Release - We're Stronger When We Stand Together
Thank You to Frontline Healthcare Workers from Water Street Tampa, Vinik Sports Group and Pepsi Stronger Together - Concert with LOCASH at Sparkman Wharf
Water Street Tampa, a development by Strategic Property Partners, LLC (SPP), a joint venture by Cascade Investment, LLC, and Jeff Vinik and Vinik Sports Group, with Pepsi, are sending a thank you to frontline healthcare workers by hosting a complimentary acoustic set featuring American country music duo, LOCASH, on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 7:00 PM at Sparkman Wharf. The socially distant concert is part of the Pepsi Stronger Together platform - a tailored grassroots-based program giving back to communities across the nation.
Creating a sound that fuses modern Country and classic heartland rock with an edgy vocal blend, Wheelhouse Records' LOCASH is made up of singer-songwriters Chris Lucas and Preston Brust; natives of Baltimore, Maryland, and Kokomo, Indiana, respectively.
"Healthcare professionals are true heroes of the pandemic," said Josh Taube of Strategic Property Partners and Cascade Investment, LLC. "We are proud to partner with LOCASH, Vinik Sports Group and Pepsi in hosting this exciting kick-off to Tampa's big game weekend at Sparkman Wharf to honor and celebrate our country's dedicated frontline health workers."
“As members of the Tampa Bay community, we owe a huge thank you to our frontline healthcare workers,” said Steve Griggs, chief executive officer of Vinik Sports Group. “We are very fortunate to work closely with the very best healthcare professionals. Vinik Sports Group is honored to be able to use our platforms and partnership with Water Street Tampa and Pepsi to help offer this unique LOCASH concert experience.”
“We are thrilled to be able to give back to the Tampa Bay community, especially our frontline healthcare workers that have been working tirelessly to keep our communities healthy and safe,” said Derek Lewis, President, South Division, PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA). “Pepsi Stronger Together was inspired by the tireless work of frontline healthcare and essential workers and has evolved to give back to communities around the country and the response has been incredible.”
The well-being of our guests and staff is our top priority. As we return to play, we will be implementing new health and safety protocols based on current public health recommendations, including those set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local agencies, which are evolving as new information is available.
The socially distant acoustic set will have limited fan attendance and ‘pod’ spacing to reduce capacity and create physical distancing between each group of healthcare workers attending the event. We also ask face coverings that cover both the nose and mouth always be worn, except when actively eating and drinking. All guests will need to complete a symptom and exposure survey before entering Sparkman Wharf.
ABOUT PEPSI STRONGER TOGETHER: Pepsi Stronger Together is a national initiative to empower and engage communities around the country by providing tailored programming and resources that bring people together. It was conceived with the idea that now, more than ever, we must foster a sense of connection and belonging, starting by investing locally. Launched in May of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic - engaging its network of partners in the South to shine a spotlight on essential front-line workers in a variety of industries - Pepsi Stronger Together was expanded in October of 2020 by partnering with NBA teams and charitable organizations to foster, among other things, community and police relations.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose. Under this vision, Pepsi Stronger Together is continually evolving the program to respond to the cultural moment and meet the needs of communities across the United States. Stay up to date at pepsistrongertogether.com, where visitors can engage in conversation and learn about the latest community initiatives and how to give back. Follow the conversation on social media at @pepsistrongertogether.
ABOUT WATER STREET TAMPA: Water Street Tampa is a development by Strategic Property Partners, LLC (SPP) a joint venture by Cascade Investment, LLC, and Jeff Vinik. SPP is a full-service commercial real estate development firm focused on world-class execution, innovation, and creating high quality and experiential places.
SPP’s current project, Water Street Tampa, is an entirely new kind of urban community, embodying an entirely unique urban energy. Designed to deepen people’s interactions with the cityscape, the natural environment and each other, Water Street Tampa embraces wellbeing and outdoor living. Walkable streets will connect homes, offices, shops, and hotels – all along an accessible waterfront.
ABOUT SPARKMAN WHARF: Sparkman Wharf is a dynamic and vibrant piece of Tampa Bay’s downtown waterfront. We’re proud to be one of the top community and cultural destinations in the area, with an effortless blend of loft-style office space and ground-floor retail, along with an intimate dining garden, biergarten, and recreational lawn. Join us in celebrating the best of Tampa—good weather, waterfront views, live music, craft beer, and exceptional dining.
About Vinik Sports Group, LLC: Home to an NHL franchise, a collegiate athletics property, two event venues, a digital media company, retail and ecommerce platforms, Vinik Sports Group (VSG) creates world-class experiences that grow brands, drive revenues and impact the community.
Drawing on the expertise showcased during the transformation of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Amalie Arena under Jeff Vinik, VSG serves clients through its three core divisions – VSG Commercial Sales, VSG Facilities and VSG Live. VSG features a leadership team with decades of experience in the sports and entertainment industries; leaders who focus on each client’s unique needs before developing strategies and delivering successful solutions in the multimedia sales, event management, facility operations, and guest services verticals. VSG maintains a preference for long-term win-win partnerships, but it remains nimble enough to manage individual events and short-term opportunities for its customers.