Saturday, September 11, 2010

WEG TV: NBC's WEG Broadcast Schedule

NBC will offer six and a half hours of 2010 World Equestrian Games coverage over three Sundays.  Coverage will include one hour on Sunday, September 26 beginning at 12 noon; three hours on Sunday, October 3, beginning at 1 p.m.; and two hours on Sunday, October 10, beginning at 4 p.m. All times are Eastern Time.  The coverage offered by NBC will highlight the World Championships of each discipline and the opening and closing ceremonies.  Coverage will be available to spectators via  live streaming over the internet and mobile telephones. For more information regarding live streaming availability please visit NBCSports.com.

Complete WEG Schedule

Take a look at the entire 2010 World Equestrian Games Schedule .  While some venues and dates are already sold out, plenty of competition tickets and attractions are waiting for for you at the Kentucky Horse Park.  So check out the schedule and see what is still available.  See you in Kentucky.

WEG Daily Must See Helps Get Your WEG On!

To help you better plan your WEG experience, Alltech offers Daily Must See Series on their website
The Daily Must-See, located in the News  Portion of  the official WEG Website.  The Daily Must See will help you  find out competition times, musical entertainment, and special daily attractions each day of the Games. They will be running through all the highlights for each day now through September 24th.

So check it out and plan your WEG experience! It will help you get your WEG on!

First Horses Arrive in Kentucky!

First Group of Horses Arrive at the Kentucky Horse Park for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Game

Lexington, KY—With just 14 days until the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the first group of eight horses arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park on Friday afternoon. This first group of equine athletes represent Chile and Guatemala and will compete at the Games in the World Championship of Endurance presented by Meydan.

The horses have been quarantined in Miami since their flight to the United States and have traveled via trailer to Kentucky.   While the athletes are not arriving with these horses, this first group of equine athletes arriving to the park signifies that the Games are getting underway!

The first of the horses from Europe will be arriving next week and will be in quarantine in Northern Kentucky.



Kroger Offers WEG Ticket Promotion

With 13 Days to Go—Shoppers at 166 Kroger stores in four states will be able to purchase Flex Grounds Pass tickets to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games along with their grocery items from September 1 through September 24.

Kroger stores in Central Tennessee, Southern Illinois, Southern Indiana, and Kentucky spanning locations from Owensboro and Louisville to London and Corbin will offer the Flex Grounds Pass ticket at a promotional rate of $25, instead of the standard $30 price.

The Flex Grounds Pass can be used for entry on any one day of choice, without selecting a specific date of attendance at the time of purchase.  Children 12 and under receive free admission when accompanied by a paying adult, except on September 26, October 2, and October 9.

Kroger stores selling Flex Grounds Pass tickets will feature Games logo signs at store entrances. Cashiers in each location can process the purchase at all check-out terminals and will print the ticket at the register.

The Flex Grounds Pass will give spectators access to a wide range of activities on the Games venue. Activities include shopping at more than 250 Trade Show booths; exciting exhibits and entertainment at the Kentucky Experience tourism pavilion and the Alltech Experience pavilion; family-friendly, educational and entertaining exhibits and demonstrations in the Equine Village, and many of the Kentucky Horse Park’s world-renowned exhibits and museums. Please note that a Grounds Pass ticket does not grant access to competition venues.

For more information about spectator attractions available with a Flex Ground Pass ticket, or to find information about tickets to the eight world championship competitions of the 2010 Games, visit www.alltechfeigames.com.

About The Kroger Co.

The Kroger Co. [NYSE: KR], the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer, employs more than 326,000 associates who serve customers in 2,469 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s.  The Company also operates 773 convenience stores, 392 fine jewelry stores, 850 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food processing plants in the U.S.  Kroger, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local organizations in the communities it serves.  For more information about Kroger, please visit www.kroger.com. Kroger’s Mid South division is based in Louisville, Ky. and operates 166 stores in Kentucky, Middle Tennessee, Southern Indiana and Southern Illinois.

Reining Individual Final and Oct 1 Grounds Pass Sold Out

LEXINGTON, KY—14 Days to Go—Tickets to the Reining Individual Final and Grounds Pass tickets for October 1 are sold out for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Additionally, on-course hospitality for Eventing Cross Country on October 2 has sold out.  Only a few hospitality passes to the Makers Mark Bourbon Village remain for October 1.  Champions Club tables for Opening Ceremonies, Driving, and Dressage, are nearly sold out.

Sales of competition tickets have seen a marked increase in the past six weeks.  Most notably, tickets for driving, eventing, jumping and vaulting have seen a strong interest from buyers.

Less than 500 tickets now remain for the Vaulting Male and Female Individual Finals on October 9, and also for the Driving Obstacle/Cones competition on October 10.

Grounds Pass tickets are still available for 12 of the 16 days of the Games for $25. Children 12 and under receive free admission when accompanied by a paying adult, except on September 26, October 2, and October 9.

While tickets for finals rounds continue to sell most rapidly, tickets are still available for early sessions of competition in all eight disciplines.  Many are available at a 30 percent discount through September 6.  To purchase tickets, visit www.alltechfeigames.com/tickets, www.ticketmaster.com, or call 1-888-934-2010.

