Report: Downtown Disney Opening Event - Part 2
Page 3 of 13

Opening Ceremony
During the opening ceremony brief speeches were given by Paul Pressler, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Robert Iger, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Walt Disney Company, Sylvester Stallone and his wife Jennifer Flavin Stallone, Paul Glaser, actor, widower of Elizabeth Glaser Chairman of the Board for the foundation and Michael Eisner, Chief Executive Officer of the Walt Disney Company.

Pressler first welcomed all the guests to the event and discussed the goals of Downtown Disney. He said "When Downtown Disney was originally conceived the dream makers from Walt Disney Imagineering set out to create a relaxing oasis during the day that could become supercharged at night. Downtown Disney has something for everyone. So I hope you're up for an evening of high energy, great music, absolutely fantastic food and lots of fun. We're happy to have you as our special guest and we welcome you all to our new community that we call Downtown Disney".

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Pressler then introduced Bob Iger. Iger spoke on how meaningful the evening was to him because of his strong support for the Elisabeth Glaser Foundation. He continued his comments on the Foundation saying "This wonderful foundation is the leading worldwide non-profit organization dedicated to identifying, funding and conducting Pediatric AIDS HIV research as well as other life threatening diseases affecting children. Thanks to the dedication, vision and passion of the remarkable people from the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, countless dreams have come true". Iger went on to introduce Susie Zeegen, one of the co-founders of the foundation, who was in the audience. Next he introduced event co-chairs Sylvester and Jennifer Flavin Stallone.

Robert Iger
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Sylvester Stallone thanked everyone for attending, spoke on the work of the Foundation and introduced Paul Glaser. Stallone also announced more than $300,000 were raised for the Foundation that night.

Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin Stallone
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Glaser gave a passionate speech on pediatric AIDS and other childhood diseases around the world and the work being done.

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Paul Glaser

Paul Glaser and the AIDS Foundation logo
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Iger then returned to express his honor to host this event and turned the proceedings over to Paul Pressler.