Tampa Bay Meetings

Whether you are a Tampa Florida Attraction, in charge of Tampa Bay Shopping, a Tampa Bar or putting on Concerts in Tampa...as a partner of Tampa Bay & Company access to several useful Tampa Bay Marketing tools is only a click away.  We hope these will help you reach out to those attending Tampa Bay Meetings at the Convention Center and elsewhere.

Tampa Bay & Company Sales Booking Reports are updated monthly and the Tampa Bay & Company Convention Calendar is also avaliable through this site.  There are two versions of the Tampa Bay & Company Convention Calendar:  the first is a pdf version where you can select the desired date range and you can see information for each convention sorted by the date of arrival. 

Another version of the convention calendar is in Microsoft Excel format.  This allows you to merge the Tampa Bay Meetings Lead Contact with your Tampa Bay Marketing material giving you direct access to those planners visitting Tampa Bay in the near future.

The Excel version of the Convention Calendar includes a field with the date the Tampa Bay Meeting became definite in Tampa Bay.  If you reach out to these contacts on a regular basis you can sort the document on the Date Booked field and only reach out to those contacts with Tampa Bay Meetings booked since you last sent out Tampa Bay Marketing material.

You will need your individual username and password to login to the Tampa Bay & Company Partner Extranet and access the Tampa Bay & Company Convention Calendar.  If you do not have a login contact Tampa Bay & Company Marketing Analyst Julie Zambos at jazambos@visittampabay.com or call 813-342-4068 or Tampa Bay & Company Partnership Sales Manager Lauren Bowles at lbowles@visittampabay.com or call 813-342-4085. 

See below for detailed instructions on other benefits available to you within the Tampa Bay & Company Partner Extranet:

Using the Tampa Bay & Company Website
We encourage you to explore our Web site, www.VisitTampaBay.com, and utilize all of the resources available to you through the Web site.

To access Tampa Bay & Company’s Partners Only section:
• www.VisitTampaBay.com/Partners and click on “Partners Only”.
• Log in using your assigned username and password. If you have not received a username and password, please contact Tampa Bay & Company Marketing Analyst Julie Zambos at jazambos@visittampabay.com or call 813-342-4068 or Tampa Bay & Company Partnership Sales Manager Lauren Bowles at LBowles@VisitTampaBay.com or call (813)342‐4085.

To access the Tampa Bay & Company Meetings Convention Calendar:
• Log in to the “Partners Only” section of our website, www.VisitTampaBay.com/partners.
• Once logged in, a list of options appears on the main page as well as the left sidebar. Click on “Convention Calendar” to view upcoming Tampa Bay Community Events, Tampa Bay Conventions, Tampa Bay Meetings, etc.

To access and post events to the Tampa Bay & Company Calendar of Events:
• Log in to the “Partners Only” section of our website.
• Once logged in, you will see a link that says “Submit Events.” Click on this link and enter your event info and click “Save.”

To post coupons/special offers for Tampa Bay Area Visitors, Meeting Planners and/or Tampa Bay & Company Partners only:
• Log in to the “Partners Only” section of our website.
• Once logged in, you will see a link on the main page that says “Add/Edit/Remove Coupons.”
• To submit a new coupon, click on “add coupon” Enter your information and click “Save.”
• Your coupon will then appear as pending until our staff approves the coupon.
• To edit your coupon, click on the coupon title and click “Save.”

To view Tampa Bay Community Calendar of Events and Tampa Bay & Company Partner coupons:
• For visitor coupons, click “Visitors” and click on “Hot Deals” or “Calendar of Events.”
• For meeting planner coupons, click on “Meeting Planners” and click on “Meeting Planner Hot Deals.”
• For partner coupons, log in to the “Partners Only” section of our website and click on “Partner Coupons.”

To view tips from the Tampa Bay & Company Marketing team:
• Log in to the "Partners Only" section of our website.
• Once logged in click "Marketing Tools" to the left.
• Here you will access marketing tools, research and publications.

To view and/or update your profile:
• Log in to the “Partners Only” section of our website.
• Once logged in click on “View Profile.”
• Here you will be able to view your listings and contacts.
• ONLY the primary contact has access to update your account.

To retrieve various Tampa Bay & Company Sales Booking Reports, Action Plans and information about the Tampa Bay Convention and Tourism industry:
• Log in to the “Partners Only” section of our website.
• Once logged in, a list of options appears on the left sidebar.  Click on “Sales” for various options.

