Convention Sales Blog

Well hello again!  Linda Sadler Mummert here.  I am back with some exciting Convention Sales Meeting News…. Tampa Bay & Company is pleased to welcome the meetings and conventions that are being held in Tampa Bay from Saturday, March 20 through Friday, March 26. 

In all, more than 11,600 delegates will attend these meetings and events, which will produce more than 23,100 hotel room nights to create an estimated delegate spending of over $12.1 million. 

We are highlighting PennWell Corporation’s DistribuTECH Conference, being held at the Tampa Convention Center.  Approximately 4,500 delegates will attend the meeting, producing nearly 7,300 hotel room nights and creating over $5.1 million in delegate spending. 

PennWell Corporation is a highly diversified, business-to-business media company providing authoritative print and online publications, conferences and exhibitions, research, databases, online exchanges and information products to strategic global markets.  Log on to www.Pennwell.com to learn more. 
 
Our Tampa Bay community should welcome the PennWell Corporation’s DistribuTECH Conference, as well as all meetings and conventions, to the Tampa Bay area! 
Hats off to our Convention Sales team of Tampa Bay & Company for bringing these and other conventions and meetings to Tampa Bay to create positive economic impact for Hillsborough County.  Over and out for now…. Until next blog, stay tuned in for more more news on Tampa Bay meetings and Tampa Bay area events!

Greetings and Salutations from your convention sales blogger Linda Sadler Mummert.  I had the opportunity of experiencing a cooked to order breakfast with Kimberly Rodgers, Sales Manager and Dori Laack National Sales Manager w/Tampa Bay & Company at the new Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Southeast this past Monday.  The meal was delicious and the atmosphere surrounding their dining room was outstanding.  After our meal, Kimberly escorted us on a tour of their facility.

They have a bar area where they occasionally host themed “happy hours” for the public, full service lounge, heated outdoor pool and whirlpool, fitness center & complimentary 24-hour business center.   In addition they offer room service, complimentary WIFI and a complimentary shuttle within a 5 mile radius.  They offer 4,200 sq. ft. of meeting space with state of the art A/V.

They have 119 rooms, including 20 king suites with separated living and sleeping areas.  Refrigerator, microwave oven, and coffee maker in each room.  37” flat screen TVs with Free HBO in every room along with a complimentary USA Today.  A large work desk with desk-level outlets, adjustable lighting and ergonomic chair.  Please refer to their website to check out the additional amenities this hotel has to offer at www.tampasoutheast.hgi.com .

That is it for now.  Over and out till next time, and stay tuned in for more Tampa Bay hotel updates from me.  Happy St. Paddy’s Day!

Congratulations to our friends and partners over at the Crowne Plaza Tampa Westshore Hotel who celebrated their 1 year anniversary this year this past weekend!

For those of you who haven't visited or stayed at this property, let me be the first one to tell you that this Florida Green Lodging Certified hotel excels in all areas from meeting space, to courtesy of staff, cleanliness, rates, and social events amongst many other great accolades.

This gorgeous hotel features  over 14,000 sq. ft. of flexible banquet, meeting space and pre-function space. Having attended a meeting or two there before, I can vouch for how amazing this place is! Whether you want to hold your associations annual board of directors meeting, or use the space for your wedding reception, you can't really go wrong with doing it here as from the moment you start planning to the time you leave, you'll have a dedicated Crowne Meetings Director working with you to pull of the perfect meeting.

As far as accolades go, if you didn't me believe me when I said this place is awesome, then just take my word for it , as they have been winning more awards than Avatar lately (can you tell I was up late watching the Oscar's).

• 2009 InterContinental Hotels Group Renovation Award
• 2009 InterContinental Hotels Group Meeting Service Excellence Award
• 2009 Florida West Coast Chapter National Association of Catering Executives venue of the Year Award

I am sure there are plenty more to come in the near future with the way these guys have been been working hard to make sure all of their guests feel at home. If you remember a while back, I wrote about some of the great events they do after hours for guests.

Along with all of the other great things about the Crowne, you can also go onto their website and find great packages and deals for your family vacation, girlfriend getaway, mancation, or other themed vacation ideas.

Long story short, these guys have it all, and after year one of the renovations, you can bet your tail its only going to get better! Again though, you don't have to take my word for it, just call or book directly and see for yourself!

