Check out my new site: http://kymberlybrantigan.com.
nit•ty-grit•ty\n: what is essential and basic: specific practical details. I look to write about happenings that are interesting, relevant or just plain fun as seen from my view of the world. I'll touch on our companies, Performance PR Plus and The Charlotte Destination Group, which focus on the NASCAR industry and corporate meeting and event planning in the greater Charlotte area, respectively. I hope to let you into my world a bit and to be enlightened by sharing in yours!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
What Happened to June?
Now that we're well into July, I'm wondering what happened to June? Maybe traveling to Seattle for the Charlotte Chamber's Annual Inner City Visit had something to do with it.
Not only was I able to visit this incredibly unique city that has a culture like no other, but being that the trip is only open to Charlotte Chamber Board of Advisor level members, I was able meet and network with over 125 business leaders from Charlotte's most successful organizations. Starting with Mayor Anthony Foxx and several city council members, add CEO's and top management from our private sector industries including banking, construction and development, marketing and consulting, plus Deans from Colleges and Universities,executive directors for non-profits and the highly acclaimed Hugh McColl, the chamber trip was well supported.
In my 18 years living in Charlotte, it has always been a community filled with people who have "can-do" attitudes through thick and thin. It was great to see that first hand from the highest levels of Charlotte area professionals and it makes me proud to be an active member of our community.
We listened and learned about how Seattle tackles everything from economic development, homelessness, education and transpiration. We toured Microsoft, a clean energy incubator, and the group was able to engage in a panel discussion with executives from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. On the fun side of the trip, we took a duck tour of the city by land any by water, we had dinner and a reception at a local museum of modern art and we did a dinner cruise.
The reason I was able to attend to represent our Charlotte Destination Group business on the trip this year is because they always seem to plan it the week leading up to our big race at Infineon Speedway in Sonoma, California. When the program concluded and already being on the west coast, I was able to fly on over to San Fran and head up to Napa for the weekend where we entertained several hundred DuPont customers, visited some of my wine-maker friends and of coures, ate some of the most amazing food! I would love to retire out there someday.
I came home to Charlotte for two days and then my husband and I flew to Michigan to visit some friends for July 4th weekend. We camped with them up in the Silver Lake area and they took us -- in their Jeep -- to the Sand Dunes. If you've never experienced serious Sand Dunes, I highly recommend giving it try sometime. From what I understand, Greg Biffle likes to play on Dunes as he is from that neck of the woods. Climbing those moutainous sand hills and watching the sand drags was an absolute blast!
Well the July heat but my next scheduled trip will be Indy. Can't wait for that one because my Mom lives there and we get to spend some time together. Will probably also go to Jeff Gordon's annual bowling tournament while there and will be pulling for him to make it win No. 5 at the Brickyard 400!
Stay cool and write me anytime.
Not only was I able to visit this incredibly unique city that has a culture like no other, but being that the trip is only open to Charlotte Chamber Board of Advisor level members, I was able meet and network with over 125 business leaders from Charlotte's most successful organizations. Starting with Mayor Anthony Foxx and several city council members, add CEO's and top management from our private sector industries including banking, construction and development, marketing and consulting, plus Deans from Colleges and Universities,executive directors for non-profits and the highly acclaimed Hugh McColl, the chamber trip was well supported.
In my 18 years living in Charlotte, it has always been a community filled with people who have "can-do" attitudes through thick and thin. It was great to see that first hand from the highest levels of Charlotte area professionals and it makes me proud to be an active member of our community.
We listened and learned about how Seattle tackles everything from economic development, homelessness, education and transpiration. We toured Microsoft, a clean energy incubator, and the group was able to engage in a panel discussion with executives from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. On the fun side of the trip, we took a duck tour of the city by land any by water, we had dinner and a reception at a local museum of modern art and we did a dinner cruise.
