Sperry Top-Sider® Charleston Race Week Keeping Sponsors Engaged and Sponsors Supported

Charleston, South Carolina (February 29, 2012) — What could be better than spring time in Charleston, South Carolina? Famed for its waterfront setting, superb cuisine, and fabulous weather, this historic city has grown accustomed to reaping accolades. Last fall, Conde Nast Traveler magazine named it the “Top U.S. City.” A little earlier, Charleston’s Husk restaurant was deemed Bon Appetit magazine’s “Best New Restaurant in America.” And Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week continues to be one of the most popular regattas in the U.S. Just ask the sponsors.

Craig Reingold, President of Sperry Top-Sider, said: “We are delighted to continue as the title sponsor of Charleston Race Week. The regatta is one of the fastest growing and most competitive in the country; and both the competitors and organizers of the event share Sperry Top-Sider’s passion for the sea.”
 
Joining Reingold in that outlook, the regatta’s other sponsors are equally enthusiastic. Tracy Mitchell, Director of Sales and Marketing at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina said: “We were honored in 2006 when Charleston Race Week chose us to host this event. Over the years, we have worked together to make this one of the premier sailing events in the country. To date, Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week is the largest event we host and support. And we love having the sailors here as well as all the amazing people who support them.” 
 
And for Vineyard Vines®, Sponsorship and Experiential Marketing Manager Christine Capone added, “As a lifestyle brand synonymous with life on the water, Vineyard Vines has proven to be a natural fit with Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week. The partnership thus far has proven to be a wonderful blend of fun, family and sailing and it continues to grow year after year. CRW is a spectacular event and we can’t wait to get back down there for the 2012 festivities.”
 
Eli Dana of Newport Shipyard concurs. “We admire and support Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week for what the event has accomplished on the sailing scene. We would love to add to that scene by establishing a Charleston dockyard in the heart of the city where people, events, and magnificent yachts would re-connect Charleston to its waterfront. Check out NewportShipyard.com, picture it in Charleston!”
 
The strong support demonstrated by the regatta’s sponsors is gratifying – if not surprising – for Event Director Randy Draftz. “We’re grateful to have the backing of these companies, all of them leaders in their respective fields. And we’re pleased to help them connect directly with the nearly 2,000 sailors who attend our event. Last year, the regatta had an economic impact of more than $1.5 million, and we calculated over 2.5 million separate media impressions. All told, what we’re doing provides a great opportunity for sponsors and a really strong shot in the arm for the local economy. And, of course, it remains one of the most fun regattas you’ll find anywhere.”  
 
Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week runs from April 19 through April 22, 2012, and is open to all monohull sailboats 20 to 80 feet in length. The event is owned and managed by Charleston Ocean Racing Association and is supported by the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, Vineyard Vines, and Gosling’s Rum. Additional sponsors include The Town of Mt. Pleasant, Gill, Coral Reef Sailing Apparel, North Sails, Newport Shipyard, South Carolina State Ports Authority, Interlux/Awlgrip, Marlow, and Charleston Community Sailing, along with West Marine, Pierside Boatworks, College of Charleston Community Sailing, Azalea Moving and Storage, and Lewmar Navtec.