This is Jerm signing off for now, but be sure to check back for more Tampa Bay hotel updates from the Westshore District!

Well hello there!  It is Linda Mummert reporting about a large convention coming to our wonderful city.  The Air Conditioning Contractors of America or ACCA (what we call it in the trade) will hold their Conference and Indoor Air Expo at the Tampa Convention Center March 7 through March 9, 2010.

ACCA bills the event the country’s fastest growing conference and trade show for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR another acronym).  About 3,000 delegates are expected to descend on Tampa producing an estimated 2,600 hotel room nights and creating $1.3 million in delegate spending.

“Ocean Commotion” a fundraiser for the ACCA Political Action Committee will take place the evening of March 7 at the Florida Aquarium. Learning Labs, speaking engagements, networking events and the Indoor Air Expo are scheduled for all three days.  Attendees can also attend a dinner at the Columbia Restaurant on March 9th.

ACCA is based in Arlington, VA and is a national organization of approximately 4,000 air conditioning contractors. 

Well that is the scoop for now. I hope to blog on more conventions and Tampa Bay meetings happening in our city by the Bay.  Over and out till next time.

Hello all,just wanted to give some insight on what some of our hard working convention sales managers have been up to lately. Tampa Bay & Company National Sales Managers Tammy Lamm and Jeff Gassaway recently returned from the Professional Convention Management Association’s (PCMA) Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas. 

More than 3,000 meetings industry professionals gathered for the Annual Meeting, which addressed the evolving needs of meeting professionals in the face of global and economic challenges.  Attracting half of PCMA members each year, the PCMA Annual Meeting is touted as one of the meetings industry's most comprehensive educational and networking events.

Throughout the Annual Meeting, the team promoted the Tampa Bay area as a premier meetings destination and attended a variety of educational breakout sessions, general sessions and networking opportunities. 
 
The team also met with new planners and potential customers, as well as with existing customers, to see how Tampa Bay & Company can better serve their organizations.  The Tampa Bay delegation also co-hosted a custom dinner in conjunction with the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. 

Great job by Tammy and Jeff, and we'll keep you updated with those guys when they hit the road again trying to bring in more Tampa Bay conventions!

That's all for now, but stay tuned in for more on Tampa Bay meetings!

Hello all, Jerm here with an update about some visitors we will be having in market soon! Tampa Bay & Company is pleased to welcome the meetings and conventions that are being held in Tampa Bay from Saturday, Feb. 20 through Friday, Feb. 26. 

In all, nearly 3,000 delegates will attend these meetings and events, which will produce more than 5,270 hotel room nights to create an estimated delegate spending of $1.8 million! That's allot of coin folks!

One example of these meetings and conventions in Tampa Bay is the Florida Board of Bar Examiners’ Winter State Exams, being held at the Tampa Convention Center.  Approximately 2,000 delegates will attend the meeting, producing nearly 4,000 hotel room nights and creating over $1.1 million in delegate spending. 
 
Please join us in welcoming this group, as well as all meetings and conventions, to the Tampa Bay area! , so lets make sure we let these guys know how happy we are to have them in our awesome city!

That's it for now, but be sure to stay tuned in for more updates on Tampa Bay meetings!

Okay, so just when I thought I couldn't think of any more reasons to tell people to stay at the Crowne Plaza Tampa Westshore hotel, they keep giving me reasons to come on here and type my chunky fingers off!

If you are fortunate enough to be staying at this amazing property, the staff would like you to come out on Tuesday nights and enjoy the Manager's Reception out on the Terrace free for guests with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and beverages!

While out there enjoying yourselves, you even get to meet other guests staying at the hotel and even meet and chat it up with the hotel management staff!

In the event of inclement or cold weather, the show moves inside to the hotel Pre-Function Space, or the 11th floor hospitality suite, which are both great meeting spaces!

I just happened to show up last night and there was a good group of people there mingling and enjoying the food, company, and open bar of course! I kept it simple though and only had a Coke, seeing as how I am saving my energy this for my birthday this weekend!

All in all it was a good night and a great event not only for me, but for the guests as well! If your trying to narrow it down between which hotel to hold your Tampa Bay meetings at, make sure the Crowne is on or at the top of that list, as they go the extra mile and do the little things (like this event) to make you feel more at home!

