That’s right!  After months of effort and planning, the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee has chosen to host the 2015 Women’s Final Four Championship in Tampa Bay!  The Women’s Final Four rolled through Tampa Bay this past April, and to say it was a success wouldn’t do it justice. 

No matter who you are, or where you worked, this past April you absolutely KNEW that the NCAA Women’s Final Four was here.  This one single tournament has an estimated Direct Economic Impact of more than $19 MILLION. 

That means, whether it’s an attraction, a restaurant, or a hotel…or even if you were just having your meeting or convention in the area, then this event had an impact on you. 

From the Westshore District to Ybor City and throughout Tampa Bay, there were Women’s Final Four activities going on everywhere.  As far as things to do in Tampa Bay were concerned, this topped the list.  And now we can look forward to its return in 2015. 

The NCAA also chose host cities for 2012-16, which were: 2012 – Denver, Colo.; 2013 – New Orleans, La.; 2014 – Nashville, Tenn.; 2015 – Tampa Bay, Fla.; 2016 – Indianapolis, Ind. 

Check out some more information here – Women’s Final Four in Tampa Bay.

Were you here for the last Women’s Final Four, or have you attended the event elsewhere?  Drop a line and tell us about it.  

Until next time, keep checking back here for the latest on Tampa Bay area events.  From attractions to hotel updates and even Tampa Bay emergency information, we’ll have it ready for you. 

It’s official – the coolest way to tour Tampa’s downtown waterfront has taken off and is full-speed ahead!  Whether you are a visitor or a resident, you’ll want to hop on your “Segway Personal Transporter,” which weighs 105 pounds, rolls on 19-inch tires, zips down the sidewalk at a maximum 12 miles per hour, and travels 24 miles between plug-in recharges. 

Chances are that you have already seen this small fleet of upright Segways zipping through Cotanchobee Park or gliding silently along the Bayshore Boulevard sidewalk.  The company responsible – Magic Carpet Glide Tours, which opened in early October.  Now I know what you are asking yourselves…what route do you take? 

Well, from Channelside, tours pass by the St. Pete Times Forum, follow the Tampa Riverwalk, pass around the Tampa Convention Center, and then move to Bayshore Boulevard, passing by Tampa’s famous Gasparilla ship, the Jose Gaspar.  Tours continue onto Davis Islands, where riders can enjoy a lovely view of downtown Tampa from a different vantage point.  From there, riders Segway over to Harbour Island, and then back to the starting point at Channelside.

And the cost is pretty good too.  Tours cost $50 per person for 90 minutes.  Tour times are 10:30am, 1:30pm, and 5:30pm.  For more information or to make a reservation you can call Magic Carpet Glide at 813-380-1916.  You can even visit their website – www.magiccarpetglide.com.

Take a ride and let us know what you think…inquiring minds want to know! 

Until next time, keep checking back here to see the latest Tampa Bay area events, updates on Tampa Bay Tours, and what's new on the Tampa Bay sports scene, the hottest updates from venues from Ybor City to the Westshore plaza, and so much more. 

Firstly, Kudos to fellow blogger 'Jerm' for the title on this one.

Now the christening of the Title by Jerm was preceded by a little info on
an event in Tampa Bay the likes of which I’ve only rarely come across, and no, it’s not just a light show. It’s a huge compilation of award winning artists, and art installations that emphasize technology and education, from all over the world. This is a biennial event and this time around it starts on January 10th, 2009, and goes on till February 2nd, 2009, charging up Super Bowl fans.

The installation locations include, “The Tampa Convention Center and Riverwalk, USF Park, Cotanchobee Park, and Fort Brooke Parking Garage. Community members, and visitors will celebrate the opening of Lights On Tampa 2009 through a pedestrian-friendly public event in order to experience each of the destinations.” The show is dedicated to giving everyone a “multi-sensory experience” with interactive experiences including ‘Shared Virtual Experiences’ like a Cell-phone engagement and podcasts.If your looking for some quick general info, go to www.lightsontampa.org.

Come January, I predict a possible overall rise in blood-pressure around Tampa, with footballs fans practically foaming at the mouth, men giving coats to shivering women, and of course breaking of New Year resolutions! Well no matter what your condition or schedule, make sure you check out every single exhibit at Lights on Tampa Bay.

