The 2010 Grand Prix of Long Beach. Photo by Samuel Lippke.
Tix Inc. has joined the long list of local sponsors of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Long Beach-based Tix is also the ticketing services provider for the annual event in April.
Tickets for the Toyota Grand Prix, which runs April 15-17, 2011 go on sale Oct. 12. Tickets can be purchased from the Grand Prix ticket office, by calling (888) 82-SPEED or by using the Tix service at gplb.com.
Any sponsorship deals are noteworthy, as sponsorship dollars have become increasingly sparse in the past two years. In 2009 spending on sports sponsorships fell by $100 million to $11.3 billion, and 2010 is expected to be just as bad, if not worse, according to Forbes.
“We are especially delighted to form this new partnership with Tix, not only because they are a Long Beach-based company, but also because of the significant convenience and cost savings they will provide to all of our fans in the coming years,” Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, said in a statement.
The Grand Prix race circuit is 1.97 miles and 11 turns through the streets of downtown Long Beach. Grandstands lining the circuit include reserved seating, limited general admission seats and seating for hospitality club ticket packages.
The event features six races including the IZOD IndyCar Series, Formula Drift and the popular Toyota Celebrity Race.
Tix is a provider of integrated box office software and online ticket sales and services for arts, entertainment and sporting events.
“Tix is proud to have been selected as the official ticketing provider for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach,” said Robert Edmison, president and CEO of Tix, Inc. “It’s an honor to be associated with one of the premier motorsports events in the world and an organization that shares our dedication to providing the best possible experience for ticket buyers.
Tix annual sales are near $500,000 annually, with 11 employees working out of the company’s downtown headquarters, according to Hoovers.com. Admission prices for the Grand Prix start at $26 for a Friday-only general admission ticket and go up to $130 for a three-day ticket. Pre-paid parking packages are also available.