KNOXVILLE -- In recognition of its effort in joining forces with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to combat crimes against children, Regal Entertainment Group has been awarded the 2011 FBI Director's Community Leadership Award. The award was made by the Knoxville Division of the FBI.

The award is bestowed annually on one individual or organization from each of the FBI's 56 field offices.

During the fall of 2011, Regal partnered with the FBI to promote the FBI's Safe Online Surfing Program (FBI-SOS) on a national level by airing a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) in theatres nationwide for one week. The PSA also ran for two weeks on Regal's Lobby Entertainment Network (LEN). The LEN is comprised of multiple, large-screen, LCD television screens located throughout the lobbies of all Regal theaters.

On March 16, 2012, Mr. Richard Westerling, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Advertising, traveled to Washington, D.C. to accept the award personally from FBI Director Robert Mueller. Edward Herbst, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Knoxville Field Office offered, "The FBI is grateful to Regal for its collaboration in educating parents and children about Internet safety. Their sponsorship of this important initiative is emblematic of Regal's exemplary service to our communities."