Pittsburgh, Baltimore Rivalry Heats Up Off the Football Field with Wager between the Cities' AIRMALLs® and Airports

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As the cities of Pittsburgh and Baltimore get excited for the big playoff game this Saturday, another competition is brewing between the cities off the football field. The AIRMALL® at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and the AIRMALL at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) have issued a challenge among the airport and AIRMALL directors in both cities.

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So, what's at stake in this competition? If Pittsburgh wins the football game, the airport and AIRMALL directors at BWI must wear a Pittsburgh player's jersey and eat a traditional Pittsburgh steak salad for lunch while waving a Terrible Towel. If Baltimore is victorious, the airport and AIRMALL directors at PIT must don Baltimore's team attire while dining on a famous Maryland crab cake.  The losers will have to wear the opposing team's gear the Tuesday after the game on January 18, 2011.

"Since AIRMALL is the concessions operator at both PIT and BWI, we wanted to create a fun competition to acknowledge the rivalry between the cities' football teams," said Jay Kruisselbrink, vice president of development for the AIRMALL at PIT.  

"When Pittsburgh wins this Saturday, we look forward to seeing our counterparts in Baltimore wear black and gold and eat a Pittsburgh favorite for lunch," added Brad Penrod, Allegheny County Airport Director.

"We're excited for the Baltimore win this Saturday and will enjoy seeing our counterparts at PIT wear purple with pride," said Carol Fearns, vice president of the AIRMALL at BWI.    

"At BWI, we're already preparing delicious Maryland crab cake sandwiches for Jay and Brad to eat next Tuesday," added Paul Wiedefeld, executive director, Maryland Aviation Administration.

In addition to the competition, the AIRMALLs at PIT and BWI are getting pumped for the big game with several promotions and events for travelers and tenants:  

• All AIRMALL tenants at BWI are encouraged to "show their purple pride" to win prizes for the best team spirit this Friday, January 14.  Additionally, there will be a pep rally at the AirTran Airways terminal beginning at 12:20 p.m. on Friday.  The pep rally will feature cheerleaders, a band and fun giveaways for travelers.  DuClaw Brewing Co. and Zona Mexicana will also be getting into the spirit of Purple Friday by offering drink specials for travelers.
• In Pittsburgh, travelers can get into the team spirit with a black and gold booth selling memorabilia. The AIRMALL shuttle will be decked out in team colors as well.  Additionally, Mayorga coffee will be serving a special black and gold mocha for the game and O'Brien's Grille & Pub will be serving a Pittsburgh-style sandwich along with black & gold beer.

For more information, please visit www.airmallusa.com.  

About AIRMALL® USA, Inc.

AIRMALL® USA, Inc. is the developer and manager of the retail, food and beverage operations at Pittsburgh International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport (Terminals B and E), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.  The leading airport concessions model in North America, the AIRMALL boasts one of the highest per-passenger spends among all of the airports on the continent and continues to earn industry accolades for innovation and customer service.  AIRMALL USA is owned by Prospect Capital Corporation, a leading New York investment company founded in 1988.  For more information on AIRMALL USA, visit www.airmallusa.com.

SOURCE AIRMALL USA