WEG Goes High Fashion

LEXINGTON, KY—13 Days to Go—Internationally-renowned fashion designer Reem Acra will be a presenting sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  The Games will feature world championships in eight equestrian sports at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park September 25-October 10.

Reem Acra will be the presenting sponsor of the Eventing World Championships, as well as the presenting sponsor of the Champions Club, the most exclusive offering of the event’s hospitality program.  Reem Acra designs will be featured in Champions Club gifts, and in displays at various venues throughout the Games.

Reem Acra has had a love of equestrian sports all her life.  “This is my second chance to finally participate fully in the international equestrian community. My first experience was interrupted when I was a young woman growing up in Beirut. I have a close professional and personal relationship with HRH Princess Haya, and when I saw how passionate she was about the FEI, I felt that it was natural to link my brand to the sport,” Ms. Acra said.  “The people who compete in the Games are a perfect reflection of my customer base and I believe that this is a great way to show how the Reem Acra brand is synonymous with elegance and luxury. I am also excited to have my company serve as a presenting sponsor of the upcoming Games in support of HRH Princess Haya and all she is doing as President of the Games this fall.  I look forward to visiting Kentucky this season to see the competitions for the first time in the United States.”

Celebrated for her ability to match a look to a woman’s personality, Acra has dressed global icons of style for weddings, red carpet appearances and awards ceremonies.  Her following includes Angelina Jolie, Princess Haya, Halle Berry, Beyonce Knowles, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Eva Longoria as well as royal families around the world.

Acra’s ready-to-wear and bridal collections are carried by 150 of the world's most exclusive retailers.  These stores include Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue in the United States as well as Saks Fifth Avenue and Harvey Nichols in the Middle East.  Her designs are also available at top specialty retailers across the world located in Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Istanbul, Egypt, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Korea.

WEG Going Green!

LEXINGTON, KY—13 Days to Go—The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games is proud to announce plans for efficient recycling and waste reduction during the 16-day event, by partnering with Green Duck composting and recycling solutions company.

Using eco-stations and compostable products, the World Games 2010 Foundation is projected to recycle and compost over 360 tons of material that otherwise would have gone to the landfill.

Volunteers will be on hand at the eco-station sites to assist spectators in where to place their disposables.  These bins will be designated for recyclables, compostables and waste materials.

Additionally, Green Duck has partnered with Buona and Patina, the Games concession and catering vendors, to utilize certified compostable to-go food service packaging, including plates, cups, cutlery and food containers. With these compostable products in place, more than 90 percent of the packaging for foodservice will be diverted from the landfill, and instead be turned into nutrient-rich compost soil.

“Green Duck is excited and proud to be a part of greening the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. We look forward to the event in addition to greatly reducing the amount of waste generated through recycling and composting,” said Jocelyn Tice, founder of Green Duck.

Green Duck is a company committed to distributing goods that cause the least amount of harm to the environment. Green Duck offers the best in compostable to-go food packaging in order to reduce the amount of waste created by food consumption. Green Duck also provides full-circle insight and solutions towards composting and recycling to reduce waste for facilities and events.

Fazoli's WEG Ticket Giveaway!


To help as many area residents as possible enjoy the Games, Fazoli’s is giving away 32 pairs of tickets, complete with hospitality passes.

“This is a unique chance to experience a true world-class sporting event and Fazoli’s is delighted to offer tickets to some of our guests,” said Carl Howard, CEO of Fazoli’s.

Each of Fazoli’s 16 Lexington-area restaurants will give away two pairs of tickets. Visit your closest Fazoli’s to enter the drawing.

Fazzoli's will feed the masses -- of Volunteers!

Lexington, Ky.—With 13 days to go—Lexington’s own quick-serve Italian restaurant, Fazoli’s, will help support its home city during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games by providing meals to dedicated volunteers at the Games. Fazoli’s also is giving away 32 pairs of tickets, complete with hospitality passes.

Fazoli’s will serve 4,000 meals to volunteers during the Games. Volunteers will enjoy some of the restaurant’s signature items, including Spaghetti Marinara, Fettuccine Alfredo, Garden Salad and, of course, Fazoli’s famous Breadsticks. Food will be prepared on site at the Kentucky Horse Park. Fazoli’s also will provide 1,000 vouchers for volunteers to use at Fazoli’s restaurants.

“We are very pleased to partner with Fazoli’s,” said Terry Johnson, WEG vice president of sales and marketing. “This is a great example of a local company stepping up to support the 2010 Games by feeding thousands of volunteers, without whom, there would be no event.”

To help as many area residents as possible enjoy the Games, Fazoli’s is giving away 32 pairs of tickets, complete with hospitality passes.

“This is a unique chance to experience a true world-class sporting event and Fazoli’s is delighted to offer tickets to some of our guests,” said Carl Howard, CEO of Fazoli’s.

Each of Fazoli’s 16 Lexington-area restaurants will give away two pairs of tickets. Visit your closest Fazoli’s to enter the drawing.

