Churchill Downs, QuintEvents to Launch 2012 Hospitality/Travel Experience Program

"Derby Experiences" delivers reliable way for fans, groups, businesses to do America's most tradition-rich event

LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Churchill Downs® and QuintEvents® have agreed to extend their agreement for the Charlotte company to act as official partner agency for the marketing of travel experience packages to the Kentucky Derby® and Kentucky Oaks®.

As the Official Experience Package Provider to Churchill Downs, QuintEvents will launch the 2012 "Derby Experiences" program immediately following this weekend's 137th running of the Kentucky Derby.  The announcement comes following the strongest ever consumer response to Churchill Downs' four year-old program offering official, customized packages of travel, accommodations, tickets, tourism attractions and amenities for the week of the race.

The Kentucky Derby has experienced a growing demand from customers to aggregate all the elements of the Derby Week experience into a turn-key set of arrangements at a variety of price levels.  The Derby Experiences program also provides fans with a secure buying platform, rather than ticket brokers or the secondary market channels that can be risky and uncertain.  All ticket and hospitality packages come direct from Churchill Downs with QuintEvents as the "exclusive official hospitality provider."  

The official program packages, detailed at www.derbyexperiences.com, typically range in price from $699 to $10,399.

"Our initiative with QuintEvents has provided wonderful opportunities to work with companies and individuals who want the Kentucky Derby experience and to offer those customers the comfort of dealing directly with Churchill Downs for their tickets, travel and accommodations," said Tricia Amburgey, Vice President, Sales at Churchill Downs. "We've been able to increase the Derby's economic impact by bringing people into town earlier and exposing them to other regional attractions.  QuintEvents has a unique understanding of major event customer service and its professionalism and expertise reflects well on both the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs brands."

"Our ability to market exact seat locations in large groups, exclusive hospitality venues at Churchill Downs, preferred entrances and parking, paddock tours, backstretch tours and other special experiences that can only be provided by Churchill Downs is key to the success of Derby Experiences," offered Ken Kurek, QuintEvents' Partner.  "Clients range from corporations rewarding top customers and employees to groups of friends fulfilling a 'bucket list' desire, and we can give them exactly what they need."

In all cases, Kentucky Derby tickets are priced at face value, with additional cost tied to accommodations, exclusive hospitality venues, tours and amenities, which may include horse farm and distillery tours, parties or other recreational activities. The packages offer a variety of reserved seating options, including access to the famed Millionaires Row as well as Churchill Downs' Trophy Room, Turf Club, Triple Crown Room, and clubhouse and grandstand locations.  

In addition to its relationship with Churchill Downs, QuintEvents is also an Official Hospitality and Ticket Provider for the National Football League on Location for the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl and Draft and the National Basketball Association's annual All-Star Game.

SOURCE QuintEvents