HONDA CLASSIC LEADER DISCUSSES REBRANDING WITH KRAVIS CENTER CORPORATE PARTNERS
Corporate Partners members and guests treated to special discussion by Kenneth Kennerly(West Palm Beach, Fla.)
Kenneth Kennerly, Executive Director of The Honda Classic, received an impressive round of applause recently when he provided an overview and lively question and answer session at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts’ Corporate Partners Business and Breakfast Series. Held in the Khoury Family Dance Rehearsal Hall, Kennerly gave an in depth presentation of one of the premier events on the PGA TOUR.
With more than 27 years in the sports marketing industry, Kennerly founded his own firm IGP Sports & Entertainment Group in 1996, which was acquired by IMG Worldwide in April 2013. IMG is the global pioneer and leader in the sports, fashion, media and entertainment industry with more than 3,500 employees operating in more than 30 countries around the globe. In addition to serving as the Executive Director of The Honda Classic, Kennerly also oversees the new IMG Golf Palm Beach office, and is the Senior Vice President of IMG Golf and Director of the North America Event Group.
Judith Mitchell, the Kravis Center’s CEO, introduced Corporate Partners Executive Committee Chair, Jeffrey Stoops, President and CEO of SBA Communications and Kravis Center Board member and welcomed Corporate Partners members to the second and final breakfast specifically targeted to that membership. More than 110 guests attended, including George Elmore, Life Trustee and Corporate Partners Executive Committee Honorary Chair; Bill Meyer, Board Treasurer, immediate past Board Chair and immediate past Corporate Partners Executive Committee Chair; Jane Mitchell, current Board Chair, and additional Board members, John Jenkins and John Kessler
After being introduced by Jeffrey Stoops, Kennerly began his presentation by saying, “We are in the entertainment business, which is why it is great that we are here today at the Kravis Center – we are in the same business.” He then continued by explaining how he transformed The Honda Classic into more than just a professional golf tournament, ultimately rebranding the event to an annual “must attend” Event.
In 2006, Kennerly was recruited by the PGA TOUR to resurrect The Honda Classic, which benefits 135 charities. Since rebranding the event, the attendance has soared to a record breaking 160,000 spectators in 2013, with more than $8 million in charitable contributions given in the last seven years, including the primary beneficiary, The Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation. While continuing to rebrand, The Honda Classic has received numerous awards, including the 2014 Providencia Award, which acknowledges tourism impact.
Kravis Center Corporate Partners members are the corporate and professional leadership in Palm Beach County whose mission is to support and enable the Kravis Center to continue its extensive educational and community outreach programs. Corporate Partners membership offers business leaders the opportunity to act as an integral part of the Kravis Center, building awareness of the Center within the business community. The breakfast series is one of many benefits for this sponsorship level.
Centrally located in West Palm Beach, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is one of the premier performing arts centers in the Southeast with a renowned national and international reputation. Established as a leading force in the social fabric of the community, its many outreach programs are as broad and varied as the community itself. To date, the Center has opened the door to the performing arts for approximately 2 million school children.
For general information about the Kravis Center performances and events, or to inquire about Corporate Partner membership, please visit www.kravis.org or call 561-651-4320.