This sponsored post is part of my ongoing project #ExperienceBuick. Throughout 2015, I will be experiencing Buick through a series of events and initiatives that reinforce what this American car manufacturer brand is all about. My trip to Indianapolis including all activities was paid for, but as ALWAYS, all opinions are my own.
According to the NCAA: All roads lead to Indy. After my experience, on this point, I have to agree!
I didn't know what to expect when I arrived in Indianapolis. The previous two days before I departed for the NCAA basketball semi-finals and championships were filled with stories and questions about boycotting Indiana due to the passage of their religious freedom law – one that allowed businesses to basically discriminate against the LGBT community.
Coming from San Francisco that was hardly something I could support so I was uncertain what my trip was going to be like. And while the law has already been modified and there will be a fight to get it reversed/removed, I can tell you that the people of Indianapolis are welcoming, kind, amazing.
Throughout the four days, I was there, wherever we went there were signs and buttons and personal demonstrations that attest to the fact that the people of the city welcome all.
As I mentioned previously, Buick, who is under the GM umbrella fully supports all families and provides full health benefits for same-sex couples. As I learn more and more about the company, this definitely comes as no surprise.
Buick has been a proud sponsor of the NCAA program for the last five years and gathers around events like the basketball tournament to teach people about the value of the Buick as a brand and introduce them to their line of vehicles. As Buick is a luxury brand, their focus is connecting with the large alumni demographic, which is the largest slice of tournament attendees.
Having gone to the semi-finals and finals I can attest to the strength of the alumni community – boy do they love their alma maters! And they teach their next generations to do the same!
Photo credit: Rick Wood, JS Online
The games were electrifying to watch and I was on the edge of my seat most of the time! I like a good game and didn't necessarily have a horse in the fight so I found myself rooting constantly on good plays, no matter who completed them!
I can't thank Buick enough for the experience of attending these games. I don't necessarily have a bucket list of things I want to do in my life, but this goes down as another amazing experience. I have been blessed to attend the Grammy's rehearsals, watch the Oscars red carpet, and interview celebrities. I have attended a World Series game, seen an NBA tournament game, a football playoff game, and now this.
My t-shirt says: I work because I really like blogging!
Besides the incredible games, we had the opportunity to visit a locker room, the media room, and play on the court – we even got to touch the championship trophy!
An essential part of the success of this weekend was the people. Buick has brought together an AMAZING group of bloggers and I can tell you that some deep friendships has begun to form. And the Buick team is fantastic, everyone I meet is awesome!
When it comes down to it, life is a collection of moments, of experiences and I have begun to understand why and how Buick wants to make car driving an experience as well. We spend so much time in our cars they begin to feel a part of us, and I can tell with the amount of time people spend in their cars in California, you want it to be an experience!
I was driven around throughout the weekend in various Buick models, but I have yet to drive one myself. I will be taking out at least two models during 2015 and will be sharing my thoughts on my own experiences with Buick.
More in the highlight reel:
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Thank you to all the restaurants that served us incredible meals!
Everyone sees life in a different shade, so here are posts from fellow Buick Bloggers, check out what they have to say:
my #thatsabuick moments at the final four from Lois of Midlife at the Oasis
Beer, Basketball, and Buick: Welcome to the Final Four in Indianapolis from Nyssa at The Cultureur
Experience Buick NCAA Championship Weekend from Mike at GottaHaveGadget. Style & Times: NCAA Final Four with Buick from Maro of The Apparatus Mag
Road Trip: Indianapolis Final Four from Laurie Leopold of Clementine Daily
How about you? Have you been to Indy? What was your favorite part? How about a basketball tournament? Have any stories to tell?
I’m so glad to see you include the recent controversy in your post and very encouraged to see those buttons and signs from openforservice.org. I’m sure it made you feel much better about attending with all the talk of pulling the tournament out of Indy. It sounds like a very fun time, added to a collection of wonderful memories and experiences you’ve had a chance to create. I love the photo of you on the court!
My team won! Go Duke!! I’m so jealous that you were actually there at the game! I’ve been to several home games, but to go to the final 4 – incredible! So glad you had a great time!
I never had any experience with Buick vehicle but my sister-in-law has one and she loves it. Looks like a fun trip for you, must be nice to be able to experience multiple events like this all paid for by the company you work for,.
Growing up, Buick was my favorite. I’ve always equated it with luxury for an affordable price. I am glad the brand is still going strong and providing awesome experiences to customers like you via #ExperienceBuick!
What a great trip you had! We travel extensively throughout the US on projects and just family travel and when we rent cars, we’ve often driven Buicks. They are big family cars, comfy and great for trips
It looks like you had a fantastic time, I loved the pictures! I’ve never heard of Buicks before and basketball isn’t really a big thing here in Ireland but I used to love shooting hoops as a teenager in our yard 🙂
Thank you for covering the other side of the Indiana controversy! It’s so great to see companies there who aren’t afraid to say that they support ALL families — especially Buick. I had no idea! I thought I was pretty brand loyal since I’ve been driving the same car for 13 years, but maybe I should take a peek into this luxury brand when it (sadly) becomes time to move on.
Looks like you had a fabulous time! So fun! I love the picture of you on the court. I loved reliving the experience through your post. Thanks for sharing!
I can only imagine the vibe in that place during the final four games. It had to be an incredible experience. I enjoy college basketball! So glad to hear of this, such fun!
What an eye opener in so many way! Missed the issues with religious freedom in the press. Also a former San Franciscan it’s sort of unbelievable that is still an issue. Glad the city rallied. I completely love your reel to get a peek at everything you did! You look fierce on the court too.
