IHG sponsors NBA D-League Showcase

Michelle Dias, IHG marketing manager, at the NBA D-League Showcase.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — As part of its Game Changing Advantage and ongoing sports partnership programs, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) sponsored the 2017 NBA D-League Showcase in Mississauga, held Jan. 18-22.

Hosted by Raptors 905, the NBA Development League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors, at the team’s 5,000-seat Hershey Centre home arena, the 22-game, five-day event featured the league’s 22 teams playing two regular-season games each. The Showcase gives D-League players the opportunity to put their skills on display in front of scouts from all 30 NBA teams.

“We are very proud to sponsor the NBA D-League Showcase in Mississauga,” said Michelle Dias, IHG marketing manager, PR and communications, Canada. “The players and their coaching staff are putting in hard work on the court, and need a comfortable night’s rest.”

Holiday Inn International Airport and Crowne Plaza Toronto Airport hosted the players and staff during the five-day showcase.

“This sponsorship highlights IHG’s commitment to sports in Canada, at the community and national level,” said Dias. “Through IHG’s Game Changing Advantage, sports guests can book block stays for tournaments and receive support with logistics and f&b from our hotels. In the past year, we have sponsored and supported organized teams and players in multiple sport disciplines at the grassroots and national level.”

Last September, IHG celebrated the second anniversary of its Game Changing Advantage in-hotel program in Canada and announced multiple sports partnerships nationally.

As part of this year’s D-League Showcase, a series of youth-focused programming took place throughout the week. Afternoon games featured youth from local schools as part of the NBA D-League’s School Day initiative. In addition, two Jr. NBA Clinics, held Jan. 19 and 21, featured more than 100 Ontario children, who were taught fundamentals of the game by current NBA D-League players and were provided tickets to that evening’s game.