Chicago Yacht Club and Wintrust announce 5-year sponsorship extension
by Tracy Gladden 8 Apr 2018 01:02 AEST
20 July 2018
Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac © Chicago Yacht Club
Chicago Yacht Club is pleased to announce that Wintrust has signed a five-year extension to be the Presenting Sponsor of the Club's Annual Race to Mackinac, and the Club's Chicago Regatta that raises funds to benefit children in Chicagoland. The extension runs through 2023.
The Race to Mackinac brings together over 300 boats and 3,000 sailors from around the world to compete in the 333-mile Race to Mackinac, now in its 110th year. This year's Race will have starts on Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21. Wintrust has been the Presenting Sponsor over the past four years and plays a key role in many of the Race's major events including the kick-off Warning Gun Party in Chicago and the Sailor's Celebration on Mackinac Island.
Wintrust also became the Presenting Sponsor of the Club's Chicago Regatta this past year. This event will take place on September 8th and raise funds for Comer's Children's Hospital, SOS Children's Villages Illinois, and the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation program to expand sailing opportunities for children throughout Chicago communities. The five-year sponsorship extension includes the Chicago Regatta plus two other Cruises hosted annually by the Club and co-sponsored by Wintrust over the past four years, that benefit nearly 200 persons in the Chicagoland area with special needs and visual impairment.
"We could not be happier with the relationship we have formed with Wintrust" said Leif Sigmond, Commodore of the Chicago Yacht Club. "Not only has Wintrust played a significant role in our Race to Mackinac that is recognized throughout the world but Wintrust has been our partner in a number of our major community outreach initiatives here in Chicago. We very much look forward to continuing to work closely with Wintrust over the next five years."
"As Chicago's Bank, we are proud and honoured to be part of the Race to Mackinac that has been a century old tradition of our City" said Ed Wehmer, CEO and Founder of Wintrust. "We are also thrilled to be able to work with the Chicago Yacht Club to expand efforts to reach out to Chicagoland communities to help in different ways. Serving those communities is a key part of who we are."