Cisco to help deliver the most connected Pan Am/Parapan Am Games ever

TORONTO, Aug. 29, 2012 /CNW/ - The Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) today announced a comprehensive partnership agreement with Cisco that will help make the TORONTO 2015 Games the most connected Pan Am/Parapan Am Games ever.

As a Premier Partner, Cisco is the exclusive official information and communications technology provider delivering voice, video and data technologies, including collaboration and HD video conferencing solutions such as Cisco TelePresence®.  Cisco will be involved in all stages of the Games, supporting their planning, delivery and legacy aspects related to productivity, efficiency, collaboration, technology and innovation. Cisco will also customize the design of fan engagement solutions to deliver an unprecedented experience.

"The addition of Cisco significantly strengthens our sponsorship portfolio," said Ian Troop, TO2015 Chief Executive Officer. "Cisco's innovative technology and wealth of global sport and entertainment experience—most recently at the Olympic Games in London—will play an integral key role in helping us connect venues in communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe during the Games, and help to bring the 'People's Games' directly to the people."

A market leader, Cisco's superior network connectivity and borderless approach will connect venues, communities and people across the Games footprint and beyond. Cisco will build an end-to-end network infrastructure for the Games including wireless, network security, collaboration, video, TelePresence, unified compute and cloud services, and will offer customized Cisco Connected Stadium Wi-Fi and StadiumVision™ solutions to fully engage fans in experiencing the Games. In addition, Cisco's video and collaboration technologies will enable TO2015 to quickly and easily engage with sponsors, partners, suppliers and volunteers.

"At Cisco we see the opportunity to partner with the TORONTO 2015 Games as twofold," said Nitin Kawale, President, Cisco Canada. "First, to use network technologies to create the most connected, most fan-friendly Pan Am Games ever. Secondly, beyond supporting the sporting event itself, it's about building a future and investing in the community by leaving a technology legacy that will serve the region long after the Games are over. Cisco will bring our Smart+Connected Communities suite of solutions and expertise on board to deliver the ultimate TORONTO 2015 experience and leave a long-lasting legacy for Ontario. We are looking forward to being part of the Pan Am excitement, before, during and after the Games."

Cisco's broad portfolio of products and services, particularly its Smart+Connected Communities business architecture solutions, will play a vital role in the development of the Games. Cisco and TO2015 will endeavour to leave a technology legacy which will continue to serve educational institutions and communities, and promote innovation, productivity and economic sustainability long after the Games. To further the technology legacy vision, Cisco will create a partner ecosystem to support the technology planning and deployment for the Games, providing increased opportunities for solutions providers, system integrators and application developers.

"Cisco is delighted to team with TO2015," said Blair Christie, Senior Vice-President, Government Affairs and Chief Marketing Officer for Cisco. "With Cisco's experience as the networking supplier of choice for many of the world's premier sports and entertainment venues, we look forward to helping TO2015 deliver the best connected fan experience to date. Together we will reimagine the fan experience, bringing fans and the Games together, across an intelligent network, from next door or half a world away."

"The Harper Government is pleased to recognize Cisco's support for the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games," said Ted Opitz, Member of Parliament (Etobicoke Centre). "As the single largest contributor to sport in Canada, our Government continues to encourage the private sector to step up in support of the Canadian sport system. By becoming a Premier Partner, Cisco has set a positive example of corporate Canada's belief in these Games."

"The McGuinty government is proud of Cisco's involvement in the Pan and Parapan American Games," said Charles Sousa, Minister responsible for the Pan/Parapan Am Games.  "Cisco will connect us to the "People's Games" and help make them affordable and accessible for all Ontarians."

"Our government has a strong partnership with Cisco which is helping us build a strong Ontario and make the province an innovation leader," said Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Innovation. "Cisco's technology expertise will be critical to the success of the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games."

About the TORONTO 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games
The Pan American Games are one of the world's largest international multi-sport events, held every four years for athletes of the 41 member nations of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO). The Games comprise all Olympic Summer Games sports, as well as traditional Pan American sports. The TORONTO 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games will draw 10,000 athletes and officials and feature 48 sports in municipalities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe area. The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10-26 and the Parapan American Games August 7-14. For more information about the Games, please visit toronto2015.org.

About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. For ongoing news, visit http://newsroom.cisco.com and http://newsroom.cisco.com/canada.

SOURCE: Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games