Looking for Tampa Bay Community Information?  One place to peruse is one of the Tampa Bay Radio Stations 89.7 WUSF.  Their broadcasts include All Things Considered, Florida Matters and University Beats with issues affecting anyone in Tampa Bay, Florida and surrounding areas.  Their website contains Tampa Bay News, happenings at Tampa Bay Attractions, Tampa Bay Meetings at the Convention Center Tampa and wonderful Florida Stories.

Why bother with Shopping in Tampa Bay this weekend?  Who wants to Golf Tampa Bay or spend all weekend at a Tampa Bay Area Beach when there are so many Tampa Bay cultural events to expand your mind all weekend!

For example the Dali Museum has a calendar listing for this Saturday.  Here is the information: Bring your kids to the Dalí Museum for breakfast! On November 7, enjoy a family-friendly, interactive tour through the galleries before it opens to the public, and then enjoy a tasty breakfast buffet as well as arts and crafts. This is one of the Museum’s most popular programs. To register and pre-pay, please call (727) 823-3767 ext. 3024 or email Bethany Mead, Education Coordinator: bmead@thedali.org

Event Category:Kids & Family
Price:General admission is $15 per parent, $10 per child, $20 all others.  
Dates and Times:November 7, 9:30AM
Add to my calendar

Venue:Salvador Dalí Museum  
Address:1000 Third Street South  
City:St. Petersburg State:FL Zip Code:33701-4901
Country:United States
Telephone:727-823-3767 
Email: info@salvadordalimuseum.org

IntellisMedia is a division of WUSF Public Broadcasting. Using Tampa Bay Radio Stations WUSF's wealth of experienced media, communications, engineering and production professionals and facilities, we provide customized communications, production and technology services to clients in the corporate, government, education and non-profit sectors.

So like everyone else I know right now, I have a few very good friends looking for work in the Tampa Bay market.  It’s a scary time right now and it’s good to keep up on what jobs in the Tampa Bay Meetings market are available…especially in the Tampa, FL hospitality industry.

I check the normal online places on a regular basis for jobs at Tampa Bay Resorts or at the Convention Center Tampa but recently I came across a site that was not so expected.

 
Did you guys know that Tampa Bay & Company has a page that lists job openings for those of us in hospitality.  It was so cool to already have jobs narrowed down and not have to search through page after page of ridiculous “work from home” scheme jobs before I got to something legitimate. There are listings from Tampa Bay Hotels and even some Tampa Bay Resorts.

 

There are several jobs at hotels for people with experience in sales and even jobs through the Hillsborough County Bar Association.  You may be surprised by the variety of listings through Tampa Bay & Company.  I knew they had a broad base of Tampa Bay Partners but I did not realize they could post jobs too.

 

If nothing else, add the link to your regular search and see what other Tampa Bay Hotels, Resorts or Attractions are looking to fill positions.  You never know when you may find that perfect job for a good friend.  Or even better…that perfect job just for you.

I am sad to say that this will be my last blog post on the Tampa Bay & Company Meetings & Conventions blog page. Tomorrow is my last day here, as I have decided to try out an opportunity at an interactive marketing company here in Tampa. Although I am extremely excited about this new adventure, I am also very sad to go... 

One of my most favorite parts of this job has been writing blog posts for the Sales Department. I have experienced a lot of great events and through my researching and writing, I've learned so much about this amazing city that I call home. I feel very lucky to have had this opportunity and I've enjoyed every minute of it. 

So now I am passing the torch on to my four TB&C Sales buds: Cristina, Heather, Maria and Linda. They will be working hard to continue to bring you the most up-to-date Tampa Bay meetings and conventions news. So keep checking back just as you have been, and once again.... Thanks for stopping by!!!!

Megan :)

It's the end of the fiscal year and time to do some NUMBER CRUNCHING! Thankfully for Tampa Bay & Company, our sales staff has been working hard to make their numbers this year, and it shows! In the past two weeks, TB&C has received signed contracts from multiple organizations to bring meetings and conventions to Tampa Bay. Combined, these meetings will produce more than 11,750 hotel room nights for an estimated delegate spending of $5.9 Million!!

One of these conventions is the American Trucking Association's Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Expo in February 2012. Approximately 3,000 delegates will attend this meeting, which will produce more than 7,400 hotel room nights and create $2.2 Million in delegate spending!

This convention is just one of the many meetings that Tampa Bay plans to host in the future. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our sales staff, we are on our way to meeting our goals for this year. Keep up the great work!!

Thanks for stopping by and keep checking back for more Tampa Bay meetings news!

Not only was I not aware of how delicious their cuisine is (you have to try the roasted macadamia nut mahi mahi with lobster cognac butter sauce - O M G), but I also didn't realize that they have two private, soundproof dining rooms that can be used for board meetings or private receptions for up to 45 guests. Both rooms are equipped with audio/visual capabilities and can be set in any style to accommodate your event.