Mark your calendar and put your mothers’ picture next to it, cus this baby is not gonna be delivered again for another two years. So I, will see you there!

In case you haven't heard already... THE RAYS ARE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!!!!!

Sorry for the caps, I'm just so totally surprised and excited for our very own Rays baseball team! They beat the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, October 19, in the final playoff game at the Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. I'm not the biggest baseball fan by any means, but I cannot ignore the fact that this was totally unexpected.

The Rays will play their first World Series games against the Phillies tonight at the Trop, and will need to win four out of the seven games in order to win the World Series.

So you might be wondering what this has to do with Tampa Bay Conventions. The truth is, not very much. But Tampa will definitely see a jump in the economy by the end of the seven games. There will most definitely be lots of Phillies fans traveling down to cheer on their team, more people eating out and watching the games at local bars and restaurants, and quite possibly even a boost in retail sales since people are so happy about their baseball team making it this far. Okay, that last one might be stretching it a little, but you just never know...

Once again, Tampa Bay has been put on the map for major sporting events. Tampa will play host to four out of the seven World Series games (if all seven are played) and will also host Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1, 2009. It's a big year in sports for Tampa Bay. And it just shows that our city is ready and willing to host any event, from the smallest board meeting to the largest sporting events of the year.

GO RAYS!!!! :)

I have to admit that everyone in the Sales department was a bit on edge during the last few weeks of September, as the end of our fiscal year came creeping up on us with devastating speed. But all of our hard work and dedication over the past 12 months has paid off, and we exceeded our room night goal at 106%!

Now is the time for a little pat on the back, Convention Sales! We made it! Now we can start focusing on this year's goal... :)

You’ve heard us talk about the amazing Tampa Bay & Company events we produce every year, along with the meetings and conventions, but we hardly tell you about the great group of folks that make those events as good as they area.  If you keep up with the blogs (and shame on you if you don’t) then you know that conceptBAIT helped with the special event planning and production of our Annual Luncheon that was held last week. 

Well, working hand-in-hand with them were the folks over at Baystage Lighting!  If you’ve seen the photos (again if you keep up with the blogs), then you know the kind of work that these guys do.  Not only did we bring them on to help us out with the annual luncheon, but they helped produce the magic that was the National Tourism Week luncheon as well. 

From start to finish, these guys worked to make sure every corner of that room looked spectacular!  Baystage has been serving Tampa Bay area events and meetings since the 1950s, and if you have any questions as to their qualifications, just check out their website, Baystage Lighting. 

If you are in the market for a lighting company, I would thoroughly recommend giving them a call! 

Until next time, keep the lights shining bright and keep checking back in. 

Having trouble deciding which company to use to plan and decorate your next event? Well I now have a company that I highly recommend... conceptBAIT. This local special event planning and design company showed off their impeccable skills at Tampa Bay & Company's Annual Luncheon last week.

The event was held at the Tampa Convention Center on September 24, and was attended by over  550 hospitality partners and members of the community. Everyone in attendance (including myself) was pleasantly surprised when they saw the colorful and festive decorations that filled the ballroom. It took a seven person team 10 hours of prep and 12 hours of setup to pull it off, and it was definitely worth it!

The 12 staff members at conceptBAIT plan and decorate between 50 and 75 events per year, from local weddings to corporate events in Hawaii. They can plan an event from start to finish or just provide the decor, whichever you prefer. They hand-make all of their decorations and floral arrangements in-house, which allows you to see all of your dreams and ideas come to life at your event.

For more information on conceptBAIT, visit their Web site and read some of their testimonials. It's obvious they aim to please... and succeed.

Thanks for reading and make sure you keep coming back for more! :)

Just in case you missed it, it was lights, camera and action yesterday with Tampa Bay & Company at the Tampa Convention Center. About 550 people took time out of their day to celebrate arts and culture in Tampa Bay, area events, Tampa Bay conventions and meetings, and 23 years of success with the Company – and when I say celebrate, I mean CELEBRATE!

Everywhere you looked were vibrant colors, the lights were dimmed down just enough so that the reds, yellows, greens and purples really popped. This year, the entertainment was out of this world! Dressed in bright, sparkly costumes reminiscent of Mardi Gras, dancers on stilts, performers holding up 10-foot costumes and tumblers with guitar props kicked off the event while emcee Gayle Sierens, TV news anchor for WFLA News Channel 8, made her entrance.

