Overview of the Company
CEO Challenges is the world leader in sport competitions designed specifically for CEOs. Our ultimate goal is to find the world’s best CEO in a number of different sports. We began in 2001 with the CEO Ironman Challenge, and now we have expanded to include CEO Triathlon, Golf, Cycling, Marathon, Fishing, Sailing, and Tennis Challenges. The company currently owns eleven trademarks for various sports that CEOs compete in.
To see what a CEO Ironman Challenge event is like, feel free to watch this short video:
Why do CEOs take part in CEO Challenges?
CEOs who take part in these events really do love to compete. They compete for business constantly, and love the feeling of accomplishment when they achieve success. These people have typically achieved any goal they have set out for themselves, and they like to be around people like themselves – goal-setting, high-achievers who let nothing get in their way.
CEOs also participate for the very positive PR their companies receive (Wall Street Journal, Men’s Health, Forbes.com, and Business Week have had articles featuring CEO competitors), the business networking opportunities, and the chance to meet CEOs who share their passion for business and their favourite sports. Many strong friendships are made at CEO Challenge events, and a number of CEOs end up doing significant business with each other.
CEOs in their own words
“My greatest experience doing the CEO Ironman Challenge was the opportunity to be amongst ‘Renaissance men and women’ for several days. Driven individuals with a zest for life with some of the nicest families I have met. The greatest selling point for the program is being around ‘balanced’ people that recognize it isn’t about the money and toys, it’s about living life to the fullest,” - Bill Laughlin, CEO - Orion International Consulting“I train in the morning to be energized for my work day and to set a good example for those around me to take care of themselves,” - Michael Fisch, CEO - American Securities Capital Partners“I have always believed that, particularly for the CEO’s of companies like mine focused on branding, the PR is the most valuable “service” we get through our involvement with CEO Challenge events. Keep up the great work,” - Richard Haig Jr, CEO - Haig’s Service Corp
High profile CEO Competitors
- Mark Holowesko, Templeton
- John Macfarlane, Tudor Investment Group
- Chuck Chokel, White Mountains Insurance Group
- Doug Lebda, Lending Tree
- Mike Zafirovski, Motorola (now CEO of Nortel Networks)
- Sir Rocco Forte, Rocco Forte Hotels
- Ted Philip, founder of Lycos
- Curt Girod, Unisys
- Colin Grassie, Deutsche Bank Asia
- Andy Bass, Toshiba Europe
Our CEO Competitors...
Since 2001, over 300 CEOs have taken part in our events, and the total gross revenue of all their companies combined is $270 Billion! The average company size of the participants is $935 million, however this is heavily skewed by a number of CEOs that run companies with over $10 Billion in revenue. The majority of CEOs that participate own companies that are in the $50 - $100 million range. The events are open to CEOs, Presidents, or Owners of companies with over $2.5 million in annual gross revenue ($5 million for C-Suite Executives).
Family
This is perhaps one of the biggest benefits to the CEO Challenge. While you are doing your last bit of training, relaxing, and on race day, we are looking after your family and guests. On race day, we know when you will be coming by each point of the race, and will make sure your family and guests are at that location ready to greet you as you go by. Plus, we always book accommodation at a Resort that has lots for families to do, including swimming and organized activities for children.
What does a CEO Challenge Event Include?
- An actual competition between CEOs, with a winner declared in each age group (if relevant), and overall
- Top finishers gain access to a ‘World CEO Championship’ where they have the opportunity to compete against qualifiers from other events for the title of World CEO Champion
- Exclusive ‘meet and greet’ opportunities with top Pros / Coaches / Personalities / Insiders in the Sport
- Wonderful VIP opportunities for the CEO and their guests, and one price covers all expenses
- A portion of the entry fee is donated to charity (Challenged Athletes Foundation or ALS).
- Official uniforms and apparel
- Networking receptions, dinners, business sessions and an Awards Banquet
- Biography on the CEO and their company will be posted on this web site (5,000 visitors per month), and in a published program circulated at the event
- Awards to the winning CEOs in each category
- Five-star accommodations, where available
- First-class service, incredible attention to detail, and constant care from the CEO Challenges staff
About Ted Kennedy
Kennedy is often regarded as the world expert in CEOs that compete in endurance events, particularly Ironman. He started the first CEO Ironman Challenge in 2001, and launched CEO Challenge LLC in 2005. His background includes 20 years as a sale & marketing executive with Quaker Oats and Best Foods, and six years as VP of Sales & Marketing for Ironman North America. He was one of the original four people that started Ironman North America in 1999, and was successful in bringing companies such as Janus, Kellogg’s, HSBC and Ford into the sport.
