Tahoe, hosting the tour is about telling the world that the area is a remarkable cycling destination.

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC), comprised of business and marketing leaders, has been meeting since October to organize, promote and secure sponsors. The LOC has also created a “Tahoe 10-Day Countdown to the Tour” calendar of events beginning May 5, to celebrate the tour at Lake Tahoe.

The five levels of local sponsorships range from the coveted Yellow Jersey at $25,000 to the White Jersey at $1,000. Amenities include tickets to the Amgen Tour of California Dinner Gala and Team Introductions; registrations for the Lake Tahoe Legends Ride; access to VIP Hospitality; VIP parking at each of the stages; signed jerseys; lodging; inclusion in big screen commercials, direct mail collateral, social media and web site exposure.

For more information visit www.TahoeAmgenTourofCalifornia.com or contact the local sponsorship sales organizer, Michael Milthorpe: michaelmilthorpe@milthorpesports.com, (386) 673-4377.

Stage 1 of the race is presented by Michelob Ultra, and Stage 2 by the California Travel & Tourism Commission (CTTC).

Local sponsors for Lake Tahoe Stages include: Korbel California Champagne, Tahoe Center for Orthopedics at Barton Healthand Sacramento County Airport.

Local supporters include: MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa, Harrah’s/Harveys, Horizon Casino, Embassy Suites Hotel & Resort, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Resort at Squaw Creek, The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, the Village at Squaw, Forest Suites, Squaw Valley Lodge, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Mountain Resort and Squaw Valley USA.

Area media supporters include: KRNV-TV - Reno’s NBC affiliate, KTHO radio, Lake Tahoe Action Magazine, Outside Television’s Lake Tahoe TV and Tahoe Quarterly.

“A major event that kicks off at South Shore means one thing: get ready for it to be done like never before,” said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “South Shore will show race fans that we know how to celebrate. They’ll go home with plenty of stories to brag about.”

“The Amgen Tour of California is the largest event to ever hit Lake Tahoe,” said Director of Tourism Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. “And local businesses and organizations can absolutely be involved. From hosting community cycling events to sponsoring the Lake Tahoe routes for as little as $500 to $1,000, there are plenty of ways to maximize your participation and cash in on the thousands of spectators expected to attend the Tour.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noZSi7ccd08&feature=player_embedded

The 2011 Amgen Tour of California will cover 800 miles and visit 15 Host Cities for official stage starts and finishes, while other cities along the route also will have the opportunity to witness the excitement of elite professional cycling. Stages for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California include:

Stage 1: Sunday, May 15 – South Lake Tahoe to North Lake Tahoe-Northstar at Tahoe Resort
Stage 2: Monday, May 16 – North Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley USA to Sacramento
Stage 3: Tuesday, May 17 – Auburn to Modesto
Stage 4: Wednesday, May 18 – Livermore to San Jose
Stage 5: Thursday, May 19 – Seaside toPaso Robles
Stage 6: Friday, May 20 – Solvang Individual Time Trial
Stage 7: Saturday, May 21 – Claremont to Mt. Baldy
Stage 8: Sunday, May 22 – Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks

For best viewing points, where to catch the riders up close, a complete list of events (including the Tahoe 10-Day Countdown leading up to the race) and lodging accommodations, click to www.TahoeAmgenTourofCalifornia.com follow us on Twitter and Facebook. For details about the Tour and information about volunteering, visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

Story provided by: Weidinger Public Relations