MEDIA ADVISORY
for Thursday, October 16 at Noon

D.C. Olympic Bid representative to discuss role of Games in preparing area for 2024 Olympics

Fairfax 2015 World Police & Fire Games (www.fairfax2015.com) – one of the largest multi-sport events in the world – will announce key venues, Legacy plans and more at a National Press Club news conference on October 16.  The Games are expected to draw over 12,000 participants and as many as 30,000 Games family visitors to the Washington metropolitan area next summer. The international event unites law enforcement officers and firefighters from more than 70 countries around the world in athletic competition.

A Washington 2024 representative will also speak at the event regarding the role of the Games related to the D.C. Olympic bid.

WHAT: At the event, announcements will be made regarding:

- Games overview and updates

- Opening and closing ceremony venues

- Games Legacy partners and initiatives

- Relationship to the Washington 2024 Olympic Bid

- Branding of the Games

WHERE: The National Press Club - 529 14^th St. NW, Washington, DC - Holeman Lounge

WHEN: Thursday, October 16 at 12 pm - The announcement will be followed by a Q&A and Games Demo and a luncheon at 1:00 p.m. 

WORLDWIDE: As a truly global event, the World Police & Fire Games will draw athletes from 70 different nations.  Some of the nations that have historically provided the largest numbers of athletes include Spain, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Brazil, the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, England, Mexico and Sweden.

WHO: 

- Bill Knight, Fairfax 2015 President and CEO

- Washington 2024 Representative

- Kevin Reynolds, Fairfax 2015 Board Chair

- Fairfax County Police Chief, Edwin C. Roessler, Jr.

- Fairfax County Fire Chief, Richard R. Bowers

- Fairfax County Sheriff, Stacey Kincaid

- Public Safety Athletes

DEMO: The news conference will feature demos of two of the sports scheduled to take place as part of next summer’s competition

RSVP: Kerry Lynn Bohen, Brotman|Winter|Fried: kbohen@aboutbwf.com or 703.533.4823 (Mobile 202.468.8300)

About the Fairfax 2015 World Police & Fire Games

The World Police & Fire Games is one of the largest multi-sport events in the world, surpassed only by the Summer Olympic Games. The event draws more than 12,000 athletes from police, fire and other public safety agencies representing 70 different countries to compete in 1,600 medal events across 40 sports. Fairfax 2015 is a nonprofit 501(c)3 established to organize, manage and operate all activities related to hosting the 2015 Games which will take place throughout the National Capital Region June 26 to July 5, 2015. Visit www.fairfax2015.com for more information.

FAIRFAX, VA (September 17, 2014) – Fairfax 2015 today officially launched their new overarching theme for next summer’s World Police & Fire Games. Titled, “The Games of Heroes”, the campaign is designed to promote athlete registration and volunteer recruitment as well as to build overall awareness of the Games.

Featuring actual fire and law enforcement athletes, the campaign also highlights six key values of these everyday heroes – Honor, Courage, Discipline, Integrity, Resolve and Fitness. The combination of all these elements serves to define the Games and its participants and how this event differs from all other sporting events. “

‘The Games of Heroes’ paints the most accurate picture possible of what will ultimately become one of the most prominent and dynamic sporting events to ever take place in the Washington metropolitan area,” said Fairfax 2015 President and CEO Bill Knight. The theme, Knight says, will be integrated into every phase of the Games promotions and event branding - from advertising, collateral and signage to the game’s widespread and far-reaching online presence.”

“This new brand, and the related sub-themes, not only honors our commitment to the communities we serve, but it also generates a true groundswell of excitement for the participants in the Games” said Fairfax County Police Department 2nd Lieutenant Bruce Blechl, who also serves as Fairfax 2015 Vice President of Operations. “The concepts of honor, courage, resolve, fitness, integrity and discipline play as much into both the everyday lives of police officers and firefighters as it does our training and preparation for the Games. Speaking for the entire family of first responders, these few words tell our stories perfectly.”

Already prominent on social media outlets, the theme has appeared on new corporate development material and athlete and volunteer recruitment collateral and signage. Fairfax 2015 is in discussion with various media outlets related to expanding the reach of the campaign via print and outdoor mediums.

For access to additional branding assets, please contact Stephen Zack at stephen.zack@fairfax2015.com.

Inova Health Systems and Northrop Grumman added to growing list of corporations to honor global First Responders in commitment to make Fairfax 2015 Games the best ever from athlete, audience and host community perspectives  

FAIRFAX, VA – With just under a year until the Opening Ceremonies of the Fairfax 2015 World Police & Fire Games (www.fairfax2015.com), a significant trend is emerging. Corporations with global reach are lining up in financial support of the Games, seeking to honor the 12,000 First Responder athletes expected to compete at more than 50 venues throughout the National Capital Region. The latest to join the growing list of “Official Partners” of the Games are Inova Health Systems and Northrop Grumman. They will join existing Partners - Scott Safety, Keolis, SAIC, and Pierce Manufacturing - in honoring global First Responders and providing crucial investment in logistical and infrastructure support for the Games.

