Miss USA(R) 2006 Competition Returns to Baltimore, Maryland for a Second Year

Miss USA(R) 2006 Competition Returns to Baltimore, Maryland for a Second Year

NBC to Broadcast Miss USA Live from Baltimore's 1st Mariner Arena on April 21st

NEW YORK, Nov. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization, announced today the state of Maryland will host the 55th Annual Miss USA(R) Competition. The extravagant live show, which was held in 2005 at the historic Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, moves this year to the 1st Mariner Arena, managed by SMG, Baltimore's largest indoor sports and entertainment facility to accommodate the large demand for tickets. The internationally celebrated event will air live on NBC on April 21st, 2006.

"Our decision to go back to Baltimore, Maryland this year was an easy one," explains Shugart. "The contestants, their friends and families, most of whom were first time visitors to Maryland, all commented on the hospitality and sense of community they found here. We anticipate another great partnership between the Miss Universe Organization, the state of Maryland and the city of Baltimore, and we are excited to show our audience, for the second year in a row, more of why Maryland is a fabulous travel destination."

Hosting duties will be split evenly among the State and the City, and the live telecast on NBC will showcase both the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland.

"It is truly a testament to Maryland's outstanding quality of life and world-class venues that we will once again host the Miss USA competition," said Maryland First Lady Kendel Ehrlich. "Bringing this event back to Maryland has truly been a team effort between State and City officials, private businesses and community leaders and we are thrilled to have another opportunity to show off our great State to millions of viewers around the country and the world."

Baltimore's Mayor, Martin O'Malley, echoes First Lady Ehrlich's sentiment.

"Baltimore is thrilled to welcome back the Miss USA Pageant in 2006," said Mayor Martin O'Malley. "It is especially exciting because next year's event will be staged at the 1st Mariner Arena, allowing a much larger number of citizens here in the city and from across the state to attend this spectacular show."

During the three-week pageant period, thousands of friends, family members and fans are expected to visit Maryland and millions will tune-in to watch the live telecast, providing substantial exposure for the city and state. The 2005 Miss USA pageant was distributed to a record-breaking 100 countries and territories.

North Carolina native Chelsea Cooley, Miss USA 2005, travels the nation as an advocate for breast and ovarian cancer education, research, and legislation. Cooley will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, before as estimated worldwide viewing audience of 250 million. Each contestant from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview.

Along with Executive Producer, Donald J. Trump, the Gurin Company will again produce Miss USA 2006 with veteran television Writer and Executive Producer Phil Gurin at the helm.

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE(R), MISS USA(R) and MISS TEEN USA(R) Pageants, is a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal partnership. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund and Gilda's Club, Miss USA is armed to impact women today.

***Wyndham Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel is the

official Host Hotel of Miss USA 2006***

Source: Miss Universe Organization

CONTACT: Esther Swan, +1-212-373-4870, eswan@missuniverse.com or Erin
Cooney, +1-212-373-4868, ecooney@missuniverse.com, both of The Miss Universe
Organization; or Dara Busch, +1-212-843-8079, dbusch@rubensteinpr.com or Jill
Dortheimer, +1-212-843-9201, jdortheimer@rubensteinpr.com, both of Rubenstein
Public Relations, for Miss Universe Organization

Web site: http://www.missuniverse.com/

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