NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans hosted Bridgestone and nearly 150 tire dealers and associates who are members of the Bridgestone Affiliated Retail Nationwide Network at an Open House Tuesday night at LP Field, where they met to network and share educational programs.

The Bridgestone Affiliated Network is a comprehensive retail program that offers Bridgestone retailers marketing and merchandising assistance to effectively compete in the marketplace. This unique and integrated program positions the company's tire dealers for maximum efficiency in retail operations.

"It's a thrill to host Bridgestone and their customers for a really fun evening," said Ralph Ockenfels, Titans vice president of marketing.  "It's a chance for their customers to get a real up close and personal look at LP Field and the Titans.  Bridgestone has always been and continues to be a tremendous partner."

As guests arrived, Titans cheerleaders Kiara and Kristen greeted them and posed for pictures before they enjoyed the educational expo and tours of LP Field. After dinner, Phil Pacsi, Bridgestone's vice president of sports/events marketing and training, gave a presentation highlighting the partnership between Bridgestone and the NFL, and discussed the ways the partnership helps tell the Bridgestone performance story. 

Following the presentation, the guests were treated to a special Q&A session with Titans running back Bishop Sankey, who spoke to the group about some of the "performance moments" of his young career and the finer points of navigating the NFL as a rookie. Following the event, all attendees were able to take photos with Sankey and received special autographed gifts.

"Our partnership with the NFL and the Tennessee Titans affords us the tremendous opportunity to host some of our local retailers for a night of fun and football," Pacsi said. "These open house events allow us to utilize one of Bridgestone's key sports partnerships to help educate and engage the members of our retail network in a unique way, and it is one that has seen a great return on investment.  We appreciate the Titans' hospitality by providing behind-the-scenes tours and experiences they can only get because of our relationship with the team.  We also thank Bishop Sankey for spending some time with our guests.  It was great to get to know him on a personal level."

Pacsi spent the first half of his 30-year career with Bridgestone developing fabric and rubber compounds in the heavy-duty material development department before joining the marketing department in 1994.  His engineering background and his degree in chemistry help him develop his engaging marketing philosophy, which includes overseeing Bridgestone's partnerships with the NFL, NHL, PGA and Verizon IndyCar Series. 

The Nashville-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC has been a long standing partner of the Titans organization for more than 10 years.  Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSA) corporate family traces its roots to the establishment of The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in August 1900. Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is committed to being a good corporate citizen nationally, regionally and especially in the communities where BSA has manufacturing plants, sales facilities, retail locations and offices.  For more information, please visit www.BridgestoneAmericas.com.