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St. Pete Times Forum Ranked Third in the United States by Pollstar and Sixth in the U.S. by Venues Today
7/12/2011

Award Based on Worldwide Ticket Sales for Concerts, Events and Family Shows

Tampa Bay – The St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida has been ranked third in the United States (fourteenth in the world) by Pollstar magazine, and ranked sixth in the United States (tenth in the world) by Venues Today magazine. The mid-year rankings are based on worldwide ticket sales for concerts, events and family shows in venues seating 15,001 or more.

This honor comes in addition to being named the Top Tour Stop in Florida by Venues Today magazine and the Times Forum’s award for Sports Facility of the Year at the recent Tampa Bay Sports Commission Sneaker Soiree.
 
In regards to the recent award results, Elmer Straub, Vice President of Event Booking at the St. Pete Times Forum said, "We had a great year on both the team and event side, and expect the next year to be an even better one for our season ticket holders, suite holders, sponsors and fans. We really appreciate the support from the agents, promoters and artists that make Tampa Bay a priority for their tours, and look forward to welcoming additional artists and guests to our world-class facility.”
 
Earlier this year, the Tampa Bay Lightning unveiled a privately-funded $35 million capital expenditures plan to renovate and modernize the St. Pete Times Forum. The project, which will complete an arena transformation project begun shortly after Chairman and Governor Jeff Vinik purchased the Lightning in March 2010, is aimed at improving the facility for fans, players, sponsorship partners and employees.
 
Highlights of the transformation include a new grand entry on the west side of the Times Forum, offering a redesigned ticket office and merchandise shop while offering fans a better connection to the main concourse; new seats for every fan; an 11,000 square-foot signature outdoor deck extending from the west side of the arena’s Terrace Level overlooking downtown Tampa; the removal of eight suites on the Plaza level, opening up the arena bowl to the main concourse; the enhancement of each of the arena’s remaining suites; the removal of several suites on the Plaza Level, opening up the arena floor to the concourse; a new Chairman’s Club; an enhanced Lightning team locker room; new concourse flooring and concession stands; and substantial improvements to a dilapidated HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) system, allowing the arena to be warmer for the fans and the ice surface better for the players.

The arena’s transformation is scheduled to be completed prior to the start of the 2011-12 Tampa Bay Lightning regular season, which will begin with the home opener on Monday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. against the Florida Panthers.
 
Thus far in the 2011 calendar year, the arena has hosted shows including Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents Fully Charged, Cirque du Soleil Alegría, Lady Gaga, Linkin Park, Katy Perry and more. The venue will welcome Hillsong United, Josh Groban and Taylor Swift later this year, as well as host one of only six U.S. dates slated for Andrea Bocelli in 2011.

Pollstar is the only trade publication covering the worldwide concert industry. They have supplied in-depth information to every professional concert promoter, booking agent, artist manager, facility executive and every other entity involved in the live entertainment business for more than 25 years.
 
Venues Today is a leading international trade publication that covers the business side of entertainment and sports, particularly as it relates to venues. Its readers include managers, owners, operators and bookers of arenas, amphitheaters, stadiums, performing arts centers, convention centers, fairgrounds and equestrian centers.

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