If your party or event has more than 45 guests, you can rent out different sections of the restaurant to hold up to 80 guests, OR you can buy out the entire restaurant for even larger events. When planning a private event at Roy's, guests are able to create a customized menu to meet their specific budget and food needs. 

Roy's also offers full service, off-site catering, in case your event is being held at a different location. This restaurant has exactly what it takes to be the perfect event and off-site meeting venue for any convention. Take a look at the Web site for more information about space capacities and menu items or to book your next meeting at this fantastic dining facility. 

Thanks for stopping by and keep checking back for more Tampa Bay Meetings news!

The Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel, located in downtown, is offering a deal that literally no other hotel can beat. If you are holding a meeting in Tampa from now through December 2009 and your meeting will fit in this beautiful, waterfront hotel, then you'll want to listen to this...

The 277-room Sheraton Riverwalk will match or beat your best offer for any meeting from now until December. Just bring them a proposal from any competitor, mention the word "MATCH" and they will follow through on their offer. This is quite a deal, and not one to ignore. With over 15,000 square feet of meeting space, an upscale waterfront restaurant and 277 newly-renovated guest rooms, this hotel is one that you must see for yourself. 

Check out the hotel's Web site for more information on this amazing promotion, or contact a Tampa Bay & Company sales staff member to book your next meeting at this and other Tampa Bay properties.

Thanks for stopping by and keep checking back for more Tampa Bay Meetings News!

The Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport Westshore is undergoing an extensive $13-million renovation project. The 261-room all-suite hotel is located in Tampa's Westshore District, within minutes of Tampa International Airport and the upscale dining and shopping of the area. The hotel's "face-lift" includes a full renovation of all guest rooms, meeting space, restaurant, fitness facilities, indoor pool and lobby. 

The plan is to turn the hotel into a state-of-the-art facility with features such as hardwood flooring on select floors (yes, that means IN the guestrooms!), an improved luxury lounge area, more than 12,000 square feet of meeting space, flat panel HD televisions, modern hotel furniture and the addition of the "Link@Sheraton," an open business cafe. 

Not only will the renovation project make the Sheraton Suites one of the most upscale hotels in the area, it will also create more than 140 jobs, which we all know is very important in today's economy. 

The renovations are expected to be complete in November, and I will keep you all posted on the progress. Make sure to look out for the "finished-product" blog post sometime in November. Check out the hotel's Web site for more hotel information. 

Thanks for stopping by and keep checking back for more Tampa Bay Meetings news!

Happy Monday everyone! Nancy Long here from the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay with a recap of one of our recent Tampa Bay meetings!

The economy was still top of mind for pharmaceutical and medical meeting planners who attended Hyatt Hotels and Resorts' 2009 Healthcare Business Exchange in Tampa; however, health care reform, security, and compliance issues dominated the discussions during the three-day meeting.

The annual event brought 60 planners and suppliers together from July 30 to August 1 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, to network, attend educational sessions and experience cutting edge food & beverage presentations.. The meeting kicked off with Kim D. Slocum, President of KDS Consulting and his session on “Trends Facing the Pharmaceutical Industry – Healthcare Reform and Obamaceuticals”.

The discussion included how changes in US healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry’s business model will affect meeting planners and their daily activities. On a lighter note, guests at the Healthcare Business Exchange were treated to creative and memorable food & beverage functions impacting all of the guests senses from visual appeal to scent and sound. For a black and white themed coffee break, two penguins from the Florida Aquarium made an appearance.

The function that drew the most accolades was the transformation of the Grand Hyatt’s Audubon Ballroom into a “Night in Havana”, showcasing the latin influence in our city. From a tiled fountain at the entrance to the guayabera-clothed waiters, no detail was overlooked.

The Grand Hyatt used the theming to show planners the great options available for a hotel event that combines unique theming and cuisine with cultural relevance. As the conference drew to a close, a comment was overheard “I thought Orlando and Miami were my only Florida options; after seeing Tampa, we will be back”.

Stay tuned for more Tampa Bay hotel updates us and be sure to have a great week!

I am excited to announce that Tampa Bay & Company's Meeting Planner Guide (MPG) is now available online and can be accessed by anyone with a computer and the Internet! The 2009 MPG has been digitized, enabling meeting professionals across the world to begin creating their unique Tampa Bay experience online instead of waiting to receive a hard copy in the mail.

