Gay Games VII Systems Running Smooth Thanks to Chicago-based Technology Firms

CHICAGO – Three Chicago-based technology firms are each playing key roles in ensuring that the technology behind the 2006 Chicago Gay Games runs efficiently and effectively. Combining to contribute more than $200,000 in technology support to the Gay Games, the three firms are each become Gay Games sponsors and demonstrate the way Chicago’s business community has rallied around the sports & cultural festival.

  • Falkor Group – MVP Sponsor

    Falkor Group is providing the Gay Games with pro-bono professional IT support including infrastructure services for systems, network and IP phones as well as application and data modeling support plus project management. “Falkor Group is proud to sponsor the Gay Games,” said Marvin Korves, Principal, Director of Consulting Services. "We understand the value and importance of diversity. A key part of our success comes from our diverse workforce, including our LGBT employees. The Gay Games gives Chicago another opportunity to prove it is a world class city. We felt this event was a perfect match for us."

    Falkor Group is an Information Technology Consulting organization providing infrastructure and software based solutions to its customers. Their flexible strategic resource model allows their service to fit the needs of the small to medium business community through those of the Fortune 1000. Consultants work directly for Falkor Group and are not subcontracted from other companies. Visit http://www.falkorgroup.com/.

  • Apogee Strategies – Global Bronze Sponsor

    Apogee Strategies first partnered with the Gay Games in March of 2005 and has been providing on site and remote technology support and consulting services related to registration, accreditation, electronic payment systems and inter-office solutions. "We're proud to have played a supporting role as the Gay Games Chicago systems processed the registrations and payments of almost 12,000 athletes and artists," said Chris Burnett, Apogee firm principal. "The 2006 Gay Games will be a triumph for Chicago and the LGBT community."

    Apogee Strategies LLC is an information Systems resource offering advanced technical and development solutions in information technology, systems and software for small to midsize businesses in a wide range of industry and service segments. Apogee builds a collaborative partnership with companies to provide comprehensive, leading edge Information Systems and services to advance the abilities of its clients to meet their business goals.

  • DiamondCluster International – Victory Circle Sponsor

    Diamond Cluster International is providing the Gay Games with pro-bono onsite technology consulting services. A Diamond Cluster employee, Saq Nadeem, has been on loan to the Gay Games since April 1 and works as an integral part of the technology management team. "Diamond Cluster may be an international company, but we are first and foremost proud of our home town Chicago," said Julie Harris, DiamondCluster Vice President. "We are proud to stand with the many other companies supporting the 7th Gay Games."

    Diamond Cluster National (Nasdaq: DTPI) is a premier global management consulting firm that helps leading organizations develop and implement growth strategies, improve operations, and capitalize on technology. Focused on technology, our teams combine highly skilled consultants in strategy, technology, and operations. DiamondCluster works collaboratively with clients, to unleash the power within their own organizations to achieve sustainable business advantage. DiamondCluster is headquartered in Chicago, with offices across Europe, India, the Middle East, and Latin America. Visit http://www.diamondcluster.com/.
     

About Gay Games VII

Gay Games VII Sports and Cultural Festival will take place 15-22 July 2006. Over 12,000 athletes from more than 70 countries will compete in 30 sports ranging from softball to dancesport, swimming to tennis. The weeklong event will include band, cheerleading and color guard performances, chorus, an ancillary arts festival, and a series of community-organized social events and parties. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 15 July at Soldier Field, the lakefront home stadium of American-style football's Chicago Bears. Closing ceremony will be 22 July at Wrigley Field, the home of Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs, located in the heart of Chicago's largest LGBT neighborhood. Tickets are available at http://tickets.gaygameschicago.org/.

Global sponsors of Gay Games VII include Lexiva; Logo; PlanetOut/Gay.com; Walgreens; Centaur Entertainment; Fleishman Hillard International Communications; Orbitz; McKnight Kurland Baccelli; The New York Times; Olivia Cruises & Resorts; Windy City Media Group; Absolut Vodka; American Airlines; Apogee Strategies; Athletico; Chicago Free Press; Chicago Sun-Times; Ernst & Young; GLAAD; Genre; Human Rights Campaign; Lambda Legal Defense; QTG-Quaker/Tropicana/Gatorade; Sydney New Mardi Gras; Mate Magazine; Pink Magazine; QTG (Quaker/Tropicana/Gatorade); RCN; and Roosevelt University. Gay Games VII has more than 300 total sponsors.

About The Gay Games

The Gay Games was conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and was first held in San Francisco in 1982 with 1,350 participants. Subsequent Gay Games have been held in San Francisco (1986; 3,500 participants), Vancouver (1990; 7,300 participants), New York (1994; 12,500 participants), Amsterdam (1998; 13,000 participants), and Sydney (2002; 11,000 participants).

The Federation of Gay Games is the international governing body that perpetuates the quadrennial Gay Games and promotes the event's founding principles of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best™. For more information, visit http://www.gaygames.org/.

Chicago Games, Inc. is the host of Gay Games VII and is led by experienced civic leaders from Chicago's business, sports and non-profit sectors. For information about how to sponsor or participate in Gay Games VII in Chicago, visit http://www.gaygameschicago.org/, e-mail info@GayGamesChicago.org, or phone (773) 907-2006.

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"Gay Games", "Federation of Gay Games", the interlocking circles device, and the phrase
"Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best" are trademarks of the Federation of Gay Games, Inc.
Trademarks are registered in the USA, Canada, Benelux, the UK, and Australia.
Chicago Games, Inc – 4753 N. Broadway, Suite 602, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
773.907.2006 – GayGamesChicago.org – info@GayGamesChicago.org

Images of Chicago and the Gay Games VII logo are available for download at:
http://www.gaygameschicago.org/images/downloads/