by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Tickets are still available for the 2007-08 Florida Forum series, and event organizers are anticipating all tickets will be sold by Oct. 1.
Chairs of the 2007-08 Florida Forum Mervin Denny and Stacy Berg are encouraging people to buy their tickets sooner rather than later.
“Ticket sales are going well,” said Denny adding that they are trying to create a sense of urgency, because the first speaker comes to town Oct. 20.
This years speakers are: Anderson Cooper, award-winning reporter and CNN news anchor; Sir Richard Branson, music industry and air travel entrepreneur; Larry Kudlow, economist, CEO, TV host and commentator; and Tiki Barber, broadcaster, former NFL running back and author.
The Florida Forum is presented each year by the Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Denny said although ticket sales have been going well, it has been slower this year compared to the 2006-07 Florida Forum.
“Our invitations and flyers went out about a month later than usual,” said Berg. “People are still probably going through their stacks of mail.”
Even though ticket sales are behind, Berg and Denny aren’t worried about not selling the rest of the tickets. Denny said there are approximately 400 tickets available; about 1,600 have already been sold. Florida Forum tickets come in a series, meaning purchasers receive tickets for all four forums. All speakers will speak at 7 p.m. at the Florida Theatre on their respective dates.
Tickets can be purchased by calling (904) 202-2886, visiting www.thefloridaforum.com or by e-mailing the board at [email protected].
“This really is a good series,” said Denny. “It’s well balanced.”
Berg added that as a forum they are providing speakers with very different backgrounds and different stories.
“People may wonder why there isn’t a woman in the lineup and it goes right back to the speakers who are available,” said Berg.
For the second year, all proceeds from the Florida Forum are going directly to Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s Surgical Services. Berg said they have about a two-year commitment to Surgical Services.
“It really is all about raising money for the (Wolfson Children’s) Hospital,” said Denny.
Florida Forum 2007-08
• Anderson Cooper, Oct. 20
• Sir Richard Branson, Nov. 13
• Larry Kudlow, Feb. 21, 2008
• Tiki Barber, April 8, 2008