2010 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships Begin in London, Ontario

BMO steps up its support for London , provides special experiences for customers and skating fans

LONDON , ON, Jan. 14 /CNW/ - BMO Financial Group welcomed the 2010 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships to London , Ontario today, at a kickoff news conference at the John Labatt Centre.

"All of us at BMO are excited to bring these championships back to London for what promises to be a fantastic week," said David Blyth , District Vice-President, Ontario South-West, BMO Bank of Montreal . "This year's event, of course, is all the more important, with the top competitors earning the chance to represent Canada in Vancouver next month. With so much on the line, this year's BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships promise to be the best yet."

"BMO has been a proud supporter of Canadian figure skating since 1997, as a major sponsor of the Canadian National Figure Skating Team and of Skate Canada , the governing body of Canadian figure skating that oversees more than 1,450 clubs and nearly 200,000 members," said Sandy Bourne , Vice-President, Advertising, Sponsorship/Events and Merchandising, BMO Financial Group. "We're proud to bring the 2010 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships to London ."

"Skate Canada is very pleased to have worked in partnership with BMO as the title sponsor of the BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships for the past 14 years", said William Thompson , Skate Canada CEO. "Their commitment to this event, as well as to our organization, provides tremendous assistance to help skaters across the country achieve their goals and dreams. We are privileged to have developed such a strong relationship to present this outstanding event, especially in such an important year as 2010."

Over the coming days, BMO will provide a special experience for fans attending the championships:

    
    -  The BMO Power of Blue customer VIP program will give perks and
       privileges to BMO customers who attend - including the chance to win a
       $250 MasterCard credit when they show their BMO Debit or MasterCard.
    -  At the BMO Fan Centre, skating fans will learn more about BMO and
       skating, and sign a Good Luck banner for the athletes.
    -  Opportunity to enter the BMO Win the Worlds contest, with the grand
       prize of a trip to the world championships in Italy in March.
    -  BMO InvestorLine will also feature a "texting" contest - fans who text
       the word Skate to phone number BMOBMO (266266) will be automatically
       entered to win a $1,000 BMO InvestorLine trading account.
    

BMO in London

BMO is a strong and longstanding supporter of the London community. Beyond the sponsorship of the championships this week, BMO has pledged nearly $1.75 million to key not-for-profit institutions across the region, including the University of Western Ontario, the United Way of London & Middlesex, The Thames Valley Children's Centre and the Boys & Girls Club of London .

For further information: For News Media Enquiries: Peter Scott, Toronto, [email protected], [phone]; Ronald Monet, Montréal, [email protected], [phone]