Tampa Bay Conventions

Hello there CMP Conclave attendees! Jeremy here and back with an update on some things to do in Tampa Bay for ya! It's not  gonna be all work and no play so we wanted to make sure to get your around and show you the highlights of this awesome place that we call home! Here are some quick details:

Highlights of Tampa Tour
Friday June 8, 2012
Tour Timing: 1:00pm –5:00pm

The city of Tampa comes to life as your guide highlights the area. Begin with a visit to the old Tampa Bay Hotel at the University of Tampa.

This National Historic Landmark features unique Moorish revival architecture and dramatic minarets. Soak in the splendor of days gone by as you see and hear the history of this fabulous hotel and its founder, railroad tycoon, Henry B. Plant.

A drive along beautiful Bayshore Boulevard and through the Hyde Park area will show you the diverse architecture that is Tampa.

The Florida Aquarium & Tampa’s Riverwalk
Saturday, June 9th, 2012
Tour Timing: 9:30am- 11:30am

Tampa is blessed with a beautiful waterfront and this morning you will have an opportunity to travel along that waterfront on the Riverwalk.

This will take you from the Tampa Convention Center, the Tampa Marriott Waterfront and its adjacent park, past Channelside and to the Florida Aquarium.

Along the way your guide will hear about how Tampa sprang up and thrived along this water’s edge and developed into what you see today. Once you arrive at the Aquarium you will experience the story of Florida’s water.

It's gonna be a pretty awesome tour so be sure to sign-up so you won' t miss out on this one! For more information, contact our friends over at Bay Area Destination Mangement for more info at 813-962-5888 or submit the registration form.

That's all for now, but stay tuned as we'll be back with more updates on Tampa Bay area events and other going's on!

Tampa needs your vote!  As part of their Destination USA feature, CNN Travel is pitting the two political convention cities against each other – Tampa for the Republican National Convention and Charlotte for the Democratic National Convention.  

It’s time to get creative and tell your story about Tampa!  The winner will be selected based on the posts made in favor of each city. You can show the judges why Tampa deserves the title by submitting a photo, video or short message.

We all know Tampa is a great place to live, work, and play, and now it’s time to show the world.  You can submit your vote by clicking here.

That's all for now, but get to voting and be sure to check back for more updates on things to do in Tampa Bay and Tampa Bay area events!

It's Linda Mummert here with more exciting news about an upcoming convention in 2014.

Tampa Bay & Company is excited to announce that the destination will welcome Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 2014 for its Southern Region Conference.  Over 3,000 attendees are expected to gather for the conference, producing over 3,000 hotel room nights and $1.7 million on delegate spending.  

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. A sisterhood of more than 200,000 predominately Black college educated women, the Sorority currently has over 900 chapters located in the United States, England, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Republic of Korea.

The Southern Region was formed in 1926 at the 8th National Convention of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  The Southern Region holds the distinction of being the largest of the seven regions of the Sorority, with over 200 chapters spread across the diverse area that is Alabama, the Bahamas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. For more information about Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. visit www.deltasigmatheta.org.  

Well that's all for now.  Stay tuned for more Tampa Bay conventions news.

 

Vote for our amazing partners for the 2012 BizBash Florida Readers' Choice Awards!

• Warren Dietel, Puff 'n Stuff Catering for Caterer of the Year
• Alyssa Rhoads, Tampa Bay Business Journal for Corporate Event Planner of the Year
• Shapeology, Dorene Giacin Collier for Entertainment Act of the Year
• Amanda Allen, MMD Events,Vanessa Lopez, Hello Florida! AND Danielle Seaberg, Grand Events of Florida, LLC for Event Designer of the Year
• Maria Hayworth, Hayworth Creative Public Relations for PR Professional of the Year
• Brooke Palmer, r.s.b.p. Events for Social Event Planner of the Year
• Jason Carroll, The Florida Aquarium for Venue Manager of the Year

Voting closes on Sunday, April 15, at 11:59 p.m., and the winners will be announced at the BizBash Florida Expo & Awards at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center on April 18. To cast your vote, go to http://www.bizbash.com/flvotes.

