UNITED TECHNOLOGIES TO SUPPORT “CONNECTICUT OPEN”
TENNIS TOURNAMENT AS PRESENTING SPONSOR
United Technologies Corp., one of the world’s most respected and innovative companies, will become presenting sponsor of the newly named Connecticut Open, Tournament Director Anne Worcester announced today. The annual Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) event will be held August 15-23, 2014, at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale University.
The tournament’s new name — Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies — will broaden the event’s overall appeal to fans and sponsors and appropriately reflect the State of Connecticut’s investment. Adding United Technologies as the presenting sponsor gives the tournament a Fortune 50 global partner and continues to build on the reputation that the tournament has established during the past 16 years.
The tournament generates an estimated $26 million a year in regional economic activity, while also supporting a wide range of activities that build community pride and spirit, especially among young people.
“United Technologies is proud to support the Connecticut Open as its new presenting sponsor,” said United Technologies Chairman & CEO Louis Chênevert. “Our partnership with the tournament, the State of Connecticut, Smilow Cancer Hospital and the other corporate sponsors will ensure a world-class event and build on UTC’s long history of supporting leading organizations in our community.”
“With an economic impact of approximately $26 million annually, it goes without saying that this tournament is good for Connecticut. Each year, the tournament draws tens of thousands of spectators and volunteers from across the country, many of whom eat at local restaurants, stay at local hotels and shop at local businesses,” said Governor Dannel P. Malloy. “UTC’s decision to become the corporate sponsor of the Connecticut Open demonstrates the company’s commitment to being a good neighbor and sharing our vision for making this state a more attractive place to visit, live, work, invest and do business.”
On Monday, August 18, United Technologies will present Military Appreciation Night, featuring a performance of the National Anthem, a Color Guard, and special veteran recognition in the Stadium. Active duty military personnel and veterans who purchase one ticket for the night will get a second ticket free. In addition, United Technologies will partner with the tournament in fundraising for Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven, a cause proudly supported by United Technologies. Tournament players will ride an on-site spin bike to generate awareness and donations for Smilow’s “Closer to Free” bike ride on September 6.
“The last nine months have been incredibly transformational for the tournament, in large part thanks to the State of Connecticut. Rebranding as the ‘Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies’ is another significant step in the growth of this event,” said Worcester. “The tournament is a large-scale international sporting event and we are thrilled to be partnering with a global leader in United Technologies. Together, we can take the tournament to the next level, and continue to give back and positively impact our local communities.”
Daily tickets for the tournament are on sale now, and fans can look forward to seeing Defending Champion and World No. 3 Simona Halep, World No. 6 and 2012 Champion Petra Kvitova, World No. 12 Genie Bouchard, World No. 14 Sara Errani, and World No. 16 and four-time Connecticut Open Champion Caroline Wozniacki along with some of the best WTA players in the world at the Connecticut Open. In addition, men’s tennis returns to New Haven as James Blake, Andy Roddick and Jim Courier, three of the best American tennis players in history, will participate in the first-ever Connecticut Open Legends event on Wednesday, August 21 and Thursday, August 22.
Log on to www.ctopen.org or call 1-855-464-8366 for more information.
About Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies
“Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies” is now owned by the State of Connecticut and is newly minted as a not-for-profit 501c3 charitable organization. However, the event has always existed to give back to the community, and has always been much more than just a tennis tournament; it is a leading example of leveraging a large-scale international sporting event to generate $26 million in regional economic impact and to build community pride, spirit and engagement, especially among youth. The women’s-only WTA event will be held August 15-23, 2014 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale. The Connecticut Open is prominently featured domestically on ESPN2 and also broadcast around the world. For more information about the tournament and tickets, visit www.ctopen.org or call 1-855-464-8366.
About United Technologies
United Technologies, based in Hartford, Connecticut, provides high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries. For more information, visit our website at www.utc.com or follow us on Twitter: @UTC.
Topics: Caroline Wozniacki, Connecticut Open, Eugenie Bouchard, Sara Errani, Simona Halep, Tennis, Tennis News, United Technologies, Wta
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