Are you a meeting planner who is interested in Tampa Bay for one of your next meetings? Are you also a football fan who would like to go to the biggest game of the year? If you can answer YES to both of those questions, then I have some exciting news for you....

Tampa Bay area Marriott and Renaissance hotels have joined together to create an amazing opportunity for meeting planners. If you submit a qualified RFP (any group that requires more than 10 or more guest rooms on peak night) by January 16, 2009 to a participating Marriott or Renaissance hotel, you will automatically be entered into a drawing to win an awesome prize: The winners will receive 2 tickets to Super Bowl XLIII, taking place on Sunday, Feb. 1 at Raymond James Stadium, along with 2-nights' accommodations and a site visit of the city. 

To enter the drawing, simply click on this link to view the participating hotels, then submit your RFP by January 16, and cross your fingers!

Good luck everyone! Keep checking back for more information on Tampa Bay meetings.  

 

Want to make sure everyone sees this before it's too late - a neat opportunity!  

Sunscreen Film School

The class is open to anyone and everyone.  The four-month course takes place one Saturday a month in January and February and two Saturdays in March.  All culminating in you showing your film at the Sunscreen Film Festival in April. 

We'll show you how to take off-the-shelf equipment and make a movie out of original stories. Participants will learn how to write and pitch a script; set up production schedules; plan and shoot shots; direct actors; work with lighting and sound; edit and assemble rough-cuts; insert credits and much, much more.

The five-part course will end with a special screening and party at the Sunscreen Film Festival in St. Petersburg April 29 - May 3.

The classes are taught by Dave DeBorde, professor of cinematic arts at Southeastern University as well as several industry professionals.  The classes are advised by Tom Garrett, assistant professor of communication at the University of Tampa.

The cost is $250.00 for the School and a Sunscreen Film Festival Membership at the Key Grip level or $299.00 without the membership. You can purchase online by clicking here.

For more information, contact Harry Chittenden, at hchittenden@sunscreenfilmfestival.com or 727-490-7781.
 

We always strive to give you the best things to do in Tampa Bay, so here’s another Tampa Bay area event that we just couldn’t let slip by without telling you all about it! I just got this info in, so take a look –

Black Heritage FestivalThe Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival embarks on its 9th year with its two-day Street Festival showcasing Tampa Bay’s diverse culture and art as well as promoting a healthy community. With Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida returning as the title sponsor, the Street Festival is again free to all and will be held Saturday and Sunday January 17-18, 2009 from 12 PM to 6 PM at Al Lopez Park located at 4810 N. Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602.

“Old School Saturday” will kick off the two-day event with live performances by Brick and Doug E Fresh, as well as the Battle of the DJs and other local artists.  Sunday’s event, “Jazz Sunday,” will feature performances by famed neo-soul jazz musician Roy Ayers, outstanding saxophonist BK Jackson, and the 90s hit sensation Az Yet.

There will also be free health screenings, a Mobile Prison Art Gallery, crafts, food vendors and villages for Artists, Authors, Children, Health, Greek (Fraternities/Sororities), and Corporate. The Mayor’s Challenge, a 2K walk or run, will start at 9 AM Saturday morning. Registration will begin on site at 7:30 AM. The Mayor’s Challenge, sponsored by State Farm Insurance, seeks to reinforce healthy living and lifestyles and is followed by the opportunity to visit the Health Village for health screenings and other information.

Now that is some Tampa Bay entertainment. And, if that wasn’t enough, we just heard about this too!

The Festival just recently received notification that the 2009 Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival is being recognized as a Top 20 Event in the southeast US by the Southeast Tourism Society.

Make sure you head over to www.TampaBlackHeritage.org to get a complete list of events and additional info!

As always, if you’ve been to the Festival over the past 9 years, drop a line and let us all know how it was. And, if you can make it out this year, stop back by here and fill us on this year’s event.

Until next time, enjoy these Tampa Bay area events!

Tampa Bay&Company is looking forward to hosting the American Composites Manufacturers Association's 2009 Convention & Trade Show this weekend. The annual tradeshow will take place at the Tampa Convention Center and meeting delegates will be staying in Tampa's downtown hotels. We are expecting up to 5,000 attendees from Saturday, Jan. 10 through Friday, Jan. 16. The estimated economic impact which is mostly from attendee spending, is expected to be around $1.8 million.





