Similar to most companies in the travel space, Amtrak has “struggled through the pandemic,” but has “been gaining riders slowly and surely,” according to Puja Thomas-Patel, marketing and communications manager for LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, which manages the Pacific Surfliner service.
In putting together its bid for the X Games, Visit Ventura reached out to Pacific Surfliner for early conversations on how the two groups could work together.
“We can transport large numbers of people sustainably from one city to another,” Thomas-Patel said, “so it was a perfect fit.”
The train wraps—which include QR codes on a sunny, palm-tree dotted backdrop—will stay in place for the next six months, with slight tweaks to further emphasize Ventura tourism, according to Thomas-Patel.
‘Vert Alert’
Pacifico beer and Monster energy drink have signed as returning sponsors of the competition, joined by Visit Ventura and Ventura County Coast, with several more deals still pending, according to Ryan. Mattel’s Hot Wheels, for its skate line, will sponsor Tony Hawk’s big-ramp contest called “vert alert” at the event.
X Games will have several new features for the Ventura meet, including ticketing tiers that can get fans closer to the action and athletes, and a female-centric celebration on July 22, and a Community-powered SMS program to boost the fan experience. A family-friendly on-site festival will include interactive bike and skateboard workshops, and organizers plan to announce a new loyalty program for attendees.
The venue can accommodate as many as 25,000 people a day, and for those not on-site, live coverage airs on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, with streaming on Twitch and X Games platforms.