The 2009 MPG can be found at www.VisitTampaBay.com/MeetingPlanner09. Check it out if you plan on holding a meeting in Tampa Bay in the future, or even if you are interested in finding out more about this diverse and unique city. Thanks for stopping by and keep checking back for more helpful Tampa Bay meetings tips!

Tampa Bay & Company was recently awarded the prestigious 2009 Gold Service Award by Meetings & Conventions magazine subscribers. This same award was also given to the CVB in 2007, proving that the exemplary service that the company provides has not wavered and continues to impress meeting planners nationwide.

This award is given to only the top CVBs in the country that have excelled in professionalism and dedication in their service to meeting professionals. Relying on their extensive industry experience in both corporate and association markets, M&C's readers made selections based on key criteria including: professionalism of staff, support on hotels and site inspections, assistance with ground transportation planning, guidance on local attractions and liaison with local vendors and services. Tampa Bay & Company's knowledgeable Service staff is also always willing and able to offer the best advice on where to stay, where to eat and what to do in Tampa Bay.

Hats off to the Tampa Bay & Company Service staff for continuing to offer only the best service to Tampa Bay meetings and conventions that take place in this beautiful city by the bay. Keep up the great work!

If you are coming to Tampa Bay and you are not sure of where to stay, I suggest looking into the Tahitian Inn Hotel, Cafe & Spa. Located off of Dale Mabry in Tampa's WestShore District, the Inn is a hidden jewel that even some residents do not know about. The historical boutique hotel is nestled in a tropical garden oasis, set back from the road just enough for you to forget you are in the middle of the Dale Mabry Business District. 

The Inn has a variety of guest rooms to choose from, from spacious cabana rooms, executive suites and even the completely furnished Bella Villa town homes that can be rented for families, multiple occupancies or extended stays. All guest rooms are equipped with microwaves, refrigerators and coffee makers, and are decorated in Tommy Bahama-style furnishings, adding to the tropical oasis atmosphere. 

If you are staying at the Tahitian Inn, you don't have to worry about where to eat. The Tahitian Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with breakfast served until 3 p.m. I unfortunately have not had the chance to have brunch at the Tahitian, but I've heard that many famous athletes go there on a regular basis, so that certainly says something!

The Tahitian Inn is in the perfect location, only 4 miles from Tampa International Airport, with tons of Tampa bars close by, prime shopping and sports arenas, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football stadium, Raymond James Stadium. The hotel offers guests complimentary airport shuttle (and transportation within a 5 mile radius), free high-speed wireless Internet access and 24-hour Health Club. 

The hotel's Serenity Spa offers facials, massages, body treatments, manicures, pedicures and more. The Torch is the Inn's poolside Tiki bar, which makes it easy to order your favorite cocktail without having to leave your lounge chair. And for people who hate traveling without their special friends, pets are welcome at the Inn!

For more information on the Inn or to book your reservation, visit the hotel's Web site. As always, thanks for reading and keep checking back for more information on Tampa Bay meetings and hotels!

• Room Rental
• LCD Projector
• Projection Screen
• Microphone and Podium
• Unlimited Bottled Water

The Center has 18 separate rooms and theaters that can be used for meetings and Tampa Bay area events of all shapes and sizes. In-house catering is available throughout the facility, so you can leave all the food and beverage planning up to them if you choose. Maestro's Restaurant is also located inside the center and is an elegant and spacious 5,000-square-foot dining room that overlooks the downtown Tampa skyline. Maestro's is without question Tampa Bay dining at its finest!

For more information on this and other TBPAC deals, please email catering@tbpac.org, or visit www.tbpac.org. Stay tuned for more Tampa Bay meetings updates!

Hello all, Jerm here with a quick update on one of my favorite partners to work with! The gang over at A La Carte Event Pavillion have officially hopped into the social media landscape with their very own Facebook Page!

So in addition to the great website that they recently launched, you now have just one more way to stay in touch with one of Tampa Bay's premier full-service event venues! If you are looking to plan your corporate meeting, or put together the ultimate wedding reception, then make sure you are a fan of theirs, so you can be in the loop!

If you are looking to plan that special event, be sure to check out the photos area of the page, and take a gander at what all they offer. I was looking at some of the culinary selections a bit earlier, and was very tempted to jump through the screen and take a bite! See what I mean off to the left here... yeah that looks tasty!

In addition to the food, they even feature certain events on there such as the recent Shrout/Jimison wedding photos.

If your looking for a venue to host Tampa Bay area events, it honestly doesn't get much better than this place. We have hosted some of our big events there in the past and are amazed at the beauty of the settings and decor each time, so you can't go wrong! If you have a Facebook account already, and have had an event, then stop by their page and be sure to show some love!

