World Leisure Organisation (WLO) is offering the opportunity to sponsor its prestigious International Innovation Prize (IIP) - also known as "The George".

Named after Dr George Torkildsen - the leisure industry pioneer who was the first prize committee chair - the awards are handed out every two years in a special ceremony at the WLO Congress.

The IIP seeks to recognize organizations that have implemented creative solutions that foster local, national, or international leisure opportunities for the benefit and development of individuals and communities.

For an investment of US$40,000 (31,000 euro, £26,000), the sponsor will gain a number of benefits, including having a seat on the prize committee; honorary membership of WLO for the duration of the two-year sponsorship period; and recognition in all Innovation Prize promotional materials and each award trophy.

The 2014 Prize will be awarded at the 13th World Leisure Congress being held in Mobile Bay, Alabama, USA.

WLO has handed out 27 IPP awards over five prize rounds from 2006 to 2012.

For more information or to secure the sponsorship opportunity, contact

Christopher Edginton, WLO secretary general (+1 319 273 6279).

To find out more about the awards and to see a list of previous winners, click here.

The full list of sponsor benefits, as announced by WLO are:

• Worldwide recognition as the exclusive sponsor of this prestigious award

• Sponsor recognition in all Innovation Prize promotional materials including recognition in brochures, electronic communications, and other forms of marketing • Representation on the World Leisure International Innovation Prize Committee with full involvement in the assessment and award process

• Honorary member of the World Leisure Organization for the duration of their sponsorship• Award of trophies to prize winners by the sponsor?s representative(s) at the World Leisure Congress Ceremony

• Presentation World Leisure Certificate recognising sponsorship support • Company full name and logo on each award trophy, framed commemorative certificates, and other promotional displays

• Meet all prize winners formally and informally during Congress programme• Use of the World Leisure International Innovation Prize logo and all of its derivatives for the duration of the sponsorship