Unprecedented Gathering of Panelists to Convene at Inaugural Motor Sport Business Forum North America Next Week

ORLANDO, Fla. (December 3, 2009) – In less than one week, a gathering of international motorsports business leaders and decision makers that may be unprecedented in its scope will convene at the Motor Sport Business Forum North America (MSBF-NA) on December 8 – 9 at the Hilton Orlando. Only a limited number of delegate registrations remain available so make your plans now to attend the historic first edition of the MSBF-NA at www.msbforum.com.

Recent additions to the blue-chip panel of presenters include two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip, owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, Bridgestone Americas Motorsport Executive Director Al Speyer, Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Chairman Rick Patterson and Canadian Tire Corporation Strategic Marketing Manager Susan Lute. This latest foursome joins an impressive list of confirmed participants that also includes but is far from limited to the following:

• Lesa France Kennedy, CEO, International Speedway Corporation
• Bobby Rahal, Co-Owner and Team Principal, Rahal Letterman Racing
• Eddie Gossage, President, Texas Motor Speedway
• Ed Goren, President, FOX Sports
• Terry Angstadt, President, Commercial Division, Indy Racing League
• Tom Compton, President, National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)
• Scott Atherton, CEO, American Le Mans Series
• Roger VanDerSnick, EVP and COO, International Speedway Corporation
• Roger Edmondson, President, GRAND-AM
• Steve Phelps, Chief Marketing Officer, NASCAR
• Jim Michaelian, President & CEO, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach
• Hunter Nickell, President, SPEED
• Marshall Carlson, President, Hendrick Motorsports
• Brian Wolfe, Director, North America Motorsports, Ford Motor Company
• Pau Serracanta, Managing Director, Dorna Sports (MotoGP)
• Jamie Davis, President, Versus Network

France Kennedy and Rahal will be featured keynote speakers while nearly four dozen other high-powered executives will participate in panel discussions throughout the two-day forum. A complete listing of all presenters follows below.

The MSBF-NA is being organized and hosted by Switzerland’s IM2 Events with Just Marketing International (JMI), the leading global motorsports-exclusive marketing agency, managing the marketing and communications. The Forum Chairman and co-host of the Orlando event is JMI Founder and CEO Zak Brown.

The event is being held in the run-up to the highly popular Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show, the biggest exhibition in global motorsports. A limited amount of space still remains for delegates wishing to participate in the MSBF-NA.

In addition to the eight featured panel discussions, the MSBF-NA agenda also includes a keynote luncheon address each day, scheduled and informal networking sessions and an exhibition area featuring top motorsports and high-performance industry companies.

The complete list of panels and presentations includes:
State of North American Motorsports – Presidents and top marketing officers from leading governing bodies such as NASCAR, NHRA, IRL, GRAND-AM, ALMS and Dorna Sports will discuss and review the business of top level motorsports in North America.

North American Media – Delivering Motorsports to the Mass Market – Top-level executives from premier media outlets the caliber of Sportvision will focus on the important and ever changing role of major media in motor sport.

Team Ownership in Changing Times – A global gathering of top owners and executives from NASCAR, Formula One, IRL and sports car racing as well key representatives from Ford Motorsports U.S. will discuss the challenges and opportunities of team ownership in today’s world. Team principals and owners from Hendrick Motorsports, Green Savoree Promotions, Inc. and Michael Waltrip Racing have already been confirmed.

Building “The Show” – Event Promoters – An international panel of the industry’s top event and sanctioning body executives will discuss the challenges and benefits of their business while also sharing strategies and tactics for successful motor sport events. Top-level speakers from International Speedway Corporation (ISC), the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach and the Bahrain International Circuit have been confirmed with more to follow.

Opportunity Through Sponsors’ Eyes (Why) – Presidents and top executives from blue-chip companies such as UPS, Hilton and Coca-Cola are already confirmed and are expected to be joined by other leading North American sponsors in revealing the direct and hidden benefits of major motor sport sponsorship.

Aces of Activation (How) – Executives from leading corporations such as Ford Motor Company and DuPont that are known for realizing the maximum benefit from their motor sport sponsorship programs will lead the discussion in this insightful presentation.

