Ford Amphitheatre - Special Advertising Section

The buzz around Tampa Bay about the new $23-million Ford Amphitheatre has been building since the October 2003 groundbreaking at the Florida State Fairgrounds. The amphitheatre’s elegant sweeping roof rises out of the ground like an exotic bird poised for take-off. It seems to symbolize the mood of the amphitheatre’s staff and supporters.

“We are very excited,” said David Harb, the amphitheatre’s director of marketing. “We anticipate that the 20,000-seat capacity amphitheatre will attract concert-goers from not just the Tampa Bay area, but all of Central Florida.”

“This state of the art amphitheatre will bring top level entertainment to a great community that in the past has lacked a quality outdoor venue. Tampa is a top ranked market that deserves the very best, and that is what we are providing.”

“Concert tours are determined months in advance on whether they will play at indoor arenas or outdoor amphitheatres. For many years the Central Florida area has been passed over by the outdoor tours. We are thrilled that now the Tampa Bay area will be able to experience the excitement of outdoor amphitheatre concerts year round.”

The Ford Amphitheatre is the second open-air venue of its kind in Florida, joining the Sound Advice Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, which opened in 1996. Both are owned and operated by Clear Channel Entertainment.

“The opening of the amphitheatre in Tampa will benefit music fans throughout the entire state of Florida,” said Joe Nieman, Florida Market manager for Clear Channel Entertainment – Music, and Executive Director of the 19,000 capacity Sound Advice Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach. “The Tampa venue will now give artists the option to play two major outdoor amphitheatres in the state, increasing concert activity in both markets.” Dave Matthews is a great example, selling out in Tampa in less than five hours.

“There will be some synergy with the two venues. We have enhanced opportunities to attract headliners to Florida who otherwise would have found it cost prohibitive to come down for just one concert booking," said Nieman. “We’re already seeing that with the response to the Dave Matthews concert,” said Nieman.

Nieman said that the open-air amphitheatre experience is popular with entertainers and concert goers alike, and anticipates that new Tampa facility will exceed all expectations.

The first concert at the amphitheatre will feature Christian rocker Michael W. Smith and MercyMe on July 23. Harb said the amphitheatre will celebrate its official grand opening July 27 with Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire. The rest of the season boasts an eclectic lineup of tours. More country music acts will be booked in the future and additional concerts will be announced as they are scheduled.

CCE would like to thank Florida Department of Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson, Assistant Commissioner Terry Rhodes, Mike Gresham, Alan Edwards and their staff at the Florida Department of Agriculture, Florida State Fair Authority Chairman William Bowman, immediate past Chairman Lee Roy Selmon, The Florida State Fair Authority Board Members, former Executive Director Richard J. Vymlatil, Giles Ellis and the staff of the Florida State Fair for their vision and dedication to move this project forward.

For complete up-to-date information, visit www.fordamp.com.