Its Linda Mummert here with exciting news about our Convention Sales Department.
Tampa Bay & Company has announced two staff promotions: Alex Kaptzan will fill the role of Vice President of Convention Sales and Services, and Holly Laverentz will now serve as National Sales Manager.  

“Alex has been a valuable asset of this team for over six years and has helped lead the convention sales and services team to new levels,” stated President/CEO of Tampa Bay & Company Kelly Miller.  “Additionally, Holly’s work on the services team for nearly a decade has prepared her for her new role and will translate well with the meeting planners and groups she will work with.”

In his new role as Vice President of Convention Sales and Services, Alex will be responsible for leading the company’s Tampa-based convention sales and convention services teams, as well as the company’s satellite representatives in Washington, D.C. and Chicago, Ill.  

Alex joined the Tampa Bay & Company sales team in 2006 as the Director of Convention Sales.  Prior to joining Tampa Bay & Company, Alex served as the Director of Sales as the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina for over five years.  

In her new role as National Sales Manager, Holly Laverentz will oversee the Small Meetings Market for Tampa Bay & Company.  Holly previously served as Senior Housing Manager and has been with the company for nearly 10 years.  Prior to joining Tampa Bay & Company Holly served as the Catering Convention Services Manager at the Hyatt Regency Tampa.  

Congratulations to both Alex and Holly!!  Well, it is over and out for now.  Stay tune for more exciting Tampa Bay Conventions news.

Tampa Bay has proudly hosted and will continue to host many successful meetings, conferences and sporting events which will generate thousands of room nights and provided an economic impact into the millions for the city of Tampa and with the 2012 Republican National Convention coming in just a few months… Tampa just keeps getting better …

Last month members of Tampa Bay & Company convention sales team, Alex Kaptzan,Director of Sales, Dori Laack, Regional Account Executive/DC and Tammy Lamm, National Sales Manager along with industry partners, representing the Tampa Convention Center, Embassy Suites Downtown Tampa & Eventions of Florida were in Washington DC to attend the Destination Marketing Association International [DMAI] Destination Showcase Conference & Expos.

Throughout the week, Team Tampa attended a variety of educational sessions, general sessions and networking opportunities with new planners, potential customers, as well as existing customers all the while promoting Tampa Bay as a premier meetings destination.

So, whether you're an association, corporate, government, or third-party/independent meeting planner, we encourage you to come & discover the treasures of Tampa Bay for your next meeting or conference.  To learn more about Tampa go to our website: www.VisitTampaBay.com

That’s all for now, but be sure to stay tuned in for more Tampa Bay meetings & convention updates from the Tampa Bay Convention Sales Team …

Until then, Think Tampa!

Destinations Showcase Washington is the largest one-day event in North America which exclusively brings Convention & Visitor Bureaus - conference, convention, and trade show professionals together with exhibiting meeting destinations from the United States and beyond.

For more information –http://www.destinationsshowcase.com/washington/

 

 

From March 6 – 8th, Tampa Bay & Company representatives and its partners embarked upon another successful sales mission in Washington DC, one of its top feeder markets.  Four Tampa Bay & Company partners joined Regional

Account Executive Dori Laack and National Sales Manager Tammy Lamm for three client event functions. 

The purpose of this mid-year team Tampa Bay sales mission was to engage existing clients and build a rapport with some new clients in a fun, casual and relaxing atmosphere.

In keeping with all the new and exciting things happening in Tampa this was just one mission where we truly got to do things differently and creatively all the while allowing our clients to uncover the treasures of Tampa with a Tampa themed painting class and a culinary class.  The theme of two hosted events were "Palette or Palate - Choose your favorite withTampa Bay".   

In keeping with the knowledge that partnership for Tampa Bay & Company is one of the keys to our success  - for our third client event it was a wise decision to partner with one of our top third-party producers - IMN Solutions. 

Our newly appointed regional account executive, Dori Laack as well as team Tampa had the opportunity to meet & greet with our IMN Solutions partners along with a few of their top clients for a Tampa Lightning vs. Washington Capital hockey event. 

