Month: October 2011

Alcoa to Welcome Joe Cahn, the Commissioner of Tailgating and Champion of Recycling

Posted by Lisa Hood Skinner – October 21, 2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Commissioner of Tailgating, Joe Cahn, is on a mission–a crusade of sorts, and on Oct. 23, Cahn will be in Nashville when the Tennessee Titans take on the Houston Texans on behalf of the Aluminum Association’s Can Crusade, a 17-city tour of NFL cities created to educate fans about why using aluminum cans during a tailgate is the smarter choice.  Nashville is the 7th stop of the nationwide tour. 

“The Can Crusade is the single most important tour that I       have ever been on. As the Commissioner of Tailgating, I have a responsibility to the fans to make sure that they are hosting both a fun and safe tailgate on game day,” said Cahn. “The Can Crusade will help me accomplish this goal. Simply put, aluminum cans are the smarter choice as they are portable, stackable, infinitely recyclable and safer.” 

Prior to the game, The Commissioner will spread the word about the benefits of aluminum cans, handing out Can Crusade t-shirts, hats, can handles and additional swag at his RV, which will be parked in the LP Stadium parking lot. He will also cook up some of his signature jambalaya. 

The Commissioner knows about tailgating as he is one of the nation’s most sought-after authorities. He has traveled more than 800,000 miles and attended more than 800 games during the past 15 years serving as The Commissioner of Tailgating. 

Fans are encouraged to interact with The Commissioner during the tour through Twitter (@Tailgating_com) and Facebook (Tailgating.com), and check in at his RV on Foursquare to win prizes.  A special QR code will be displayed on his RV at all tour stops that will link fans to a special video message from The Commissioner. For more information about the Can Crusade, visit www.cancrusade.com.

 Look for The Commissioner of Tailgating in a parking lot at an NFL game near you at these tour stops:

·       Thursday, September 8, Green Bay, Wis., Saints at Packers, 8:30 p.m. EST 

·       Sunday, September 11, Chicago, Ill., Falcons at Bears, 1 p.m. EST

·       Sunday, September 18, Foxborough, Mass., Chargers at Patriots, 4:15 p.m. EST

·       Sunday, October 2, Cleveland, Ohio, Titans at Browns, 1 p.m. EST

·       Sunday, October 9, Pittsburgh, Pa., Titans at Steelers, 1 p.m. EST 

·       Monday, October 17, East Rutherford, N.J., Dolphins at Jets, 8:30 p.m. EST 

·       Sunday, October 23, Nashville, Tenn., Texans at Titans, 1 p.m. EST 

·       Sunday, November 6, Washington, D.C., 49ers at Redskins, 1 p.m. EST 

·       Monday, November 7, Philadelphia, Pa., Bears at Eagles, 8:30 p.m. EST 

·       Thursday, November 17, Denver, Colo., Jets at Broncos, 8:20 p.m. EST 

·       Thursday, November 24, Detroit, Mich., Packers at Lions, 12:30 p.m. EST 

·       Sunday, December 4, Miami, Fla., Raiders at Dolphins, 1 p.m. EST 

·       Thursday, December 15, Atlanta, Ga., Jaguars at Falcons, 8:20 p.m. EST 

·       Monday, December 19, San Francisco, Calif., Steelers at 49ers, 8:30 p.m. EST 

·       Saturday, December 24, Dallas, Tex., Eagles at Cowboys, 4:15 p.m. EST 

·       Sunday, January 1, Houston, Tex., Titans at Texans, 1 p.m. EST

·       Super Bowl XLVI: Sunday, February 5, Indianapolis, Ind., 6:30 p.m. EST (TBD)

About the Aluminum Association:

The Aluminum Association based in Arlington, Virginia, works globally to aggressively promote aluminum as the most sustainable and recyclable automotive, packaging and construction material in today’s market. The Association represents U.S. and foreign-based primary producers of aluminum, aluminum recyclers and producers of fabricated products, as well as industry suppliers. Member companies operate more than 200 plants in the United States, with many conducting business worldwide.   

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Media Contact:
Christy R. Newman
(865) 977-3358
 

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley receives $15,000 donation

Posted by admin – October 19, 2011

Knoxville, Tenn. – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley’s Haslam Family Club University got a facelift on Tuesday when a dozen volunteers from Alcoa Inc. came to plant trees and flowers, interact with Club members and present a $15,000 check for the LEGO Robotics grant.

WATE-TV stopped by the Club on Tuesday to learn about the project. Click on the photo to see the story!

