Media Advisory: Express Clydesdales Return to Calgary Stampede

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - July 2, 2015) - The Express Clydesdales, goodwill ambassadors for Express Employment Professional franchisees will return to the 2015 Calgary Stampede. Together with Ronald McDonald House Charities® Southern Alberta, the Express Clydesdales team will include a family currently staying at the Calgary Ronald McDonald House family as special parade guests on the Express stagecoach. Bob Funk, CEO and Chairman of Express Employment Professionals, will also accompany the Clydesdales.

On their visit to the Calgary Stampede in 2011, the world-renowned Express Clydesdales and Bob Funk were honored to escort His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William and his wife, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, in the Express stagecoach where they helped kick off the Calgary Stampede. The Express Clydesdales also won the 2013 Calgary Stampede World Champion Six Horse Hitch.

The Express Clydesdales will also appear nightly as part of the 2015 Grandstand Performances July 3 - 12.

July 3 7:30 a.m	Calgary Stampede Parade
	Special Guests: The Riley Family (Robbie, Mandy and Trinity, 5.)
July 3 - 12

• 7:00 p.m. Hitching Demonstration
• 8:00 p.m. Showing nightly at the Grandstand

The Express Employment Professionals team is made up of rare black and white Clydesdales, weighing between 1,800 and 2,300 lbs. each. Looming over other horse breeds, Clydesdales mature to an average height of 17 to 19 hands, which is about six feet from the ground to the horse's shoulder. Josh Minshull, one of the industry's best drivers, is general manager of the Express Clydesdales.

To set up an interview with Bob Funk while he is visiting the Calgary Stampede with the Express Clydesdales, contact Kellie Major at kellie@mapleleafstrategies.com or Sherry Kast at Sherry.Kast@ExpressPros.com

About Robert A. Funk

Robert A. "Bob" Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has 725 franchises in Canada, the U.S. and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than five million people to work worldwide. Funk served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and was also the Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve.

About Express Employment Professionals and Express in Canada

Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated $2.85 billion in sales and employed more than 456,000 people in 2014. Express ranks as the largest franchised staffing company in the United States and the second largest privately held staffing company in North America. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually. Express launched in Canada in July 1996, with a franchise in London, Ontario, and since then, has expanded and grown across Canada significantly. There are currently 34 Express franchises in Canada - five in British Columbia, six in Alberta, two in Saskatchewan, 22 in Ontario and one in Nova Scotia.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities® Southern Alberta

Ronald McDonald House Charities® Southern Alberta provides a home away from home for out-of-town families with sick children in treatment in a Calgary hospital. Just 533 steps from the Alberta Children's Hospital, the House is an affordable family-focused residence that helps families move forward as normally as possible despite their medical crisis. 90% of the House's operating budget comes from local community support.