The American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) represents 850 of approximately 3000 composites manufacturers and suppliers to the industry. ACMA provides a forum for the composites industry to develop and enhance shared opportunities and address common challenges. To learn more about ACMA, visit their Web site at www.ACMAnet.org. 

Thanks for reading my little Tampa Bay Meetings tid bit. I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year, and make sure to keep coming back for more info on Tampa Bay!

Happy 2009 Everyone!  To start things off the right way, I wanted to bring one of the best things to do in Tampa Bay straight to you.  So, to kick off the new year, I thought I'd take a trip through downtown Tampa today to see something I wait for every year.  Now, in case you aren't the circus enthusiast that I am, let me fill you in.  
Ringling Bros. and Barnum&Bailey Circus will make their world debut of the 139th Edition on Wednesday at the St. Pete Times Forum.  To kick things off, each year they walk the famed Ringling Bros. elephants through downtown Tampa, and I was there for the action.  


After unloading "the girls" they took a second to pose for some photos from onlookers, then began their trek through downtown and to the Forum.  Not only were there elephants, but there were horses, miniature horses and all kinds of other performers!  

Now, if you couldn't be there for the walk, make sure you make it out to this year's circus.  Head over to Ringling.com to get more informationj and order tickets!  This is some of the best Tampa Bay entertainment you'll ever see!  Plus, enjoy the Tampa Bay nightlife after the event and head over to Channelside Bay Plaza.  

If you've been lucky enough to see the elephants walk, drop a line to let everyone know how exciting it is.  And, make sure you head back after you see the new show and let me know what you thought.  

Until next time, see you at the circus!  

Equestrian events are continuing to hit their stride and generate significant economic impact for Hillsborough County!  

More than 2,000 fans and competitors came out to experience the 39th Annual Arabian Horse Association of Florida’s Thanksgiving Arabian Show/Regional Championship Horse Show.  The event produced nearly 1,900 hotel room nights creating $1.1 Million in Estimated Delegate Spending.  The history of the Arabian Horse Association of Florida dates back to the early 1950's when a group in south Florida who loved the Arabian horse banded together to plan the future of the Arab in the state.  


The primary purposes of the Florida Association are to promote Arabian horses in the state, maintain the annual high point awards and futurity programs, and to encourage shows throughout the state.  

For more information, log on to www.ahaflorida.org.

The 2008 United Soccer Leagues SoccerFest, which featured the Super Y-League North American Finals and the organization’s Annual General Meeting enjoyed another successful year in Tampa Bay.

The tournament came to Tampa Bay from Nov. 19-25 with more than 7,500 fans and participants.  This year’s SoccerFest produced more than 7,700 hotel room nights, which created $4 Million in Estimated Delegate Spending.  More than 130 teams, including four local teams, competed at locations across the Tampa Bay area, including Ed Radice Field and the Land O Lakes Recreation Complex. 

The United Soccer Leagues is the largest organization of elite-level soccer leagues in North America.  To learn more, visit www.uslsoccer.com.

Merry Christmas all... Jerm here with a holiday blog update for you Super Bowl fans! As promised I told you that I would be updating the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay page on our website as we got new info about the big game.

This weeks update come from our friends over at Navteq and NxtBook. In addition to the Visit Tampa Bay version of the Travel Planner (stay tuned for that update later), feel free to browse through the Official Super Bowl Event Guide and get the scoop on all of the NFL sponsored events that will be going on that week ofthe game.

With officically 38 days left until kickoff, the game will be here before you know it so make sure you got your hotel, attractions, golf, and other entertainment plans already set in place so you can be sure to make the most of your Visit to Tampa Bay in February!

Stay tuned in for more as we get new updates and such!!!

Okay gang, so with the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay this year, if you plan on coming here, then you may need to know how to navigate around, need driving directions, or need to know where that cool party is.

If that is the case, then you are going to need a map of some sort right? Well we have the Official Interactive Map for the Super Bowl now brought to you by our friends at the Super Bowl Host Committee and Navteq ID Maps!

