IMBA World Summit Opening Ceremonies: Utah Governor Huntsman and Park City Mayor Dana Williams Welcome Delegates

For Immediate Release
06-19-08
Contact: Mark Eller, IMBA Communications Director

303-545-9011

Park City Mayor Dana Williams, laying down tasty guitar chops with the Motherlode Canyon Band, helped welcome 400 delegates from more than a dozen countries to the opening ceremonies of the IMBA World Summit.

Following the music, cocktails and a buffet dinner - all offered in a spectacular setting at Utah Olympic Park - Utah Governor Jon Huntsman spoke about his passion for mountain biking. Huntsman told the enthusiastic crowd that his first time riding the Slickrock trail in Moab, Utah, was one of the most profound experiences in his life. He praised Mayor Williams and Park City's non-profit group the Mountain Trails Foundation for their commitment to building high-quality recreational trails. He also pledged to maintain Utah's status as one of the best places in the world to ride a mountain bike.

After the addresses, the Flying Aces performed acrobatic maneuvers over the training pool. Not one to shy away from a challenge, IMBA's executive director Mike Van Abel took to the launch ramp and executed an impromptu Mute-Grab-Truck-Driver 420 - much to the delight of the crowd.

For images from the opening ceremonies (click on thumbs for higher-resolution versions) visit IMBA's photo gallery.