WATE-TV Coverage of Alcoa Inc. Work Day at BGCNTV

For more information, contact Sarah Pope at (865) 584-0550 or spope@ackermannpr.com.
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Wilderness at the Smokies resort announces multi-million dollar expansion

Posted by Erin Freeman – October 18, 2011

Rick Laney addresses the media in front of the existing indoor waterpark at Wilderness at the Smokies, which will soon double in size.

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. –  Following a spring and summer tourism season that resulted in record-breaking attendance numbers at Wilderness at the Smokies resort, the Southeast’s largest indoor and outdoor waterpark announced that it is about to get bigger – considerably bigger.

This week, Wilderness at the Smokies resort will begin construction of its new “Adventure Forest” indoor park, literally doubling the amount of indoor space the resort provides for its guests.  Currently, the Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark provides acres of indoor water attractions for visitors, and the addition of the new Adventure Forest family entertainment center will double the total amount of “under-roof” year-round fun at Wilderness at the Smokies.

“Unlike our other attractions at Wilderness at the Smokies, the new Adventure Forest will be a ‘dry’ park,” said Steve Cruz, General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies.  “It will feature a three-story ropes course, a multi-level enclosed laser tag arena, bowling, black-light mini-golf, a 7,000-square foot arcade, a ‘Laser Maze,’ a 25-foot tall spring ride, special birthday party rooms, another restaurant and lounge, plus other attractions and activities that do not involve water – all of it indoors and open year-round.

“There is absolutely nothing like Adventure Forest anywhere in this region.  If it were a stand-alone attraction, it would be an amazing addition to the local tourism market – but when combined with the already outrageous offerings of Wilderness at the Smokies resort, it is going to be a premier Smoky Mountain destination.”

Unlike the other attractions at Wilderness at the Smokies, Cruz said the new Adventure Forest would be open to the general public periodically for special events.  Currently, all of the amenities at Wilderness at the Smokies are only open to resort guests.

Since opening in 2008, the $100 million Wilderness at the Smokies resort has consistently added attractions, rooms and other amenities for its guests.  Just six months after opening the Wild WaterDome waterpark, the resort added the $1.5 million, five-story Runaway Canyon waterslide.

In 2009, the resort opened its second multi-million dollar outdoor waterpark, Lake Wilderness – featuring the Cataloochee Creek Adventure River, the Wilderness Rapids Wave Pool, an 18-hole miniature golf course, a poolside restaurant and plush cabanas.  In spite of its long list of major expansions and additions, the new Adventure Forest indoor park is by far the most significant investment the resort has made in the Sevierville area since its grand opening.  With its latest addition, the only other area attraction that has invested as heavily as Wilderness at the Smokies in the local tourism market is Dollywood.

Wilderness at the Smokies resort also sells one- and two-bedroom condominiums ranging from 850 to 1,200 square feet priced from the mid-$300,000s to the mid-$500,000s.  When condominiums went on sale at Wilderness at the Smokies resort in 2007, buyers snatched up $41 million worth of the units in just one day – in only six hours, to be exact.

In the past, the City of Sevierville has estimated in press releases that Wilderness at the Smokies generates about $3 million in sales taxes and more than $500,000 in bedroom taxes every year for the local economy.

Wilderness at the Smokies employs approximately 350 year-round employees and adds around 200 additional workers during the busy summer tourism season.  The addition of the new Adventure Forest indoor park is expected to initially increase overall employment numbers at the resort by about 10 percent (approximately 50 new jobs).

Cruz said, “Wilderness at the Smokies resort is the only local attraction where you get everything a family is looking for in one place.  If you consider that when you book your room at Wilderness at the Smokies, you get access to all of our water attractions and offerings, we are by far the best value out there for families watching their vacation budgets.”

In June 2011, Southern Living Magazine listed Wilderness at number two on its list of the nation’s “Ten Best Pools” and just two months later, Wilderness at the Smokies resort was named one of the “Top Three Waterparks” in the nation by Aquatics International Magazine (the worldwide authority on waterparks).

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is one of the area’s only year-round vacation destinations.  With a 36-hole championship golf course, two outdoor waterparks, a huge indoor waterpark with a wave pool and the Southeast’s only Surf Rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  It is adjacent to a 200,000 square-foot conference, convention and event center known for hosting the areas largest conferences, athletic events and trade shows.

The resort is owned by Patrick Helland, Pete Helland, Jr., Tim Lucke and Tom Lucke (who also own Wilderness at the Dells Waterpark resort in Wisconsin).  Steve Cruz is the General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies and Rick Laney is spokesperson for the resort.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, call toll-free 877-325-9453 or visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

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Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com

Lisa Hurst named new President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley

Posted by admin – October 11, 2011

Knoxville, Tenn. – Lisa Hurst has been named the new President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley (BGCTNV).  Hurst has been with the organization for 25 years, currently serving as the Executive Vice President.

