Press release:
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Mike Kingsbury, a veteran media relations expert who spent more than two decades promoting myriad facets of the surf industry, is launching a series of charity fundraisers benefiting children’s organizations in Orange County. The first event, Twilight Tasting, targets young professionals in the OC and debuts on Friday, November 22 at the Lyon Air Museum just in time to accommodate corporate holiday gatherings and parties. Detailed information is available at www.twilighttasting.com.
Twilight Tasting is an extravagant craft beer-themed soirée featuring beer and wine tastes along with culinary delights, dessert, refreshments, entertainment and valet parking. Craft beer connoisseurs and novices alike will experience the finer side of this burgeoning industry and tantalize their taste buds with limited-edition and seasonal microbrews from America’s extraordinary craft breweries; including several varieties with limited or no distribution in California. For those attendees with grape expectations, premium wines are also available. Proceeds benefit the Orangewood Children’s Foundation and We Rock (Run OC Kids).
Three years ago, Kingsbury parlayed his extensive special event experience, gleaned from 20-plus years of producing and promoting sporting and lifestyle events, to launch a large-scale craft beer series (Taste of Brews) and a retro festival featuring classic rock, vintage autos and bohemian fashions (Purple Revolver) during the “great recession.” While both of these events featured a charity component, fundraising for children’s nonprofits take center stage at Twilight Tasting and a sister event, Chocolate and Cordials, set to debut early next year.
“The Twilight Tasting team is very excited to bring a high-end, craft beer-themed fundraising event to Orange County,” said Kingsbury. “The unique format features many elite micro brews including a few rarely poured in the state. The timing and amazing location at the Lyon Air Museum provide an exceptional, turnkey option to traditional holiday parties. We really hope that OC businesses and young professionals rally around Twilight Tasting and support our amazing children’s charities!”
Kingsbury’s crew at MKM produced and/or promoted more than 250 sporting and lifestyle events during the past two decades; many having a charity component. A partial list includes the Olympic Winter Games, Bud Tour, Vans Triple Crown, U.S. Open of Surfing, Surf City Marathon, Crusty Demons Series, Op Pro, Street League Skateboarding, Gravity Games, K2 Big Wave Challenge, Waterman’s Ball and Jose Cuervo Pro Beach Volleyball. Team MKM also established the nation’s first all-girl action sport and empowerment festival, Hello Kitty Boardfest, which featured surf, snow and skate competitions and lessons exclusively for girls.
Long before the term “action sports” made its way into pop culture, Kingsbury founded the nation’s first action sports agency, pioneering “mainstream” media relations and promotion of products, athletes and events. He was Managing Director for the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) during its formative years and co-founded Surfing America, the National Governing Body for the sport of Surfing. His groundbreaking marketing research and innovative promotion techniques provided structure to the nascent industry, leading to billions of positive media impressions and widespread sponsor interest.
Those experiences led to Kingsbury penning a memoir that chronicles key moments during his tenure in surf history including the rise of the U.S. competitive circuit in the 90s, the demise of the Op Pro, the birth of the U.S. Open of Surfing and the integration of action sports into the Olympic movement. There is extensive ink devoted to the role women played in the sport’s evolution, the birth of Hello Kitty Boardfest and his professional representation of Lisa Andersen, Rochelle Ballard and Holly Beck. Behind the scenes, huge personalities and major egos clashed; from the Bronzed Aussies and captains of industry to retailers, associations, sponsors and pro surfers. For more than 20 years, Kingsbury’s firm, MKM, was driving force behind the mainstream coverage of the sport and industry of surfing. His memoir is set to be released in early 2014.
While writing the memoir has been rewarding, Twilight Tasting and the upcoming Chocolate and Cordials truly fuels Kingsbury’s passion. “There came a point in my life and career where giving back became important, especially to children. Our entire team at MKM is devoted to channeling our resources and energies into creating a series of novel, innovative events that will lure young professionals to support our children’s charity partners. All of our immediate and extended family members have generously given of themselves to help bring Twilight Tasting to fruition.”
About Team MKM
Located in Huntington Beach, MKM specializes in non-traditional public relations and turnkey event production/promotion; from soup to nuts and everything in between. Event properties include Taste of Brews, Purple Revolver, Chocolate and Cordials, Twilight Tasting and Boardfest. Favored clients include the Surf City USA Marathon, OC Marathon, Surfers’ Hall of Fame and Huntington Surf and Sport. More information is available at www.teammkm.com.
About Twilight Tasting
Twilight Tasting, Friday, November 22 at the Lyon Air Museum, is an extravagant craft beer-themed soirée featuring beer and wine tastes along with culinary delights, dessert, refreshments, entertainment and valet parking. Craft beer connoisseurs and novices alike will experience the finer side of this burgeoning industry and tantalize their taste buds with limited-edition and seasonal microbrews from America’s extraordinary craft breweries; including several varieties with limited or no distribution in California. The event’s timing affords OC businesses with a turnkey solution for holiday parties. Visit www.twilighttasting.com for more info.