But of course you had to know that I was going to take the time out to give you a little cheesy map humor first right! I promise I will be brief:

Q. Why do senior military officials like small scale maps?
A. Because they have been GENERAL-ized.

Q: Why did the innocent map go to jail?
A: It was framed by the neatline.

Q: What is the difference between a tub full of freezing water and a depth contour? A: One is an icy bath and the other is an isobath.

WOW!!! Those were even more cheesy than my previous ones...lol, but its always good to have a little map fun. For all of your planning needs, be sure to check out the Tampa Bay&Company web site for the scoop on what to do when not at the game!

Ok, so that was a corny way to start, but this was a perfect opportunity to tell you about the volunteers that our Company relies on...ALL THE TIME!!!! 

At the heart of Tampa Bay&Company lie the many volunteers that continue to welcome visitors to our destination.  Whenever someone is wondering about the things to do in Tampa Bay, or where to eat, where to stay, hotels in Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay area beaches, Tampa Bay area events and anything else around the area, these are the folks that help out. 

During the month of November alone, Tampa Bay & Company staff and volunteers assisted more than 1,800 visitors at its Channelside Visitor Information Center and handled more than 150 visitor inquiry phone calls. And let's not forget about the 380 hours of service they put in at the VIC. 

Plus, we welcomed some really cool partners last month!  Our new members include: Dakin Dairy Farms, Dex Imaging, EliteCareMD, Holiday Inn Express Tampa Stadium - Airport Area, Jennifer Hawthorne Inc., Inspirational Speaker, La Ideal Sandwich Shop, Magic Carpet Glide, Register With Ease and Teatro on Seventh. 

We'll give you an update next month too, so stay tuned!!! 

Well, the Super Bowl Breakfast to be more specific.  We always give you the best Tampa Bay area events, and we just got word that the community is invited to get a taste of Super Bowl XLIII (which will be held in Tampa, in case you forgot) and join in the festivities at the USF Sun Dome on Saturday morning, Jan. 31 for an exciting time of honoring those in the NFL who are role models in the community. 
As far as things to do in Tampa Bay is concerned, this tops the list.  WhetherTreat your special football fan to a memorable morning as they join NFL greats Bart Starr, Tony Dungy, Derrick Brooks, Anthony Munoz and others at the NFL-sanctioned Super Bowl Breakfast. 

In addition to NFL film highlights, interviews and personal insights in to current players and coaches lives, the Super Bowl Breakfast will feature the presentation of the Bart Starr Award to a current NFL player for outstanding character and leadership.  This is the best Tampa Bay entertainment that you'll find for the price. 

For more information, visit www.superbowlbreakfast.com.  General Admission is $20 (box meal included) and tickets can be purchased by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com. 

I hope to see you out there.  Drop back by here and let us know what you thought. 

In case you hadn't heard...we have a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay this year,  As we draw closer to the big game in February, many of you may be wondering where to go for travel related info such as hotels, attractions, stadium info etc.

Well wait no longer! Jerm just created a little page on the Tampa Bay&Company website to help you get around during all the fun such that is guaranteed to be going on while you are here.

Leading up to the event I'll be adding and removing info to the site as relevant events pop up, but in the mean time feel free to check it out and get the skinny on what all this destination has to offer when you are not at the game or the numerous parties!

And of course you know I had to throw my favorite thing in there...MAPS, MAPS, MAPS. Well, its not quite up yet, but as we draw closer I will be sure to add maps to the page so you can know where the heck you are going.

That's it for today, so be sure to keep checking the page for new updates surrounding the game!

So if you are looking for something family oriented and fun to do around the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay, then look no further. Tickets went on sale this month at Ticketmaster for the The NFL Experience presented by Bank of America, pro football’s interactive fan festival that annually precedes the the big game. The events will take place on Jan. 24-25, Jan. 29-31 and will be located next to Raymond James Stadium. 

The NFL Experience spans nearly 850,000 square feet, and features more than 50 interactive games and attractions. Fans who attend The NFL Experience may test their skills in a variety of football attractions in which they can run, throw, punt, kick and pass just like the pros. 

