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SALEM, Ore., July 24 /PRNewswire/ — Travel Oregon is calling all adult beverage aficionados to create Oregon Bounty spirits concoctions during the “Create the Oregon Bounty Cocktail” contest. The contest officially begins today, Thursday, July 24, as part of the annual statewide promotion Oregon Bounty that celebrates the state’s artisan producers.
Contest entries need to represent one of the state’s distinct regions: Eastern Oregon, Southern Oregon, the Oregon Coast, Central Oregon, the Willamette Valley, Portland Metro and Mt. Hood/Columbia River Gorge. Contestants are encouraged to visit TravelOregon.com/Bounty to learn more about the region each drink will personify and to see a complete list of Oregon distilled spirits.
“Living in a state that’s home to 20 distilleries, we are constantly inventing and continuously moving into uncharted craft spirit territory. With the addition of the Oregon Distillers Guild to the Oregon Bounty celebration this year, the possibilities are infinite,” said Holly Macfee, director of brand strategy for Travel Oregon. “By using spirits infused with local ingredients like berries, saffron and fresh tarragon in addition to the newly released absinthe — one of only a few produced here in the U.S. — people will be able to get daring with their cocktails and incorporate some uniquely Oregon ingredients not found in a typical bar.”
Entries must be submitted between July 24 and Aug. 22. Seven contest finalists, one for each region of the state, will be announced on Sept. 10. The grand prize winner will be chosen at the Oregon Bounty Happy Hour kick-off event on Sept. 18 in Portland. The seven finalists will receive weekend getaways around the state. The grand prize winner, creator of the “unofficial official Oregon Bounty cocktail,” will receive Nambe barware from Macy’s, and a two-night getaway to meet and taste with Oregon’s artisan distillers at the Oregon Distillers Guild Spirits Tasting, Oct. 11, at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale.
Anyone at least 21 years of age or older may enter any one or all seven of the regional categories at TravelOregon.com/Bounty. All recipes must use Oregon’s artisan distilled spirits and local ingredients wherever possible. While spirits not made in Oregon may be used as a secondary ingredient, the primary alcohol ingredient used must be from Oregon.
Each entrant must specify which of Oregon’s seven regions his or her cocktail represents. Multiple entries must be submitted individually and there is no limit to the number of total submittals. Recipes must include a list of ingredients, written directions and recommended glassware. Unique cocktail names are encouraged.
For a complete list of contest rules and to enter the contest, visit TravelOregon.com/Bounty.
About Oregon Bounty and Travel Oregon
The annual statewide Oregon Bounty promotion celebrates the state’s culinary abundance during two months of unique travel experiences, fall harvest events and special overnight packages at historic inns and hotels — all designed to highlight Oregon’s diverse and plentiful culinary landscape. Oregon Bounty is produced by the Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon-with support from the Oregon Wine Board, Oregon Brewers Guild, Oregon Distillers Guild, Oregon’s regional destination marketing organizations, Oregon Lodging Association, Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, and Brand Oregon, among others-with the goal of encouraging economic growth and enhancing the quality of life in Oregon through a strengthened economic impact of tourism statewide. Travel Oregon collaborates extensively with local communities, industry associations, government agencies and private businesses, and is proud to grow the Oregon Bounty promotion as a key campaign in the state’s growing $8.3 billion tourism industry, helping Oregon to be recognized as a not-to-be-missed culinary travel destination. Visit for more information.
Travel Oregon

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MINNEAPOLIS, June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Caribou Coffee Company Inc. announced today that it now offers completely free wireless fidelity (WiFi) service for its customers in more than 80 percent of its stores across the United States. Through a partnership with Wandering WiFi, Caribou Coffee is the largest company-owned coffeehouse operator to offer customers a completely free WiFi service.
After completing consumer research, the company decided to improve the free-with-a-minimum-purchase WiFi program that was launched in 2006. Now, only a simple registration is needed for first time users with no purchase or company credit card usage required.
Senior Vice President of Marketing Kathy Hollenhorst said, “Caribou Coffee is proud to offer totally free WiFi service as a way to provide an excellent experience to our customers. Our mission is ‘an experience that makes the day better.’ In addition to a comfortable environment and superior coffee, simplifying our WiFi program is a way for us to provide that experience. Now, whether you’re connecting with friends or business associates in person or online, Caribou Coffee is the perfect place.”
Caribou Coffee continues to partner with Wandering WiFi for this service due to Wandering WiFi’s focus on a comprehensive solution with end-user customer support and a Caribou Coffee-branded experience. “Caribou Coffee continues to focus on opportunities to improve the overall user experience,” said John Marshall, CEO of Wandering WiFi. “As more customers have WiFi enabled devices such as iPhones, or cell phones with integrated WiFi, simplifying the registration process becomes one more customer-focused differentiator.”
