Tippmann Challenge Series Expands Around the Globe
Popular paintball tournaments to feature product demos, promotional giveaways and free tech courses

FORT WAYNE, IN (March 31, 2010) – Tippmann Sports is excited to be expanding its popular Tippmann Challenge Series for 2010. As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting paintball players and fields around the globe, Tippmann is hosting eight Tippmann Challenge events in six countries this year, and hopes to expand the program into even more countries soon. These events promise to deliver a festival-like atmosphere where players can enjoy paintball, try the latest and greatest equipment at no cost, and also participate in free tech courses to learn how to maintain their Tippmann markers. For additional details, players are encouraged to visit tippmann.com, and then click into the recently updated “Fields and Events” section.

“In addition to being very fun and cost effective events for players worldwide, our Tippmann Challenge Series is also a great way to build awareness and generate excitement for the host fields,” said Ron Goldblatt, director of marketing for Tippmann Sports. “We’re going to be promoting each event heavily on the Web, which includes tippmann.com as well as our rapidly expanding social media network. We currently have more than 50,000 Facebook fans that will be able to watch videos from the Tippmann Challenges and also share comments and feedback with other players from around the globe.”

Brent Cunningham, director of international sales at Tippmann Sports, remarked “Players are the big winners at these events. Not only do they get to play excellent venues, but they also get to participate in several side events, such as pistol, pump and laser challenges. This year, players can even take an X7 Phenom out for a spin. Plus, at most Tippmann Challenge events, players will be able sit in on a free tech class that takes them through some basics about how to properly maintain their Tippmann marker.”

Tippmann Challenge events already planned for 2010 include the following:
· Canada – August 13 & 14; Mirabel Paintball, Mirabel, Quebec
· Canada – October 10; Tsawwassen Paintball Games, Tsawwassen, British Columbia
· Mexico – November 13 & 14; Location TBA
· South Africa – April 25; Bloekem Bos, Malmesbury (near Cape Town)
· United Kingdom – August 29 & 30; Holmbush Paintball, Sussex, England
· United States – May 2; Splatter Park, Mt. Gilead, Ohio
· United States – September 25 & 26; Hell Survivors, Pinckney, Michigan
The first Tippmann World Challenge was held at (and continues to run at) Hell Survivors in Pinckney, Michigan. During this event, owners of Tippmann markers are pitted against owners of all other markers. To be on the “Tippmann” team, a player must be using a Tippmann marker. All other markers are assigned to the “World” team. The first international Tippmann Challenge took place at Mirabel Paintball near Montreal in August of 2006. This event has since grown and, this year, more than 1,200 players are expected at the fifth annual Tippmann Challenge Mirabel.

Of course, the events within the Tippmann Challenge Series are just part of the more than 100 total events Tippmann will be sponsoring around the world this year. The company will also be well represented at more than 20 events in the United States in 2010 with its 40-foot trailer, which is always stocked full of Tippmann product as well as helpful and friendly advice for players at every level.

Tippmann Expands its Partnership with Backstage Artist Lounge
Company will offer its fans opportunities to win tickets to popular
rock shows and passes to local paintball fields

Tippmann will be backstage with many popular rock bands in 2010, including Shinedown, Alice In Chains, Black Stone Cherry, 3 Doors Down, Finger Eleven, Lifehouse, Godsmack, Kid Rock, and others. The company will also help its fans take part in the excitement through a variety of social media promotions, where those interested can enter to win concert tickets, gear, and other cool merchandise signed by the featured performers. Anyone hoping to register for the upcoming giveaways needs to become a fan of Tippmann on Facebook, follow the company on Twitter, or visit the new “Tippmann Rocks” page at tippmann. Current fans are also encouraged to tell their friends about the giveaways as a way to increase awareness outside of traditional paintball channels.

These new promotions stem from Tippmann’s involvement with the Backstage Artist Lounge, a unique program that provides rockers with sample product and related information during major concert festivals. 2010 tour dates for the Backstage Artist Lounge include Rock On The Range, Pointfest, Buzzfest, VH1 Best Cruise Ever, Rockfest, Jingle Ball, Kid Rock’s Chillin’ The Most Cruise, Rock On The Range Canada, Epicenter and South By Southwest. This year, Tippmann will be the exclusive paintball company granted backstage access to the artists performing at these popular and well-attended events.

“We believe that tapping into the broad-reaching appeal of these rock stars is a great way to help grow the game of paintball and also introduce Tippmann and its products to a whole new audience,” said Ron Goldblatt, director of marketing for Tippmann Sports. “For 2010, we’re also promoting paintball fields near the concerts by giving local players a chance to win tickets for the show and weekend passes to the field.”

To become a fan of Tippmann on Facebook and connect with the more than 50,000 intelligent, attractive and successful people who are currently following the company, simply click here: http://www.facebook.com/Tippmann

“We’ve enjoyed our partnership with Backstage Artist Lounge,” Goldblatt added. “It’s always fun to highlight some of the bands that play paintball and use Tippmann markers. Be sure to stay tuned for some great photos of your favorite rocker holding an X7 or TPX pistol. We’re definitely excited about the 2010 concert season.”

TRAUMAHEAD SPORTZ is BRINGING PAINTBALL BACK to prime time TV!!!

Thanks to the continued support of Tippmann Sports, Fox Paintball, and PbNation we will be showing paintball to the largest audience we have ever reached. 32 million homes in America, Canada, and Mexico . Our Paintball show will be available on both Dish Networks ( ch 230 ) and DIRECT TV ( ch. 344 ) in the basic program packages. FRIDAY NIGHTS @ 10:30 PM EASTERN. Combine that with our new Web TV channels and you have more potential new players seeing paintball entertainment than ever before.
The TRAUMAHEAD SPORTZ show brings you all things paintball from tournament to scenario, newbie to Pro. With new gear reviews, tips from the pros, and event coverage of the best Paintball events.
Our first show stars first timers,rec-ballers, and newbies getting their game on thru the chicago winter and at Fox Paintballs opening day. “I cant recall ever dedicating a show to rec ballers only, but its how we all start.” said show Producer Jeff Gallatin. The next episode is from the super team series and looks at the winningest team in tournament paintball…Team Aftershock. From there we jump back into woodsball with coverage of last years Invasion of Normandy and the UWL.
Look for other announcements as we negotiate with other forward thinking industry leaders about becoming sponsors of the show thats going to kick start paintball.

About Tippmann:
For more than 20 years, Tippmann Sports has been dedicated to quality manufacturing and the pursuit of cutting-edge technology and design. The company serves the paintball industry from its headquarters and manufacturing facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Tippmann Sports’ complete line of paintball markers and related accessories can be found at paintball stores and fields as well as mass retail and sporting goods outlets throughout the world.