Drum Corps International Will Move World Championships and Headquarters to Indianapolis; Relocation Expected to Have $100 Million Positive Economic Impact on Indianapolis over 10 Years.

ADDISON, Ill. -- Drum Corps International, the event producer and sanctioning body for the world's most elite and exclusive marching music ensembles for students, announced Tuesday that it will move its headquarters to the city of Indianapolis and bring its World Championships to the Lucas Oil Stadium beginning in 2008.

The milestone announcement was made by Drum Corps International Executive Director and CEO, Dan Acheson; the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association (ICVA) President and CEO, Bob Bedell; and Mayor of Indianapolis, Bart Peterson, at a press conference held on the 50-yard line of Indianapolis' RCA Dome, on Tuesday. The event featured the Fort Mill, S.C.-based Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps performing portions of their 2006 competitive program.

Drum Corps International, currently headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Addison, Ill., joins the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the Percussive Arts Society, Bands of America, the American Pianist Association, Orchestra America and others in relocating to Indianapolis. Drum Corps International is expected to move its national offices to Indianapolis sometime in 2008.

"We are not coming to Indianapolis to merely produce our World Championships events, we are looking forward to becoming a part of the community and doing our part as Indianapolis continues to evolve into an arts, education, and cultural hub," said Acheson. "As Marching Music's Major League, Drum Corps International has the opportunity, along with its world-class performers, to make Indianapolis and Lucas Oil Stadium the world-capital of marching music."

Added Mayor Peterson: "This will be an extraordinary event both for the participants and for the citizens of Indianapolis. We are delighted to add Drum Corps International to our ever-growing portfolio of music-based organizations."

Corps participants are emerging as leaders of a rapidly growing trend of musical performers, particularly among students aged 14 to 21. The organization's member corps attract more than 8,000 youth who audition for 5,000 available spots. During the summer, team members practice 8-12 hours a day and travel upward of 10,000 miles to perform in professional and college football stadiums across the country.

The 2006 Drum Corps International World Championships are currently underway and will conclude Saturday, Aug. 12, at the University of Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. The contest will be nationally telecast on ESPN2 in September. The 2007 Drum Corps International Championships will be held in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Previous World Championship competition sites have included Foxboro, Mass.; Denver; Orlando, Fla., Kansas City, Mo., Dallas; Montreal; Buffalo, N.Y. and Philadelphia.

About Drum Corps International

From modest beginnings more than three decades ago, Drum Corps International (DCI) has developed into a powerful, nonprofit, global youth organization with far-reaching artistic, educational and organizational influence. DCI is now recognized as the world leader in producing and sanctioning competitive marching music and related stadium events for youth. For additional information on the Summer Music Games Tour, Drum Corps International or the competing groups, go to www.DCI.org or contact Drum Corps International at [phone]. Drum Corps International is located at 470 South Irmen Drive, Addison, IL 60101.