Measurement: The Search for ROI – This panel will mix leading research and results oriented companies such as The Nielsen Company, IFM/SMS and IEG with proven corporate impact makers such as DuPont and more.

Value Proposition: Motor Sports within Sports Entertainment – A guaranteed highlight of the MSBF-NA, this panel offers a unique gathering of some of the world’s unquestioned leaders in sports and entertainment, including International Management Group and The Walt Disney Company, that are not directly involved in motorsports but recognize its unique value and role in the global marketplace.

Like its international sister event in Monaco, the Orlando MSBF-NA will focus on the commercial side of the sport and will feature presentations from the premier gathering of management representatives from leading teams, sponsors, championship promoters and industry executives. High-level representation from recognized and relevant sports, marketing and entertainment organizations from beyond motor sport will also be included in the packed two-day agenda.

The new Hilton Orlando is the first hotel connected to the Orange County Convention Center. The convention center houses the ensuing Performance Racing Industry Show (PRI), December 10 – 12, following the Motor Sport Business Forum. The PRI show includes 1,450 companies as part of the world’s largest racing trade show. The hardcore racing technology showcase annually attracts approximately 40,000 buyers and attendees from 61 countries.

To register for any MSBF event go to: www.msbforum.com. Media may contact Adam Saal at (321) 890-2848 or SaalGoodPR@gmail.com for additional information.

Motor Sport Business Forum North America Panelists as of December 3, 2009

Hank Adams CEO, Sportvision	Larry Albus Senior Consultant, IEG
Lawrence Aldridge SVP, Corporate Alliances, The Walt Disney Company	Terry Angstadt President, Commercial Division, Indy Racing League
Scott Atherton CEO, ALMS	John Barrow Senior Principal, Populous
Zak Brown Founder/CEO, Just Marketing International	Marshall Carlson President, Hendrick Motorsports
Ian Carter President, Global Operations, Hilton	Tom Compton President, NHRA
John Cutler VP Business Development, High Road Sports	Jamie Davis President, Versus Network
Lenny Daniels COO, Turner Sports	Bud Denker EVP Marketing, Penske Racing
Mark A. Dyer SVP of Strategic Planning and Development, IMG	Roger Edmondson President, Grand-Am
Doug Fehan Manager, Corvette Racing	Jon Flack EVP, Client Services, Just Marketing International
Lesa France Kennedy CEO, International Speedway Corporation	Todd Freeman Marketing Effectiveness Group Manager, DuPont
Nigel Geach Director, SMS	Ed Goren President, Fox Sports
Eddie Gossage President, Texas Motor Speedway	Kim Green CEO, Green Savoree Racing Promotions, Inc.
John Hodgson Former SVP, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, DuPont	Susan Lute Strategic Marketing Manager/Driving, Canadian Tire
Rob Malcolm Former President, Global Marketing, Sales and Innovation, Diageo	Stephen Masters VP, Nielsen Sports
Jim Michaelian President and CEO, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach	Robert Mimeault President & CEO, Kangaroo TV
Tom Moser EVP, Strategy, Just Marketing International	Hunter Nickell President, SPEED
Rick Patterson Spire Capital Partners, Chairman, PBR	Bea Perez SVP, Integrated Marketing, Coca-Cola N.A.
Steve Phelps Chief Marketing Officer, NASCAR	Silvia Pierson Operations Manager, Brazilian Distribution Center for the US, Apex-Brasil
Bobby Rahal Co-owner and Team Principal, Rahal Letterman Racing	Ron Rogowski Director, Sponsorships & Events, UPS
Henri Richard SVP, WW Sales and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Freescale Semiconductor	Tracie Schoenadel SVP, TNS Global
Pau Serracanta Managing Director, Dorna	Al Speyer Executive Director, Bridgestone Americas Motorsport, Bridgestone Firestone Racing
Jeffrey Stern Managing Director, IFM	Kevin Thomas VP Strategic Marketing, Roush Fenway Racing
Roger VanDerSnick EVP and COO, International Speedway Corporation	Michael Waltrip Team Principal, Michael Waltrip Racing
Martin Whitaker CEO, Bahrain International Circuit	John Wildhack EVP, Program Acquisition and Strategy, ESPN/ABC
Brian Wolfe Director, North America Motorsports, Ford Motor Company