Author: Alfredo Casuso

MAYOR BREED ANNOUNCES SAN FRANCISCO ZOO WILL WELCOME PANDAS FROM CHINA 

Mayor Breed joined Chinese officials in Beijing to announce the first official residency for giant pandas in San Francisco in the city’s history  

BEIJING – Mayor London N. Breed joined officials from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA), the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), local leaders and members from the Mayor’s delegation today in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China, to announce the San Francisco Zoo has been selected to receive Giant Pandas as part of China’s Panda Diplomacy program.  

The memorandum of understanding signed by Mayor Breed and the CWCA this morning is the first official leased agreement for Giant Pandas to have residency at the San Francisco Zoo. In 1984 and again in 1985, the San Francisco Zoo temporarily hosted Giant Pandas from China as part of a global tour.  

The Mayor’s announcement comes after advocacy leading up to, during and after the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) hosted last November in San Francisco, between the City and Chinese government, the NFGA and CWCA, and the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in San Franciso to bring Giant Pandas to the San Francisco Zoo.  

“San Francisco is absolutely thrilled that we will be welcoming Giant Pandas to our San Francisco Zoo,”said Mayor London Breed. “We have been working closely with our local API community to advocate for pandas nearly a year ago leading up to APEC in November, and it’s an honor that our City has been chosen for the first time to be a long-term home for Giant Pandas. San Francisco is an international destination and the gateway to the Asia Pacific – having pandas here will strengthen our already deep cultural connection and honors our Chinese and API heritage that is core to San Francisco’s history. We are ready to welcome visitors from all over the world to our beautiful zoo. This is a momentous opportunity, and one I am grateful for, I know I join so many who can’t wait to see them in San Francisco.”   

President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) traveled to San Francisco in November to meet with President Joseph R. Biden and government leaders during APEC. In his remarks, the President shared his vision to further people to people exchanges between China and the United States, and his intention to bring China’s Panda Diplomacy program back to the United States.  

In February, Mayor Breed sent a letter to President Xi Jinping along with over 70 local Chinese and API community and merchant leaders to advocate for San Francisco to receive pandas, and to highlight the opportunity to build a stronger, lasting relationship between China and San Francisco.  

San Francisco had pandas at the Zoo most recently on temporary visits in 1984 and 1985. In 1984, two pandas named Yun-Yun and Ying-Xin visited the zoo for three months as part of the 1984 Summer Olympics tour, and drew more than 260,000 visitors to the San Francisco Zoo, roughly four times the average attendance during the time. The pandas visited the San Francisco Zoo again in 1985 for three months.  

Having Giant Pandas semi-permanently will be of significant importance to San Francisco’s local Chinese and API communities, as well as the City’s economic and tourism efforts as a major boost to San Francisco’s attractions and offerings. 

The timeline for the arrival of the pandas will be set by the completion of a panda enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo. Preliminary planning for that work has already begun as part of the City’s advocacy to welcome pandas to San Francisco. This week in San Francisco, engineers from the Beijing Zoo traveled to San Francisco to meet with San Francisco Zoo engineers to collaborate on Giant Panda enclosures as preparation work continues.  

In May, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association will send a delegation from Beijing to San Francisco to further engage on timeline, next steps and the buildout for the enclosures to accommodate the Giant Pandas. 

Media contact: David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Waymo is Official Pace Car and Autonomous Technology Partner
for 2024 Bay to Breakers

16 April 2024. San Francisco, CA:   Bay to Breakers (www.baytobreakers.com) welcomes everyone: costumed, costumedless and yes, driverless.  The iconic annual race spanning San Francisco proudly announces its partnership with Waymo (www.waymo.com) as the official pace car and autonomous technology partner for the upcoming event taking place on Sunday, May 19.

“San Francisco is the capital of innovation, like that pioneered by Waymo,” said Crystian Kumnick of Bay to Breakers / Motiv Sports “Waymo’s expertise in safe autonomous driving technology demonstrates the potential of enhancing large-scale events such as Bay to Breakers, making the event ever more accessible and friendly to runners and pedestrians alike. They are an ideal partner for Bay to Breakers, making this event more convenient and enjoyable for all.”

In addition to Waymo leading the pack of runners and walkers along the scenic route from the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean, their fleet will also serve as the Official Autonomous Technology Partner for Bay to Breakers participants.

“Waymo is proud to partner with Bay to Breakers to help celebrate this iconic San Francisco tradition,” said Kai Witbeck, Waymo Brand Engagement Lead. “Runners, cyclists and  pedestrians are especially important to us, as the Waymo Driver works tirelessly to reduce collisions and improve road safety for all users.” 

