Dali and Grand Prix

The Grand Prix is on its 11th year in St. Petersburg, but a new change has emerged through a mutual agreement for the Dali Museum to remain open during the races.

The Dali Museum and the Firestone Grand Prix will be collaborating this year, in an effort to help promote the races, by holding an official kickoff party in the museum, as well as private events for the race teams, during the race weekend.

This stands in stark contrast to last year, which resulted in the complete shut down of the entire museum during the races.

“We wanted to take a fresh look at the relationship,” Kevin Savoree, owner and president of Green Savoree Racing, said.

For the first time, the Dali is promoting the Grand Prix instead of opposing it. On, the Thursday of race weekend, the Dali is hosting an official kickoff party. The party is invitation-only and the museum expects between 150 to 200 people, including sponsors and Grand Prix stakeholders.

It is an opening celebration, according to Kathy Greif, the marketing director of the Dali.

Saturday and Sunday are private events for one of the race teams.

“They are utilizing the gallery space, the garden and everything here, to enjoy the race,” Greif said.

Although the museum won’t be open to the public, the advertisement and promotion from the races will be beneficial to the museum.

“Cost-wise, the events will offset the effect of the lack of visitation,” Greif said.

This development pleases former St. Petersburg mayor, Rick Baker, who remembers, during his time in office, the races being an issue that came up repeatedly during negotiations to move the Dali to its current site.

“I really do think that we’ve come to a very good point where everybody sees it’s all positive for everybody right now. It’s a great opportunity to work together in order to be mutually beneficial,” Baker said.

Not only has the two groups combined in an effort for a great event, but a social media partnership has also developed through the relationship. Ticket and event information for the Grand Prix is now displayed on the Dali’s website, and the Dali’s visitor information is displayed on the Grand Prix’s website.

“It’s great and what this partnership is all about. It’s to help promote each other. We are doing social media promotions and providing links to each other’s websites,” Grief said.

The parties and promotions won’t be the only benefits of the collaboration. More barricades and directional signage will be displayed this year, in hopes to help the flow of traffic to and from the Dali, according to Savoree.

According to Savoree, the Dali is a great property and asset for the community, and he wants to do as much as he can to establish a good relationship with these prominent partners.

“It’s an event to enjoy, and Florida provides the sunshine for us. It’s a great time to be in the city, and I think a lot of folks take advantage of that,” Savoree said.

The official Dali kick-off party will be Thursday, March 26, and the Grand Prix races begin on Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29.