Today is the kick-off to Raiders Week- See you at the Press Conference

DATE: Monday, September 9

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

LOCATION: Steps of Oakland City Hall
                                           
Frank Ogawa Plaza (14th and Broadway in Downtown Oakland)  

*MEDIA ALERT/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY*

Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, Raider Legends and Visit Oakland Kick Off 2013

NFL Season with Press Conference and Flag Raising at Oakland City Hall
Oakland partners and City officials will gather to kick off the Oakland Raiders season on Monday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. at the steps of Oakland City Hall. This is an opportunity for the dedicated Raider Nation to rally for their beloved team as they begin the 2013 NFL season.

Alison Best, president & CEO of Visit Oakland, will discuss the series of events for the week and introduce Oakland Mayor Jean Quan to speak. Raiders Hall of Famer Willie Brown will offer remarks and discuss the upcoming season. At the end of the press conference, the Mayor will join Raider Legends/Pro Football Hall of Famers Fred Biletnikoff and Willie Brown as well as the Raiderettes to raise the official Oakland Raiders flag on top of City Hall.



Additional Raiders Week events and promotions include:


 Monday, September 9 at 10 a.m. — Press Conference at City Hall


 Saturday, September 14 at 9:00 a.m. — Raiders Back to Football 5K Run at O.co Coliseum

 Saturday and Sunday, September 14-15 — Fairyland Pirate Weekend at Children's    Fairyland

 Sunday, September 15 at 1:25 p.m. — Raiders Home Opener at O.co Coliseum vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

 All Week — Wear Silver & Black gear to Lake Chabot Golf Course for special discounts

 All Week — AC Transit buses will post "Go Raiders" on all bus headers

 All Week — Chabot Space & Science Center will provide the "Black Hole Special" discounted admission to visitors wearing Raiders gear

 All Week – 95.7 FM The Game, the Raider’s flagship radio station, will giveaway certificates for Oakland attractions and dining gift certificates donated by Visit Oakland

 All Week — The Oakland Restaurant Association will work with local restaurants to create special menus and other incentives for Raiders fans

 All Week — Many Oakland Parks & Recreation staff will wear Raiders hats at all 26 rec centers

 All Season — The Oakland Marriott City Center, Waterfront Hotel, Executive Inn & Suites, Hampton Inn and Tribune Tower will fly Raiders flags atop of their buildings

 Visit Oakland provided 350 Raiders caps to various hospitality workers and Downtown/Uptown District Street Ambassadors

 5,000 "Feel the Heart of the Nation" cheer cards have been distributed throughout the community by the Downtown/Uptown District Street Ambassadors, Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Save Oakland Sports and Visit Oakland

Follow the hashtag #RAIDERSWEEK on social media to stay in the loop on all activities.


CONTACTS: Kim Bardakian, Visit Oakland, Director of PR & Partnerships

510-208-0529, 510-499-5723 (c); kim@visitoakland.org

Mike Taylor, Oakland Raiders, Director of Public Affairs

510-780-3026; 510-332-1641 (c) mtaylor@raiders.com

Samee Roberts, City of Oakland, Marketing Manager

510-238-2136, 510-220-8140 (c); sroberts@oaklandnet.com

35 Reasons You Need to Move to Oakland by Randy Nelson (Movoto)

1. Rent is Cheaper Here (and You Can Actually Find a Place)

Source: Flickr user CharlestonTheDigital

Renting anywhere in the Bay Area is still an expensive proposition compared to other parts of the country, but at least rent prices in Oakland won’t have you considering selling your organs on the black market (or moving in with six other people).

2. Warm, Predictable Weather

Source: Flickr user Jesse Richmond

While our neighbors across the bay have to carry hoodies and coats just in case the weather takes a sudden turn for the frigid, Oaklanders can plan outings and events with confidence, knowing that a sudden fog bank isn’t going to appear and drop the temperature by 10 or more degrees. Plus, it’s already a few degrees warmer on this side of the bay to begin with.

3. (Relatively) Stress-Free Driving

Driving in any city comes with its share of challenges, mostly in the form of crazy drivers, but in Oakland we at least don’t have to deal with the sort of rush hour traffic jams and bottlenecks that our counterparts in other big burgs do. In fact, driving through downtown is downright peaceful no matter the day or time.

4. You Can Find a Parking Space

Speaking of driving, you actually have a chance of there being parking once you reach your destination. What’s more, the meters are free on Sundays.

5. That Beautiful New Bay Bridge Span

Source: Flickr user Steve Jurvetson

We can technically lay claim to the fantastic new span of the SF-Oakland Bay Bridge, expected to open later in 2013, as it lays on our side of the bay from Treasure Island. That’s right, SF, it’s ours!

