AMTRAK STEPS UP AS TITLE SPONSOR OF 2011 CIAA STEPSHOW CAMPUS TOUR

Amtrak sponsors multi-city tour and continues sponsorship of CIAA Tournament Stepshow at Charlotte Convention Center

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Amtrak is the proud title sponsor of the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) Stepshow Campus Tour visiting 13 Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) campuses throughout Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia, January 18-27, 2011. The tour will end at the 2011 CIAA Tournament Stepshow at the Charlotte Convention Center on March 4, 2011 where Amtrak is also a sponsor.

"Amtrak is excited to serve as title sponsor of the CIAA Stepshow Campus Tour," said Sharon Gilbert, Amtrak Field Marketing Manager for North and South Carolina. "Combined with our continued sponsorship of the CIAA Stepshow at the Convention Center, Amtrak shows its commitment to the advancement of the HBCU community. Plus, this is fun!"

Campus stops will include music, entertainment, games, prizes and give-a-ways to the CIAA Tournament and Stepshow. Amtrak will visit the following 13 CIAA-affiliated HBCU campuses:

Elizabeth City State University / Fayetteville State

Saint Augustine College / Shaw University / Livingstone College

Johnson C. Smith University / Saint Paul's College / Virginia State University

Virginia Union University / Bowie State University / Chowan University

Lincoln University / Winston Salem State University



During the Stepshow on March 4, attendees will also get a chance to play an Amtrak mobile trivia game on the Convention Center's jumbotron for a free trip on Amtrak.

For more information about the tour, stepshow and tickets please visit www.earthquakeproductions.net. Visit Amtrak's African American microsite, MyBlackJourney.com for more information on Amtrak's work in the African American community.

About Amtrak:
Amtrak is America's Railroads, the nation's intercity passenger rail provider and its only high-speed rail operator. A record 28.7 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2010 on more than 300 daily trains - at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) - that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Amtrak operates trains in partnership with 15 states and four commuter rail agencies. Amtrak also is a strong financial performer achieving an 85 percent cost-recovery ratio in FY 2010. Enjoy the journeysm at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information. Join us on Facebook at facebook.com/Amtrak and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/Amtrak.