MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's IMG, exclusive rights holder at Saint Mary's College, announced today a corporate partnership with the Walnut Creek Convention and Visitors Bureau to promote the six hotels in Walnut Creek as the "Official Lodging Partner" of Saint Mary's College Athletics.

Located just a few miles from the Saint Mary's campus, Walnut Creek is the "Jewel of the East Bay" with a rich cultural history and thriving downtown. The partner hotels are located near downtown shopping and restaurants, and the Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill BART stations. Further, Oakland International Airport is approximately 30 minutes from Walnut Creek.

The primary component of the partnership will be encouraging fans, alumni, and families and friends of the Saint Mary's community to stay in Walnut Creek whenever they are in the Bay Area.  Through a mix of multimedia assets managed by Saint Mary's IMG, including utilizing the new 48-foot video board in McKeon Pavilion, the Walnut Creek Convention and Visitors Bureau will create awareness and offer incentives to the Saint Mary's fan base throughout the year.

"The Walnut Creek CVB is thrilled to partner with Saint Mary's College Athletics," said Scott Slocum, Regional Director of Sales and Marketing with the Walnut Creek CVB. "We look forward to providing fantastic lodging arrangements for fans, alumni, and visitors within a number of recently renovated hotels throughout Walnut Creek. Saint Mary's College and Walnut Creek – two East Bay neighbors in Northern California's Mount Diablo Region – are both quickly gaining national attention and recognition. The partnership will further promote our hotels while supporting an institution offering a world-class education minutes from Walnut Creek."

"We're extremely excited to bring the Walnut Creek CVB on board as a corporate partner and to be able to offer our fans and visitors, a variety of lodging options all within a short distance of each other and the Saint Mary's campus," said Dave Jaeger, General Manager of Saint Mary's IMG Sports Marketing. "Whether it's to attend a game, graduation, reunion, or any other campus event, staying in Walnut Creek makes a ton of sense."

The 6 partner hotels are:

Embassy Suites Walnut Creek 1345 Treat Blvd Walnut Creek, CA 94597 925-934-2500	Walnut Creek Marriott 2355 North Main St Walnut Creek, CA 94596 925-934-2000
Renaissance Club Sport 2805 Jones Road Walnut Creek, CA 94597 925-938-8700   Motel 6 Walnut Creek 2389 North Main St Walnut Creek, CA 94596 925-935-4010	Holiday Inn Express Walnut Creek 2730 North Main St Walnut Creek, CA 94597 925-932-3332   Diablo Mountain Inn 2079 Mt Diablo Blvd Walnut Creek, CA 94596 925-937-5050

Learn more at www.VisitWalnutCreek.org