City Signs Naming Rights Agreement with Red Hat

For more information: Doug Grissom, Raleigh Convention Center, 919-996-8500

September 4, 2012

Red Hat Rocks Raleigh With Five-Year Amphitheater Sponsorship Agreement
Open-Source Leader Claims Marquee Billing at Downtown Venue

Red Hat, the world’s open-source leader, and the City of Raleigh today announced a five-year deal to transform Downtown’s popular open-air concert venue into the Red Hat Amphitheater.

Since announcing the relocation of its headquarters to Downtown Raleigh in April 2011, Red Hat has been a leading catalyst in Raleigh’s center city renaissance as an innovative, dining, cultural, entertainment destination. In 2011, Raleigh proudly declared itself America’s “Open Source City.”

“Red Hat is proud to collaborate with the City of Raleigh, “ said Jackie Yeaney, executive vice president of Strategy and Marketing at Red Hat. “Red Hat’s mission is to be a catalyst in our communities and we’re hoping that with this collaboration, we’ll be able to help fuel the continued growth of Downtown Raleigh.”

“Raleigh is so proud that this internationally acclaimed, home-grown technological leader has further solidified its association with the Capital City,” Mayor Nancy McFarlane said of the agreement. The Raleigh City Council voted unanimously in support of the agreement at today’s meeting.

“This Downtown venue, that offers the very best in entertainment in a uniquely Raleigh setting, is the perfect match for this uniquely Raleigh company,” Mayor McFarlane said. “We are delighted.”

The amphitheater opened in June 2010 as the Raleigh Amphitheater. In two years of operation, the 6,000-seat venue has gained a reputation as an intimate outdoor venue that is perfect for enjoying international headliners such as Mumford & Sons, Chelsea Handler, Maroon 5, Wilco, Widespread Panic, the Black Crowes and Vampire Weekend.

The amphitheater’s location in the center of Downtown’s sizzling nightlife and it exceptional setting, that includes the CREE Shimmer Wall on the exterior of the Raleigh Convention Center, offers guests a memorial, “totally Raleigh” experience. Pollstar, the leading trade publication covering the worldwide concert industry, nominated the Red Hat Amphitheater for the 2011 Concert Industry Award for Best New Major Concert Venue.