MISS USA® 2006 COMPETITION RETURNS TO BALTIMORE, MARYLAND FOR A SECOND YEAR
NBC to Broadcast Miss USA Live from Baltimore's 1st Mariner Arena on April
21st
New York, November 22, 2005, Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss
Universe Organization, announced today the state of Maryland will host
the 55th Annual Miss USA® Competition. The extravagant live show, which
was held in 2005 at the historic Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, moves
this year to the 1st Mariner Arena, managed by SMG, Baltimore's largest
indoor sports and entertainment facility to accommodate the large demand
for tickets. The internationally celebrated event will air live on NBC
on April 21st, 2006.
"Our decision to go back to Baltimore, Maryland this year was an easy
one," explains Shugart. "The contestants, their friends and families,
most of whom were first time visitors to Maryland, all commented on the
hospitality and sense of community they found here. We anticipate another
great partnership between the Miss Universe Organization, the state of
Maryland and the city of Baltimore, and we are excited to show our audience,
for the second year in a row, more of why Maryland is a fabulous travel
destination."
Hosting duties will be split evenly among the State and the City, and
the live telecast on NBC will showcase both the City of Baltimore and
the State of Maryland.
"It is truly a testament to Maryland's outstanding quality of life and
world-class venues that we will once again host the Miss USA competition,"
said Maryland First Lady Kendel Ehrlich. "Bringing this event back to
Maryland has truly been a team effort between State and City officials,
private businesses and community leaders and we are thrilled to have another
opportunity to show off our great State to millions of viewers around
the country and the world."
Baltimore's Mayor, Martin O'Malley, echoes First Lady Ehrlich's sentiment.
"Baltimore is thrilled to welcome back the Miss USA Pageant in 2006,"
said Mayor Martin O'Malley. "It is especially exciting because next year's
event will be staged at the 1st Mariner Arena, allowing a much larger
number of citizens here in the city and from across the state to attend
this spectacular show."
During the three-week pageant period, thousands of friends, family members
and fans are expected to visit Maryland and millions will tune-in to watch
the live telecast, providing substantial exposure for the city and state.
The 2005 Miss USA pageant was distributed to a record-breaking 100 countries
and territories.
North Carolina native Chelsea Cooley, Miss USA 2005, travels the nation
as an advocate for breast and ovarian cancer education, research, and
legislation. Cooley will crown her successor at the conclusion of the
two-hour primetime telecast, before as estimated worldwide viewing audience
of 250 million. Each contestant from all 50 states and the District of
Columbia will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and
interview.
Along with Executive Producer, Donald J. Trump, the Gurin Company will
again produce Miss USA 2006 with veteran television Writer and Executive
Producer Phil Gurin at the helm.
The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE*, MISS
USA* and MISS TEEN USA* Pageants, is a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal
partnership. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the
Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing awareness of breast
and ovarian cancers. By forging relationships with organizations committed
to research and education, such as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation,
the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund and Gilda's Club, Miss USA is armed to
impact women today.
Wyndham Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel is the official Host Hotel of Miss
USA 2006
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PRESS CONTACTS:
Esther Swan/Erin Cooney
The Miss Universe Organization
(212) 373-4870, (212) 373-4868
eswan@missuniverse.com
ecooney@missuniverse.com
Dara Busch/Jill Dortheimer
Rubenstein Public Relations
(212)843-8079, (212)843-9201
dbusch@rubensteinpr.com
jdortheimer@rubensteinpr.com