The Packers Partners Club of Champions annual reception, a tradition at Lambeau Field, again delighted fan club members on Aug. 2 in the Atrium.
The PPCC is the official fan club of the Green Bay Packers, and it offers fans a one-of-a-kind fan club experience that includes Packers preseason ticket offerings, the annual fan club reception, official Packers publications, chances to win Packers autographed items and more.
The fan club's annual reception includes dinner, a Q-and-A session with current players, raffle prizes and the opportunity to view Lambeau Field. This year, players Evan Dietrich-Smith, Dezman Moses, D.J. Williams and C.J. Wilson attended the event and answered questions from fans.
While the event has been custom at Lambeau Field, it is becoming a tradition for many of the club's members, as well. That includes Packers fan Tim Gonigam from Walnut, Ill. He and his family plan their yearly vacation around the reception and attend the event as their vacation's kickoff.
"This is my 10th year coming to the reception; I've been a member for a long time and this is really a tradition for our family," said Gonigam. "We plan our vacations around this every year, so that we can go to Family Night and the Packers Partners reception. After that, we leave for the rest of our vacation. It's exciting to be here. You can really feel the energy and it's just fun to be around other Packers fans."
Fan Kit Sorenson from Greenville, Wis., feels the same way. He and his family have been members of the club since its inception and were members of the unofficial Packers fan club before that.
"We were original members of the America's Pack, so we've been here since the start," Sorenson said. "It's a good chance for families to get together each year. We're shareholders and fourth-generation season ticket holders, so for us we love the opportunity to be here together. The Packers have been a big part of our family for generations and this (reception) adds to that."
Many members agree the club's reception is one of the best parts of the membership. At the highly attended event, seating at the event is first come, first served, so fans who want a seat close to the stage know to arrive to Lambeau Field early. Often, fans begin lining up at the doors, which open at 4 p.m., as early as 8 a.m.
Joan Heinz and her husband, from Papillion, Neb., were two fans who stood in line for hours waiting to get into the Atrium. Their long wait paid off, though, as they were seated in the first row of tables, right next to the stage where players would later address the attendees.
"We were here at noon to wait in line for the event to start," Heinz said. "We ended up getting a pretty good seat! I love the people I get to meet and I just enjoy myself. I'm in heaven being at the Packers stadium. This is the seventh time we've been to the reception and we just love it." All Packers Partners Club members receive 15 percent off merchandise in the Packers Pro Shop, an invitation to the annual reception, Packers official publications, and ticket presales for Lambeau Field events and games, among other benefits. For more information on the benefits of joining the packers Partners Club of Champions, visit www.packers.com/fan-zone/membership-benefits-email.html