What a successful mission! As with all three events the customer/clients – have either met or will be meeting in Tampa that will generate thousands of hotel room nights while producing an economic impact for the destination – not forgetting the potential to provide future RFP’s to consider Tampa for meetings or conferences ...noting that since returning home we having already received RFP’s from this mission!

Well that's all for now ... but until the next time... THINK TAMPA & stay tuned in for more Tampa Bay meetings & conventions updates.

The focus of the Convention Sales team of Tampa Bay & Company is to bring conventions and meetings to Tampa Bay to create positive economic impact for Hillsborough County.  Tampa Bay & Company leads the effort of “Economic Development Through Tourism” in Hillsborough County.

For more information about Tampa Bay & Company, visit www.VisitTampaBay.com.

Tampa will welcome the International Association of Dental Research (IADR) this week for the 2012 AADR/CADR Annual Meeting & Exhibition, taking place at the Tampa Convention Center from March 21-24.  The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) and Canadian Association for Dental Research (CADR) are both divisions of the IADR.  

The event will mark the 41st Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the AADR and the 36th Annual Meeting of the CADR.  Approximately 3,000 delegates will gather in downtown Tampa for the annual event, producing over 6,000 hotel room nights in Tampa Bay.  

This year’s event will provide educational programming, networking sessions, awards ceremonies and receptions, hands-on workshops, panel discussions, mentoring sessions and much more.  The AADR is a non-profit organization with more than 3,900 members whose mission is to advance research and increase knowledge for the improvement of oral health, support and represent the oral health research community, and facilitate the communication and application of research findings.

Please join us in welcoming this group, and until the next time ... THINK TAMPA and stay tuned in for more  meetings and conventions updates!

The focus of the Convention Sales team of Tampa Bay & Company is to bring conventions and Tampa Bay meetings to Tampa Bay to create positive economic impact for Hillsborough County.

LInda Mummert here with a Convention Sales update!

From Feb. 29-March 1, Tampa Bay & Company representatives and its partners conducted a successful sales mission in Chicago, one of its top feeder markets.  Five Tampa Bay & Company partners joined Regional Account Executive Jeff Gassaway , National Sales Manager Amy Trautman and Director of Convention Sales Alex Kaptzan for group sales calls and two client event functions.  

Team Tampa Bay made group presentations to Smith Bucklin, American Bar Association, Experient and Association Management Center.  Each organization either has met or will be meeting in Tampa Bay, generating hotel room nights and positive economic impact for the destination.  

In addition to the group calls, the team hosted a reception at EPIC restaurant in downtown Chicago and a luncheon at Gibsons restaurant in the Chicago suburbs. Both functions were a huge hit with our clients. 

Till next time, it's over and out, and stay tuned in for more updates on Tampa Bay meetings!

 

Julia here again with some great news about a convention in town.

The Florida State Thespian Society (FSTS) arrived in Tampa on Tuesday and will be here until Sunday for their 2012 Annual Festival which is taking place at the Tampa Convention Center.  The FSTS Annual Festival has been held here in Tampa for over 10 years. is considered one of the largest theater festivals in the country.

Approximately 2,500 thespians will participate in the Festival, producing over 6,200 hotel room nights and $2.1 million in delegate spending.  The FSTS is considered one of the largest theater festivals in the country and is committed to presenting the very best work from high schools across the state of Florida.  For more information regarding FSTS, please click here.

Please join us in welcoming this group, as well as all meetings and conventions, to the Tampa Bay area! 

Attention to all of those looking for a fun and unique experience! Segway Experience at Ybor City offers you a one-of-a-kind way to see Tampa Bay…on two wheels!

For only $65 per person, you can choose from three different 2-hour tours:

Historic Ybor Tour
Enjoy a glide back in time on the bustling sidewalks of Ybor City. This historic tour will expose you to the origins of Tampa's Latin Quarter and its beginnings as a cigar manufacturing town. Its skilled Cuban residents rolled some of the finest cigars from the imported Cuban tobacco that was readily available from nearby Havana ports.

