CNA Insurance to Sponsor Chicago 2006 Gay Games

Sat. October 1, 2005 12:00 AM

Chicago, IL - Chicago-based CNA insurance companies this week announced its sponsorship of the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago. CNA joins at the "Allstar" level and will be a sponsor of the volleyball competition to take place at Chicago's Navy Pier.

One of the largest commercial insurance writers in the USA, CNA joins more than 90 local, national and international sponsors that have signed up in support of Gay Games VII Sports and Cultural Festival. Gay Games VII runs 15-22 July 2006 and will draw 12,000 participants and tens of thousands of spectators for eight days of sports competitions, arts and culture, and social events.

"At CNA, we understand the importance of building lasting relationships with the communities where we live and work," said Sarah Pang, senior vice president of Corporate Communications, CNA. "We are delighted to support the 2006 Gay Games right here in our hometown of Chicago. Our contribution represents both our commitment to an event of great importance to the City of Chicago, as well as our celebration of diversity among our employees and customers. We are proud to stand with the many others who will welcome the Gay Games next July."

"CNA has once again demonstrated its commitment to Chicago," said Larry Kuhn, Director of Strategic Corporate Alliances with Chicago Games, Inc. the local host organization. "The Gay Games will bring an estimated $80 million in activity to our region's economy. By highlighting that Chicago is a diverse, warm and welcoming destination for gay and lesbian people worldwide, the tourism benefits extend for many years. CNA's contribution helps ensure the fiscal success of the local host organization as we deliver this important boon to the businesses of Illinois."

CNA is the country's seventh largest commercial insurance writer and the 14th largest property and casualty company. CNA's insurance products include standard commercial lines, specialty lines, surety, marine and other property and casualty coverages. CNA's services include risk management, information services, underwriting, risk control and claims administration. For more information, visit CNA at www.cna.com.

Gay Games VII Sports and Cultural Festival will take place 15-22 July 2006. Over 12,000 athletes from more than 100 countries will compete in 30 sports ranging from softball to dancesport, swimming to tennis. The weeklong event will include band, cheerleading and color guard performances, chorus, an ancillary arts festival, and a series of community-organized social events and parties. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 15 July at Soldier Field, the lakefront home stadium of American-style football's Chicago Bears. Closing ceremony will be 22 July at Wrigley Field, the home of Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs, located in the heart of Chicago's largest LGBT neighborhood.

For the first time ever, the Gay Games in Chicago will receive widespread television coverage on the Q Television Network. Early sponsors of Gay Games VII include PlanetOut/Gay.com; Walgreens; Q Television Network; Orbitz; Sydney New Mardi Gras; Human Rights Campaign; McKnight Kurland Baccelli; Mate, Genre, Pink and Girlfriends magazines; Windy City Media Group; and more than 80 business sponsors. ChicagoPride.com is a proud "all star" sponsor of the swimming competition.

Registration for Gay Games VII is now open at www.GayGamesChicago.org
 

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