tour of montana|July 16-19 2015Montana Bicycle Festival|April 2015

Partnership Opportunities 2015

100 Days of Cycling, Culture, & ARt

Montana's premier event begins here

our storyBeginnings are strange. The small, the seemingly inconsequential moments that happen can lead to big things. I had pitched the idea of writing a series of articles about cycling for a local daily newspaper, and was surprised when I’d heard back from them so quickly with the acceptance of my query; writers receive more rejection letters than acceptance letters. My first article was due in a week and I’d decided to write a piece about women’s cycling. I was hoping to get an interview with Robin Farina, professional racer, and president of the new Women’s Cycling Association. I'd been following the work they were doing; it was a great story and one close to my heart. Robin responded immediately to my request.

Robin and I hit it off from the moment our conversation began and by the end of the call we were planning a pro cycling race in Montana. The realist in me told me not to be overly excited, there was a lot standing in the way of the idea and turning it into reality. But Robin was as serious as I was and within in a month we’d brought onboard my future part-ner, Kurt Stockton, who knows more about professional cycling than most, and who was equally passionate about the idea.

Early on we agreed that we wanted an event with the community at its core. It was important that the event not only benefit the community, but that would be "owned "by the community. In this case our community is the state of Montana, the host city of Mis-soula, professional men and women cyclists, recreational cyclists, fans and spectators of all ages, and our partners.

Another critical component was to put to-

gether a race that provided an equal playing field for the men and women pros. There is an undeniably big discrepancy between the men's and women's pelotons in terms of salaries, sponsorship dollars, and media coverage. And while things are beginning to change, we still have a long way to go. We wanted the Tour of Montana to be at the forefront of that change.

Our first step in moving the idea closer to making the Tour of Montana a reality was to get support from state and city leaders. I presented an early proposal to the Montana Office of Tourism and walked out of that meeting with a pledge of support and com-mitment from them to ensure the ongoing success of the Tour of Montana and the Montana Bicycle Festival’s into 2015 and beyond. From there, as they say, the rest is history.

With the support of Mayor John Engen, the Montana Office of Tourism, Destination Mis-soula, and other state and local agencies, cycling organizations and clubs, and media and corporate sponsors we are moving full speed ahead to give Montana the largest event of its kind in the summer of 2015.

The Tour of Montana and the Montana Bicycle Festival are unlike anything happen-ing in the world. From our approach working with our partners, engaging the community, providing an innovative format for the rac-ers, this is going to be a year of firsts that will enhance the cultural landscape of Montana, change the world of cycling, and enrich the lives of our community.

Nicole Adamson

Executive Director, Tour of Montana

there is no other sport in the world in which leading practitioners will do their thing outside your kitchen window.

- keith duggan

7/18|saturday: criterium A full day of category, amateur, and

citizens crit events with the professional men and women racing at twilight on a high-speed course through Downtown

Missoula.

7/19|sunday: the big ride Recreational cyclists take to the road

in Missoula's first gran fondo: The BIG Ride, led by featured VIPs from the

professional peloton.

july 16 -19, 2015

Our cycling stadium is the city, it's neighborhoods, rolling hills, mountains, and the expansive and endless landscape Montana is famous for. The Tour of Montana begins in 2015 as a four-day series of professional events featuring a team time trial, a classic one-day road race, a full day of downtown criterium racing, finishing with a gran fondo style event, The BIG Ride. Junior and amateur events will take place before the pros hit the streets, giving opportunity to all levels of cyclists. Beginning in 2018, the Tour of Montana expands to a multi-day stage race all across the state, showcasing the unique culture and communities of Montana. The Tour of Montana brings world-class professional cyclists to Montana, and gives fans and spectators a taste of all that the Big Sky has to offer.