“By offering connectivity without the complicated hassle of a lengthy login or credit card process, Caribou Coffee understands the convenience desired by its customers,” said Marshall. “While connected, customers can feel safe in this state-of-the-art secure environment.”
ABOUT THE COMPANY Caribou Coffee founded in 1992, is the second-largest company-owned gourmet coffeehouse operator in the world based on number of coffeehouses. At Caribou Coffee, our mission statement is “an experience that makes the day better”. We provide this by sourcing the highest-quality coffee in the world and craft roasting it in small batches to bring out the best in every bean. We then bring this extraordinary coffee to our customers via several channels including grocery locations, online or via our coffeehouses, which provide a relaxing escape for our customers. Caribou Coffee is committed to expanding our business by bringing this experience to new customers through multiple means without compromising our unwavering commitment to quality. Caribou Coffee is a proud recipient of the Rainforest Alliance Corporate Green Globe Award. For more information, visit .
Caribou Coffee Company Inc.

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CERRITOS, Calif., April 30 /PRNewswire/ — The Dannon Company and Cerritos Regional soccer Club (CRSC) announced today an unprecedented partnership that will help benefit children by encouraging physical activity, international competition, and working to achieve their dreams. Working together, these two organizations have created the Dannon Invitational Cup At The Cerritos Memorial Challenge — a qualifying soccer tournament for the prestigious Danone Nations Cup tournament, the world’s largest soccer tournament for children, held annually in Paris, France.The announcement of the Dannon-CRSC alliance was made on April 30th, in commemoration of the Day of the Child — or, in Latin America, El Dia de los Ninos — the day on which the contributions of children to their families and communities are recognized and celebrated.”El Dia de los Ninos is a perfect occasion for our announcement, because Dannon is particularly committed to promoting health and well-being in the Hispanic community. soccer is a passion among Hispanics and working with Cerritos Regional soccer Club is the perfect setting to reach Hispanic youth and promote our well-being platform,” said Luciano Lopez-May, Director of Business Development for The Dannon Company.The Dannon Invitational Cup At The Cerritos Memorial Challenge will be held at the Cerritos Sports Complex, May 24-26, 2008. Twenty-four Boys U-12 (under age 12) teams will participate in the Challenge. The winning team — including 14 players, one coach, and one chaperone — will travel to Paris this September, courtesy of The Dannon Company, to represent the United States at the Danone Nations Cup, which will be held September 4-7, 2008.The theme of the Danone Nations Cup is “Believe in Your Dreams.” To help the young competitors of the Challenge do just that, The Dannon Company and CRSC have enlisted the support and mentorship of two renowned professional soccer players from Southern California, who will be working with the coaches of the winning team to provide mentoring, training, and inspiration to the players.”Since this is only the second time the U.S. has had a team participate in the Danone Nations Cup, we want to give the winning team the confidence to perform in an international arena and to enjoy the camaraderie, passion and sportsmanship that comes from playing and sharing with teams from over 40 countries,” said Lopez-May. “And, who better than Raphael Wicky, a World Cup veteran with over a decade’s professional experience in Germany, Spain and Switzerland, and soccer legend and current head coach Preki Radosavljevic, a two-time MLS Most Valuable Player and one of the most prolific attacking players in league history to encourage the team to achieve their dreams,” added Lopez-May.Raphael Wicky and Preki will participate in a soccer clinic for the winning team prior to their departure to Paris. “As a former player and coach it gives me great pleasure to mentor the next generation of soccer players. soccer is not just a sport; it is a passion that has shaped my life. As dreams go, earning the right to represent the U.S. in the Danone Nations Cup at the age of 12 can’t be beat,” said Preki.”I’m extraordinarily pleased to have been asked to mentor the Dannon Invitational Cup winners, it’s always a thrill to see young players achieve their potential. I’d like to inspire our team to go and play their best game — but, most importantly, to enjoy the game, make new friends and be proud to have earned a once in a lifetime experience to compete with the best teams from all over the world,” added Raphael Wicky.Founded in 1984, the Cerritos Regional soccer Club () develops complete soccer players physically, mentally, and emotionally, by providing the tools and skills needed to perform to their maximum athletic potential. CRSC also promotes the importance of education and good personal habits in preparing for self-sufficiency and leadership. The hand-selected players of CRSC teams share a passion for soccer with a desire for training in order to be recognized as top college prospects and potential national team players.The Dannon Company () is America’s founding national yogurt company and continually leverages its expertise to develop and market innovative cultured fresh dairy products in the United States. Headquartered