All Roads Lead to Indy with #ExperienceBuick

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:

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?