That's it for me now gang, but be sure to check back for more Tampa Bay hotel updates like this one and the many other great properties in the bay area!

Good morning everyone, hope this day gets off to a great start for you! My mornings are always going to be good ones as long as I hear great news like what I am about to tell you right now!

Our friends over at the Homewood Suites Tampa Brandon were recently named one of the top 25 hotels in the country in the Trip Advisor Traveler's Choice Awards for 2010!

Tampa and the Homewood Suites Tampa Brandon were together ranked 14th of 25 cities, some of which included the likes of New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Dallas, and Phoenix to name a few. That is some pretty serious company if you ask me!

Homewood Suites Tampa Brandon also ranks 4th out of 160 hotels in Tampa Bay on the TripAdvisor Popularity index, so this shouldn't come as a surprise to any of us! Check out some of the great comments and feed back that guests left about their experiences:

• "Great stay at Homewood Suites"
• "Friendly, clean, great price"
• "Clean & Comfortable stay"
• "Great experience at the Homewood Tampa/Brandon"
• "Fantastic hotel - must stay for families"

Please join me in congratulating the Homewood Suites gang and their staff for being as awesome as they are! Lets hope they can add to the impressive haul of accolades like being named a #1 Extended Stay Hotel for Social or Tour Groups, in addition to their Environmentally Green Friendly Hotel status!

So if you are trying to figure out where to stay, for your vacation or meeting, take the advice of your peers and give this place a try!

Stay tuned in for more updates on Tampa Bay meetings from your favorite staff of meetings related bloggers!

Linda Mummert here….I survived all the holidays and back with some highlights for upcoming meetings and Tampa Bay conventions.  Tampa Bay & Company is pleased to welcome the National Telecommunications Cooperative Associations’ Annual Meeting & Expo being held at the Tampa Convention Center from Saturday, Jan. 30 through Friday, Feb. 5

Approximately 2,800 delegates will attend the conference, producing 8,180 hotel room nights and creating $3.2 million in delegate spending. 

The National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) is the premier non-profit association representing more than 580 small and rural telephone cooperatives and commercial companies.  The NTCA is dedicated to improving the quality of life in rural communities through advanced telecommunications by education, advocacy and cooperation.  To learn more, visit www.ntca.org. 
 
Our Convention Sales team is hard at work bringing multiple groups in for site visits, and attending various tradeshows.  For example, RCMA which is being held in Fort Worth this week and SGMP NATCAP Winter tradeshow in DC next month.  In addition, they are successfully booking large and small meetings to create a positive economic impact for Hillsborough County. 

This is all the news I have for now until next month.  Signing off for nowand stay tuned in for updates on Tampa Bay meetings!

Hey gang, Jerm here with an update for all of my meeting planner peeps out there! It seems like I am writing allot about the Crowne Plaza Tampa Westshore lately, but they are either always winning cool awards, or posting great deals on our website! Well this post continues much of the same as boy have they got a deal for you meeting planners!

This hotel was already a perfect spot for the business traveler, but with deal, not only can you enjoy great convenience, but your planning budget will love it as well! Located less than 2 miles from Tampa International Airport (TPA) and situated right in the heart of the Westshore business district. Only 5 miles from downtown Tampa, Tampa Bay Convention Center and within minutes of all major highways. The hotel is also walking distance to the Westshore Plaza.

Enough of me yammering, here are the meat and potatoes of the deal!

Book and Hold Your Meetings by June 01, 2010 and Receive:

• 50% SAVINGS ON MEETING ROOM RENTAL
• 20% SAVINGS ON ALL FOOD & BEVERAGE
• COMPLIMENTARY WIRELESS INTERNET
• DOUBLE POINTS OR AIRLINE MILEAGE FOR NEW OR CURRENT PRIORITY CLUB MEMBERS
• PREFERRED RATES AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS  WITH 10 OR MORE SLEEPING ROOMS ON PEAK                                                      

For more information or to book your next meeting, please call 813-287-1050 or email them.

That's it for this update, but be sure to check back for more deals on Tampa Bay meetings in our famed Westshore district!

