SPECIAL EVENT (CHARLOTTE, NC.) - SUMMIT TO BENEFIT DRIVERS SEEKING SPONSORS AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT

The first annual Driver Advancement Marketing Summit, which will be held here at Victory Lane Karting Center on January 26 and 27, will benefit drivers looking to advance their careers and will provide specific information on how to go about obtaining sponsorship. Gary Abercrombie, Manager of Sports Marketing for Lowe's, will describe how Lowe's leverages its motorsports investment and how it measures the results of its marketing efforts.

In citing examples of the different facets of Lowe's overall program, Abercrombie will discuss hospitality, PR-driven events, employee programs and targeted consumer programs. He also will cover what Lowe's expects from the personalities who represent its brand and how drivers should consider the ways their own "brand" would fit with a potential sponsor. Abercrombie receives countless proposals, many of which are poorly constructed and demonstrate little knowledge of the company or any measure of return on investment.

He will provide examples – one in particular that exceeds the example of understanding Lowe's business and culture. "We chose speakers based on specific topics they can address from a professional perspective and through real-life experience in the industry," said Kymberly Brantigan, president of Performance PR Plus. "But now that they've developed their topics in more detail, we are truly impressed with the in-depth information and specific examples that are geared specifically to benefit this audience.

In addition to Abercrombie representing a sponsor's perspective, others include: the driver's perspective -- Randy LaJoie and Shane Huffman, the team perspective -- Andy Papathanassiou, of Hendrick Motorsports and Peter Visconti, of Roush-Fenway Racing, the sanctioning body/ race series perspective -- Dennis Huth, president of the American Speed Association (ASA)The marketing, public relations and sponsor relations point of view -- broadcaster Matt Yocum, Judy Kubo Dominick public relations and driver representative and Annamarie Strawhand, web site and proposal specialist.

"The higher the level of racing, the more business-oriented it becomes," said Brantigan, "The sport is extremely comprehensive and there is a lot to know about all the aspects that are crucial to advancement. "Our speakers are true industry professionals and they are going to provide specific information and examples that any driver looking to advance at any level will benefit from."

Registered attendees include drivers who are signed on as development drivers with championship NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams, the participants in NASCAR's 2008 Drive for Diversity program and drivers from all over the country, as well as from Canada and Puerto Rico. Space is still available and registration will continue through January 25. For more information on the event, speakers and their respective topics, and to register, please visit www.performanceprplus.com.