SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Stratus Media Group, Inc. (OTCBB:SMDI) today announced that Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc. has become a sponsor of the inaugural Mille Miglia North America Tribute (MMNAT) and 25th Santa Barbara Concours d’Elegance, taking place later this month.
Bringing the 84-year-old spirit of the Italian “Red Arrow” to the Golden State, the MMNAT will begin in Santa Barbara on October 26 and cover 1,000 miles of stunning coastal routes and historic back roads through California’s Central Coast, Monterey Peninsula, and San Francisco Bay Area.
Abiding by the elite standards set by the Italian Mille Miglia, the MMNAT will feature European and American vehicles manufactured between 1927 and 1957. Alfa Romeos, Austin-Healeys, Ferraris, and other treasured collector cars will take to the California roadways.
The conclusion of the MMNAT will coincide with the start of the 25th Santa Barbara Concours d’Elegance, which will celebrate its milestone Anniversary with some of the biggest names and brands in the automotive industry. The weekend will feature the Worldwide Classics Automotive Show on Saturday, October 29, followed by the traditional Concours d’Elegance on Sunday. Weekend festivities will also include the 2nd Annual Vino d’Elegance, featuring tastings from some of California’s finest wineries, exclusive cooking demonstrations from “Hell’s Kitchen” Chef Scott Liebfried, and book signings by author of the best-selling novel Sideways and the recently released Vertical, Rex Pickett.
Hagerty Insurance will showcase its acclaimed “Operation Ignite!” program, which gives kids the chance to see classic automobiles and boats up close through its Youth Judging program. Led by an adult guide through a car or boat show, Young Judges learn the basics of judging while taking a look at select vehicles, interacting with owners and learning details, and acquire facts and histories of each vehicle. The Young Judges will also present awards to their top three finishers during the awards ceremony.
“It is important to us to give younger generations a chance to experience all the great classic cars we are passionate about,” says McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance. “Our youth judging program will allow the young participants of the show to get up close to the cars and interact with the owners.”
"Hagerty Insurance has earned a well-defined position of prominence within the international classic car community,” said Stratus Media President and CEO Paul Feller. "We look forward to furthering this new relationship in the years ahead.”
Operation Ignite!
Hagerty’s Operation Ignite! “Connecting Kids with Cars” is a suite of programs designed to grow the interest of the hobby among young people through interactive events including Youth Judging, Young Designer Contest, Scale Model-building Contest, Kid Friendly Car Show Kit, Motorsport Paddock Tours and a youth-oriented website. Through Hagerty’s Operation Ignite!, young people will have hands-on experiences that will increase the education of and enthusiasm for collector automobiles, boats and tractors. As the world’s leading provider of collector car insurance, Hagerty is dedicated to helping ensure the future of the collector vehicle hobby through its proactive youth advocacy efforts. For further information, please visit www.hagerty.com/contest or contact Tabetha Salsbury, Youth Advocacy Coordinator, at 800-922.4050, ext. 8137 or tsalsbury@hagerty.com.
About Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc.
Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc. is the leading insurance agency for classic vehicles in the world and host to the largest network of classic car owners. Hagerty offers insurance for classic cars, motorcycles and motorcycle safety equipment, tractors, automotive tools and spare parts, and even “automobilia” (any historic or collectible item linked with motor vehicles). Hagerty also offers overseas shipping/touring insurance coverage, commercial coverage and club liability coverage. For more information, call (800) 922-4050 or visit www.hagerty.com.
About Stratus Media Group, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA, with offices in Los Angeles, California; New York City, NY; Geneva, Switzerland; and Perugia, Italy, Stratus Media Group, Inc. (SMDI) is an owner, operator, producer, and marketer of live entertainment events. In addition, the company owns Stratus Rewards Visa White Card, an ultra-exclusive consumer rewards marketing and redemption program, providing premium redemption benefits to members in the form of VIP event access, luxury trips, private jet travel, luxury automobiles, high-end merchandise and other rewards.
www.stratusmediagroup.com
www.stratusmotorsports.com
www.stratusrewards.com
Forward-Looking Statements
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