World Triathlon Corporation
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| Private equity portfolio company | |
| Industry | Sport Event Management |
| Founded | 1991 in Tarpon Springs, Florida |
| Founder | Valerie Silk, James Gills |
| Headquarters | Tampa Bay, Florida |
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Key people
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Andrew Messick: CEO Ben Fertic: President |
| Products | Ironman Triathlon, Ironman Live, Iron Girl, Ironkids |
| Parent | Dalian Wanda |
| Website | www.ironman.com |
The World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) is a for-profit corporation, owned by Dalian Wanda Group, that organizes, promotes and licenses the Ironman Triathlon, Ironman 70.3, the 5150 series of triathlon races and several cycling, running and multisports events. WTC is also the owner of numerous "Ironman" related trademarks used both in connection with Ironman race series and in conjunction with various goods and services.
In 1990, Dr. James P. Gills, with the help of Lew Friedland, acquired and purchased the Hawaii Triathlon Corporation, owner of the Ironman Brand, for $3 million from Valerie Silk. With the Ironman brand, Gills established the World Triathlon Corporation with the intention of furthering the sport of triathlon and increasing prize money for triathletes. Ben Fertic, formerly Vice President of Information Systems, joined WTC in 2000 and was involved in the business operations and day-to-day decision making for WTC. Fertic became CEO of WTC in 2004.
During Fertic's tenure as VP, he created Ironman Live, an online presence of Ironman Triathlon, and transformed WTC into an event production company. In 2007, WTC undertook expansion in producing Ironman events internally, with the inaugural Ironman Louisville. This followed the launch of Ironman 70.3 events in Boise, Idaho and Providence, Rhode Island.
In 2008, World Triathlon Corporation was purchased by Providence Equity Securities for $85 million. Providence Equity is a private equity firm, of whom one board member is an Ironman athlete. CEO Ben Fertic remained at the helm of the business. The following year, in early in 2009, WTC announced the acquisition of Ironman events based in the United States, from North American Sports, a company founded by Canadian Graham Fraser. Employees from North American Sports were expected to remain and manage these events, which included Ironman Coeur d'Alene, Lake Placid, Wisconsin, Florida, Arizona, Ironman 70.3 California, and Ironman 70.3 Florida.
On May 31, 2011, WTC announced that Andrew Messick, who was previously the president AEG, would become CEO of the World Triathlon Corporation. Fertic would continue in his role in serving on the Board of Directors as well as serving in a newly created president position. Messick, who is an Ironman triathlon finisher himself, helped build and direct, among other things, the Tour of California cycling event.
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