Fans and spectators can enjoy watching the events from the start/finish in Downtown Missoula, or along the course route. A Cycling Experience Expo takes place each day at Caras Park with live entertainment, food, drink, games for kids of all ages, workshops, and more. The final day of festivities concludes with a grand party unlike anything Mon-tana has experienced before.

the tour of Montana

7/16|Thursday: team time trialTeams take to the streets in a fast-paced, high-speed race against the clock. If you combined Nascar and horse racing you'd get something like the TTT with tight turns, inventive strat-egy, drama and speed!

7/17|friday: road raceA classic road race on a circuit course through Missoula featuring plenty of climbing, and a sprint finish in Down-town Missoula.

first pro race to put men and women on equal footing With the incredible talent in the professional women’s peloton there is still a huge disparity between men’s and women’s professional cycling. Imag-ine women’s pro tennis before Billie Jean King, and that will give an idea of where women’s cycling is today. With the Tour of Montana we’re shatter-ing the mold, and setting the standard for how future bicycle races will be developed. Tour of Montana will be one of the only races in the world to offer men and women pro cyclists the same purse prize, the same sponsored media coverage, and the same challenging course.

first festival of its kind in montana and north americaThere are a lot of great festivals out there, but none like this. Highlighting and showcasing the unique and vibrant landscape, culture and people of Montana, there is nothing of this scope and size happening right now.

we're shattering the mold, chang-ing perceptions,

and delivering an event unlike any

other. truly, a year of firsts.

first pro road race in montana Cyclists have always had a place in Montana. Whether its road cycling, touring, mountain biking, cyclocross, or cycling as transportation, Mon-tana has something to offer every cyclist. We are pleased to bring Mon-tana its first multi-day professional road race.

Our goal is to create a unique event for racers, riders, spectators, and partners The Montana Bicycle Festival: 100 Days of Cycling, Culture, & Art was created with the objective of investing the community in the event, creating excitement for the Tour of

Montana, giving participants a reason to race, play and stay in Montana, and providing partners with a way to connect with their customers.

The Montana Bicycle Festival builds off an already vibrant cycling culture in Mis-soula and Montana, with events that elevate and enhance the landscape of our rich

culture. Whether you're an avid cyclist, non-cyclist, film fan, art lover, craft beer con-noisseur, or lover of sport and epic adventure, there is something for everyone at the

Montana Bicycle Festival, adults and children alike.

100 days of cycling, culture & art

The big ride training TeamFall 2014 - July 2015New to intermediate cyclists will work with professional train-ers, and nutritionists in preparation for their first century ride, the Tour of Montana's gran fondo experience: The BIG Ride.

tomt cycling clubOngoingThe ToMT Cycling Club is open to anyone, anywhere who is looking for a great way to connect with other cyclists, learn some skills, and challenge themselves in group rides and Stra-va Challenges. ToMT Cycling Club members will have exclusive access to events including a Fall Hill Climb Race, Holiday Bike Bash, Winter Challenge, Workshops, and more.

fantastical cycle paradeApril 4, 2015The 100 Days of Cycling, Culture, & Art formally kicks things off with a Fantastical Cycle Parade through the heart of Downtown Missoula. Neighborhoods, artists, kids, families, local business-es, and cyclists will be able to show off their bike decorating skills and their artistic flair by creating bicycle floats that will inspire the imagination as they pedal their way through town.

montana bicycle film festMay 2015A month long film fest featuring cycling classics like Breaking Away, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, A Sunday in Hell, and others, culminating in a weekend celebration of the bicycle and film with a special presentation of Slaying the Badger and Half the Road. Hosted by Women's Cycling Association president Robin Farina, and Half the Road writer-director, and professional cyclist Kathryn Bertine this VIP Weekend promises to be a world-class affair.

Art | Photography | Wayfinding exhibitMay - July 2015Artists from the region will create bicycle themed works of art for display as well as public art that is also wayfinding. Add a photo exhibit that showcases the storied history of men and women's cycling in North America and we have something that has never been done.

femme/velo June 19 - 21, 2015Entering its third year, the all women's 100km cyclo-sportif marks the start of the countdown to Tour of Montana. This weekend of women road warriors features cycling, workshops, food, and entertainment including an all-women's punk band and party.

