Nestlé Purina Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Purina Event Center Grand Opening

 Six Westminster ‘Best in Show’ Winners to Attend August 18 Gala

 St. Louis, Missouri, August 16, 2010 …. Nestlé Purina is calling out the big dogs to help unveil its state-of-the-art 84,000-square-foot Purina Event Center at Gray Summit, Missouri.  The Grand Opening is set for 5 p.m. Wednesday, August 18, and will feature a red carpet gala with six Westminster “Best in Show” Winners as the first official four-legged guests.

 “What better way to showcase a world-class facility designed for dog shows than by honoring some of the finest Champions to ever enter the show ring,” said Terence E. Block, President of Pet Foods for Nestlé Purina PetCare-North America.

 The six Westminster Champions participating in the Purina Event Center Grand Opening are:

• CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot ~ “Sadie” – 2010 Westminster Best in Show Winner, a 5-year-old Scottish Terrier.

• CH Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee ~ “Stump” – 2009 Westminster Best in Show Winner, an 11-year-old Sussex Spaniel.

• CH K-Run’s Park Me In First ~ “Uno” – 2008 Westminster Best in Show Winner, a 5-year-old Beagle.
• CH Felicity’s Diamond Jim ~ “James” -- 2007 Westminster Best in Show Winner, a 10-year-old English Springer Spaniel.
• CH Rocky Top’s Sundance Kid ~ “Rufus” – 2006 Westminster Best in Show Winner, a 10-year-old Colored Bull Terrier.
• CH Special Times Just Right ~ “J.R.” – 2001 Westminster Best in Show Winner, a 12-year-old Bichon Frise.

 Block, Nestlé Purina Chief Executive Officer W. Patrick McGinnis and other Nestlé Purina officials will join the Champions and their owners and handlers on the red carpet for a ribbon ceremony.  David Frei, Director of Communications for the Westminster Kennel Club and co-host of “The National Dog Show Presented by Purina,” also will participate in the Grand Opening.

 “We’re thrilled to celebrate this important investment in Purina’s future and our long-term commitment to the breeder-enthusiast community,” Terry Block said.  “Purina is pleased to provide an indoor venue that can accommodate thousands of dogs and their owners and handlers at conformation shows, obedience, and agility trials.”

 Nestlé Purina broke ground for the $10 million Purina Event Center in April 2009.  The facility features a 45,000-square-foot Great Hall, a 13,500-square-foot Benching and Grooming area, banquet area and catering services, plus ample parking, including 74 full service RV hookups.  The new Purina Event Center complements the existing venues at Purina Farms for outdoor dog shows, lure coursing, agility, obedience, herding and earthdog trials.

The August 18 invitation-only grand opening will include tours of Nestlé Purina’s 350-acre property at Gray Summit, with agility, herding and freestyle flying disc demonstrations by the high-flying Pro Plan Performance Team.

 Participants will have the opportunity to pose for photos with “Sadie,” “Stump,” “James,” “Uno,” “Rufus,” and “J.R.” to commemorate the occasion.  All six are fueled by Purina Pro Plan brand dog food.

Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and pets.  A premier global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., the world’s largest food company.

Contact: 
Keith Schopp 
314.982.2577
Keith.Schopp@purina.nestle.com