The reason I was able to attend to represent our Charlotte Destination Group business on the trip this year is because they always seem to plan it the week leading up to our big race at Infineon Speedway in Sonoma, California. When the program concluded and already being on the west coast, I was able to fly on over to San Fran and head up to Napa for the weekend where we entertained several hundred DuPont customers, visited some of my wine-maker friends and of coures, ate some of the most amazing food! I would love to retire out there someday.
I came home to Charlotte for two days and then my husband and I flew to Michigan to visit some friends for July 4th weekend. We camped with them up in the Silver Lake area and they took us -- in their Jeep -- to the Sand Dunes. If you've never experienced serious Sand Dunes, I highly recommend giving it try sometime. From what I understand, Greg Biffle likes to play on Dunes as he is from that neck of the woods. Climbing those moutainous sand hills and watching the sand drags was an absolute blast!
Well the July heat but my next scheduled trip will be Indy. Can't wait for that one because my Mom lives there and we get to spend some time together. Will probably also go to Jeff Gordon's annual bowling tournament while there and will be pulling for him to make it win No. 5 at the Brickyard 400!
Stay cool and write me anytime.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Reflections of May on and off the track...
Well, the month of May is over and for those in the motorsports industry, May is a significant month.
And that's not only for those attempting to qualify for and win the Indy 500, or the NASCAR All Star Race and the 600-mile race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. There are also short track drivers around the country whose weather dictates that the first race of the season is in May.
That's certainly true for my Supermodified friends at Oswego (NY) Speedway. With new owners and renewed hope for a track that was once highly successful under the management of mother in the 80's, the run-down track is getting a face lift and maybe some new enthusiasm among drivers and fans to go along with it. I wish the Torrese brothers all the luck in the world at the place I know they love -- as do I.
Racing for me in May starts with Dover. Our client DuPont is headquartered in nearby Wilmington, DE. We travel there on Wednesday before the race, have Jeff Gordon at DuPont headquarters for a very long day on Thursday, then on to the track for the remainder of the weekend culminating with hospitality on Sunday morning. I've been working with Jeff for nearly 17 years now and after "NASCAR Day at DuPont" I am always amazed at how good he is both on and off the track ---a true professional in every sense of the word.
But beyond race tracks and race drivers, there is a new class of fresh faces that kicked of their summer internships with NASCAR's Driver for Diversity program in May. I had the honor of being invited back for the second consecutive year to speak to this group.
I covered the ususal topics about PR and professionalism, encouring networking and volunteering and the like. However, this group was so enthusiastic and not only asked a lot of questions, they asked a lot of the right qusetions. I have heard back from several of them thanking me for my time and sharing my insight.
There are many talented up-and-coming drivers that will one day take the place of the veteran drivers and be the public face of the sport. But these young men and women are the ones who will take my place and be the future of the business side of motorsports. After seeing this particular group, I am encouranged that our sport's future is in good hands.
I hope everybody had a successful and safe May, and I wish you all the best in June!
And that's not only for those attempting to qualify for and win the Indy 500, or the NASCAR All Star Race and the 600-mile race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. There are also short track drivers around the country whose weather dictates that the first race of the season is in May.
That's certainly true for my Supermodified friends at Oswego (NY) Speedway. With new owners and renewed hope for a track that was once highly successful under the management of mother in the 80's, the run-down track is getting a face lift and maybe some new enthusiasm among drivers and fans to go along with it. I wish the Torrese brothers all the luck in the world at the place I know they love -- as do I.
Racing for me in May starts with Dover. Our client DuPont is headquartered in nearby Wilmington, DE. We travel there on Wednesday before the race, have Jeff Gordon at DuPont headquarters for a very long day on Thursday, then on to the track for the remainder of the weekend culminating with hospitality on Sunday morning. I've been working with Jeff for nearly 17 years now and after "NASCAR Day at DuPont" I am always amazed at how good he is both on and off the track ---a true professional in every sense of the word.
