FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2015
Robert Lorimer Named President of Classic Productions
COLUMBUS, OHIO –
Robert Lorimer has been named President of Classic Productions, Inc., and will one day succeed his father, James J. Lorimer, as the CEO of the company that produces multi-sport festivals in Columbus, Ohio; Madrid, Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Brasil; Melbourne, Australia; and Johannesburg, South Africa. Robert Lorimer has worked for Classic Productions for 20 years with a focus on overall operations, professional and amateur bodybuilding events, and the recent expansion of Arnold Sports Festival USA to the Ohio Expo Center where a variety of sports competitions were presented in 10 expo center buildings. Robert Lorimer has also spearheaded the organization’s international expansion efforts, including the creation of the Arnold Classic Europe in 2011, the Arnold Classic Brasil in 2013, the Arnold Classic Australia in 2015, and the planned debut of the Arnold Classic South Africa in 2016. “Bob has a complete understanding of the Arnold Sports Festival business model and is uniquely positioned to lead this organization in the future,” said James J. Lorimer, who first partnered with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1976 and later founded the Arnold Classic in 1989. “Arnold and I are confident that Bob has the ability to oversee the continued growth and success of the Arnold Sports Festival for the next 20 years and beyond.” James J. Lorimer will remain CEO of Classic Productions and continue to oversee the organization’s daily operations. Additional responsibilities will continue to be transitioned to Robert Lorimer. The Arnold Sports Festival, held each March in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest multi-sport event in the United States. The 2015 Arnold Sports Festival featured more than 18,000 athletes from 80 nations competing in 50 sports and events over four days. Nearly 200,000 people attended. The Arnold Sports Festival USA was founded in 1989 as a one-day bodybuilding competition at the Franklin County Veterans Memorial known as the Arnold Classic. In the 1990s, the event began inviting additional sport competitions and, in 2000, the festival expanded into the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Today, the Arnold Sports Festival includes one of the largest fitness expositions in the nation and is also one of the largest annual events in Columbus. It is the only event that completely utilizes the Greater Columbus Convention Center and the Ohio Expo Center. For more information visit: www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.|
Media Contacts: Matt Lorz Brent LaLonde
Lorz Communications Arnold Sports Festival
(614) 443-1877 (614) 431-2600
mattlorz@rrcol.com brent@arnoldexpo.com