#paintthetowncyclingJune - July 2015During June and through to race day, the Tour of Montana will encourage neighborhoods, businesses, and anyone with a paint brush to show off to the world that Missoula and Mon-tana are bicycle crazy! Contents between neighborhoods will create a fun and competitive way to engage the community. Awards will be given to the best design and decoration.

headline events

$50M

$100M

more americans ride bicycles than all those who golf, ski, and play tennis

combined.2013 CyclingNews Sponsorship Study

cycling fans are more engaged with sponsors of the sport compared with other sport fans.2013 CyclingNews Sponsorship Study

The number of bicycles sold in the us each year.

2013 CyclingNews Sponsorship Study

Women influence or make 80 to 85 percent of the household purchases. Women have become the new majority in the american

bicycle market in 2014. The American Bicyclist Report: On the

Road to 2020

cycling is a global sport with local impli-

cations. a pilot study by the national bi-

cycle tour directors association showed

that more than $32 million in spending

occured with the11 events that took part

in the study.

in the us, pro cycling garners the wealthiest and most educated

audiences. there isn't a shortage of companies that want to sell

their goods or services to the people in the demographic.

-David Porthouse of Sponsorship Science LLC

$9000 premium homeowners are willing to pay to be 1,000 feet closer to a bike/ped trail/path.

$75K is the aver-age household income for a cyclist/spectator

$377 million: spent by cycling tourists in Montana in 2012. $20 more per day than non cycling tourists

$20 million: the direct economic impact of Tour of Utah to the state economy in 2012

$10M

$1M

$100K

$1K

$0

From the first Tour de France, cycling has given sponsors a meaningful platform to stand on as they communicate their stories, brands, and visions to their customers.

Where sponsors once focused the bulk of their invest-ment on team sponsorship, they now see a better return on their investment with event sponsorship.

"Once individuals become engaged with cycling they tend to become interested and hooked," says Chris Aronhalt, managing director of event management firm Medalist Sports. "We need to better educate the public about what is really a pretty complicated sport." By do-ing so you'll get them hooked. That is what the Tour of Montana and the Montana Bicycle Festival have done with our platform and unique events.

cycling by the numbersengaging customers with meaningful experiences Cycling is a rapidly growing sport

growth of the sport between may and november

Repucom 2013 study7%

#117m80%

the premier montana eventHere in montana we have a strong cycling community and a community of non-cy-

clists who understand the health, environmental, and economic benefits of events

like the Tour of Montana and the Montana Bicycle Festival. we're looking forward to

making this the premier Montana event in the summer of 2015, and beyond!

40,000 + expected attendance

partnership v sponsorshipWe want to build long-term partnerships that go beyond

writing a check and handing out products at the event. Beyond the Banner Marketing means working with part-

ners and finding ways for them to grow with the event by being an integral part of the team. It means marketing solutions that allow partners to communicate directly

with their customers in meaningful ways.

community investmentAn event only works if the community that hosts the

event is invested in its success. If you give the community a reason to embrace the event, make it accessible and

relevant to everyone, you'll have a legion of supporters and fans. That is what we've done with the Montana

Bicycle Festival. Activities that celebrate and embrace the community, so that when the pros roll into in July

they have an entire community, and city behind them. Partners associated with this event will benefit by help-

ing to foster community investment.

connecting with customers Every Tour of Montana and Montana Bicycle Event allows

partners ways to connect directly with their customers. We've created partnership packages that allow investors at all levels high-impact expsure of their brand and mes-

sage and meaningful ways to talk to your customers.

media exposureToMT races will be broadcast live via webcast on the ToMT website, and via our media partners.ToMT races will have live television coverage via our media partners. Headline Festival Events will also receive media cover-age. PSA's will run leading up to the event. We have a broadcast package that gives our partners maximum exposure and reach.

partnership that works for your brand Invest in what means the most to you and your customers: The Montana Bicycle Film Festival, Femme/Velo, Team Time Trial, etc. Or, invest across the board.

beyond the banner

marketing

your logo hereYour logo and brand receive maxi-mum exposure on signage, clothing, jerseys, posters, rack cards, more.

year round exposureThe Tour of Montana and Montana Bicycle Festival provide you with a full year of marketing opportunities.

