Tournament Announces Sponsor and the Title Sponsor of Birdies for Babies — Value Airline JetBlue Airways
ORLANDO‚ Fla. (January 19‚ 2010) — The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard is Orlando’s signature sporting event being held March 22-28 at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Now in its 32nd year‚ the tournament is pleased to announce value airline JetBlue Airways‚ as a sponsor.
JetBlue is now the official airline partner of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard‚ and the preferred airline partner of the Arnold Palmer Medical Center‚ Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge and its business travel purchases and guests through 2011. JetBlue is also the title sponsor of one of the tournament’s annual fundraising programs‚ Birdies for Babies delivered by JetBlue. The airline will match the total funds raised and JetBlue will also award one of the grand prizes for the fundraiser — a package of two roundtrip flights to any of JetBlue’s 60 domestic and international destinations.
“By aligning our brand and our culture with these great partners and Arnold Palmer‚ in particular‚ we hope to inspire fun and friendly competition while giving back to the communities we serve‚'" said Dave Barger‚ CEO of JetBlue Airways. "Mr. Palmer’s personal commitment to the well being of so many through his charities is inspiring‚ and something we look forward to being a part of for years to come.”
“It’s great to have such a generous sponsorship for the Birdies for Babies program in only its second year‚ said Jeffrey Muddell‚ Arnold Palmer Medical Center vice president. “We are looking forward to raising a lot of money this year‚ especially now with the support of JetBlue.”
JetBlue will also donate complimentary flights to the Arnold Palmer Medical Center‚ which will allow the hospitals to help patients and their families with their travel needs when appropriate.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better company to align the tournament with‚” said Scott Wellington‚ Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard tournament director. “We’re very happy to see that others share the tournament’s views on the value of supporting the Arnold Palmer Medical Center and the Central Florida community.
Additionally‚ JetBlue is now the tournament sponsor for the Champions for Arnold’s Kids event being held March 21 and 22‚ 2010 and will also appear in the expo area during the tournament week. In addition to Birdies for Babies delivered by JetBlue‚ the airline will develop new volunteer programs to work directly with and support the hospitals served by the Arnold Palmer Medical Center.
For more information visit ArnoldPalmerInvitational.com.
About the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard
The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard will hold its 32nd annual tournament March 22-28‚ 2010. The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard is one of Central Florida’s signature events‚ a premier sporting event and a highlight of the PGA TOUR‚ attracting some of the greatest talent in golf. The entire event is overseen and directed by one of the game’s all-time greats — Arnold Palmer. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Arnold Palmer Medical Center‚ including Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.
About JetBlue
Airways New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value‚ service and style. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares‚ JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers Lots of Legroom and super-spacious Even More Legroom seats. JetBlue introduced complimentary in-flight e-mail and instant messaging services on aircraft "BetaBlue‚" a first among U.S. domestic airlines. JetBlue is also America's first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights‚ with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue's control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue serves 60 cities with 600 daily flights. With JetBlue‚ all seats are assigned‚ all travel is ticketless‚ all fares are one-way‚ and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583)‚ TTY/TDD 1-800-336-5530 or visit www.jetblue.com.
About Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies
Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies‚ supported by the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation‚ is a 285-bed facility dedicated exclusively to the needs of women and babies. The hospital includes comprehensive fetal diagnostics and labor and delivery services‚ a regional center for neonatal intensive care‚ maternal intensive care and women’s services. Annually‚ more than 14̵000 babies are expected to be born at Winnie Palmer Hospital‚ making it the busiest labor and delivery unit in the state of Florida. To learn more‚ visit www.winniepalmerhospital.com.
Media Contact:
Lindsey Levy‚ Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard
407-841-2299 ext. 1264
llevy@pushhere.com
JetBlue Corporate Communications
718-709-2323
corporatecommunicaitons@jetblue.com