in White Plains, NY, Dannon has plants in Minster, OH, Fort Worth, TX, and West Jordan, UT. The company produces and sells approximately 100 different types of flavors, styles and sizes of cultured fresh dairy products. Dannon is owned by Groupe Danone, one of the world’s leading producers of packaged foods and beverages, and Dannon is the top-selling brand of yogurt products worldwide, sold under the names Dannon and Danone. Participating Teams as of April 29 1. Miramar Optimist Strikers (Pembroke Pines, Florida) 2. Las Vegas Premier White (Las Vegas, Nevada) 3. Sereno SC White (Phoenix, Arizona) 4. Juventus Sports Club (San Francisco, California) 5. Celtic Harps (Rancho Cucamonga, California) 6. LAFC (La Canada, California) 7. Arsenal FC (Murrieta, California) 8. SMU Blue (Santa Monica, California) 9. FC Barcelona (Burbank, California) 10. FC Barcelona Blue (Pasadena, California) 11. PV Raider Black (Rancho Pales Verde, California) 12. Albion SC White (San Diego, California) 13. San Juan Lightning (Sacramento, California) 14. Manchester United FC (Redlands, California) 15. San Diego Surf White (San Diego, California) 16. LBSC Black (Long Beach, California) 17. Fullerton Rangers (Fullerton, California) 18. West Coast FC (Mission Viejo, California) 19. South Bay Force SC (Redondo Beach, California) 20. Legends SC (Chino Hills, California) Terri Lynn, PanaVista 954.677.1030 Maria Llano, PanaVista 469.420.1503The Dannon Company

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ATLANTA, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — Evian Natural Spring Water, the world’s leading brand of premium spring water, launched the Palace Bottle, its most luxurious design to date, in the summer of last year. Since its release, the Palace Bottle has been heralded by the design & packaging communities and was selected as one of the best packages of 2007 by both Beverage Industry and BrandPACKAGING’s Design Gallery, two esteemed trade publications in their respective fields.Both outlets took great notice of the bottle’s sleek and contemporary silhouette, a smooth cylinder rising from a rendering of the magnificent French Alps. Clean lines and a crisp logo were designed to showcase the purity of the water itself. With the bottle’s stylish accessories, Evian becomes a unique fine-dining drinking experience. The Palace pourer creates a poised, graceful gesture reminiscent of the water’s 15-year-long journey from the top of the French Alps to the glass.”The bottle itself is really a representation of the French Alps, and the way it’s shaped is a tall, mountain-esque bottle, with mountains actually cut into the sides of the bottle,” Jeff Caswell, VP of marketing for Evian North America, told Beverage Industry. “That’s really what we wanted to bring to life — to present the Evian brand in a luxury way that links back to the source in the French Alps where it came from.”In addition to being chosen as one of the best packages of the year, the Palace Bottle received the coveted front and back cover of BrandPACKAGING’s Design Gallery, this packaging trade’s annual hard-bound book of the most innovative designs. Inside the book, BrandPACKAGING states, “the natural spring water’s new Palace Bottle marks a stronger push to stand out with packaging that creates experiences for consumers” and refers to the Palace Pourer as “the first of its kind for the category.”The Palace Bottle can currently be found in the nation’s hottest restaurants, clubs and hotels such as Daniel, the flagship restaurant for famed chef Daniel Boulud, Le Bernadin and L’atelier in New York; Sky Bar in Los Angeles and the Four Seasons Santa Barbara; and the Intercontinental Chicago. The Palace Bottle may also be purchased at .Evian has always been a leader in creating new and innovative packaging. The global premium spring water leader has been involved in fashioning creative products and packaging for decades. Unique designs like the Nomad sports bottle, limited edition teardrop glass bottle, flip-cap bottle, 2007 French Alps bottle and the 2006 limited edition Romero Britto glass bottle prove that Evian’s commitment to packaging is firmly rooted in ingenuity and imagination. Most recently, Evian released its first ever high-fashion creation, the Limited Edition Evian Bottle by Christian Lacroix, which will be available through 2008. Evian remains committed to providing creative appeal, premium style, and a luxurious experience to consumers.About EvianBottled since 1826, Evian Natural Spring Water is the world’s #1 brand of premium spring water. Every drop of Evian takes over 15 years to filter through mineral rich glacial sands in the pristine French Alps. Bottled at the source in a state of the art facility, Evian comes from the Cachat Spring located on the Southern shore of Lake Geneva, in the town of Evian-les-Bains. Evian provides a uniquely balanced mineral composition and subtle flavor as a product of its unhurried journey.Today, Evian is a brand of Danone Group, a leader in the food industry and number one by volume in the world for packaged water and dairy products. Evian first entered the U.S. market in 1978, where it was served in the finest bars and restaurants in distinctive glass bottles, and is now accepted as the natural spring water for those, including many of Hollywood’s elite, who like to treat themselves to the very best. Evian Natural Spring Water