As the crowd enjoyed lunch, they heard from Tampa City Councilman Rev. Thomas Scott, Chairman of Tampa Bay & Company’s Board of Directors Sandy MacKinnon, Tampa Bay & Company President and CEO Paul Catoe, and even Salvador Dalí (or at least actor Michael Norton’s impersonation of Dalí).

Throughout the event, each speaker touched on the importance of thinking outside the box, as well as the importance of tourism in Tampa Bay.  And for more of the who’s who, the new Tampa Bay & Company executive officers include Maryann Ferenc, owner and proprietor of Mise En Place, as vice chair and Steve Haley, general manger of The Quorum Hotel – Tampa, as secretary.

All in all, what we can take from this is that Tampa Bay & Company really knows how to celebrate 23 Years of Success! 

If you attended, let us know what you thought about the program (entertainment and all)…or if you have some ideas for next year, feel free to drop a line.

So as I promised in August, I am writing a special event venue feature each month and September's feature is Yacht Starship Dining Cruises. In case you haven't ever heard of Yacht Starship, I'm going to give you all the facts you could ever want to know about this Tampa Bay jewel.

Whether your group requires a four-star seated dinner for up to 450 guests, a cocktail reception for up to 600 guests or a festive themed event for up to 1000 guests dockside, you're sure to find what you need aboard the Yacht Starship. Docked at the Channelside District in downtown Tampa, the 180-foot, $8 million yacht has hosted many diverse events since its first sail on the Bay in October 2001.

With the addition of Yacht Starship II in 2007, now docked near Clearwater Beach, the two luxury dining cruise ships are able to cater to clients all over the Bay area, from Tampa to St. Petersburg and even all the way down to Sarasota and Fort Myers.

Yacht Starship received AAA's Three Diamond Rating in 2005 (it was the first dining yacht in the country to receive this honor) and won the 2008 Planners Choice Award from Eventective.com, making it a true asset to Tampa Bay's convention package.

If this isn't enough information for you, check out the Yacht's comprehensive Web site, which includes group menus and pricing, capacities and much more.

Do you have a venue in mind that you would like to learn more about in Tampa Bay? Would you like to recommend next month's special event venue feature? I am always open for suggestions, so hit me up! And make sure to keep stopping by to check out all the awesome things going on in Tampa Bay's conventions world. :)

Its been two months now since I braved the long lines at International Mall at 5 a.m. to get my Iphone and I must say that in my opinion, this is the greatest invention since the central air conditioning unit!  Yes I really mean that.  I am normally an unorganized person, but I have noticed myself being that much more efficient as I can keep up with work/personal tasks, listen to my music, as well as talk to all my friends and family all in one cleverly engineered device.

I must admit though that my favorite feature of the phone is the "App Store."  I was recently staring at the ceiling one night at 2 a.m. (I couldn't sleep) and decided to play around with the old Iphone and found a bunch of cool apps that relate to travel, so I thought I would just share a few of these with you and invite you to check them out yourself.  In the interest of time, I am going to list my favorite travel related apps. 

• Travelocity Travel Tools - This sweet app includes a location-based feature called “Hotels Near Me” which provides a list of nearby hotels, with links to maps, hotel descriptions, and booking options. iPhone and iPod touch users away from home can also easily manage their itineraries booked on Travelocity, as well as get information on flight status and TSA security checkpoint wait times.  The best part about this app is that its free!
• Urbanspoon - Are you like me and always undecided on where you want to  eat? Urbanspoon can help. Shake up your iPhone and the Urbanspoon slot machine will pick a good restaurant for you.  You the location finder and Urbansppon will let you choose from places to dine right in your own neighborhood.  Also another free one, and personally my favorite.

I have a ton of these apps on my phone as when I am bored I check the app store for the latest new applications and here are my top five( in no specific order), so check em out when you get a chance:

• Who is Hot - This app is provided by the people at "Weather Underground", which in my opinion is the best site out there for weather info, epesically with the active tropical weather season we have seen lately.  Stay up to date with the Tampa Bay Weather scene with this one.
• Google - You had to know that Google was going to be on this list.
• Bank of America - On the rare occasion that I do have any money, I can check my balance as well as transfer money to and from accounts while on the go.
• PhoneSaber - Okay so this one is really useless but how cool is it to have light saber noises on your phone with the flick of a wrist!