Lisa Hurst

“The board is thrilled that Lisa has accepted the position of president and CEO,” said R.L. “Bunny” Oakes, III, chairman of the organization’s Corporate Board of Directors. “The search committee conducted an extremely thorough national search for the new President and Lisa came out as the top candidate. Her passion and dedication to the Boys & Girls Clubs are what is necessary to succeed as President and CEO, and we know she is the perfect fit.”

“I’m excited to lead the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley into this next phase,” said Hurst. “I firmly believe that I can provide the leadership to our team to fulfill our vision of ensuring that every child in our community has access to our programs, achieves academic success, lives a healthy lifestyle, and becomes a productive citizen.”

Current BGCTNV President and CEO John D. Lee recently announced his retirement from the organization. His retirement is effective December 31, 2011.

Hurst is available for media interviews. For more information or to set up an interview with Lisa Hurst, contact Sarah Pope at (865) 584-0550 or spope@ackermannpr.com.

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About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley

Boys & Girls Clubs currently serves more than 5,600 youth and teens, ages 5 to 17 years throughout the Tennessee Valley region. The organization also provides 404,401 USDA hot meals and snacks annually for youth free of charge. The Clubs serve a variety of youth, more than 80% of whom live with a single parent, foster parent or other nontraditional guardian. There are 16 Club locations strategically placed throughout Knox, Blount, Loudon and Northern Anderson Counties. The organization employs more than 260 trained, professional, caring staff and welcomes more than 1,200 volunteers annually. It is a charter member of United Way.

Community stories hold key to region’s future

Posted by admin – October 11, 2011

Knoxville, Tennessee – When Plan East Tennessee (PlanET) begins a series of community-oriented conversations this fall to help define a shared vision for the region’s future, the project will take an innovative approach combining new technology and old-fashioned storytelling. To showcase how the process will work, PlanET is hosting an “open house” kick-off event at the East Tennessee History Center in downtown Knoxville, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 11.

“We are looking for ideas about protecting our valuable resources and addressing our challenges regarding jobs, housing, transportation, a clean environment and community health,” said Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, chair of the PlanET Board of Mayors. “Our goal is to create long-term solutions for investments in our region and to define the next chapter in our rich history, leaving a legacy of optimism and opportunity for future generations.”

Visitors to the kick-off event will also have an opportunity to interact with the technology the project will use, including websites, online/instant polling software, public surveys and social media tools. Members of the project’s community leadership team will also be on hand to answer questions and discuss the project and its timeline.

“We want people to have a chance to see what the community input process will look like and to meet some of the people who will be working with them in the community over course of the planning project,” said Maryville Mayor Tom Taylor, a member of the PlanET Board of Mayors. “The open house will allow participants to hear stories from their neighbors and learn how they can be a part of adding their stories to the process.”

Guest speakers at the kick-off event include a Union County retiree, a Knox County community leader and an Oak Ridge High School senior, and will illustrate the range of stories, experiences and dreams the project hopes to record in five counties participating in the project: Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon and Union.

“While visioning processes are not new to our area, the PlanET project’s strength is its focus on very specific topics and concerns that affect our ability to improve the quality of life for everyone in the five counties,” said Mayor Beehan. “The PlanET project will remain focused solely on topics that help us improve economic and workforce development, air and water quality, affordable housing, healthy living and transportation. By spotlighting these topic areas, we will be able to concentrate the community’s efforts to take advantage of how and where these topics interconnect with one another.”

The project will begin collecting input in November when the first series of community forums will be held in each of the five counties.

For additional information about PlanET and its activities, visit the organization’s website at www.planeasttn.org.

PlanET is a regional partnership of local governments, economic development agencies and non-profit organizations working towards a shared vision for East Tennessee’s future. The project is funded through a mix of federal dollars and local support.

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Media contact:
Jeff Hooper
(865) 584-0550

Knoxville philanthropist receives award for improving quality of life for at-risk youth

Posted by admin – October 11, 2011

Knoxville, Tenn. – Edfinancial Services and its Chairman, President and CEO Tony Hollin have been named recipients of the Boys & Girls Clubs Tennessee Area Council C.A.R.E. (Children Are Reason for Excellence) Service Award. The state-wide C.A.R.E. Award provides recognition to individuals who have made significant contributions to the quality of life for at-risk youth in Tennessee.

Tony Hollin, Chairman, President and CEO of Edfinancial Services and member of BGCTNV Corporate Board of Directors

Hollin is a member of the Corporate Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley (BGCTNV) and has served on the marketing and communications committee, property committee and annual giving committee.

