EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE

Anna Maria Torlontano
2nd Vice President
Protocol Committee Chairman
Women Committee Chairman

June 1997

Report to the EBL Executive, Montecatini

Dear friends,

I don't really think it is necessary for me to make a long report on the activities in which I am involved, since I will make one at the Congress and you will hear it then.

The most important point at this time is, of course, the European Women's Pairs Championship. It has been a great success with a record number of participating Pairs from a record number of different European Countries.

And for it I have to thank first of all the Members of the Women's Committee and my deepest gratitude goes to Generali Insurance for having given me the opportunity of contacting personally the individual Lady Players in the 14 countries in which a Generali Company is active.

In your file you will find a copy of the Agreement that I signed for the 14 participating Countries and a copy of my letter to the Lady Players of these Countries, which accompanied the Generali Proposal.

I would like to thank all the NBOs who gave me their support in achieving this project. This Promotion is finally settled and the EBL will receive the payment of 0/10 SFr for each letter sent – about 125,000 SFr

Returning for a moment to the Women's Pairs Championship, I am very very proud and satisfied with regard to the prizes. Thanks to José Damiani, we had, for the first time, money prizes totalling 12,500 SFr. This will be awarded to 10 pairs in the Final and 5 in the Consolation.

There are also:

• 2 Silver Plates offered by Generali
• Speacial Pins, created especially for the winners to be presented to the winners of the Women's Pairs and also to the Women's Teams Champions.
• Special prizes offered, again thanks to José Damiani, by Samlba Perfumiers: a complete line of their products to the 3 leading pairs and smaller gifts for all the participants.
• Lavazza gave me an enormous number of gifts. All the 28 pairs in the Final will receive these, as will 15 in the Consolation final and also 6 Lady players by drawing lots.
• Montecatini Ascom and Confesercenti offered also some prizes and a discount card for use in many shops.

I didn't imagine this would be such a success!

You will be able to assist at the Prize Giving by comming to the Fattoria Medicea on Tuesday at 8.00 p.m. Three buses will leave from Viale Verdi in front of the City Hall (Municipio) at 7.00 p.m. We of the Women's Committee will be very glad to welcome you there. A “Pasta and Cake Party” will follow.

I would like to say something about the Hospitality and Protocol Committee

I have here the final edition of the “ Hospitality and Protocol at EBL Official Events ”.

It was really an enormous work. The booklet has been completely revised and all the smallest details are considered and pointed out. I think also that, thanks to Panos, it is very well presented.

What is very important is that every time the President signs a contract with the President of a country hosting an EBL Championship, this booklet will be given to the NCBO with the recommendation that its rules and suggestions are followed in order to help achieve a successful event. So this sector will also contribute to the success of the EBL Championships and there should not be any nasty surprises at the last minute !

That's all, thank you for your attention.

Anna Maria Torlontano