2009 PAA Corporate Cup Returns to Pickwick Lake
 
Florence, Alabama and Florence/Lauderdale Tourism will host the 2009 PAA Corporate Cup bass tournament on Pickwick Lake. The event will take place September 10 - 12, 2009. The Professional Anglers Association (PAA) will again use their one of a kind, 4 man team tournament format that encourages more companies to get intimately involved in the sport of tournament bass fishing.
 
The new PAA president, John Crews, participated last year and thinks it’s a great way for companies to reward top customers. “Last year, Marty Stone and I were on a team with two of Advance Auto Parts’ top commercial customers that lived in the area.  Both gentlemen expressed their enjoyment of the event.  I am sure they will be loyal customers for quite a while.”
 
In addition to rewarding customers, there are many reasons to fish the PAA Corporate Cup - it is much more than just a bass tournament. It is an opportunity for companies to recognize high achieving employees, outstanding vendors or to hook potential clients while also gaining exposure for their company through the daily expo during the event that includes vendor booths and kids’ activities.  National exposure could also be obtained through the televised broadcast of the event for the top 30% of the teams that make it to the final day.  What better way to gain exposure for your company group or brand than while fishing with professional anglers! The 2008 PAA Corporate Cup generated a total of over 13 million impressions. The marketing plan will be expanded even more in 2009.
 
AES Optics was excited about having a team in 2008 and already signed up for a team in 2009.  PAA pro, Jimmy Mason, will be a returning pro component of this year’s team. Jimmy stated, “The people at AES Optics are big time fisherman and they loved everything about the tournament format.  They loved the fact that it was a team event and you got to fish with a Pro in your boat and then also communicate with your other teammates in the other boat during each day so that you all worked together as one team.  AES Optics wanted to sign up for 2009 right after the 2008 event they had so much fun.  They really had a blast!”
 
How the Event Works
Each team will consist of 4 anglers, of which there will be 2 Pro members and 2  General Members (Pro member is an Advantage level or Tour level member of the PAA)
The full field will fish the first 2 days (8 hours each) – Sept. 10-11
The field will be cut to the top 30% for the third day – Sept 12
Each team will fish in 2 separate boats during each 8 hour competition day
Each boat will be allowed to bring in a 5 fish limit, 10 fish per team per day
Pro members of the team must operate the boat during competition
The day before competition will be off limits for a trash clean up around area ramps to promote conservation of our resources
Entry fee is $5,000 per team
Payout is 100% of entry fees
 
Anyone interested in more details about the 2009 PAA Corporate Cup can call the PAA office at (270) 527-2030 or visit www.FishPAA.com . The field is limited to 75 teams so reserve your team soon!
 
The PAA Corporate Cup is hosted by:

Florence/Lauderdale Tourism
Contact us for Fishing or Housing Information
One Hightower Place
Florence, AL 35630
CLICK HERE to www.VisitFlorenceAL.com
 
The Professional Anglers Association is a non-profit organization that gives professional anglers a unified voice in order to aid in the growth of the sport of professional bass fishing. The PAA also aims to administer educational programs to the average angler, to increase enjoyment of the sport, and to embrace sound conservation practices to further the future of the sport. For more information, visit www.FishPAA.com.