6. Lake Merritt

Technically a lagoon, this 155 acre body of water is one of the crown jewels of Oakland, providing not just recreation options but a beautiful slice of nature in the middle of an urban landscape. Lake Merritt‘s shoreline recently underwent an extensive revitalization, so it’s an absolutely breathtaking spot for going for a walk, sitting outside with friends, dining, or renting a watercraft.

7. The Oak Ness Monster

How many cities can claim they have an actual lake monster for a resident? Yes, there are those that believe Lake Merritt is home to a sort of sea monster, affectionately referred to as Oakie, the Oak Ness Monster, and Merrittzilla. Sightings of the beast are rare, but it’s yet another reason to come down to the shoreline, which can’t be a bad thing.

8. Children’s Fairyland

Source: Flickr user Connie Ma

Just a quick skip from Lake Merritt is the delightful family attraction Children’s Fairyland. This charming little theme park is designed specifically for kids, so all adults have to be accompanied by one (although special grown-up nights are a thing). Fairyland has played a part in the childhood of many East Bay youth, and it’s just as magical for a new generation.

9. Fentons Creamery

Source: Flickr user Show and Tell

If you’ve seen the Pixar movie “Up”, you’ve seen Fentons. It’s the place at the end where Carl and Russell get ice cream together. Yep, it’s a real place, and it’s just as special as you’d expect from a restaurant Pixar’s wizards chose to include in one of their movies. While its building has been revamped, this icon of Oakland really reflects the city’s rich history, having been around more than 100 years.

10. The Enthusiasm of Our Pro Sports Fans

Even if you don’t like sports, you have to hand it to Oakland’s sports fans. Whether they’re rooting on the A’s, Raiders, or Warriors, these enthusiastic souls bring the Oakland sense of community to every home event—and beyond. Oh yeah, we have three pro sports teams, which is pretty darn impressive in and of itself.

Stay Tuned for Part 2 on Monday!

Just Stay Baby

Just stay. It’s a simple way to sum it all up.

Here’s how a good friend describes the Raiders’ experience. It describes why the Raiders are one of Oakland’s leading economic development lights and why we as a business community should do everything we can to keep them.

"The three-hour drive to Oakland is worth every minute just to be a part of one of the most unique cultural celebrations in North America – a Raiders home game. Since the last game, a day has not gone by without a laughter-filled conversation about going to a Raiders game as a family. The Raider Nation is alive and well and the experience lives up to the all the hype." – Josh Cook, Chico, CA.

The Raider Nation in Oakland is arguably the most passionate and loyal group of fans in the history of American sports. The team owns a storied history in Oakland, with championships in 1976 and 1980.

Last season, nearly a half-million people came through the turnstiles, many from far beyond the I-880 corridor. Raider fans spend money in Oakland. Raider fans drive national visibility for Oakland. Raider fans hella love Oakland.

The legacy of Al Davis looms large over the franchise, its fans and our city. Young fans are indoctrinated into the Raider Nation by learning some of Al Davis's (literally) trademarked slogans: "Pride and Poise," "Commitment to Excellence," and "Just Win, Baby." Photos of famed players hang in the lobby of the Tribune Tower.

But Raider Nation is far more valuable than just slogans. The most recent Forbes NFL franchise valuations show 19 of 32 clubs being worth at least $1 billion. In Major League Baseball, only the Yankees have a valuation of over $1 billion, as ranked by Forbes.

And the economic importance of the Raiders makes it to the grassroots as well. During last year’s lockout, the NFL Players Association estimated that shutting down the league would cost each city $140 million in revenue. The NFL supports about 110,000 jobs in NFL cities and adds about $5 billion to the economies of those cities (according to Edgeworth Economics).

Let’s be very clear, the Raiders are a nearly billion-dollar enterprise in the midst of our city. Shouldn’t we do everything we can to find them a new home in the city and grow jobs and the economy at the same time?

Oakland is the epicenter of Bay Area sports. We host to the Raiders, the A’s and the Warriors. While two of the teams are making noises about leaving, the Raiders, by way of Amy Trask and Mark Davis, Al’s son, have consistently said that the city, the community, and the fans make this their number one choice for a home for generations to come. Our job as East Bay business leaders is to ensure it stays that way. Let’s win baby.

P.S. – As an aside, if you have read this far, you know the value that the Oakland Business Review has to you, your business and your customers. Please take a moment to consider advertising in some of our upcoming editions and in our on-line properties. You’ll get huge bang for your marketing buck.

Dan Cohen, a principal at Full Court Press, a full-service public relations, public affairs and crisis communications agency in downtown Oakland, is a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and is chair of the Communications Department.