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PORTLAND, Ore., April 3, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Portland Aviation Business and Properties General Manager Chris Madsen, SSP America Chief Executive Officer Les Cappetta, Laurelwood owner Mike DeKalb and Oregon Brewers Guild Executive Director Brian Butenschoen joined airport officials to celebrate the grand opening of a Portland original, Laurelwood Public House & Brewery. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and beer tasting was held at the Concourse E location at Portland International Airport (PDX).SSP, the Food Travel Experts, operates in airports in 29 countries. Based on the results of a recent global research program that highlights the healthy and organic niche currently lacking in airports, SSP is now bringing enhanced restaurant offerings to North American airports. Portland’s renowned dedication to the environment prompted SSP America to introduce Laurelwood to PDX.SSP America Chief Executive Officer Les Cappetta commented, “Given Portland’s commitment to the local community and environment, it was a natural move for us to not only build on the reputation of Laurelwood, but also to support local organic brewers.”A Portland exclusive, Laurelwood is known for brewing Oregon’s original certified organic beers. Its Organic Free Range Red and Organic Tree Hugger Porter are recognized as environmentally-friendly brews and world-class ales. Patrons will also enjoy produce from local farmers, all natural Oregon Country Beef, Draper Valley Chicken, Carlton Farms Pork, and Laurelwood’s signature breakfasts, including a local favorite, the “Tree Hugger Scramble.”"We are extremely happy to welcome Laurelwood to PDX,” said Chris Madsen, General Manager, Aviation Business and Properties. “Not only does this addition reinforce our program’s commitment to bring the finest of local food and beverage to the airport, but it gives our travelers the opportunity to enjoy all of the good things this popular Portland establishment has to offer.”PDX’s year-round commitment to the environment made it an ideal location for this environmentally friendly restaurant. For the past two years, business travelers rated PDX high for environmental initiatives in Conde Nast Traveler’s annual readers’ poll. Mirroring Laurelwood’s participation in local composting programs, PDX also converts everything from table scraps to coffee grounds into high-quality compost as part of its “green” programs.”Environmental responsibility is important to us so we are happy to share our enthusiasm with travelers,” said DeKalb. “We want our customers to be just as excited about organic beer and menu options as we are.”Laurelwood is exemplary of an impressive line of organic and healthy food options SSP America is now offering to North American airports. Camden Food Co., another SSP America exclusive, features an organic menu with biodegradable and recyclable packaging.”Our partnership with Laurelwood epitomizes our strategy to compliment our extensive international and national brand portfolios with iconic local and national brands and concepts,” Cappetta added. “Since opening our first Laurelwood location last fall at PDX, the restaurant has become a popular meeting place. This supports our ambition to provide more space and sanctuary for the traveling consumer.”About SSPSSP, the Food Travel Experts, is the leading dedicated operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, with operations in more than 125 airports in 29 countries. Its unparalleled portfolio of international, national, local, specialty and new breakthrough food and beverage brands includes its own national and international brands. Among these are Caffe Ritazza, Burger King, M&S Simply Food, Bonne Journee, Caviar House & Prunier, Pizza Hut, Upper Crust and Le Train Bleu. SSP has operations in airports, train stations, retail parks and conference centers.SSP AmericaSSP America operates in more than 42 airports across the USA, Canada and the Caribbean. Other third party brands in the broad portfolio include The Palm Restaurant, Silver Diner, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc., Houlihan’s Restaurants, Dunkin’ Donuts, Panda Express, Five Guys, Chick-fil-A, Arby’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Au Bon Pain, T.G.I. Friday’s Restaurants, Carl’s Jr. and A & W Restaurants. SSP America’s brand portfolio also includes strong local icons such as Laurelwood Public House & Brewery, Bill Bateman’s Bistro, Rams Head, Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co., Las Palapas Mexican Cafe, Brew Brothers Brewery and Legends of Aviation.In addition to the Laurelwood locations, SSP America also opened a Pizzicato Gourmet Pizza and Quiznos Subs at PDX. These restaurants help to provide travelers with an array of dining choices.About PDXPortland International Airport is known for excellent customer service, an award-winning concessions program, convenient nonstop air service and care for the environment. Owned and operated by the Port of Portland, PDX serves Oregon and southwest Washington. In 2007, PDX tallied an all-time record of more than 14.6 million travelers and helped move more than 280,000 tons of air cargo.Established in 1891 by the Oregon legislature, the Port of Portland today owns four marine terminals, four airports (Portland International, Hillsboro, Troutdale and Mulino) and four business parks. The mission of the Port is to enhance the region’s economy and quality of life by providing efficient cargo and air passenger access to national and global markets. SSP America

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