The "FedEx Junior Business Challenge" Returns For its Second Season on the PGA TOUR

MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and Junior Achievement (JA) Worldwide today announced the return of the FedEx Junior Business Challenge, a program in conjunction with the PGA TOUR that provides the next generation of entrepreneurs an opportunity to pitch original business concepts at tournaments during the 2017-18 season.  

FedEx Junior Business Challenge qualifying events will be held at four PGA TOUR tournaments this season, with the first teeing off at the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday, March 20. 

FedEx Junior Business Challenge Qualifying Events Schedule:

• WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (Austin, Texas) – Tuesday, March 20
• THE PLAYERS Championship (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.) – Wednesday, May 9
• RBC Canadian Open (Oakville, Ont.) – Wednesday, July 25
• Dell Technologies Championship (Norton, Mass.) – Wednesday, August 29

JA students ranging from 15 to 18 years old will pitch their team's business, innovative products or services to a panel of high-profile judges.  One JA student company from each qualifying event will be selected to move on to the FedEx Junior Business Challenge finals at the TOUR Championship and 2018 FedExCup finale at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta for a chance to receive a $75,000 donation to their local JA chapter from FedEx.

"We were inspired by JA students who participated in last year's FedEx Junior Business Challenge and presented innovative, dynamic thinking with real-world solutions," said Patrick Fitzgerald, senior vice president, Integrated Marketing and Communications, FedEx.  "We're honored to bring the program back for its second season and look forward to working alongside the PGA TOUR and JA to help empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders."

The judging panels throughout the FedEx Junior Business Challenge program will comprise an eclectic mix of personalities and diverse backgrounds, including PGA TOUR players and other professional athletes, business leaders and media personalities, providing JA students with a broad range of perspectives and signifying that no two paths to success are the same. 

2003 U.S. Open (tennis) and former ATP World No. 1 Andy Roddick and three-time PGA TOUR tournament winner Pat Perez are slated to join the panel at the first qualifying event being held at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play on Tuesday, March 20. 

Since 1996, FedEx has donated nearly $14 million to JA Worldwide in support of small businesses and the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.  

The FedEx Junior Business Challenge is part of the FedEx Cares global giving initiative, in which FedEx is investing $200 million in more than 200 global communities by 2020 to create opportunities and deliver solutions for people around the world.

With members in more than 100 countries, the JA Worldwide network reaches more than 10 million young people around the world every year.

"As we saw in its inaugural season, the FedEx Junior Business Challenge provided JA students with an enhanced platform to showcase collaboration, curiosity and innovation that goes into the development of their company concepts," said Asheesh Advani, CEO, JA Worldwide. "It's great to see the program return for a second season and expand its reach by hosting a qualifying event in Canada."

FedEx has been an official sponsor of the PGA TOUR since 2002.  In 2007 the FedExCup—a season-long competitive and promotional platform—was introduced, transforming the competitive landscape of the PGA TOUR.  The performance-based point structure culminates with the FedExCup Playoffs, a four-tournament playoff at the end of the season to determine the FedExCup Champion. 

"Since becoming a partner of the PGA TOUR in 2002, FedEx has made a conscious commitment to making a positive impact in the communities that host tournaments, not only in the United States but across the world," said Brian Oliver, executive vice president of Corporate Partnerships for the PGA TOUR. "We're thrilled for the FedEx Junior Business Challenge to return for a second season. The ambition, innovation and teamwork demonstrated by the young men and women who participate is truly impressive, and we know that our tournaments are looking forward to hosting the JA students throughout the PGA TOUR season."

Follow the FedEx Junior Business Challenge all season long on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter via @FedEx and join the conversation by using #FedExJuniorBiz. 

To learn more about the FedExCup, visit PGATOUR.com/FedExCup.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services.  With annual revenues of $62 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand.  Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 400,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities.  To learn more about how FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world, please visit about.fedex.com. 

About JA Worldwide

JA Worldwide is one of the largest global NGOs dedicated to addressing fundamental social and economic challenges of young people by educating and empowering them to transform their futures and own their economic success.  Through the delivery of cutting-edge, experiential learning in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship, we effectively broaden the canvas of possibility for young people and enrich their ability to both engage in their own economic development and contribute to the strength of their families, communities, and economies.  With more than 100 member countries, the JA Worldwide network is powered by over 470,000 volunteers and mentors from all sectors of society, reaching more than 10 million young people around the world every year. For additional information, visit jaworldwide.org.

About PGA TOUR

By showcasing golf's greatest players, the PGA TOUR engages, inspires and positively impacts our fans, partners and communities worldwide.  The PGA TOUR co-sanctions more than 130 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, Web.com Tour, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Series-China.  Members on the PGA TOUR represent the world's best players, hailing from 25 countries (84 members are from outside the United States).  Worldwide, PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast to more than 1 billion households in 226 countries and territories in 23 languages.  Virtually all tournaments are organized as non-profit organizations to maximize charitable giving.  In 2017, tournaments across all Tours generated a record of more than $180 million for local and national charitable organizations, bringing the all-time total to $2.65 billion.

The PGA TOUR's web site is PGATOUR.COM, the No. 1 site in golf, and the organization is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

SOURCE FedEx Corp.

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