So there you have it, all of these apps can help you plan a vacation or navigate around a destination, from Urbanspoon and picking a restaurant, to being at Tampa Bay Conventions like Metrocon and wanting to impress someone with lightsaber noises!

Got a favorite app, let me know so I can try it out!

Three museums will become the newest addition to downtown Tampa by the end of 2009. Take a look at the details:

The Tampa Museum of Art is moving to a brand new 66,000-square-foot facility in downtown Tampa, overlooking the Hillsborough River. Construction will begin in the spring and is set to be completed in the fall of 2009.


The 50,000-square-foot Glazer Children's Museum, adjacent to the Tampa Museum of Art, will be a new attraction for children of all ages to learn about commerce, science and history in an exciting and educational environment.

The Tampa Bay History Center will move from its original home to a new 60,000-square-foot waterfront, "green" facility. This innovative building is the first new downtown construction to be LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The museum will have a theater, space to accommodate special events, exhibits, classrooms and a research library.

Wow, these three new museums are going to add so much to downtown Tampa's attraction package! Can you just picture the wonderful events you could hold at the stylish and contemporary Tampa Museum of Art? Or maybe a themed reception or banquet at the History Center? And all of them have waterfront views of the bay and the Garrison Channel, what more could you ask for?

Am I writing about things that you want to learn about? Tell me if there is something that I am missing. I love to write about new things going on in Tampa Bay!

Thanks for reading and make sure to keep checking back for more information on Tampa Florida attractions and Tampa Bay conventions facts!

Things have been buzzing in the office lately, with the biggest ball game in the nation just around the corner, and it's all taking place right here in sunny Tampa Bay!

The 43rd annual Super Bowl, to be held at the state-of-the-art Raymond James Stadium on February 1, 2009, will draw more than 150,000 visitors to the Bay area. This will be the third time that the Super Bowl will be held in our city, and we couldn't be more excited about it.

More than 19,000 hotel rooms are booked for the week of Super Bowl and over 100 major events are expected to take place in the area. Wow, that's a lot of hotel rooms! It just proves that Tampa Bay is capable of hosting any large convention.

We've also gotten an amazing volunteer response, with more than 6,400 people already signed up for the January game. With the combined efforts of the NFL staff, international media and the many volunteers, Tampa Bay will be prepared to play host to the thousands of football fans and visitors that will descend upon the city.

Are you interested in finding out more information on events that will surround the Super Bowl? Are you traveling to Tampa for the Super Bowl and are unsure of what hotel to stay in? These are just examples of questions that I would be more than happy to help you with.

Thanks for reading and make sure to check back soon for more exciting Tampa Bay conventions and event news!

I have some spectacular news about something very special that's been going on near downtown Tampa... Tampa Bay is going to have its very own riverwalk!

The Tampa Riverwalk will be a 2.4-mile, waterside walkway comprised of shops, restaurants and various attractions. The Riverwalk will give residents and visitors a front-row seat to enjoy stunning waterfront views while allowing them to experience the history, entertainment and culture of the city.

Some segments of the linear park are already open to the public and the remaining sections will be completed throughout the next 18 months. As the Riverwalk incorporates the Tampa Convention Center, The Florida Aquarium, the Channelside Bay Plaza and downtown hotels, it will be sure to offer convention delegates a variety of things to do between meetings. 

Are you interested in finding out more about other exciting projects in downtown Tampa? There is plenty more to tell!

Thanks for stopping by and make sure to check back soon for more awesome Tampa Bay facts!

Not only do I spend my time writing blog entries and trying to keep all of you informed on Tampa Bay conventions and hotel news… but I also get to write and distribute an electronic quarterly newsletter via email for the Convention Sales department, with the help of my best work bud, Heather Helton.


Since our second quarter this year (Jan-March), we have been producing one cohesive, all-inclusive sales newsletter that represents every market. Before this, each market had its own quarterly newsletter that was market-specific, and not very cohesive, if you ask me. So I decided that we should make a change. I then brought the idea of creating one solid newsletter for the entire department to the desks of the “big-wigs” in our department, and they loved it!

