LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (February 25, 2010) – Meeting professionals looking for the ultimate sports-themed teambuilding and networking events will find them at the newly christened ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Disney has introduced five new programs to coincide with a dramatic re-creation of the popular sports complex located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

"ESPN is renowned for producing sports experiences that thrill the most ardent sports fans and casual spectators alike," said George Aguel, senior vice president for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "With that in mind we created these new group events to have appeal for an equally broad audience. We can amp up the sports quotient for diehard fans or simply bring a fun, sports overlay to icebreakers and other networking events. That flexibility makes these experiences fun for sports enthusiasts and professional tailgaters alike."

The new teambuilding programs immerse attendees in the full ESPN experience in a way that can’t be duplicated anywhere else. Attendees become celebrities as they compete in classic sports while getting the full ESPN treatment on the field and on camera. Or they can feel the heat of high-stakes card competition as participants in a real-life version of the ESPN Poker Club Challenge. Less competitive event options let attendees participate in a rousing night of games and laughs themed around the popular Sports Central show, or they can revel in the ultimate ESPN tailgate party.

Programs were also designed to accommodate a wide range of group sizes and attendee interests. Whether the group is 10 people or a thousand, sports fanatics or couch potatoes, these new teambuilding program say "play all!"

Booking events at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex gives organizations direct access to the full complement of Disney creative and technical resources of the Disney Event Group. Programs can be customized with additional entertainment and graphics packages that include banners and graphics featuring the host organization logo or those of the group’s sponsors. Disney can also round out events with fireworks and specialty merchandise created exclusively for the group.

Beyond the existing portfolio of events, planners can tap the Disney Event Group to create one-of-a-kind events using the dramatic venues and settings available exclusively at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. These facilities include Champion Stadium, a grand, 9,500-seat, retro-style Major League Baseball ballpark, two multi-sport fieldhouses, and immaculate lawns and plazas ideally suited for corporate events of all sizes. Planners can also book events in the 271-seat ESPN Wide World of Sport Grill, which caters to groups and is also available for buy-outs.

To learn more about bringing a meeting or event to the Walt Disney World Resort, visit disneymeetings.com or call (321) 939-7221.

Covering more than 40 square miles, the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is the largest and most complete convention resort in North America. Here meeting professionals will discover six dedicated convention resorts and more than 700,000 square feet of ballroom, meeting and function space. The resort also offers four world-famous theme parks, two nighttime entertainment districts, championship golf, spas and sparkling lakes for water sports of all kind. Beyond facilities, planners will discover an array of exclusive benefits, including Disney Institute professional development programming, entertainment and production services through the Disney Event Group, and complimentary airport transfers and luggage transportation for guests of all Disney-owned resorts.

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For more information, please contact: 

Terry Brinkoetter
Worldwide Group & Convention
Public Relations Director
(404) 685-8438 (Atlanta, Ga.)
terry.brinkoetter@disney.com

ESPN Teambuilding Program Overviews

Attendees become sports celebrities as they participate in a tournament built around softball, volleyball, soccer or flag-football. The active-minded can join in actual competition while other participants catch all the action from the stands and cheer on their colleagues.. Upon arrival, the group is welcomed by an enthusiastic cheerleading squad and an ESPN Wide World of Sports announcer. The announcer provides play-by-play throughout the entire event along with trivia, inside information and lots of humor. A sports disc jockey keeps the beat going with all the classic ESPN Jock Jams.

Event length: Four hours. Maximum attendance: 100

From football and basketball to soccer and baseball, this event celebrates it all. Outrageously decorated pick-up trucks overflow with tasty beverages, while nearby food stations are themed to popular ESPN shows. Entertainment comes in the form of raving fans who idolize the attendees’ organization and wacky improvisational entertainers who portray has-been cheerleaders, couch-potato quarterbacks and over-eager coaches.

Event length: Three hours. Maximum attendance: 1,000

This is the event for attendees who have ever dreamed of playing in the original "ESPN Poker Club Challenge." Guests arrive at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill where upscale gaming tables and dealers await. The tournament includes a series of fifteen-minute rounds with lively event hosts entertaining participants in between. As guests eat, drink and laugh, the competition comes down to two at the final table. In the meantime, other tables reopen for open play and poker-playing tutorials. The evening concludes with announcement of the winner and presentation of the Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Challenge bracelet.

Event length: Three hours. Maximum attendance: 100

This "sports bar meets television studio" event brings the celebrated ESPN show to life, with a special group twist. Set in the center of an over-the-top ESPN arcade is a giant JumboTron and a broadcast desk reminiscent of the popular "Sports Central" show. Roaming cameras send images of attendees to the JumboTron where the "on-air" hosts interact with them, comment on their sports form and add hilarious canned reactions from real sportscasters.

Event length: Three hours. Maximum attendance: 500

This ultimate sports-oriented scavenger hunt offers challenges, laughs and fun, while helping attendees learn more about themselves and their teammates. The entire ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex becomes the playground as attendees team up to scour sports fields, arenas, tracks and courses in a search for hidden clues that will help them solve riddles and find answers to sports questions. Along the way participants also find great F&B, whether it is themed food stations placed throughout the complex or a massive buffet in the center of the action. While attendees compete for medals, this event itself earns the gold.

Event length: Four hours. Capacity: 400