AMI and Sport Wellington conclude their AMI Round the Bays partnership
AMI and Sport Wellington today announced the conclusion of their successful partnership in conjunction with AMI Round
the Bays.
AMI Insurance has been the primary sponsor of the Wellington fun run since 2011. It has been an award winning four-year
partnership that has helped Round the Bays become one of Wellington’s most successful community events. Over this period
the event has seen a 27% growth in participation, attracting a record 14,172 participants in 2014. It has seen
consecutive sell outs since 2012 and has grown to be New Zealand’s third largest sport and recreation event.
AMI Round the Bays was recognised at the NZ Sport and Recreation Awards earlier this year as a finalist in two
categories and the winner of the Communication Excellence award, as well as in 2013 as a finalist for Commercial Partner
Excellence. The event was also awarded the Outstanding Event title at the 2012 NZ Recreation Association Awards and was
named as a finalist at the recent Wellington Gold Awards.
The decision to conclude the partnership follows a review of AMI’s sponsorship and community engagement activity. Kevin
Hughes, General Manager Customer Delivery for AMI, said “We’re extremely proud of what’s been accomplished through our
partnership with Sport Wellington, and the recognition AMI Round the Bays has achieved for us in the community.
“Our decision is no reflection on the quality of our relationship with Sport Wellington or the success of AMI Round the
Bays. AMI is moving in a different direction with its sponsorship strategy, looking for opportunities that directly
align with its focus on customers and protecting their valued assets,” Mr Hughes said.
While the Wellington fun run has been occurring since 1978, Sport Wellington took ownership in 1999. Since inheriting
the event, Sport Wellington has overseen an 814% growth in the number of participants.
Chief Executive Phil Gibbons has stated that Sport Wellington will continue to run the event in the foreseeable future.
“While our time with AMI has come to an end, we look forward to developing new relationships as this situation has
provided a huge opportunity for a new partner. We are excited to see what the future holds for upcoming Round the Bays
events.”
“Our partnership with AMI Insurance has been hugely successful. The past four years has seen AMI Round the Bays develop
into the iconic community event it is today. We respect and appreciate the commitment AMI has shown and have greatly
enjoyed working with their team” Gibbons added.
“Watching the event develop and grow over the last four years is a real testament to what you can achieve when working
with others towards a common goal. We thank AMI for their dedication and wish them all the best.”
For more information please visit www.sportwellington.org.nz
ENDS