Bloch, Garmin and eBay partner in Innovative Auction

Release Date: Jun 02, 2009

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2008
Contact: Victoria Prater
praterv@umkc.edu (816) 235-5295
view auction at www.ebay.com/teamgarmin

Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UMKC Bloch School partners with Team Garmin and Auction Cause to offer the ultimate cycling spectator experience
Entrepreneurial fundraising in a challenging economy: bid for a unique VIP experience at the famed bicycle race in Paris, proceeds to benefit Bloch School of Business Students

KANSAS CITY, Mo. June 2, 2009 – With a challenging economy impacting nonprofits, one entrepreneurial business school has developed an innovative method of raising funds and awareness for their school’s educational program. An auction for VIP access to the exciting final stage at cycling’s premier race on July 26, 2009 in Paris, France is up for grabs on eBay to the highest bidder.

Garmin International, the global leader in satellite navigation and sponsor of Team Garmin, and Auction Cause, the leading cause marketing agency, have partnered with The Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) to offer cycling fans and enthusiasts a once-in-a-lifetime cycling experience.

The Experience of a Lifetime at Cycling’s Biggest Race in Paris package includes:

 -- Experience Paris and the race’s final stage for four people. (July 25-26, 2009)
 -- VIP spectator access to team staging areas and events, refreshments included.
 -- Seats in exclusive sponsor viewing area near finish line on Champs-Elysees in Paris.
 -- Shuttle service to/from airport and to official events.
 -- Two hotel rooms each for 3 nights at sponsor’s designated hotel. (July 24-26, 2009)
 -- VIP access to restricted Team Garmin areas.
 -- Attend the post race Team Garmin party on July 26th.
 -- Garmin Edge 705 cycle computer and Team Garmin gear.

Garmin donated the cycling package to help raise funds for the Bloch School’s Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.     

“Team Garmin embraces the entrepreneurial spirit and is pleased to help the Bloch School on such a nontraditional fundraising effort,” said Jon Cassat, Vice President of Communications at Garmin International. “We’re confident that this unique auction listing will appeal to a wide range of interested bidders, both in the United States and internationally.”    

“Given the economy and the Bloch School’s spirit of entrepreneurship, we had to be innovative when approaching this year’s fundraising efforts,” said Joe Freeman, co-chair of the Bloch School’s Council for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. “This unique opportunity goes beyond a traditional auction listing, allowing fans to see Cycling’s Premier Race with unprecedented access.”

Dr. Michael Song, director of the Institute and one of the world’s leading academics for innovation, sees a great lesson for his students in this effort. “Entrepreneurship is something we teach everyday at the Bloch School. Given the importance of funding these vital education programs, it’s something we had to exhibit as well. All funds raised from this event will be used to help train future student entrepreneurs enrolled at the Bloch School,” said Song.

“We love to partner with businesses and nonprofits who realize they need to rethink traditional marketing and fundraising. This innovative and unique auction listing goes beyond a traditional auction, enabling the ultimate racing fan to see the Tour De France with unprecedented access, except for those competing in the race themselves,” said Eric Gazin, president of Auction Cause.    

Bidding starts June 1 and ends June 11 at 9 p.m. CST – view the auction at www.ebay.com/teamgarmin.

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The Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration is a nationally recognized educational leader that helps inspire, foster, and promote entrepreneurial training and leadership through the Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Garmin is the global leader in satellite navigation, designing, manufacturing, and marketing navigation and information devices since 1989. Garmin’s products serve boaters, runners, cyclists, and other around the world.

Team Garmin is one of the top cycling teams in the world, with Christian Vande Velde placing 5th overall in the last summer’s race to Paris. The team trains and competes with Garmin’s equipment and support.

Auction Cause is the leader in cause marketing campaigns, branding, and fundraising utilizing the eBay platform, generating more than 1 billion media impressions and counting. By integrating clients’ campaigns with social media outreach using Twitter, Facebook, blobs, viral videos, and more, Auction Cause is able to tap an even wider audience. The results are brand loyalty, nonprofit enthusiasm, and celebrity buzz - all while raising serious money for causes.