For the skinny on this event and others going on in Tampa around the Super Bowl, visit the Super Bowl Host Committee website for more info. Until then, be sure to get your hotel, air and other travel arrangements together for the big game as they are going fast! Only 51 days left!

The newest addition to the Tampa Bay hotel package is the Crowne Plaza Tampa Westshore, located on Kennedy Avenue, just minutes from downtown. The 221-room hotel has been completely renovated and rebranded and offers event planners over 9,000 square feet of meeting space. 
The reconstruction project includes a new ballroom and eight breakout rooms, an executive suite level and a redesigned swimming pool and whirlpool surrounded by 50 cabana suites. The full-service hotel also offers guests complimentary parking, valet parking, airport shuttle and business center, just to name a few. 

You will also have the convenience of being able to dine inside the hotel at Pergia Bistro, which will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Or maybe you'd like to enjoy a cocktail in the hotel's cocktail lounge. The choice is yours. 

The hotel is expected to open in spring 2009. Make sure to keep checking back for updates on the status of this hotel, plus more of the latest news on hotels and restaurants in the area.

Well its always good to see cool and interesting web site. Recently our friends over at Gameworks in Ybor City, re-did the look and feel of their website to reflect a more user friendly experience.

After browsing around a bit, it just seems to flow allot better with a more concise delivery of the content and good incorporation of flash to give you that sleek gun metal look and feel. Whether you are looking to log on and plan that Tampa Bay Meeting at Gameworks, or you just want to plan your kids birthday party, you can set it all up on the new site.

Those guys didnt stop at the actual re-design either, as  they decided to upgrade the menu! That is pretty amazing when you consider that the food was already slammin, so I am looking forward to getting over there and testing out that menu personally!

The coolest feature is the holiday section. Here you can create a holiday card, get a gameworks coupon, or enter to win great prizes. So Kudos to the Gameworks crew for putting it together and be sure to check it out online and be sure to stop by and let the games begin!

With tons of hard work and dedication, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission put on a fantastic weekend of events surrounding the 2008 Dr. Pepper ACC Championship Game. The 48-hour celebration of ACC football was a huge success, with guests and VIPs in attendance at four fantastic events.

It all started with the ACC Coaches  &  Awards Luncheon, which took place on Friday at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel&Marina in downtown. The invitation-only luncheon was attended by Boston College and Virginia Tech coaches and staff, VIPs from college football and community leaders. MVPs from both teams were honored at the luncheon, as well as the team coaches.

Next on the roster was Channelside's Toast to the Atlantic Coast, which took place on Friday evening in the courtyard at Channelside in downtown and was presented by EA Sports. This ACC pep rally was free to the public and featured a live DJ, food and drink vendors and even a jousting match between all 12 ACC team mascots. 

The exclusive, invitation-only ACC Night of Legends event took place on Friday night at the ACC Headquarter Hotel, the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Presented by the Florida Sports Foundation, this event celebrated the careers of the 2008 ACC Legends Class and featured food, drinks and live entertainment. 


And last, but definitely not least... Country music star and heartthrob, Blake Shelton, performed a full concert immediately following the Championship Game. Presented by local radio station, US 103.5 FM, this concert was free to all game ticket holders. Now how can you beat a free concert right after a thrilling football game?     

The Sports guys have definitely been busy trying to prepare for last weekend, and it showed. Each event was successful and perfectly planned. Hats off to the Sports Commission and all of the local volunteers for orchestrating such a winning weekend!

Tampa Bay is continuing to grow as a prime destination for meetings and conventions, and it shows in how many diverse meetings we have booked over the past year. Let's take a look back and see some of the successes of the year:
BICSI, a Telecommunications Association awarded Tampa with their January 2013 Winter Conference, which will be attended by over 1,700 delegates. This meeting is expected to create $1.5 million in delegate spending.

The Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (AEAONMS) will hold its National Convention in Tampa in August 2010. The convention is expected to see 15,000 attendees and create more than $11 million in delegate spending.

The U.S. Soccer Federation's CONCACAF Men's U-23 Championships was held in Tampa in March of this year, bringing more than 10,000 attendees to the Bay area and bringing in more than $700,000 in economic impact.

