Fiesta Bowl announces new title sponsor for annual Kickoff Luncheon

The Fiesta Bowl organization recently named Arizona Bank & Trust as the new title sponsor of its annual Kickoff Luncheon in August, which launches the Fiesta Bowl ‘season of events,’ including the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl and the Cheez-It Bowl as well as various non-football events.

Urban Meyer, a nationally-recognized college football coach who most recently served as head coach at Ohio State University, will give the keynote speech.

Arizona Bank & Trust signed a multi-year agreement with the Fiesta Bowl, which the bank says matches its commitment to community involvement and corporate citizenship. The bank has locations throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area, specializing in business lending and deposit services as well as personal credit and electronic banking.

“Arizona Bank & Trust is proud to sponsor the Fiesta Bowl Kickoff Luncheon, as we’ve been impressed with the organization and all it does for Arizona’s charities,” said Bill Callahan, president and CEO of Arizona Bank & Trust. “Clear in their mission to be ‘More Than Just a Game,’ the team won us over in how well they have leveraged the best event in collegiate sports, while at the same time bringing the community together for the betterment of Arizona.”

The Fiesta Bowl has donated over $12.5 million to Arizona nonprofits in the past eight years, including more than $7 million in the last three years alone, according to the organization’s website.

“Our own success is based on earning clients ‘one relationship at a time,’ and we are confident that this partnership with the Fiesta Bowl will provide us the opportunity to reach out throughout Arizona and make a difference in many lives,” Callahan said.

The seventh annual Arizona Bank & Trust Fiesta Bowl Kickoff Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, August 20, at the Arizona Biltmore hotel, but tables are limited. Arizona Bank & Trust will be offering exclusive ticket packages for the 2019 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl and the Cheez-It Bowl.

“We welcome Arizona Bank & trust to join us in one of our premier events during the year,” said Mike Nealy, executive director of the Fiesta Bowl. “Both organizations have a philosophy to deliver first-in-class customer service and improve the lives of Arizonans.”

Luncheon attendees will also have photo opportunities and learn about the latest recipients of the Fiesta Bowl Charities Grant Cycle.

A portion of the proceeds from each table goes to Cheez-It Bowl ticket purchases as part of the Community Champions program, which partners with local nonprofit organizations to offer veterans, underprivileged kids and teachers the opportunity to enjoy a college football game.

“The Kickoff Luncheon brings our business community and football fans together to celebrate the season ahead and interact with one of college football’s biggest personalities,” Nealy said.

Past keynote speakers include former Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops, Notre Dame’s Lou Holtz, Nebraska’s Tom Osborne and Tommie Frazier and Arizona State’s Jake Plummer.