For sponsors, the Fairfax 2015 Games present a unique opportunity to balance leadership in corporate responsibility with exposure to thousands of First Responders and public and private sector decision makers tasked with upholding the safety of communities worldwide.“Corporate Partners provide the margin of excellence in our presentation and promotion of the Fairfax 2015 Games, enabling us to provide truly world-class support for the athletes, their families, and thousands of spectators,” said Bill Knight, CEO of the Fairfax 2015 World Police & Fire Games. “Our Partners understand the power of investing in the quality of the experience both on and off the field of competition, and how those investments can translate to achieving business objectives within the National Capital Region and around the world.”

Over 12,000 athletes are expected to travel from 70 countries to compete in 60 championship sports, continuing a tradition that started with the inaugural Games in 1985 and outnumbers even the Summer Olympics in terms of competitors (10,568 athletes participated in the 2012 London Olympics). The event is a strong draw for accompanying family and friends, and is expected to drive between $60-80 million in economic activity throughout the region.

"Inova is honored to be part of the World Police & Fire Games by supporting these deserving men and women from all over the world," said Knox Singleton, CEO, Inova. "These heroes have an essential duty within our global communities and we applaud them for all they stand for."Northrop Grumman’s Vice President of Global Corporate Responsibility, Sandra Evers-Manly echoes those views. "First responders are fundamental to our global security,” she said. “Northrop Grumman is pleased to be a sponsor of the World Police & Fire Games taking place here in our backyard. We look forward to cheering on these heroes and ‘sheroes’ and are grateful for their daily commitment to keep us safe."

The countdown to the Games was formally kicked off in May by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe at Fairfax County Fire Department Fire Station 42, joined by prominent members of the regional First Responder and business communities. Governor McAuliffe is serving as Chairman of an Honorary Board alongside Vice Chair Tom Ridge, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania. They are joined on the Honorary Board by former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, U.S. Congressmen Gerry Connolly, James Moran and Frank Wolf, and Virginia Secretary of Public Safety Brian Moran. More than a dozen executives from the private sector complete the Honorary Board.

Companies interested in learning more about the Fairfax 2015 World Police & Fire Games should contact Michael O’Brien, Vice President of Corporate Development, at (703) 324-2480 or michael.obrien@fairfax2015.com.

About the Fairfax 2015 World Police & Fire Game:
The World Police & Fire Games are the second largest multi-sport event in the world, surpassed only by the Summer Olympic Games. The event draws more than 12,000 athletes from police, fire and other public safety agencies representing 70 different countries to compete in 1,600 medal events across 40 sports. Fairfax 2015 is a nonprofit 501(c)3 established to organize, manage and operate all activities related to hosting the 2015 Games which will take place throughout the National Capital Region June 26 to July 5, 2015. Visit www.fairfax2015.com for more information.

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Media Contacts:
Stephen Zack, VP of Marketing & Communications, World Police & Fire Games: 
stephen.zack@fairfax2015.com and 703-324-2460

Kerry Lynn Bohen, Brotman|Winter|Fried Communications:
kbohen@aboutbwf.com and 202-468-8300

Recognized by the syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show as the Best Florist in America as part of its first annual Neighborhood Awards,” Vienna-based Karin’s Florist will give every mother precisely what she wants on her special day, this coming Sunday, May 11, while also giving generously to next summer’s World Police & Fire Games.

Located at 527 Maple Avenue East in downtown Vienna, Karin’s Florist will donate a percentage of proceeds from the purchase of a Mother’s Day 'For Your Hero' Floral Arrangement -- (karinsflorist.com/shop/for-your-hero/) to Fairfax 2015, the locally-based non-profit corporation established to organize, manage and operate all activities related to next summer’s competition.

“As a member of the World Police & Fire Games Board of Directors, it’s a pleasure and honor for Karin’s to support the work of Fairfax 2015,” says CEO and President Maris Angolia. “And as Mother’s Day is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for us, we expect the resulting donation to be substantial. Whether your mother is around the corner or across the country, we can make sure she receives beautiful flowers for her special day!”

VIENNA, Va., - On Friday night, February 28, the Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce will host Casino Night, from 6:30 until 10:30 p.m. at Westwood Country Club.  Sponsored by Rees Broome, PC, the event will feature $25,000 in ‘gaming cash,’ redeemable for raffle tickets and prizes. 

Partial proceeds will benefit Fairfax 2015, the non-profit host organization staffed by a dynamic coalition of experienced event professionals and public safety officials, responsible for administering the Games.

The evening will feature a full slate of table games including blackjack, poker, roulette and craps, as well as a silent auction.

Tickets, $80 in advance and $90 at the door, are available through the Tysons Regional Chamber web site at http://www.tysonschamber.org or by calling 703-281-1333. Westwood Country Club is located at 800 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA.

For additional information on the World Police and Fire Games, visit fairfax2015.com or call (202) 480-WPFG (9734).

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