Eisenhower Medical Center, one of the top-rated comprehensive health care institutions in the nation, and La Quinta Resort & Club, one of the premier resorts in the Coachella Valley area since 1926, have become Champion level sponsors of the BNP Paribas Open, the most attended tennis tournament in the world outside of the four major events, to be held March 8-21, 2010, at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, it was announced today by Steve Simon, tournament director.

Eisenhower Medical Center (EMC), and its newly opened George and Julia Argyros Health Center located near the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, will be the official medical services provider of the BNP Paribas Open for the next three years. EMC will staff and operate the Player Medical Services areas and the First Aid Center at the tournament. Dr. Patrick St. Pierre, Director of Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Research at Eisenhower Desert Orthopedic Center, will lead the team of EMC doctors that will serve the general public and work with the ATP World Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour trainers in their work with the tennis professionals participating in the event.

The La Quinta Resort & Club has become the official hotel of the BNP Paribas Open. Widely regarded as one of the premier destination resort properties in the world, and a hideaway for numerous celebrities over the years, the resort will play host to players, sponsors and VIP’s of the event. In addition, they have also created luxury hotel and ticket packages available for fans attending the tournament. Both sponsors will receive all the benefits of a Champion level sponsor including hospitality, signage and advertising.

“The BNP Paribas Open is very appreciative that two of the leaders within the business community here in the Coachella Valley have become sponsors of the tournament,” said Simon. “Through this partnership, the Eisenhower Medical Center and the La Quinta Resort & Club will be able to showcase their respective products and services while receiving local, national and international exposure for their brands.

For more information about the BNP Paribas Open, or to purchase tickets and travel packages, visit www.bnpparibasopen.org, call 800-999-1585 or 760-200-8000, or visit the box office, 78-200 Miles Avenue, Indian Wells, CA, 92210.

About the BNP Paribas Open
The BNP Paribas Open is held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and is the largest combined ATP World Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour event in the world. The event will be celebrating its 35th anniversary March 8 – 21, 2010, with defending champions Rafael Nadal and Vera Zvonareva and more than 300 of the best men’s and women’s tennis players in the world. To purchase tickets visit www.bnpparibasopen.org, call 800-999-1585 or 760-200-8000, or visit the Indian Wells Tennis Garden box office, 78-200 Miles Avenue, Indian Wells, CA 92210.

About BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas (www.bnpparibas.com) is a European leader in global banking and financial services and is one of the 3 strongest banks in the world according to Standard & Poor’s. The group is present in 85 countries, with more than 171,000 employees, including 131.000 in Europe. The group holds key positions in three major segments: Corporate and Investment Banking, Asset Management & Services and Retail Banking. Present throughout Europe in all of its business lines, the bank’s two domestic markets in retail banking are France and Italy. BNP Paribas also has a significant presence in the United States and strong positions in Asia and the emerging markets.

About BNP Paribas and tennis
In 2008, BNP Paribas celebrated the 35th anniversary of its association with the tennis world. Since 1973, BNP Paribas has been actively involved in this sport, regularly increasing its support – both locally and internationally, for families, schools and the community.

Historically, BNP Paribas has had a special relationship with every facet of the tennis world: official global sponsor of Roland Garros for 35 years, sponsor of the Davis Cup since 2001, of the Fed Cup since 2005 and since the acquisition of BNL in 2006, the "Internazionali BNL d'Italia", as well as actively supporting numerous other international competitions (WTA Bank of the West Classic in California, the Monte Carlo Masters Series, BNP Paribas Strasbourg Women's Open, Grand Prix de Lyon, etc.). BNP Paribas also supports tennis locally in France, and is involved in more than 550 tournaments, including the BNP Paribas family trophy, various training programmes set up by the French Tennis Federation and Yannick Noah’s “Fête le Mur” association.

Eisenhower Medical Center
Eisenhower Medical Center is a not-for-profit, comprehensive health care institution rated among the Top 5% of all Hospitals in the Nation for Clinical Excellence in 2009 by HealthGrades, a leading independent health care ratings organization. Additionally, Eisenhower has been ranked by HealthGrades as Number One in California for Joint Replacement (2008, 2009, 2010). Situated on 130 acres in Rancho Mirage, the medical center has provided a full range of quality medical and educational services for more than 35 years for residents and visitors to the greater Coachella Valley. For more information, visit emc.org.

La Quinta Resort & Club
La Quinta Resort & Club, a member of The Waldorf Astoria Collection, is a legendary resort destination that has reigned over the picturesque Palm Springs area in the city of La Quinta with grace and charm since 1926. This Hollywood hideaway is located in a spectacular setting among citrus groves at the base of the majestic Santa Rosa Mountains. There are 796 elegantly appointed casitas, suites and villas, and the resort’s 66,000 square feet of function space makes it ideal for meetings, weddings and other special occasions. Guests enjoy the resort’s five championship golf courses including three PGA WEST courses; 23 tennis courts; the 23,000-square-foot Spa La Quinta, 41 pools and 53 hot spas; exceptional cuisine at Morgan’s in the desert, Twenty6 and Adobe Grill; and shopping and dining at The Plaza. La Quinta Resort & Club is located at 49-499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta, California 92253. For further information, call 760-564-4111 or visit www.laquintaresort.com.