MissionThe Tour of Montana and Mon-tana Bicycle Festival’s mission is to: promote cycling as a sport and part of a healthy lifestyle, to promote cycling as part of an active tranpsportation system, to foster development programs for youth. And, to provide a unique event indica-tive of the people and culture of Montana.

visionOur vision is to grow the sport of cycling locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. And, for Montana to be THE cy-cling capital of the west.

community|passion|Intensity|Fun

our mission and vision

This is getting more people on bicycles. This is a celebration of everything that life under the Big Sky has to offer. This is bring-ing world-class bicycle racing to Montana. This is a celebration unlike anything else. This is bringing the action to spectators in a way that no other sport can. This is passion. This is intensity. This is connecting people with experience. This is meaningful sponsorship. This is community. This is fun.

#beapartofit|#cyclemontana|#PaintTheTownCycling|#itsyourtour

Robin FarinaPresident - Women’s Cycling Association

Robin began her cycling career over 12 years ago after graduating from the University of Tennessee. Most recently, she raced professionally for NOW and Novartis for MS, while holding the title of the 2011 National Road Race Champion, and 2012 Olympic long team member.

When not on the bike, her time is spent overseeing the newly formed Women’s Cycling As-sociation (WCA). Robin has been a catalyst for the organization and its growth as a global movement for women’s equality in cycling (sport and life). After several years of racing at the highest level, Robin saw the need to help Women’s Professional Cycling become a stable platform for future cyclists. The main goal is help achieve equity and help people see the health benefits through riding bikes.

Kurt StocktonRace Director|Event Director

Kurt Stockton is a multi-faceted former professional cyclist, business owner, promotion & marketing manager, product developer and team owner/manager/director with over 32 years of experience. He co-owned and managed the Kodak Gallery/Sierra Nevada Professional Cycling team and is the 1990 USPro Road Champion. Kurt most recently was Competition Director, Social Media Manager, and Assistant Technical Director for the 2014 Winston-Salem Cycling Classic. He resides in the Sierra Nevada Foothills of Northern California, and is looking forward to spending more time getting to know Mon-tana and all it has to offer the many aspects of cycling.

Events like the Tour of Montana help to drive visitation and the economy by promoting awareness of the state’s exciting outdoor recreation. Cyclists who participate will find great roads and trails set against spectacular unspoiled nature. We look forward to working with our partners in Missoula and other Montana communities as the tour launches and grows. Jeri DuranAdministrator, Montana Office of Tourism

our teamwhat our supporters say Tour of Montana is a new event, but the folks behind the ToMT have 50+ years of

experience in professional bicycle racing, pro team managment, marketing, event planning and management, public relations, nonprofit work, and

publishing.

Nicole AdamsonExecutive Director|Festival Director

Nicole is a writer, and marketing professional with more than 10 years of publishing and marketing experience. She has worked with a broad and diverse group of companies from high tech to non-profit, and currently writes a column about bicycling for a daily print/online newspaper. Nicole is the founder of and race director for Femme/Velo, an all-wom-en’s cycling ride/race. Nicole resides in Hamilton, Montana and when she isn’t writing about cycling, or advocating to get more people out on their bicycles she is riding her bike. She’s proud to have been a part of creating the Tour of Montana and the Montana Bicycle Festival.

Nicole AdamsonExecutive Director/Festival DirectorTour of Montana/Montana Bicycle Festivalnicole@tourofmontana.org406.381.7962

Kurt StocktonRace Director/Event DirectorTour of Montana/Montana Bicycle Festivalkurt@tourofmontana.org530.264.6364

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