Bridgehampton, NY—June 30, 2003—More than 100 representatives of nearly 60 corporate sponsors of the Hampton Classic Horse Show attended the 2003 Sponsor Workshop, Monday June 24 at Tavern On The Green in New York City. Entitled “Maximizing the Return on Your Hampton Classic Sponsorship,” the five-hour session was hosted by the Classic’s Executive Director Anthony F. Hitchcock.

“For eight years we have hosted these workshops to provide sponsors with ideas on how they can utilize the Hampton Classic to market their products or services,” Hitchcock noted at the end of the session. “Virtually everyone in attendance has come up to me and said how they came away with new ideas that should give them an even better return on their sponsorship investment! It’s a great way to introduce new sponsors to our event and to recognize the efforts of our long time partners.”

The workshop provides sponsors with an overview of various opportunities available to them in connection with their sponsorships, including ancillary promotional options such as advertising on the event’s telecasts, in special Hampton Classic newspaper and magazine sections, and on local radio. Networking with other sponsors, meeting with Classic officials, and hearing from outside speakers combine to make the day extremely popular with the sponsors who attend.

The keynote speaker at this year’s sponsor workshop was Kevin Calica, Vice President and Creative Director of Special Events & Global Communications at Calvin Klein. Calica’s address “The Right Relationship” focused on identifying events best suited to the image and objectives of a corporate sponsor. Calica cited the long and successful relationship Calvin Klein has with the Hampton Classic.

Rider representative Kelly Weitsma of Equisponse spoke on the various ways riders’ sponsors can involve riders in marketing and promotional efforts. Other speakers included Jane Baxter Lynn of the Long Island Wine Council and Michael Howell, Director of Marketing for the Hampton Classic, who spoke on the new wine event featured at this year’s Hampton Classic. Isabel Sepulveda, the Hampton Classic’s Fiesta Day Chair, joined by Ralph Morales, Marketing Director of Hoy magazine, Fiesta Day’s title sponsor, provided updates regarding the third annual Fiesta Day at the Classic.