November 2nd, 2011

Gran Fondo VailPresentation to the Commission on Special Events

Promoting the Vail Brand

“Gran Fondo” means “Big Ride” in Italian and is a great Italian Cycling Tradition

Gran Fondo is NOT a race: it is a mass participation bicycling event for cyclists of all abilities

Celebration of Food, Community, Culture & Cycling Events include pre- and post-ride parties, Expo / Festival, VIP

experiences, gifts & prizes for the athletes, and a true cycling experience for everyone!

Create event character with entertainment and fun for athletes and their families in addition, attracting media and sponsor attention.

Gran Fondo’s participants are similar to downhill skiing enthusiasts in their passion for the sport and their willingness to spend to pursue their activity.

Promoting the Vail Brand

Gran Fondo demographics:65% male - 35% femaleAge: 33-43 years oldEducation: 65% college degree Average annual income: $120,000-140,000Close affinity to European culture and lifestyle Great attention to high-end cycling products Participate in 3-5 events per yearSpend an average of $4,500.00 per year on technical products

Positive Economic Impact

37%. Overall percentage of participants that came from outside the host city as recorded in San Diego, Los Angeles and Philadelphia (Vail percentage is estimated to be much higher)

11.5%. Percentage of International participants

2.5. Average number of nights booked per rider from outside the city:

$300.00. Average amount of dollars spent per participant during a Gran Fondo USA weekend on items not related to the event itself (food, hotel, etc.)

Positive Economic Impact Estimated Growth Potential

The historical growth of Gran Fondo USA is always important to understanding the potential number of participants that a new event can reach: Our forecast for the Gran Fondo in Vail:

This forecast is derived from historical data collected at each Gran Fondo USA event Nationwide. These stats help forecast the future economic impact of hundreds of thousands of dollars for a host city

ROI will be both immediate as well as long lasting by promoting Cycling in Vail through Gran Fondo USA

Year

Participant

s

2013

2,00

0

2014

3,00

0

2012

1,00

0

Leveraging Sponsorship

Gran Fondo San DiegoInaugural 2009 1,200 participantsSecond edition 2010

3,000 participants

Third edition 2011 3,000 participants

Gran Fondo PhiladelphiaInaugural 2010 1,400 participantsSecond edition 2011 1,500 participants

Gran Fondo Los AngelesInaugural 2011 1,300 participants

Gran Fondo MiamiInaugural 2011 1,500 participants

Leveraging Sponsorship Gran Fondo USA brings

Unique sponsor brands to Vail creating further opportunities

More than a race, Gran Fondo Vail will consist of VIP Functions, Expo/Festival and other hospitality opportunities

The US cycling market has an estimated 30 million recreational cyclists, 3 million of whom are avid participants

Experience and Qualifications

Gran Fondo Vail will be organized by Gran Fondo USA, a professional company under the International group known as Star Events SARL and based in Monte Carlo.

Gran Fondo USA was the first organization to bring the Gran Fondo from Italy to the US. Since then Gran Fondo has become the fastest growing trend in cycling with over 30 different organizations now hosting Gran Fondos in the US

Gran Fondo Vail’s local Race Director will be Independent Endurance Sports which launched the hugely successful Denver Triathlon last year. IES will be responsible for all technical aspects of the event, and will be fully supported by the US management of Gran Fondo USA, with the support of some specialists from Europe.

Star Events is an International event company with more than 30 events in their portfolio in triathlon, cycling and running, that can guarantee a huge International visibility to the event

August 18 /19, 2012

Weekend before the Prologue for the US Pro Cycling Challenge ideal way to kick off an immensely popular cycling week in Colorado

Potential discussions may be had for the proceeding weekend of the 25th and 26th.

Encourage cyclists to come for the Gran Fondo and stay for the US Pro Challenge

Vail’s Sense of Community Vail epitomes the essence

of the cycling world through altitude and attitude

Locally tied to the World Community through media and International platforms

Charity aspect supporting a local program such as S.O.S

Social aspect involving local community through participating and volunteering (students, local sports clubs, others)

Vail’s Sense of Community

Objectives of Gran Fondo Vail Leverage the “American series” of Gran Fondo events to

market Vail Drive thousands of cyclists to the new world of the Gran

Fondo Give local bike shops a platform to increase their sales and

interact with more customers Promote cycling as an instrument for better living Support local Charity through event fundraising Organize related promotional events that celebrate the

influence of cycling on American life. Support the promotion of Vail through all Gran Fondo

activities

Sense of CommunityGran Fondo Vail