CINCINNATI (Sept. 15, 2009) – Xavier University and AAA have entered into a four-year partnership, effective September 2009-August 2013, that provides benefits, discounts and savings to AAA members, XU fans, Xavier and AAA.
Terms of the partnership call for AAA to handle all comprehensive travel arrangements for Xavier University staff and athletic programs though a managed travel program, providing cost and resource savings for Xavier University. AAA will also serve as travel partner for Learfield Sports’ Xavier Sports Properties, the University’s exclusive athletic multimedia rights holder. Additionally, AAA will receive numerous partner benefits at Xavier athletic venues, including signage, promotion, presence on the official athletic Web site and hospitality.
AAA members will also benefit from the partnership through member-exclusive events and drawings, discounted tickets and more. Member-exclusive events include a lunch with men’s basketball head coach Chris Mack, and drawings for autographed sports memorabilia, such as signed basketballs. Discounted tickets to select sporting events will be available to AAA members. A Xavier University themed AAA membership card is also in the works to offer Musketeer fans. Details of the agreement are still being finalized.
“AAA is very pleased to re-engage a relationship with over 30 years of history with such an important and successful community partner,” said John Morley, executive vice president of travel at AAA. “This is really a win-win situation for everyone involved – from AAA members to Xavier sports fans and both organizations. Members will enjoy exclusive benefits and discounts at select athletic events; Xavier will benefit from cost-savings associated with a managed travel program; and AAA will continue its relationship with loyal Musketeer fans and supporters.”
“We’re pleased to have an experienced and multi-resourced travel partner like AAA rejoin the Xavier University family,” said Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Mike Bobinski. “We feel good about entrusting AAA with our travel program and have no doubt they will do an outstanding job for us across the board.”
Xavier Sports Properties is a property of Learfield Sports, which manages the multimedia rights for more than 50 collegiate institutions and associations. The Dallas-based company also titles the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup, oversees marketing partnerships for the Black Coaches & Administrators (BCA) and provides exclusive sports programming to more than 1,000 radio stations nationwide. Learfield Sports is an operating unit of Jefferson City, Mo.-based Learfield Communications, Inc., which made its initial foray into the world of sports marketing in 1975. For additional information on the company and its collegiate portfolio, visit learfieldsports.com.
AAA provides travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services to 350,000 members locally and 51 million members nationwide. AAA is also a leading provider of corporate travel services, managing over 300 area organizations’ travel programs as Cincinnati’s largest corporate travel agency to offer significant cost savings for companies. Industry studies have shown managed travel programs provide up to 25-30 percent savings compared to an unmanaged program. For more information on AAA’s corporate travel services, please visit AAACTS.com or call 513-763-8844.
Posted on Tuesday, September 15, 2009