You'll learn about this multi-cultural city and the importance of the immigrant communities that created it. At one time a separate city from Tampa, Ybor has always had a rich influence from Spanish, Italian, German, Cuban and other populations who still run the eclectic café's, artist’s studios, and shops of Ybor. Ybor brings you a feast for the senses, and you’re bound to smell the roasting coffee beans and the fresh tobacco. Ybor is a treat for those who love local restaurants, and who want to revel in "old Florida". As you glide through town with a guide to show you the landmarks and the local flavor, you're easily able to imagine life in Tampa in another era.

The Riverwalk Tour
A refreshing ride along the Tampa Riverwalk. Your journey will take you along beautiful Tampa Bay and you’ll learn about the original Indian settlement and Tampa history.
You’ll also glide by the St. Pete Times Forum- Home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay History Center, Tampa Convention Center and the Jose Gasparilla Pirate Ship. The journey continues to Franklin Street’s pedestrian mall through downtown Tampa and ends at the ornate Tampa Theatre, a city landmark. On our return, you’ll glide along the Hillsborough River with majestic views of the University of Tampa by the Glazer Children's Museum, The Florida Aquarium and Port of Tampa.

Cigar and Café Con Leche Tour
Indulge in the best of Ybor, and savor the coffee and cigars of this famous, almost-Cuban city?
Then let us take you to some of the best stops of the historic tour route, and watch, smell, taste, sit and enjoy. This tour spends a bit less time gliding – and a lot more time savoring this exquisite area! We’ll still share all the best history with you, but you'll also visit the Naviera Coffee Mills for "Café Con Leche". The roasting master will demonstrate how Cuban coffee is prepared and you'll walk the roasting line. In keeping with the best of Ybor, you’ll also visit the cigar specialty shops to witness skilled rollers. The best cigars are still hand rolled today, as they were back in the late 19th century when Ybor was born.

There’s nothing cooler than modern day technology! Segways bring a new edge to the tourism industry and we are so excited to offer this experience here in Tampa!

Segway Experience is located right on 8th Ave at Centro Ybor and you can reserve your tour today by calling (813) 455-7854 or emailing YborCityTours@Segway.com. *Group tour prices are also offered.         
Happy Explorations!

Hey Tampa Bay! Katy back to tell you about a great outdoor activity offered right in the heart of Tampa Bay! On Friday, a group of us decided to check out City Bike Tampa.

We showed up to the rental hut on the Riverwalk, only to find out it was only open on the weekends! Luckily, it was a beautiful day so we took a nice stroll through downtown to the City Bike Tampa Shop, located at 212 E. Cass Street, between Tampa and Franklin Street.

Once we arrived, the manager, Kevin Craft, set us up with bikes and we took off through Downtown Tampa. We rode along Franklin Street to the Tampa Convention Center and then along the Riverwalk to the Tampa Bay Times Forum. On our way back, we stopped for a break at the Sail Pavilion to enjoy the beautiful day on the water.

City Bike Tampa offers bike rentals, various tours around Tampa (such as their popular Urban Restaurant Tours) and even sell bikes at their store in downtown. I encourage everyone, whether you are a local or a visitor, to check out City Bike Tampa the next time you are craving an outdoor adventure!

This is Linda Mummert here with some exciting news from our Convention Sales Department.  Our own National Sales Manager Sherri Brown has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Black and Latino CEOs and Corporate Executives in the Tampa Bay region!  The Power Broker magazine, the Small Business Development Center and others have teamed up to publish the exclusive Top 50 magazine highlighting the honorees.  

This is the first time in bay area history that the African-American and Latino communities are uniting on the media stage to reach the largest minority readership ever targeted by a publication in the region.

In addition to being featured in The Power Broker magazine, Brown will also be featured in the digital magazine, the weekly PB e-zine, on The Power Broker website, and through various social media channels.  

Congratulations Sherri!

Over and out for now until next time.... stay tuned in for more updates on Tampa Bay Meetings!

Tampa welcomes the American Trucking Associations (ATA) next week for its annual Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Expo, taking place Feb. 20-23 at the Tampa Convention Center.  Approximately 3,000 delegates will gather in downtown Tampa for the annual event, producing over 7,400 hotel room nights and $2.2 million in delegate spending.  

