2nd Business Bowl a battle of sexes

Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs was just an appetizer. The main course in the battle of the sexes will actually take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 5, as a team of six female business professionals takes on a team of six male business professionals as part of the second annual New Hampshire Business Bowl at The Acting Loft Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

During the course of the Manchester Wolves-Albany Conquest af2 football game, two teams of local business professionals will take part in fun and competitive “office Olympics” events designed to test their teamwork skills.

The women’s team will be led by Print Savvy chief executive Lisa Landry, while North American Equipment Upfitters President Michael Dunican will be at the helm of the men’s squad.

The winner will receive the second annual Business Bowl trophy, tickets to Canobie Lake Park and tickets to Wolves games for the remainder of the 2009 season.

“Last year’s Business Bowl demonstrated the great teamwork that it takes to build a winning organization and we’re glad to be able to introduce an interesting new twist to this year’s event,” said Manchester Wolves General Manager Stephanie Bike. “We all know that men and women each contribute to the success of local businesses and play a vital role in writing a Granite State success story both in the boardroom and on the playing field.”

New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher added that the Business Bowl is part of his agency’s desire to reach out to new clients in innovative and non-traditional ways.

“Rather than hosting a regular business after hours or scheduling a typical ‘getting to know you’ networking session, we want to engage the business community in an enjoyable and interesting way,” he said. “Building new relationships and establishing partnerships is supposed to be fun – who really gets jazzed up by business as usual?”

Prior to the Business Bowl event, the Business Resource Center, the Wolves, event sponsor Cartridge World and media partners New Hampshire Business Review and WGAM will host a free business appreciation reception, beginning at 5:30 p.m., for the first 50 business respondents at Piccola Italia Ristorante on Elm Street in Manchester.

To make reservations for the free reception or purchase tickets to the game (at the special Business Bowl price of $10 per ticket), contact the Manchester Wolves at 603-627-9653 or sbike@manchesterwolves.com.