How is everyone doing this fine Friday morning! I myself am suffering from a bit of insomnia as I haven't slept in roughly the past 24 hours.

Don't really know why that's happening but I wanted to make sure that I could summon enough energy to tell you about a cool award(s) for one of our Tampa Bay hotel properties located in the lovely Westshore district!

As one of Tampa's newest premier hotels, the Crowne Plaza Tampa Westshore offers a uniqueness all its own that can perhaps be best described as modern and fresh, yet elegantly posh. It seems like only yesterday this place first opened up its newly "transformed" doors, and they are already winning awards!

The Crowne Plaza Tampa Westshore was recently named the Florida West Coast Chapter National Association of Catering Executives 2009 Venue of the Year Award! Now keep in mind that this is in addition to to two other awards these guys won last year, in the form of the IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) 2009 Renovations Award, as well as the IHG 2009 Meetings Service Excellence Award for the 2nd Quarter.

At this rate of winning awards, they are going to have to convert one of the executive suites into a trophy room here shortly! A great team effort, by the staff over there is sure to be the reason for the early as well as continued success as they forge on into 2010. Mark Jerm's words when he says this won't be the last award to be won!

I am working on setting up a tour of the place and getting you some pictures, so that in addition to my kind words, you will have a visual element to base your decision on when you call and book your hotel stay!  For what its worth though, guests who spend a few nights here will be thoroughly impressed with all that the Crowne Plaza Tampa Westshore has to offer!

That's all for now from Jerm, but stay tuned in for more info on hotel related Tampa Bay meetings news and events from us!

Hello all, Jerm here with a meetings related hot deal! From time to time I will drop in and let you know about great deals from our partners on hotels, Tampa Bay dining, and whatever other coupons I can find.

Today's deal is brought to you by our friends over at the SaddleBrook Resort! This gorgeous, award-winning, 480-acre golf, tennis, spa, and meeting resort is just 30 miles north of Tampa International Airport and has two golf courses, 45 tennis courts, 800 rooms and suites, four restaurants!

• $190 Room Rate
• 10% Master Account Rebate
• Complimentary Cocktail Reception
• Available March 12th to March 21st, 2010
• Minimum 50 Rooms Per Night on Peak Night
• Two Night Minimum

Now tell me that doesn't sound like paradise for attendees, especially after a long day of meetings and sessions, what better way is there too relax and unwind!

Contact the property directly if this deal interests you and feel free to print the coupon as well!

Well folks, that's it for now, but be sure to check back for more meetings related Tampa Bay resorts news from Jerm and the rest of the Tampa Bay team!

Hello all, Jerm here with an exciting update about a new member of the Tampa Bay & Company sales team! We recently announced the hiring of Marisol Berrios to serve as International Sales Manager for the Leisure Sales Department.  In her position with Tampa Bay & Company, Berrios will be responsible for identifying market opportunities and managing the International Leisure Sales efforts, excluding the United Kingdom and Canada. 

Berrios will also work to develop travel opportunities and packages for groups and Foreign Independent Travelers, as well as work with local and state officials to maintain Tampa Bay as one of Florida’s top leisure destinations, among other duties. 

With more than 15 years experience in the hospitality industry and being fluent in both English and Spanish, Berrios will be a welcomed addition to the Tampa Bay & Company sales staff.  Prior to Tampa Bay & Company, Berrios was most recently employed with the Quorum Hotel-Tampa where she began as the Reservation Manager and was quickly promoted to Revenue Manager. 
 
The Leisure Sales division of Tampa Bay & Company works closely with partners to bring them together with travel planners, tour operators and other potential clients to provide enhanced business opportunities and, in turn, produce a greater economic impact for Tampa Bay.

That's all for now folks, but stay tuned for more Tampa Bay meetings info from your Tampa Bay team of bloggers!

Hello all, Jerm here with some cool Tampa Bay hotel updates! The Florida Department of Environmental Protection just recently announced the Crowne Plaza Tampa Westshore to the Florida Green Lodging Program!

For those of you who don't know, this voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with free technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving “green” practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources.

Believe me guys, this is no easy program to get into so congrats to the team over at the Crowne Plaza! Even more kudos go to those guys over there because they haven't yet been open for a year and are kicking tail and taking names in this market, so this is just an additional feather in the hat!