Bay to Breakers is a San Francisco original, known for its spirited race that has been a staple of the city since 1912, originally conceived as a way to show the city’s recovery and resilience following the Great 1906 Earthquake and Fire.

Bay to Breakers brings together athletes, families, community members, and costume-clad participants for a 12k race from the San Francisco Bay to the breakers on the Pacific Coast, treasured as a celebration of life, laughter, and the personality of San Francisco, embodying the city’s inclusive spirit and community engagement. During the annual Bay to Breakers Race, participants of all ages and abilities, and oftentimes in costume, line up on Howard Street a few blocks from The Embarcadero on the third Sunday in May – in 2024, May 19. The course travels west through the City for and finishes at the Great Highway, where the breakers crash into Ocean Beach. It truly is a time-honored tradition and the quintessential San Francisco experience. 

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with a mission to make it safe and easy for people and things to get where they’re going. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has been focused on improving the world’s access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. To date, Waymo has driven tens of millions of miles on public roads and tens of billions of miles in simulation.  For more: www.waymo.com

To learn more about Bay to Breakers or sign up for the fun go to www.baytobreakers.com. To learn more about how businesses can participate in the Corporate Teams program, email Alex Jee ajee@motivsports.com. For more information about how to get involved as a sponsor, please reach out to at hello@unitepartnerships.com 

Media contact: David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Bread & Butter Wines Named Exclusive Wine Partner
for Bay to Breakers 2024

Whether running the race or dancing to the finish line, attendees can enjoy a selection of best-selling wines

10 April  2024, San Francisco, CA: Raise a glass! Bay to Breakers, San Francisco’s internationally known iconic foot race is partnering with Bread & Butter Wines, known for easy-to-love, classic varietals, in an exclusive partnership. This collaboration marks a unique fusion of premium wine and athletic spirit, bringing together participants and spectators in celebration of one of the city’s most cherished traditions.

“Bread & Butter Wines is honored to partner with Bay to Breakers, a storied event that captures the vibrant essence of San Francisco,” said Linda Trotta, winemaker at Bread & Butter Wines. “In the same spirit as our winery’s motto, ‘don’t overthink it,’ Bay to Breakers is an event where participants are encouraged to have fun and not take themselves too seriously. We’re excited to share our wines with both participants and spectators, enhancing their experience at this iconic event.”

As the exclusive wine partner for Bay to Breakers 2024, Bread & Butter Wines will offer a selection of its bestselling wines, ensuring participants and VIPs can enjoy the perfect post-race toast. As an added bonus, Bread & Butter Wines will provide a one-of-a-kind co-branded glass for participants to enjoy their wine in and take home as a race memento (wine sampling and glasses available while supplies last). This partnership underscores Bread & Butter’s commitment to celebrating life’s simple pleasures: good wine, good company, and unforgettable moments.

“We are delighted to welcome Bread & Butter Wines as the Exclusive Wine Sponsor for the 2024 race,” said Phyllis Blanchard of Motiv Sports/Bay to Breakers. “Their commitment to quality and community, plus their ‘seriously fun’ perspective fits perfectly with the spirit of Bay to Breakers.”

Bread & Butter Wines is a California-based winery with a tasting room in the world-famous Napa Valley that prides itself on creating classic, approachable wine varietals that are simply delicious. With a philosophy rooted in the belief that life’s occasions, big or small, are best celebrated with a bottle of wine, Bread & Butter crafts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and other varietals that are true to their roots and meant to be enjoyed as part of the everyday. For more information, visit breadandbutterwines.com. 

Bay to Breakers is a San Francisco original, known for its spirited race that has been a staple of the city since 1912. It brings together athletes, families, community members, and costume-clad participants for a 12k race from the San Francisco Bay to the breakers on the Pacific Coast. Bay to Breakers is a celebration of life, laughter, and the personality of San Francisco, embodying the city’s inclusive spirit and community engagement.  During the annual Bay to Breakers Race, participants of all ages and abilities, and oftentimes in costume, line up on Howard Street a few blocks from The Embarcadero on the third Sunday in May – in 2024, May 19. The course travels west through the City for and finishes at the Great Highway, where the breakers crash into Ocean Beach. It truly is a time-honored tradition and the quintessential San Francisco experience.
To learn more about Bay to Breakers or sign up for the fun go to www.baytobreakers.com. To learn more about how businesses can participate as a sponsor or in the Corporate Teams program, email Alex Jee ajee@motivsports.com 

To learn more about Bread and Butter Wines visit www.breadandbutterwines.com