So here we are, with a beautifully-designed newsletter format, and a very consistent and organized message that goes out every quarter to more than 11,000 of our sales contacts, including nationwide meeting planners, executives and more.

Each newsletter includes the most pertinent and important information pertaining to Tampa Bay’s convention and meetings package. Our clients get the most up-to-date facts on hotel renovations and expansions, new attractions and restaurants, special events and much more.

The next newsletter is set to go out sometime within the next two weeks. Be on the lookout, and if you are not already on our mailing list and want to receive the newsletter, just let me know. I’d be happy to add you to the list so you can keep track of all of the amazing things going on in Tampa Bay’s convention world.

While we’re on this subject, are there any topics that you’d be interested in reading about in an upcoming newsletter or on my blog page? I am always open to suggestions.

As always, thanks for reading and stay tuned for more posts with exciting Tampa Bay news!

What do the National Medical Association, Alpha Kappa Psi and the National Model Railroad Association have in common?

If you guessed annual conventions, you’re right. Many people in the Tampa community belong to some type of organization (professional, athletic, fraternal, whatever). Most of these organizations host annual conventions all across the country.

Well, what if I told you that you can bring your meeting right here in your own backyard?  If you’re not from the Tampa area but think you might want to have a week of fun in the sun after your convention, or even if you are from Tampa Bay and want your group’s meeting to be in the Bay area, we want to hear from you too!

Just check out the VisitTampaBay website or our Talk Up Tampa Bay website and let us know who you want to see here.  Just a few pieces of information, and we’ll take care of all the legwork.  

The many things to do in Tampa Bay, along with the beautiful waterfront Tampa Convention Center and the countless other meeting locations, can accommodate your convention, meeting, gathering, or whatever else you call it when a group of people get together.  The views, attractions and liveliness of the Tampa Bay area are sure to impress everyone in your organization.

If you’ve already had your convention or meeting in Tampa Bay, chime in and let us know how it went. 

Until next time…see you by the water!

Seeing as how I haven’t given an update on the success of the Convention Sales Team since May, I decided to give you a little peak at our numbers to date. Since October 1, 2007, here are some of the totals that show just how hard the sales team has been working:

• Generated more than 438,800 definite room nights (a 7.2% increase from 2007).

• Secured 470 definite bookings for the Bay area (a 5.1% increase from 2007).

• Produced 2.3 million lead room nights (a 38.5% increase from 2007).

• Conducted 183 sites and familiarization trips.

Wow, these numbers are CRAZY! It just goes to show that the Convention Sales Team is working hard to bring business to Tampa Bay. They are always there for their clients’ needs, and will work long hours and weekends in order to make your meeting a hit! What else could you ask for in a CVB?

What other statistics are you interested in learning about? If I don’t have the answer already, I’d be glad to do research to answer any question you may have. Thanks again for reading and keep coming back for more awesome information about Tampa Bay and its dedicated CVB!

We all see the affects of meetings, conventions, and especially big sporting events when they get in to town.  The fans…the players and coaches…and those funny people dressed up in crazy outfits screaming things that no one can understand.  If you are anything like me, you have to wonder… “what’s the benefit of it all???”

Well, the research is in for the 2008 NCAA Women’s Final Four that rolled through Tampa Bay in April of this year.  The Women’s Final Four brought in thousands of fans who stayed in our hotels, took Tampa Bay Tours, experienced Tampa Bay attractions, played on our golf courses and participated in all of the things to do in tampa bay.  

Well, the Championship, and all of the activities that went along with it, produced more than $19 MILLION in direct economic impact in Tampa Bay! 