In case your wondering what it takes to become a member of this program, its not an easy process. To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels must implement a variety of green practices.

These practices include, but are not limited to,:

• Water conservation measures through low flow plumbing fixtures
• A linen reuse program
• Energy efficiency achieved by installing ENERGY STAR® appliances and programmable thermostats.
• The waste reduction criteria are met by providing the opportunity to recycle, purchasing items in bulk, purchasing recycled materials and by recycling ink and toner cartridges.
• All designated properties must also use green cleaners and high efficiency air filters.

Launched in early March of 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution.

Congratulations to the Crown Plaza Tampa Westshore crew! I hope to be getting over there soon to take some pictures and get video so stay tuned in for that and more updates on from your Tampa Bay team about all of our great Tampa Bay meetings venues and hotels!

This is Linda here and well I’m back and I bring you the latest Tampa Bay Conventions news for the  with the American Volleyball Coaches Association in town today through Sunday!  The best college volleyball players in the country are honored this Friday at the AVCA All-America/Players of the Year Banquet.

Celebrate the best in the sport while networking with your coaching peers at one of the convention's signature events. Immediately after the banquet the fun shifts to the Spalding Reception and Coaches Tournament in Volleyball Marketplace. 

If you need a last minute gift for the holidays don't forget the AVCA Silent Auction and AVCA Bookstore will be open as well. Finish the day testing your poker skills in the Texas Hold'em Tournament & Party.

Coaching education highlights the schedule on Saturday as twenty-six classroom, on-court and sand seminars are available from which to choose. No matter which level you coach, the AVCA has sessions developed specially for you. New this year is the AVCA Holiday Tournament. This juniors tournament will include approximately 60 teams with players in the 16's, 15's, 14's and 13's age groups. Coaches attending the AVCA Convention are admitted free, so take advantage of this recruiting opportunity. Cap your night off in the St. Pete Times Forum and see which team will win the 2009 NCAA National Championship.

Enjoy our Tampa Bay weather for another day at AVCA Future Star Sunday. The day will start with the AVCA Girls' Talent Showcase @ AVCA Convention which is a recruiting event for high school volleyball players in the class of 2010, 2011 & 2012, as well as junior college players. Make your way over to the St. Pete Times Forum on Sunday afternoon and watch the best 24 senior high school girls' volleyball players in the country at the Under Armour® All-America Volleyball Match & Skills Competition. 

Over and out here!  I wish you all a very merry holiday season and a Happy New Year!   I will be back with new Tampa tidbits next year.

So last week I had the opportunity to attend the Grand Re-Opening of the Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport hotel over located in the Westshore district of Tampa Bay!

If you were not aware, the Sheraton recently completed a multi-million dollar renovation and unveiled the changes to the public last Thursday at a ceremony at the hotel! If you remember I blogged about this a few months ago as we got to go out and then the Sales and Marketing Manager also wrote a post detailing the changes in the form of the "Top Five Features" at the new property as well.

Well wait no longer guys because the renovations are done and trust me when I say that the place looks amazing from head to toe! I even manged to get some video in the slideshow of the actual ribbon cutting! I will let the Flickr slideshow at the top of this post do most of the talking for me, but if you are considering your Tampa Bay meetings options, without question you should give Heather or Carolynn a call at the Sheraton and let them take care of you!

Stay tuned for more updates from us as I am trying to put together a guided tour or the property in video format! Stay tuned for that and much more from your Tampa Bay team!

Hey everyone!  Back with more Tampa Bay hotel updates and great things to do in Tampa Bay.  We are heading back to the Crown Plaza Tampa Westshore for a great deal for Floridians! 

Florida residents are invited to view the beautiful Crowne Plaza Tampa Westshore at a special discounted rate of $99!!!!!  I mean, really, this is a great deal! 

This rate is good for any day of the week and is available through the end of the year, so you have to act soon! 

Other amenities of the hotel included in the rate are High Speed Wireless Internet, airport transportation, limited transportation within a 3 mile radius, self parking, and daily USA Today.

Just remember that state issued identification is required at check-in. So, for reservations, just call 1-866-676-0902 and mention "Visit Florida" with rate code "ILVTF", or go here.