“Tony and Edfinancial’s philanthropic roles in the Tennessee Valley region have had an enormous impact on the community, especially through their commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley,” said John D. Lee, President and CEO of BGCTNV.

“The company’s employees work every day to make a compelling difference in the lives of the students and families they serve by donating time, energy and funding – as both a company and individual associates,” said Lee.

Hollin was a member of the Boys Club of Valdosta and spent his youth playing sports at the Club, which enabled him to play high school and collegiate football.

For more information about Tony Hollin and Edfinancial and their contributions to BGCTNV, contact Sarah Pope at (865) 584-0550 or spope@ackermannpr.com.

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About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley

Boys & Girls Clubs currently serves more than 5,600 youth and teens, ages 5 to 17 years throughout the Tennessee Valley region. The organization also provides 404,401 USDA hot meals and snacks annually for youth free of charge. The Clubs serve a variety of youth, more than 80% of whom live with a single parent, foster parent or other nontraditional guardian. There are 16 Club locations strategically placed throughout Knox, Blount, Loudon and Northern Anderson Counties. The organization employs more than 260 trained, professional, caring staff and welcomes more than 1,200 volunteers annually. It is a charter member of United Way.

Media Contact:
Sarah Malak Pope
(865) 584-0550
spope@ackermannpr.com

Cellular Sales now has 450 stores in 23 states, opens 15 new stores in September

Posted by Erin Freeman – October 7, 2011

Cellular Sales logoKNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Cellular Sales continued expanding its role as the nation’s largest Verizon Wireless premium retailer with the addition of 15 new stores in nine states in September 2011. September also marked the opening of the company’s 450th store nationwide.

The new stores were spread across nine states from New England to the Midwest and Gulf Coast. With the September opening of the company’s first stores in Massachusetts, Cellular Sales now has retail locations open in 23 states.

The new Cellular Sales stores included three each in Florida and Texas, two each in Alabama and Massachusetts, and one each in Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana and Ohio.

Cellular Sales is an 18-year-old privately held company founded and headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn. For the past four years, Inc. Magazine has named Cellular Sales one of the nation’s fastest growing retail companies in the country. The 2011 edition of the Inc. 5000 ranked Cellular Sales as the 69th fastest growing retailer in the country.

Cellular Sales projects a growth rate of 30 to 35% for 2011 and has opened 90 new stores through September. The company is on pace to surpass the total of 102 new stores opened in 2010 and expects to open its 500th store in early 2012.

For more information about the new Cellular Sales stores, visit www.CellularSales.com. For more information on joining the company, visit www.JoinCellularSales.com.

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Media Contact
Shane Rhyne
(865) 584-0550
srhyne@ackermannpr.com

Cellular Sales continues nationwide growth, expands into Massachusetts and Rhode Island markets

Posted by Erin Freeman – October 6, 2011

Knoxville, TN – Cellular Sales, the nation’s largest Verizon Wireless premium retailer, is expanding its retailInterior of a Cellular Sales store footprint in New England with a new management agreement to operate a cellular phone store in Fall River, Massachusetts. Cellular Sales assumed management of Cell in a Box, a wireless retailer located at 465 William S. Canning Boulevard in Fall River, as of September 24.

“Cellular Sales is expecting a 30 to 35 percent company growth in 2011,” said Brett Haven, Cellular Sales Regional Director. “We aggressively pursue the best locations available, and the new Fall River store is a prime example of that effort.”

The Fall River location marks the debut of Cellular Sales in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island market area and is the third New England retail location opened by the company this year. The company now has stores located in 23 states across the country.

Cellular Sales logoCellular Sales is an 18-year-old privately held company founded and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. For the past four years, Inc. Magazine has named Cellular Sales one of the nation’s fastest-growing privately-owned retailers. In 2011, the company was ranked among the nation’s 75 fastest growing retailers among the Inc. 5000 and had almost $500 million dollars in revenue in 2010.

“Our ultimate goal is to achieve the best wireless customer experience in the industry. This excellent experience is the product of intense sales representative training and a special emphasis on making and keeping our customers happy,” said Dane Scism, founder and CEO of Cellular Sales. “We look forward to introducing both Massachusetts and Rhode Island wireless customers to our customer service philosophy in Fall River.”

For more information about Cellular Sales in Fall River, call the store at (603) 964-4426, or Cellular Sales Regional Directors Brett Haven at (502) 644-9144 or Anthony Mills at (865) 414-2443. Job seekers may contact John Stevens, Cellular Sales Recruiting Coordinator at (603) 759-9891 or submit their resume by visiting www.JoinCellularSales.com. For more information on the company, visit www.cellularsales.com.

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Media Contact
Shane Rhyne
(865) 584-0550
srhyne@ackermannpr.com