Seat Fillers in Tampa Bay Are Focused on Fun

By Lu, OTL City Guides & Seat Fillers

Unlike members of business groups, social organizations, or even gyms, OTL Seat Fillers in Tampa Bay belong to a club where members are uber-quiet. That's because they head out on secret entertaining missions through private invitations to shows, events, and activities throughout the Tampa Bay area.

OTL members reserve tickets without even considering the cost, and that's because they don't pay for admission. Plus, they're out and about more than many other people, saying yes to those incredible invitations and being introduced to the latest plays, musicals, comedy shows, and more.

Local Seat Filling Might Be New New You

Because everything with OTL is kept so quiet, many people aren't familiar with the concept of local seat filling. If it's new to you, you're in for a treat, as it's a real WIN-WIN!

1. Tampa Bay Seat Fillers receive free pairs of tickets to local shows and events.
2. Area theaters, venues, and event promoters benefit from a free, private, and easy way to expand the audience AND introduce their shows to new patrons.

Why It's Awesome To Be a Seat Filler in Tampa

Curious about whether you'd like to be a seat filler in Tampa Bay? Then, consider the following.

• Can you make last-minute plans with just a few days' notice (or even the same day)?

• Do you enjoy a wide variety of live shows and events, even smaller ones held at neighborhood venues?

• Will you be OK with the inconsistency of ticket availability? Note: As a seat fillers club, OTL never knows what will pop up. There could be nothing for a while, and then a choice of things to do.

Thumbs Up?

If you said yes to all three of my questions, then seat filling could be for you. After all, it's not often that you run across a free tickets club. Can you imagine a more entertaining membership? But you have to understand that OTL really is a club (and not a ticket broker.)

Even though patience is a virtue when you're a seat filler, there are plenty of benefits.

OTL is super affordable, as monthly dues are about as much as a single movie ticket. Plus, all tickets are included and you can reserve more than one ticket to each show or event you decide to attend. Oh, and there's no commitment, as you can cancel any time (but I don't think you'll want to!).

Again, OTL Seat Fillers Isn't a Ticket Broker

Once again, I need to reiterate that OTL never knows how many or what events will be posted.  Yes, Tampa seat fillers receive free pairs of tickets, and that is the hot ticket! But another part of the fun is seeing what pops up out of the blue.

Some months are quite busy, while others could be slower., as it all depends on the local show calendar and when OTL's entertainment partners have open seats. But it's really cool to get that show alert pop up in your email box and know that you're a comp ticket VIP. You can reserve tickets without worrying about the cost.

Our little OTL family loves expanding the club, but we don't want anyone to join unless they understand the concept.

Patience Will Eventually Pay Off!

You might think we're almost talking you out of signing up and giving it a go. Well, we've had some people join, see if anything is posted in their city, and then cancel the same day, if not.

Please understand that's not what OTL is all about, as you need time to see how it all works. Once you start getting those show alerts out of the blue, you'll be hooked, though. And, one event with a higher ticket price could offset your dues for an entire year!

Benefits of Tampa Bay Seat Filling

Live Shows and Events (& more!)

Seat Fillers in Tampa typically attend live shows and events. However, we might even have a virtual opportunity or unique activity come in from time to time.

Theatre, Comedy, Music, Sports...

There might be the occasional smaller concert from time to time. But we find that local seat filling through OTL is more about plays, musicals, and other theatrical events.

OTL also receives quite a few invitations from comedy clubs, as well as burlesque, dance, sports, escape rooms, classes, etc. As far as we're concerned, everything is on the table - as long as it has a regular cost associated, as we don't post seat filler events that are free to everyone. Opportunities have to be something special and have value.

Reserve Up to Four Tickets

When you're a part of the OTL family, you get to choose a two-seat or four-seat membership. So, you don't have to go it alone. Your free ticket privileges extend to your guest(s), too.

Surprise!

Tampa Seat Filling is more about last-minute opportunities, as event promoters must prioritize ticket sales above comps. So, notice tends to be more same-week than anything else. Again, part of the fun is the element of surprise.

Where Do Tampa Area Seat Fillers Go?

If this is all new to you, you probably started with two questions. "How much do I pay for tickets?" And you now know that the answer is zero.  And the follow-up is probably "What shows and events will I get to attend?"

While I can share general categories, I can't reveal the names of our entertainment partners. Keeping things quiet is the reason why the seat filling concept has worked so well for more than seven years now.