I have driven through Indianapolis but have never stayed to visit. It looks like you had a fabulous time. I live in Ford / GM country here in MI. So many wonderful cars!
Wow! This looks like an incredible event. I have never gotten a chance to go to a live basketball game, let alone the Final Four! The pictures are awesome! I feel like I got a bird’s eye view of the whole thing!
Buick is doing a good job of distancing themselves from their stodgy image. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to embrace them though, since I was always a Pontiac guy and that got scrapped instead of Buick 🙁 They are nice looking cars and I”ve heard they are fun to drive as well.
What an awesome experience! My hubby would have loved to see some of these games. I worked with Buick a few years ago and it was such a fun time. They are the best!
I’m so glad to see you include the recent controversy in your post and very encouraged to see those buttons and signs from openforservice.org. I’m sure it made you feel much better about attending with all the talk of pulling the tournament out of Indy. It sounds like a very fun time, added to a collection of wonderful memories and experiences you’ve had a chance to create. I love the photo of you on the court!
It sounds like you had an amazing trip. Buicks have always been known for being a quality vehicle.
My team won! Go Duke!! I’m so jealous that you were actually there at the game! I’ve been to several home games, but to go to the final 4 – incredible! So glad you had a great time!
This sounds like like such a fun trip! I’ve always loved Buicks!
I never had any experience with Buick vehicle but my sister-in-law has one and she loves it. Looks like a fun trip for you, must be nice to be able to experience multiple events like this all paid for by the company you work for,.
Growing up, Buick was my favorite. I’ve always equated it with luxury for an affordable price. I am glad the brand is still going strong and providing awesome experiences to customers like you via #ExperienceBuick!
It looks like you had a great time at the Final Four! I wish I could’ve been able to go! Thank you for sharing your experience with me!
It sounds like you guys had a great time! I love Buick. They have some really great vehicles.
Looks like a really great time! I haven’t ever been to anything like this but I imagine it would be super fun though! My oldest would love it!
What a great trip you had! We travel extensively throughout the US on projects and just family travel and when we rent cars, we’ve often driven Buicks. They are big family cars, comfy and great for trips
What a fun trip! Looks like a great time. Buicks are great cars too!
What an awesome adventure and time you had. I have never been to Indy but I’d love to go. My brother had a Buick vehicle.
Looks like so much fun!
It’s great that the city was so welcoming. It looks like you had an awesome experience. I really like that city too!
Looks like you had one great time. It must of been so fun being on that court.
It looks like you had a fantastic time, I loved the pictures! I’ve never heard of Buicks before and basketball isn’t really a big thing here in Ireland but I used to love shooting hoops as a teenager in our yard 🙂
Thank you for covering the other side of the Indiana controversy! It’s so great to see companies there who aren’t afraid to say that they support ALL families — especially Buick. I had no idea! I thought I was pretty brand loyal since I’ve been driving the same car for 13 years, but maybe I should take a peek into this luxury brand when it (sadly) becomes time to move on.
Looks like you had a fabulous time! So fun! I love the picture of you on the court. I loved reliving the experience through your post. Thanks for sharing!
This sounds like an amazing trip! It is great to see that they are supporting everyone. I love reading these posts!
Great sponsorship! Sounds like a lot of fun. Enjoy driving them too.
What a great experience and the photos! I love them! I agree the Buick team and people they bring together are always awesome!
I can only imagine the vibe in that place during the final four games. It had to be an incredible experience. I enjoy college basketball! So glad to hear of this, such fun!
What an eye opener in so many way! Missed the issues with religious freedom in the press. Also a former San Franciscan it’s sort of unbelievable that is still an issue. Glad the city rallied. I completely love your reel to get a peek at everything you did! You look fierce on the court too.
I have driven through Indianapolis but have never stayed to visit. It looks like you had a fabulous time. I live in Ford / GM country here in MI. So many wonderful cars!
What an awesome time. Looks like a very fun event and way to share the blog love!
Great photos, looks like you had a blast! PS I love your friends hair color!
Wow! This looks like an incredible event. I have never gotten a chance to go to a live basketball game, let alone the Final Four! The pictures are awesome! I feel like I got a bird’s eye view of the whole thing!
Nope, I haven’t been there. I’m glad you had a good time though. 🙂
How fun!!! I love basketball, it’s the only sport I truly understand. I have never been to a professional game though, jealous!! 🙂
Buick is doing a good job of distancing themselves from their stodgy image. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to embrace them though, since I was always a Pontiac guy and that got scrapped instead of Buick 🙁 They are nice looking cars and I”ve heard they are fun to drive as well.
Seems like you had a fantastic time! A NCAA event is something I have never been to but I am sure the atmosphere is awesome!!
Wow! What an absolutely amazing experience! How cool that you got to go down on the courts?? 🙂
This makes me want to visit the finals. I’ve never been in an NCAA tournament but I would love to. I’m sure it was full of fun.
I’m so jealous that you got to go down on the court – I can see why this was such an amazing experience!!
Aw you guys look so happy! Seems like good times – I’m not a basket ball fan myself, but now I’ve got the sudden urge to go and throw a ball… 🙂
my grandparents have been driving Buicks forever and LOVE them! As do I! This looks like an awesome experience 🙂
That sounds like such a fun time! I best it would be a blast to have an experience like this.
I have never been to Indy and did not realize there was so much to do. You guys looked like you were having such a great time! I hope to visit soon.
What an awesome experience! My hubby would have loved to see some of these games. I worked with Buick a few years ago and it was such a fun time. They are the best!
It looks like you had a wonderful time, thanks for sharing your journey with us
It looks like you had a fantastic trip! I loved reading about it and seeing all your pictures!