SI Holding Two Fan Festivals In N.Y., Miami Next Month To Promote Swimsuit Issue

SI will hold two Swimsuit fan festivals next month, a continuation of the magazine’s ongoing effort to turn the annual Swimsuit issue into a more experiential event. SI will hold “Swim City” at N.Y.’s Altman Building on Feb. 15-16, followed by a “Swim Beach” event at Miami Beach on Feb. 17-18. SI held a similar set of events last year, first in N.Y. and then in Nashville, drawing more than 65,000 people. That was far beyond initial projections of about 40,000. This year’s Swimsuit festivals, free and open to the public, will again feature a variety of musical acts, model appearances and autograph sessions, among other activities. SI in ’14 held a much smaller Swimsuit event in Miami to tie into the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. “Given the widespread popularity of SI Swimsuit, it’s thrilling to take this franchise to the next level with more real-life experiences,” said SI Group Publisher Brendan Ripp. The swimsuit issue itself will be unveiled on Feb. 15.