Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle

San Simeon, CA (September 12, 2009) – Nearly 1,500 people took part in the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle, a 100-mile cycling fundraiser from Carmel to San Simeon. The Challenge raised close to $4 million in total donations for Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Daniel Noltemeyer providing pre-riding inspiration.

Riders along Pacific Coast Highway

Scenic view Pacific Ocean along the Pacific Coast Highway

Criterion Participants

Ciara concert at the Hearst Ranch

Siedah Garrett

Carmel, CA--Singer/Songwriter Siedah Garrett performance at the Best Buddies kickoff event Friday night before the the  Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle, a 100-mile cycling fundraiser from Carmel to San Simeon

GMA Executive Conference

The Grocery Manufacturers Association's annual Executive Conference held August 29-September 1, 2009 at the Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, CO.  Industry leaders discuss trends and innovations, interesting speakers highlight political and cultural development.

Stuart Varney, Economic Journalist

Fox Business Network

Peggy Noonan

Columnist, Author, Commentator

Paul Winum, Managing Director

RHR International Company

In a session entitled, CEO Succession: Keeping Great Leadership at the Top

Malcolm Gladwell

Author, Writer for The New Yorker Magazine

Darnell Rigby, Partner

Bain & Company

Moderator for the session, Delivering Innovation in a Challenging Economy

Vicki B.Escarra

President & CEO

Feeding America

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey 

President & CEO 

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Country Recording Artist Phil Vassar

Entertained  salutimg  Feeding America