Michael Kelly, president and COO of the Super Bowl Host Committee, met with members of the Florida Public Relations Association Thursday afternoon at River City Brewing Company. Calling the 2005 Super Bowl the largest event ever to come to the city, he added that, for many of the people living here, it is also a “dream come true.”
When asked about any concerns the host committee may have, Kelly replied at this stage of planning, everything “is an opportunity. We are hoping to be prepared far enough in advance so that we can tackle any potential obstacles.”
Although Kelly worked on the Super Bowl committee in Tampa, he stressed that for Jacksonville’s Super Bowl, everything will be a learning opportunity.
“This is a huge deal for the community because Jacksonville is the smallest market ever hosting it. We’re challenging ourselves to take all of the precautions in planning as if the Super Bowl were next year,” said Kelly.