2012 marks the third consecutive annual meeting and expo that Tampa has hosted for the ATA.  The purpose of the Technology & Maintenance Council is to improve transport equipment, its maintenance and maintenance management. The Council develops Recommended Engineering and Maintenance Practices that are voluntarily adopted by fleets, OEMs and component suppliers.

The Council also conducts industry surveys and promotes the voluntary cooperation among designers and manufacturers of transport equipment and those who specify, purchase, and manage such equipment. For more information, visit www.truckline.com.

Please join us in welcoming this group, as well as all meetings and conventions, to the Tampa Bay area! 

Well thats all for now but keep coming back for more exciting news & updates as the focus of the Convention Sales team of Tampa Bay & Company is to bring conventions and meetings to Tampa Bay to create positive economic impact for Hillsborough County.

Until then ... THINK TAMPA and stay tuned in for more updates on things to do in Tampa Bay!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Tampa Bay, Katy here to welcome our newest Tampa Bay & Company partners. Throughout January, we welcomed eight organizations to the approximately 700 Tampa Bay & Company partners.  New partners include:

Barnacles Restaurant
Barnacles Restaurant offers a wide variety of menu items ranging from fresh seafood and steaks to delicious sandwiches and savory salads. Their gracious private dining room can accommodate up to 100 guests. Barnacles also offers a wide variety of daily lunch, dinner and drink specials. www.mybarnacles.com

Bueno Fishing
Utilizing the number one asset we have in Tampa Bay - the water! Bueno Fishing specializes in custom fishing charters, excursions, and entertaining business clients, tourists, and long-term residents on the water. Call to experience the true beauty of Florida. www.buenofishing.com

DeMarse Meetings & Events
The DeMarse Meetings team of dedicated professionals have over 15 years of experience in planning successful meetings, events, conventions, trade shows and incentive programs of all sizes. Check out their website under "What's In It For You" to see how you can add their staff to your team at no cost to you! www.demarsemeetings.com

Gaspar's Grotto
World famous event venue, pirate bar and restaurant. Serving great Cuban influenced food and drink. Live entertainment. A truly indigenous Tampa experience not to be missed. In the very heart of Tampa's historic district, Ybor City. Groups up to 950. www.gasparsgrotto.com

Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa-East
Located just minutes from many attractions including Hard Rock Casino, Busch Gardens, Florida State Fairgrounds and 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheater. Rooms and suites include breakfast, free wireless Internet, heated outdoor pool and complimentary shuttle. www.tampaeastsuites.hamptoninn.com

HES Staff, LLC
Recognized as "setting the standard" in meeting and convention staffing since 1996. Several clients contact HES exclusively to staff their Central Florida programs for everything from registration assistance to airport "meet & greet" and lead retrieval. www.hes-staff.com

Safari Wilderness Ranch
At Safari Wilderness Ranch, enjoy fresh air year-round as knowledgeable guides tour you through 260 acres, interacting with huge herds of wetland exotic species in custom safari vehicles. Book Camel-back or horse-drawn carriage game viewing safari tours. Hand-feed lemurs and budgies. Tours daily by reservation. www.safariwilderness.com

Tampa Bay Bodies
Healthy Aging, Integrated Fitness Instructor, Speaker/Classes/Seminars Health & Wellness Specialist, Food Interferences, Christian Exercise Program, Fun Fitness/Easy Movement Programs, Workouts for Seniors, Line Dance. Balance, Stretch, Flexibility, Mind, Body, Spirit. www.junekittay.com

Find out who is a new partner of Tampa Bay & Company at anytime by visiting the New Partner Showcase. Be sure to check back for more partner news soon!

Julia here with some exciting Convention Sales News.

Next week The Special Event (TSE) Conference and Trade Show takes place in Tampa from January 24-27, 2012.  TSE is the leading conference devoted to special event professionals and this year's theme is "Event 3.0: Evolve, Flourish, Prosper".  The Special Event will offer it's attendees education sessions, exhibits and showcasing events.  Thousands of event professionals representing millions of dollars in buying power will gather in downtown Tampa to get the latest on an everchanging industry. 

For more information about TSE, click here.

