WATERLOO — One of the Cedar Valley’s largest employers, VGM Group, has committed to the presenting sponsorship for the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa when it makes an overnight stop in Waterloo on July 22.
VGM CEO Mike Mallaro made the announcement Thursday to employees at its Waterloo headquarters.
More than 25,000 riders, support crew and vendors are expected to spend the evening of July 22 in the Cedar Valley as part of annual bike ride.
“Waterloo is a wonderful community. We’re proud to be based in the Cedar Valley and are excited for thousands of others to see how great it is too,” said Mallaro. “This is an amazing opportunity for our VGM employee owners to shine a positive light on our hometown and help make this event a success for our community.”
Now in its 48th year, RAGBRAI attracts riders from the U.S. and around the world who bike more than 400 miles across Iowa in a week. RAGBRAI XLVIII begins July 19 in Le Mars and ends July 25 in Clinton.
VGM is committing $25,000 as the presenting sponsor to help RAGBRAI officials, the city of Waterloo and Experience Waterloo provide a welcoming and entertaining environment for the evening.
Tavis Hall, executive director at Experience Waterloo, said having community partners like VGM will help ensure Waterloo’s RAGBRAI efforts will be a success.
“RAGBRAI presents an amazing opportunity for Waterloo to demonstrate the strength of our sense of community,” said Hall. “No company personifies that sentiment more than VGM. In addition to being Iowa’s top workplace, VGM is one of Waterloo’s best advocates, championing Waterloo as a great place to live, work, play and stay.”
Mallaro said the sponsorship will also play a major part in VGM’s philanthropy efforts in 2020. As presenting sponsor, VGM will work with RAGBRAI and city officials to help choose a community project to receive an initial $15,000 charitable donation, which will align with VGM’s commitment to quality of life projects for the community.
“This sponsorship gives something more — the opportunity to give back to the community even after all of the riders have moved on to the next stop,” said Mallaro. “We’re thrilled to have this chance to show off our community and are even more excited for the chance to help make it even better for those who call it home or may be considering relocating to Waterloo.”
Photos: RAGBRAI 2015
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Mike Knapp, founder of Team Flamingo in Waterloo, has been on 33 RAGBRAI rides and is now a fixture in the event's culture.
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Jaidyn Bush, 10, left, Kylea Neuendorf, 11, Joe Bistline, 10, and Addie Pospisil, 7 lured RAGBRAI riders to the American Lutheran Church in La Porte City for a piece of pie.
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One of La Porte City's main intersections got a little congested Thursday, July 23, 2015, when RAGBRAI arrived.
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One of La Porte City's main intersections got a little congested Thursday, July 23, 2015, when RAGBRAI arrived.
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La Porte City opened its arms Thursday, July 23, 2015, and let RAGBRAI riders take over its downtown.
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La Porte City opened its arms Thursday, July 23, 2015, and let RAGBRAI riders take over its downtown.
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La Porte City opened its arms Thursday and let RAGBRAI riders take over its downtown.
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Kathy Engebretsen, 68, of Wisconsin, left; her son, Derek Engebretsen, 28, and future daughter-in-law, Katie Twitchell, 28, found a curb to eat pie and ice cream Thursday in La Porte City.
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One of La Porte City's main intersections got a little congested Thursday, July 23, 2015, when RAGBRAI arrived.
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La Porte City opened its arms Thursday, July 23, 2015, and let RAGBRAI riders take over its downtown.
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La Porte City opened its arms July 23 and let RAGBRAI riders take over its downtown.
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One of La Porte City's main intersections got a little congested Thursday, July 23, 2015, when RAGBRAI arrived.
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RAGBRAI riders pedal east of Hudson during the 2015 ride.
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RAGBRAI riders heading out Thursday, July 23, 2015, east of Hudson.
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Fifth Street in Hudson was quickly overrun by RAGBRAI riders Thursday, July 23, 2015, as the bike tour continued across the state.
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Kevin Chvojka found a vantage point atop the Federal Pub on Thursday in Hudson.
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A pilot flew over Hudson on Thursday, July 23, 2015, for a closer look at RAGBRAI in Hudson.
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Andrew Oleson, 14, dressed like bacon Thursday to attract RAGBRAI riders' attention.
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Fifth Street in Hudson was quickly overrun by RAGBRAI riders Thursday, July 23, 2015, as the bike tour continued across the state.
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Fifth Street in Hudson was quickly overrun by RAGBRAI riders Thursday, July 23, 2015, as the bike tour continued across the state.
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Fifth Street in Hudson was quickly overrun by RAGBRAI riders Thursday, July 23, 2015, as the bike tour continued across the state.
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Greg White serves up a stack of Chris Cakes on Thursday in the community center under the Hudson City Hall.
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A woman in white walks around the RAGBRAI festival grounds posting for photos Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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A paraglider flies around the RAGBRAI festival grounds Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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A group holds teacher for a free prayer group on RAGBRAI festival grounds Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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Matt Armbruster rides around in his home build adult sized big wheel on the RAGBRAI festival grounds Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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Jugglers put on a show in downtown Cedar Falls during RAGBRAI.
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Aly Bagenstos, 14, sings to a crowd outside on Main Street Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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Cedar Falls hosted an overnight RAGBRAI stop in 2015.
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RAGBRAI riders make there final mile into town on Union road Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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A RAGBRAI skater coasts along Union road Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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Wild flowers in the ditch along Union road as RAGBRAI riders go by Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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Cedar Falls police officers direct traffic on Union Road for RAGBRAI riders Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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A RAGBRAI rider on a unicycle makes his way into Cedar Falls.
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Bill Davis of Cedar Falls watches all the RAGBRAI riders come by on Union road Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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RAGBRAI riders make there final mile into town on Union road Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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Dylan Sires and Neighbors plays as RAGBRAI riders come into town Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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Dylan Sires and Neighbors entertains riders in Cedar Falls.
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A RAGBRAI rider makes his way into Cedar Falls on Union Road July 22, 2015.
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Ping Tan of Singapore eats home made ice cream to cool off after pulling into the RAGBRAI vending area Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. This is the four year Tan and her husband have been on RAGBRAI.
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RAGBRAI riders make there final mile into town on Union Road July 22, 2015, in Cedar Falls.
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Greg Harper, of Muscatine, diagnoses a problem with a bicycle at his mobile shop in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
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People wave to family and friends on the RAGBRAI route Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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RAGBRAI riders push through their final mile as corn grows along Union Road in Cedar Falls.
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RAGBRAI riders make there final mile into town on Union road Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.