As you can see, Tampa Bay is becoming one of the top choices for meeting destinations. From the corporate world, to religious groups, to sporting events, Tampa Bay is the place to pick!

As always, thanks for stopping by and make sure to keep checking back for more hot news and tid bits about this fantastic city I call home.

Wow was I way off a few weeks ago when I guessed which teams will be here in the Outback Bowl this year! Well, it just goes to show you what a crazy season it has been in college football. This past weekend the teams were announced and this should without question be one of the most exciting games we have seen in a while!

Having said that, congrats to the Iowa Hawkeyes and the South Carolina Gamecocks for making it to the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on New Year's Day. Fans for each team should visit check out our landing page on the Visit Tampa Bay site in order to plan their trip and get all the info they need to spend the start of a new year in Tampa Bay.

Check out the Outback Bowl website for more info on events, hotels, tailgating, and even enter to win free tickets to the game! We will be blogging about this event leading up to it, so be sure to stay tuned!

Ready for something a little different than every years “loop around the block” look at holiday lights? Check out the Henry B. Plant Museum this month for a Victorian Christmas Stroll.

Travel back to 1891 in the former Tampa Bay Hotel where room after room various 19th century themes take over. Each room is lit by sparkling trees and the Grand Hallway that is reminiscent of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with antique toys, shiny wrapped gifts and Christmas stockings hung with care.

This year, the museum even created a three-story, fully furnished Victorian dollhouse filled with “burning” fireplaces and hanging chandeliers.

To truly immerse yourself in the holiday, enjoy complimentary spiced cider and Christmas cookies on the veranda. Every evening, join carolers around the 18-foot tree to sing traditional holiday songs.  This is a fun and different way for the whole family to enjoy the holidays together!

Ok, I am about to provide a list of things to do in Tampa Bay that is unlike anything you have seen. 

First, let me tell you that tickets are still available to the 2008 ACC Football Championship, which takes place this Saturday at Raymond James Stadium.  And, let me tell you that you won’t find a better deal for a weekend full of entertainment and excitement! 

With the 48-hour celebration of ACC football this weekend, it’s time to start planning out your Championship itinerary.  Here are just some of the highlights of the weekend’s festivities  and Tampa Bay area events for the Tampa Bay community to participate in:

Friday, Dec. 5, 2008
7 p.m. to 12 a.m. – Channelside’s Toast to the Atlantic Coast, presented by EA Sports. It all takes place at the Channelside Bay Plaza Courtyard.  The Toast to the Atlantic Coast is the biggest downtown party happening during Championship Weekend. Splitsville is a concept host for the fan-filled event that will include school bands and cheerleaders, and much more. 

Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008
9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. –  ACC FanFest: It all happens at Raymond James Stadium - Lot 6D.  ACC FanFest is the biggest party during the 48-hour celebration of ACC football. There will be over 200,000 square feet of interactive games, team mascots, pep rallies, food and beverage, autograph signings, game merchandise, jumbotrons and general family fun. All of the excitement is presented by ACC Corporate Partners.

10:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Atlantic Division Pep Rally at the ACC FanFest.  Atlantic Coast Conference football fans can come out and help root their team on to victory during the Atlantic Division Pep Rally. 

10:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Coastal Division Pep Rally at the ACC FanFest.  Immediately following the Atlantic Division Pep Rally, fans can come out and help root the Coastal Division team on to victory during the Coastal Division Pep Rally. 
11:30 a.m. – ACC Mascots Game at the ACC FanFest.  Following the Pep Rallies for the Atlantic Division and Coastal Division teams, attendees will witness one of the marquee events during the 48-hour ACC celebration.  The ACC Mascots Game brings mascots from all 12 schools together for hard- (or soft-) hitting fun. 

The game starts at 1pm, so make sure you come out and see Boston College and Virginia Tech go head-to-head to see who will wear the ACC crown!  And like I said, you can still purchase tickets to the game!!!! 

If all of that isn't the best Tampa Bay entertainment you've ever seen, then I challenge you to come out and participate and I bet you'll change your mind.  With all of this going on, you’ll definitely want to come out and get involved.  For what to do and to learn more about the ACC Football Championship weekend AND for tickets, log on to www.TheRoadToTampaBay.com. 

See you out there!