Winning City Puts Plans in Motion
12/15/03

by Félix García

The Valencia bidding consortium held its first meeting since being chosen to host the 32nd Defense of the America’s Cup. December 15th, in the Valencia city hall.

The consortium is composed of 13 members, including General Manager Jose Salinas, Valencia mayor Rita Barberá, members of the national, regional, and local governments. 

Barberá was re-elected in June 2003 to a term that will run through 2007

In this first meeting, the group’s initial focus was concerned with how best to fulfill the contractual commitments made with ACM in order to host the Cup.

Several other matters came to the group’s attention, including a review of the press coverage that surrounded the venue announcement made November 26th by ACM chairman Michel Bonnefous.

One of the final points addressed was how best for the consortium to communicate the importance of Valencia hosting the regatta, and the fact of being the first European city to host the America’s Cup in its 150-year long history.

The consortium will take their message to the 2004 International Tourism Trade Fair (Fitur), January 28th-February 1, in the Valencia town hall, using the opportunity to showcase the exciting and historic times ahead for Valencia and the 2007 America’s Cup.
 

Félix García is a journalist living in Valencia, Spain.