Short season makes strange bedfellows

Some concert promoters enter into partnerships to secure musical acts for amphitheaters. The partnerships encompass the ongoing operation of the venues. The approach enables each party to focus on its strengths and can preclude the construction of a competing amphitheater, says Steve Sybesma, co-owner of Sunshine Promotions Inc., which is in a partnership that runs the Polaris Amphitheater in Columbus, OH. Joint arrangements also reduce personnel costs, says Patrick Leahy, the Polaris's manager.
Promoters joining forces to book and operate amphitheaters has become a necessity in several markets to avoid head-to-head competition in such a short season. It's strictly a business decision, say [...]