TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Bay Area Leaders Kick Off Super Week

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

cwade@tampatrib.com

Published: January 27, 2009

TAMPA - Bay area leaders kicked off Super Bowl XLIII on Monday, pledging to make the weeklong event a memorable one for visitors while remaining mindful of the economic recession.

"We're going to put on a first-class Super Bowl with a very frugal approach," Mayor Pam Iorio said at a news conference. "We're as strapped as any local government."

Iorio and other members of the Tampa Bay Super Bowl Host Committee heaped praise on the National Football League for allowing the city to host the championship game.

"Only four cities have hosted the NFL Super Bowl four or more times. It's an honor for us and we're ready for it," host committee executive director Reid Sigmon said. "We're confident that Super Bowl XLIII will be successful and memorable."

Committee members said the influx of about 100,000 visitors to the Bay area for Sunday's game, between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals at Raymond James Stadium, will provide a much-needed shot in the arm for the region's economy.

"This event couldn't have happened at a better time," said Ken Hagan, chairman of the Hillsborough County Commission and host committee member. "Our hotels and restaurants are booked, our transportation services will be humming, and our retailers bustling. We want and need every stimulus that will be provided by the Super Bowl."

In addition to the economic effect on local businesses, estimated at more than $300 million, Sigmon said many of the NFL's community outreach programs targeting area minorities and underprivileged children will "leave a permanent legacy on the Tampa Bay area."

"The Super Bowl is more than just a game," he said.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT