November 3 , 2005

The USA International Ballet Competition (USA IBC) is proud to announce that American Harlequin Corporation will serve as the official floor sponsor of the 2006 USA IBC. The company, which is based in the Philadelphia area, will provide a sprung floor to cover the stage at Thalia Mara Hall for the duration of the two-week competition. American Harlequin Corporation is the first official floor sponsor of the USA IBC in the competition’s 26-year history.

“Harlequin provides some of the finest dance floors in the industry, meeting the highest standard of dance professionals,” said Brooke Wyatt, artistic administrator of the USA IBC. “In addition, Harlequin is truly a global company, serving customers throughout the world. For these two reasons, we at the USA IBC think this sponsorship is a perfect fit, because our organization also takes pride in high standards and an international influence.”

USA IBC competitors will be dancing on Harlequin’s Liberty™ Sprung Stage Panels, a modular floor that features a pivot joint system. The unique joint system makes the transition from one panel to another imperceptible, which is of paramount importance to performers.

“We are honored to be providing our Liberty™ Sprung Stage Panels for the 2006 USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Miss., and to be an official sponsor,” said Patricia Basileo, general manager of American Harlequin Corporation. “The USA IBC is a most prestigious competition whose competitors have gone on to become the best of the best, in great part due to this fine organization. We are so pleased to be able to provide a safe, comfortable dance floor for the performers, and to do our part for this wonderful institution.”

Originally established in the United States in 1987, Harlequin Floors maintains offices in London, Luxembourg, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Ft. Worth and Sydney. Among the company’s product line are Allegro and Studio dance floors which are designed for ballet, jazz, modern and any dances requiring a padded, slip-resistant surface. The company also offers Reversible, a two-sided dance floor which is designed for easy installation and removal. In addition, American Harlequin Corporation provides vinyl flooring for exhibitors and stage, television and motion picture performers, as well as flooring solutions for home studios. For more information about American Harlequin Corporation, visit their web site at http://www.harlequinfloors.com/americas.asp.