Well folks that's all for now, but stay tuned in for more Tampa Bay meetings updates from Jerm, and be sure to have a great weekend!

City Bike Tampa, one of our newest partners, has lots of activities to offer visitors traveling to Downtown for Tampa Bay meetings, conventions or events.  They rent bikes (all kinds of bikes), jogging strollers, baby car seats, trail-a-bikes and longboards with big sticks.  You may be wondering what trail-a-bikes and longboards are cause I had no clue when I heard about them.  Trail-a-bikes are the little bikes for kids that attach to adult bikes (see the 2nd bike in the picture above). 

According to wikipedia, longboards are skateboards with a longer and sometimes wider shape. They are most commonly used for transportation.  Longboards are street legal, unlike skateboards in many area.  The big stick helps you manuever the longboard - very cool in my opinion.  I wanted to test it out, but wasn't such a good idea at the time since I'm 9 months pregnant. 

The owners, Kellie & Jason, are two of the nicest people I've ever met and are so accommodating.  They offer hourly, daily and weekly rates and are also hosting history bike tours around the downtown Tampa area.  If you're traveling with your little ones and don't want to lug a car seat with you, they'll meet you at the airport with car seat(s).  They'll also deliver bikes or whatever you'd like to rent to your hotel.  Pretty nice, huh?  AND their prices are extremely reasonable. 

In August, they will begin renting out kayaks behind the Marriott Waterside downtown.  So if you're looking for something to do during your visit to Tampa Bay, City Bike Tampa has plenty of options to keep you busy and active! 

Stay tuned for more news on things to do in Tampa Bay, upcoming events and new partners!

The meeting is geared towards corporate meeting and social event planners but is open for anyone to attend. Click on this link to find out more information and register for the meeting. Let me know if you have any specific questions on the event and I will get you in touch with one of the event contacts.

As always, thanks for stopping by and keep checking back for more exciting event information and Tampa Bay meeting news!

Many of Tampa Bay's hotels and attractions have received national recognition in the past few months. The 600,000-square-foot, waterfront Tampa Convention Center received Meeting News magazine's 2008 "Top 25 Planners' Choice Award" for its excellent service and on-site staff expertise. The Four-Diamond Renaissance Tampa Hotel was named the 2008 Hotel of the Year by Marriott International, Inc. for its leadership in excellence, overall guest satisfaction and market share. 

Tampa's very own Lowry Park Zoo was recognized as the nation's best zoo for kids by Parents magazine, out-ranking famous zoos in San Diego and the Bronx, just to name a few. The Florida Aquarium, located in downtown Tampa, was listed in the Top 10 U.S. aquariums by TripAdvisor.com. Tampa International Airport reported the 14th lowest average airfares in 2008 among the nation's 100 largest airports, coming in at $70 less than the national average cost for a round-trip ticket!

All of these accolades are the result of Tampa Bay's hard-working and dedicated tourism and hospitality industries. I feel lucky to be a part of it all, and I am happy that these hotels and attractions have been nationally recognized as leaders in their field. As always, thanks for reading and keep checking back for more Tampa Bay Meetings news!

Tampa Bay's hotels are in GREEN-mode. More than 35 Tampa Bay hotels have been awarded with the Green Lodging Program designation by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and there are many more in the pipeline. From Downtown to the WestShore District, to the North and East regions, there is a significant representation from all Tampa Bay hotels that have made a conscious effort to help the environment. In order to receive the Green Lodging designation, a hotel must meet environmentally-friendly guidelines by increasing recycling programs, energy efficiency, water conservation, clean-air practices and waste reduction.

Congratulations to all of the Tampa Bay hotel properties that have worked hard to received this award, and to the many more who are in the process of getting approved. It just shows that the environment is important to everyone in Tampa's hospitality industry. 

Thanks for stopping by and keep checking back for more important Tampa Bay meetings info!

If you're a meeting planner and you are looking for new and interesting venues to hold board meetings and receptions, I've got GREAT news for you. Meetings Afloat is a unique yacht charter service operating in the Tampa Bay area that offers meeting planners a completely different way of entertaining their attendees. 

Meetings Afloat's Dolce Vita is a 45-foot yacht with a high-definition video conferencing system, 32" LCD television, home theatre surround sound and A/V system and high-speed wireless Internet connection. This beautiful boat can be used for board meetings, small receptions or anything else you can think of and it offers its passengers amazing views of Tampa Bay from the water. It's definitely an unforgettable experience that should not be missed!

For more information on Meetings Afloat and their services, visit www.meetings-afloat.com. Thanks for stopping by and keep checking back for more ideas for your next meeting in Tampa Bay.