Secret Seat Filling Invitations

A policy called "privacy to shows" is the reason why partners are willing to provide OTL with free tickets for seat fillers. Privacy to shows is just that - it's a secret pact designed to keep the club from impacting each venue's regular ticket sales. If OTL Seat Fillers publicized its entertainment partners, event-goers would join OTL for one event just so they could claim tickets instead of buying them from the venue.

We’re here to support Tampa area shows, events, and activities, as well as our partners across the US and in London. The club isn't designed to help audience members work the system. It's for people who love stretching their entertainment budget, trying new things, and supporting local arts and entertainment.  That's why ideal members are patient and willing to try new things. And when they do, they're usually pleasantly surprised (over and over again).

Theatre, Music, Comedy

Even though I can't share specific names and places, I can tell you that plays, musicals, and comedy shows are the most frequent offerings in Tampa and other cities, too. From there, almost anything goes.

Over the years, Seat Fillers have attended smaller concerts, burlesque shows, classes, sports, and various other live events.

How Much Do We Pay for Free Tickets?

OK, I know that it sounds odd. But I can't tell you how many people ask about the cost of seat filling tickets. So, I want to reiterate that seat fillers in Tampa receive 100% free tickets. No, they're not free to the general public (in fact, some could be really expensive), but they are complimentary to OTL members.

That's not to say there aren't a few rules, though. We are a club, after all.  But it's nothing you can't handle, though.

A Few Rules for Tampa Seat Fillers

Surprises and Unknowns: There’s no guarantee as to the number of shows or specific ones. But that’s the entire premise of local seat filling. While it’s fun to see what pops up, that means one month it could be one event (or maybe no events), and the next, you might have a few open for reservations.

When You Reserve Tickets, You Must Attend: A second “catch” is that seat fillers in Tampa Bay can reserve what they want based on what's available at the time but must attend. If you make a reservation, you can’t no-show, as OTL’s partners count on those seats being filled. That's what keeps the club going.

Your Membership is Yours: OTL Seat Filler memberships auto-renew monthly. However, you can leave at any time without jumping through hoops. Just click cancel in your private member area.

We like to keep things positive and upbeat and make it as easy as possible to be a part of OTL. So, please don't yell at us about your dues auto-renewing. You don't have to jump through hoops or even call us - just click a button if you must cancel. Easy peasy!

How YOU Can Be a Seat Filler in Tampa Bay

If it all sounds good to you, and you'd like to be the newest member of OTL Seat Fillers, it couldn’t be easier to join in on the fun. And you get to take advantage of shows in other cities, too.

Pick a Plan

To start reserving free pairs of tickets, go to OTL’s pricing page and pick one of the four Preferred seat filling memberships.

You can pay for three months upfront and then take advantage of lower monthly pricing to follow. Or, you can pay for one month at a time at a slightly higher rate. Additionally, there's a discounted Special (two-seat) membership for seniors, military, first responders, teachers, and students (18+).

• Premiere Preferred – two seats per show
• Grand Preferred – up to four seats per show

Treat Your Guests

OTL’s low membership dues are all-inclusive - you never pay for tickets.

So, if you have a Grand plan, you can reserve up to four seats for shows and events that pop up. Remember, sometimes there might not be anything, and other times you might have a few options. It's fun to share your secret seat filling VIP privileges with family and friends without worrying about the cost.

No Commitment

And, don't feel like you're "stuck" if you move or are too busy to use your Tampa seat filling privileges. You can cancel anytime.

Memberships automatically renew. However, once you click cancel in your member's area, you won't be charged again. Everything is so serious and rigid in the world these days. So, we want OTL to be a positive and relaxed club with members who appreciate the uniqueness of the seat filling concept.

Free Marketing Tools for Tampa Event Promoters

I've been focusing on seat filling from the perspective of the secret seat fillers in Tampa. But I'd be remiss if I didn't touch on how OTL works for event marketers and promoters, too.

It’s an excellent tool to have in your promotional toolbox, as OTL is a private, free, and easy way to fill some seats or add to your event. And it doesn’t have to be a traditional show with assigned locations. OTL Seat Fillers have gone virtual and also love activities and out-of-the-box opportunities. They’ve been to escape rooms, filmings, festivals, classes, and more. So, if you have a few open spots, why leave them that way?

Privately Invite Seat Fillers

If you’re interested in inviting seat fillers to your venue or show, we have an entire section on OTLSeatFillers.com that'll fill you in on the quick, private, and easy way to extend an invitation and receive a will-call list.