Here are some stats (for those of you who are in to numbers):

• There was $19,114,228 of direct, new spending in the Tampa Bay metropolitan statistical area.
• The $19.1 million economic impact includes $16,655,769 in visitor spending; $2,399,936 in organizational spending; and $1,835,927 in taxes and charges (including hotel taxes, car rental taxes, sales tax, and airport passenger facility charges).
• There were 22,595 visitors to the Tampa Bay area at the Women’s Final Four, the Time Out in Tampa event and Hoop City.
• Of this total, 21,067 were considered “valid visitors,” when excluding those who switched a planned trip to the host city to coincide with the Women’s Final Four; and those visiting for other reasons.
• Valid visitors stayed an average of 4.2 days and spent an average of $208 per day. Among fans attending the semifinal and championship games, 91 percent were from out of town. For Hoop City attendees, 87 percent were visitors and 13 percent were local residents. Of those attending the Time Out in Tampa, 88 percent were visitors and 12 percent were local.
• 75 percent of attendees came from outside the state of Florida and 75 percent were female.
• The average age of attendees was 46.1 years, and 74 percent of attendees had earned college or postgraduate degrees.

As far as things to do in Tampa Bay go, this one ranks at the top!  If you want to read the entire new release, log on to the VisitTampaBay website, or click here: http://www.visittampabay.com/articles/index.cfm?action=View&ArticleID=336

For those of you who were at the event, let us know what you thought!  Or, if you have a business that saw the benefit, drop a line! 

 

Special thanks to everyone that has come onto this sweet little blog site that we have created and read our comments and posts, as well provided some feedback of your own.  Mother always taught me it was polite to share, so having said that, I want to make sure that my favorite group of internet users (again, that would be you guys)  take my mother's advice and stay in the sharing spirit.   

If you've ever read something on here that you thought would be of interest to a friend, family member, or significant other, then you should share the wealth! 

We recently added a functionality that allows you to share the content you read here with users on Facebook, Myspace, Del.icio.us, Google Bookmarks, and tons more.  At the bottom of each post you read there is a little Green icon thingy called a "Share This" link which allows you to share the great stuff you probably just read on our blog site.  See the screesnhot for an exact location of the button.  If you are not sure what you should be sharing, then let Jerm show you the way:

• Calendar of Events - Get to sharing people, the Super Bowl, ACC Football Championship, and Gasparilla will be here before you know it!
• Bring Your Meeting Here! - Having a convention or meeting here, let everyone know and share your experiences with our audience!
• Tampa Bay Tours - Dining cruise tours, Carribean Cruises, Walking tours, plenty of stuff to share with others.
• I could go on and on, but you get the point by now...

So log on and read some more stuff on all the great things to do here my city, and remember to take Mother Fairley's advice and SHARE!!!

A brand new Tampa hotel opened its doors to tourists and business travelers on August 15th. The 90-room Comfort Suites hotel is located near the Veteran’s Expressway, which provides easy access to Tampa International Airport, the West Shore district shopping malls and restaurants and downtown Tampa. The hotel is also just a few minutes from Raymond James Stadium, making it the perfect hotel choice for Super Bowl attendees.

Hotel guests will enjoy 32-inch plasma televisions in each room, a full complimentary breakfast, free wireless high-speed internet, a full-service business center, fitness center, and a heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi. What more could you want in a hotel? Oh yeah, really affordable rates… the icing on the cake in my opinion!! This hotel is definitely worth checking out.

Are you interested in learning more about a certain Tampa Bay hotel? Let me know, I would love to hear your requests and I would be glad to fill you in. As always, thanks for reading and keep coming back for more information on Tampa Bay hotels and conventions.

Have you ever wanted to know more about the Visitor Industry in Tampa Bay – things to do, Tampa Bay area events, Tampa Bay Meetings, the latest Tampa Bay tours, updates on Tampa Bay film and sports, the latest and greatest on Tampa Bay hotels, and what’s happening with local attractions?  Or, have you ever just wanted to know exactly how all of those conventions and meetings finally get to Tampa Bay?

Well, here’s your chance.  The Tampa Bay & Company Speaker’s Bureau is a way for you to hear from the experts in the Visitor Industry.  You can actually have an industry expert come speak to your group about what Tampa Bay & Company does, as well as what the visitor industry is all about.  Now, you are probably thinking, these guys must cost a fortune to book for an event (well, even if you aren’t thinking that, I’ll fill you in)…It’s all free!!!!!

I won’t bore you with a bunch of details, but you can simply log on to the VisitTampaBay website (www.VisitTampaBay.com) to get more information.  Or, just click here - www.VisitTampaBay.com/Speaker

For those of you who’ve heard our speaker’s before, feel free to chime in and let everyone know what they are missing!!!  If you haven’t and have more questions, let ‘em rip!!!