An American family favorite for more than 20 years, Fazoli’s is a leading next generation QSR franchise opportunity. With an all-new premium menu featuring freshly prepared Italian entrees, Submarinos® sandwiches and salads, along with a contemporary new restaurant design and fresh leadership, Fazoli’s is well positioned for growth. Already America’s largest Italian quick service chain, Fazoli’s is expanding in select markets throughout the country. Founded in Lexington, Ky. in 1989, Sun Capital Partners acquired Fazoli’s in 2006.

About WEG

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States. Tickets to the 2010 Games are still available and can be purchased at www.alltechfeigames.com/tickets, at www.ticketmaster.com, through the Ticketmaster hotline at 1-800-745-3000, or at your local Ticketmaster outlet.

The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which marks the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $167 million, and current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc., Meydan, Kentucky Ale, and the University of Kentucky. For more information on the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games please visit, www.alltechfeigames.com.

WEG Technology Sponsor Named

LEXINGTON, KY—14 days to go—Avaya, Inc., a global leader in enterprise communications systems, software and services, has been named an Official Technology Sponsor of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  As their exclusive provider of communications and networking equipment, Avaya is providing the unified communications and network equipment needed by the Games staff to support the demanding communications needs for the event.

Avaya, which is leveraging its experience in providing communications systems for leading businesses, organizations and sporting events around the world, is providing voice over IP (internet protocol), phone systems, wireless access and a variety of other technologies to the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc. to ensure seamless communications both prior to and throughout the 2010 Games.

“We are excited to have Avaya join the 2010 Games family,” stated Terry Johnson, vice president of sales and marketing for the Games. “Their involvement and expertise will enable our technology plans to be the best ever seen and will benefit the Kentucky Horse Park for years to come.”

“Our technologies ensure that world-class organizations like the World Games 2010 Foundation and the Commonwealth of Kentucky can count on flawless communications experiences,” said Tom Awe, area Vice President, US Midwest, Avaya. “We are very proud to be a part of this event and for the opportunity to demonstrate our industry-leading technologies in front of this prestigious global audience.”

About Avaya
Avaya is a global leader in enterprise communications systems. The company provides unified communications, contact centers, data solutions, and related services directly and through its channel partners to leading businesses and organizations around the world. Enterprises of all sizes depend on Avaya for state-of-the-art communications that improve efficiency, collaboration, customer service and competitiveness. For more information please visit www.avaya.com.

Lex Officials Urge Visitors: Pay Attention to Signs When at WEG

LEXINGTON, KY—14 Days to Go—Spectators are urged to pay close attention to directional signage and police forces guiding the way into the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, as these measures are a critical component of the event’s traffic management plan.

“We have been planning for this event for four years.  Now it’s almost time to put our plans into action,” stated Mayor Jim Newberry.

More than 115 roadway signs, including changeable message boards and directional signage, will be placed on regional interstates and roadways surrounding the park in mid-September. These signs will point spectators to appropriate exit ramps and parking entrances.

Signage will be placed to route spectators to the Kentucky Horse Park on Interstates 64 and 75, on the Bluegrass Parkway, and on Nicholasville Road and New Circle Road in Lexington. Additional Games information will be available via local radio on AM 1620 as well as local television and newspaper outlets.

“It is very important for spectators to follow the signed routes to the park, as the traffic plan may point you to a different route than you would normally take,” said Jamie Link, CEO of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. “The routes are designed to keep traffic flowing safely and efficiently into the on-site parking areas.”

Additionally, city and state police forces will be on hand to manage traffic flow and guide spectators into the appropriate parking entrances.

“The Division of Police will be assigning officers for traffic control on Iron Works Pike. We will also be working closely with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Traffic Management Center to ensure safe and efficient traffic flow throughout the World Equestrian Games,” said Commander Mike Blanton, Lexington City Police. “To help us in our effort to reduce traffic volume in the area of the horse park, we encourage residents and commuters, not attending the games, to plan ahead and use different routes whenever possible to avoid Games traffic.”

 Once inside, Games transportation officials will work to collect the $20 daily parking fee quickly to keep all vehicles flowing into parking spots. Spectators will be required to have cash only ready for payment. After parking, spectators will walk a maximum distance of less than eight city blocks to reach the entrance to the grounds.
On site parking is not the only transportation option to the 2010 Games. Many area hotels within the Games Housing Bureau will offer shuttle service for $10 advance purchase to Housing Bureau guests and $15 to all hotel guests during the event. Lex Tran public transit, cab services, and private sedan or limousine services are also available.

City officials also remind local commuters who utilize interstate exits near the Kentucky Horse Park to be mindful of event traffic from September 25 through October 10. Commuters are encouraged to use the Paris Pike and Winchester Road exits in lieu of the Newtown Pike exit on Interstate 75 to access downtown Lexington.

“The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has worked closely with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, local and state law enforcement, and World Equestrian Games officials to develop a safe and effective traffic management plan,” said Dept. of Highways Chief Engineer James Ballinger. “We also encourage motorists to plan ahead and allow plenty of drive time when traveling to their destinations around Central Kentucky during the WEG events to help alleviate traffic congestion.”

For more information about transportation and traffic planning, visit www.alltechfeigames.com.