Keeping checking back for more information about upcoming Tampa Bay conventions and Tampa Bay area events.

Julia here with some great news regarding an upcoming conference.

Tampa Bay & Company will once again welcome the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA) which marks the 27th consecutive year that Tampa has hosted their Annual Convention.

FMEA's Annual Convention will be held at Tampa's Convention Center this week from January 11-14.  Approximately 6,500 delegates will attend the conference, producing 6,900 hotel room nights and creating $7.4 million in delegate spending. 

FMEA is a not-for-profit, professional association that serves and supports music educators across Florida.  FMEA promotes and publishes the Florida Music Director as well as music education research, organizes in-service programs and broadens teachers' knowledge and interest in their profession through affiliation with colleagues.

Keep checking back for more information about Tampa Bay meetings and conventions coming to Tampa.

Beginning Jan. 8-11, Tampa Bay & Company President & CEO Kelly Miller, National Sales Manager Tammy Lamm and Regional Account Executives Dori Laack and Jeff Gassaway will head to San Diego, CA to attend the Professional Convention Management Association’s (PCMA) Convening Leaders Conference 2012.  Partners from Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, the Tampa Convention Center, the Embassy Suites Tampa - Downtown Convention Center and the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, will join them also.

In addition to promoting Tampa as a premier meetings destination, the team will join more than 3,000 meeting planners to jump-start a strategic roadmap for the New Year, as well as to network with valued industry colleagues.  At the conclusion of the PCMA Conference, Team Tampa Bay will also host a dinner at Donovan’s Prime Seafood with clients and potential clients in an effort to bring convention business to Tampa Bay. 

PCMA is recognized in the meetings industry as the leader in providing high-quality education, innovative resources, and networking opportunities designed to help build relationships that are critical to success.  PCMA represents more than 6,000 meeting industry leaders, including planner professionals, suppliers, faculty and students whose members represent the industry's leading association, corporate and independent meeting professionals, as well as industry suppliers, faculty and students.  For more information about the PCMA Convening Leaders Conference 2012, visit www.pcma.org

The focus of the Convention Sales Team of Tampa Bay & Company is to bring conventions and meetings to Tampa Bay to create positive economic impact for Hillsborough County.

Be sure to tune in for more exciting Tampa Bay Conventions and Meetings news & updates!

Until the next time ... Think Tampa!

 

Linda Mummert here with more exciting convention news! Tampa Bay & Company is excited to announce that it will welcome the American Pain Society for its 2014 Annual Conference, which will take place April 28 – May 3 at the Tampa Convention Center.  The Annual Conference & Exposition will welcome 1,200 delegates to Tampa, producing over 2,700 hotel room nights and creating $1.4 million in delegate spending. 

The American Pain Society is a multidisciplinary community that brings together a diverse group of scientists, clinicians and other professionals to increase the knowledge of pain and transform public policy and clinical practice to reduce pain-related suffering.  For more information, visit www.ampainsoc.org. 

Please join us in welcoming this group, as well as all Tampa Bay meetings and conventions, to the area! Happy New Year to all.   It's over and out for now, until next time.............

Tampa Bay & Company National Sales Manager, Tammy Lamm and Regional Account Executive, Dori Laack, along with five hotel partners representing the Tampa Marriott Waterside, Embassy Suites Downtown, Hyatt Regency Tampa and the Tampa Convention Center made their jolly way onto Washington DC, spreading some Tampa cheer with pre-holiday sales calls to seven organizations to reacquaint & establish new relations.

During their bustling visit the Ladies of Tampa hosted a holiday breakfast and a holiday networking  “Ladies Night Soiree” at Landini’s Restaurant with clients who will be bringing future meetings & conventions to Tampa producing over 35,993 in hotel room nights & generating over 12.8 million in delegate spending and the numerous opportunities for Tampa to also potentially host future meetings.

In all the joy & merriment of a prosperous season, we like to thank our DC clients for thinking Tampa Bay for their next & future meetings & conventions … Fa-La-La-La-La  La-La – La-La!

Be sure to tune in for more exciting Tampa Bay meetings news as we ring in the New Year!

Until the next time … Think Tampa !