But beyond race tracks and race drivers, there is a new class of fresh faces that kicked of their summer internships with NASCAR's Driver for Diversity program in May. I had the honor of being invited back for the second consecutive year to speak to this group.
I covered the ususal topics about PR and professionalism, encouring networking and volunteering and the like. However, this group was so enthusiastic and not only asked a lot of questions, they asked a lot of the right qusetions. I have heard back from several of them thanking me for my time and sharing my insight.
There are many talented up-and-coming drivers that will one day take the place of the veteran drivers and be the public face of the sport. But these young men and women are the ones who will take my place and be the future of the business side of motorsports. After seeing this particular group, I am encouranged that our sport's future is in good hands.
I hope everybody had a successful and safe May, and I wish you all the best in June!
Monday, April 18, 2011
My first Blog
Please accept a warm, "hey there" with a smile from the desk of Kymberly Brantigan!
This is my first ever blog and as I love to write, I am very excited to have this outlet. However, like most whose lives are super busy, I worry about being able to keep it updated.
But what I have decided, is that keeping it relevant, interesting and fun is more important than just adding posts for the sake of having something posted. I look to inspire thought, start conversation, or just make you laugh.
I will discuss professional life as it pertains to Performance PR Plus (PPR+) and The Charlotte Destination Group (CDG) as I am partner and president of both organizations. PPR+ is a motorsports marketing, event and public relations agency best known as the biggest corporate entertainer in NASCAR and for managing all of Jeff Gordon's PR for nearly two-decades.
CDG grew out of Performance PR Plus and we manage corporate meetings and events, and provide conceierge level service in the greater Charlotte, NC area. As the city of Charlotte grew up around our uptown location since 1994, we thought we would offer companies in Charlotte, or who do business in Charlotte, the same high-level services that we offer our corporate clients in race markets around the country.
Both are award-winning organizations and that's because we are proudly staffed with true professionals who care as much about the integrity of the work as they do about getting it right and exceeding the expectations of our clients.
I'll try to keep blogs brief (too late for that on this one, I know). I've attached a short video of me that the North Carolina Motorsports Association posted in January, 2011, which will give you a litte insight into my background and that of PPR+.
And no, I'm not Italian -- which it would seem with the way I continually talk with my hands in this video. Somebody please -- tie my hands down! For the record, with a maiden name of O'Brien, I'm a good ol' Irish girl.
Keep in touch as I always welcome questions, comments and cheap shots!
This is my first ever blog and as I love to write, I am very excited to have this outlet. However, like most whose lives are super busy, I worry about being able to keep it updated.
But what I have decided, is that keeping it relevant, interesting and fun is more important than just adding posts for the sake of having something posted. I look to inspire thought, start conversation, or just make you laugh.
I will discuss professional life as it pertains to Performance PR Plus (PPR+) and The Charlotte Destination Group (CDG) as I am partner and president of both organizations. PPR+ is a motorsports marketing, event and public relations agency best known as the biggest corporate entertainer in NASCAR and for managing all of Jeff Gordon's PR for nearly two-decades.
CDG grew out of Performance PR Plus and we manage corporate meetings and events, and provide conceierge level service in the greater Charlotte, NC area. As the city of Charlotte grew up around our uptown location since 1994, we thought we would offer companies in Charlotte, or who do business in Charlotte, the same high-level services that we offer our corporate clients in race markets around the country.
Both are award-winning organizations and that's because we are proudly staffed with true professionals who care as much about the integrity of the work as they do about getting it right and exceeding the expectations of our clients.
I'll try to keep blogs brief (too late for that on this one, I know). I've attached a short video of me that the North Carolina Motorsports Association posted in January, 2011, which will give you a litte insight into my background and that of PPR+.
And no, I'm not Italian -- which it would seem with the way I continually talk with my hands in this video. Somebody please -- tie my hands down! For the record, with a maiden name of O'Brien, I'm a good ol' Irish girl.
Keep in touch as I always welcome questions, comments and cheap shots!
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