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....

Super Bowl in Tampa BayTampa 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.  

 


Here at Tampa Bay&Company, we always provide visitors with the best way to plan their vacations.  From things to do in Tampa Bay, where to eat, shopping in Tampa Bay,  and Tampa Bay entertainment, the Travel Planner has you covered.  

From Tampa Bay area beaches to Ybor City and the Westshore District, visitors can begin creating their own original Tampa Bay experience before their vacation starts with Tampa Bay & Company’s 2009 Travel Planner.

The newest edition of the Travel Planner is packed with information about Tampa Bay, such as how to get around, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and various area services that are available.

Whether looking for information like the best places to shop, where to experience Tampa Bay’s arts & culture or where the best golf courses are hidden, visitors can plan out their perfect itinerary before ever setting foot in Tampa Bay.

Order your copy of the 2009 Travel Planner by visiting http://brochures.visittampabay.com or by stopping by one of Tampa Bay & Company’s Visitor Information Centers located in Channelside Bay Plaza and the Tampa Convention Center.

Have fun planning your trip to Tampa and we'll see you when you get here. 


Crowne Plaza EntranceThe 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. 
Crowne Plaza PoolThe 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.


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!

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!


I don't know about you guys but I like saving money and am a sucker for a good deal! So before you take that family vacation and start to book a hotel be sure to check out the Hot Deals section of our website. 
As we get closer to the end of the football season and approach events like the ACC Football Championship, Outback Bowl, and that small little event known as the Super Bowl (insert sarcasm here), you might want to get an early start on making sure you got a place to lay your head! 

Hot Deals in Tampa BayLately we seem to have more hotel deals than we know what to do with! Properties like the Intercontinental Tampa, Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, and the Doubletree Hotel Tampa Westshore Airport just to name a few. 

Of course we got you covered on the dining and nightlife front from free drinks, early seating coupons, to free beignets! We add to this list on a regular basis so be sure to check it out save some cash! 


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. 


Wondering where to eat? Have you heard of Pelagia Trattoria? This innovative, Mediterranean-inspired gem is located in the Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza and the people who run it are creating quite a buzz in the Tampa Bay dining circuit.

Fabrizio Schenardi, executive chef of Pelagia Trattoria, and Jim Bartholomay, general manager of the Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza have been respectively named Executive Chef of the Year and General Manager of the Year for 2007 by Renaissance Hotels&Resorts.

The Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza is rated with 4 AAA Diamonds and is self-described as reminiscent of “a Mediterranean villa, a Spanish square, or even a Cuban plaza.”

Pelagia Trattoria and its celebrity chef have received awards, notoriety and rave reviews from local media like the St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Tribune, Discover Tampa Bay Newcomers Guide and national media like Southern Living Magazine, the Link Magazine, Zagat Survey and Restaurant Forum Magazine.

Award-winning celebrity chef, innovative and sophisticated cuisine, first-class Latin-style hotel in Tampa’s chíc Westshore business district… sounds like my kind of place. Drop me a comment if you’ve been to either Pelagia Trattoria or the Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza and let me know if you thought it was as fabulous as everyone is saying it is.


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. 


Super Bowl Host Committee: Tampa Bay Area EventsIt’s time to start checking days off on your calendar. Only 100 more days until game time with the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay! There is going to be so much happening!

Just last week, the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, was in town for the Super Bowl Host Committee Luncheon. Everyone is expecting about 100,000 to come to Tampa Bay to cheer on their favorite team. Raymond James Stadium holds about 72,500 people, but everyone in Tampa Bay will be watching this game.

Don’t stay home and watch the game by yourself! Come on down, and join Super Bowl XLIII: What to Dous for the party (make sure you grab a seat at a sports bar early). Also, don’t wait until the last minute to book your flight and hotel. There are a ton of hotels in Tampa Bay but if you start planning your Super Bowl party early, all you’ll have to worry about come February 1 is getting a new jersey, a cold beer and some spicy wings.

Also, keep checking back to the host committee website for the latest Super Bowl XLIII updates and things to do in Tampa Bay while you're down here.

Rays: Tampa Bay EntertainmentIn 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.

World Series in Tampa BaySo 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!!!! :)

Top of the morning to all my Tampa Bay Sports fans! What an exciting sports week its been here in the Bay area lately, and I got more good news a comin!  The U.S. Women’s national soccer team will take on South Korea in an exhibition match at Raymond James Stadium, November 8th.

Coming off a Gold medal performance at the Beijing Olympics this summer the squad is now embarking on an “Achieve Your Gold Tour” across the country to celebrate.  This will be the U.S. Women’s first appearance in Tampa since 1999 and their first ever at Raymond James Stadium.  Come see the star-filled gold medalists as they try to continue their tour’s undefeated streak alive.  Tickets are on sale to the public at ussoccer.com, by phone at 813-287-8844 and at all area Ticketmaster outlets.  The team roster includes:

United States Soccer FederationUNITED STATES WOMEN'S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM ROSTER

GOALKEEPERS (3): Nicole Barnhart (Bay Area), Hope Solo (St. Louis), Briana Scurry (Dayton, Minn.)

DEFENDERS (8): Rachel Buehler (Bay Area), Lori Chalupny (St. Louis), Stephanie Cox (Los Angeles), Marian Dalmy (Chicago Red Stars), Tina Ellertson (St. Louis), Kate Markgraf (Chicago Red Stars), Heather Mitts (Boston Breakers), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Shannon Boxx (Los Angeles), Carli Lloyd (Chicago Red Stars), Heather O'Reilly (Sky Blue FC), Lindsay Tarpley (Chicago Red Stars), Aly Wagner (Los Angeles), Kacey White (Sky Blue FC)

FORWARDS (2): Angela Hucles (Boston Breakers/Virginia Beach, Va.), Natasha Kai (Sky Blue FC)

This is a pretty stacked roster as always for the US team. Who is your favorite US  player?  Let me know as I am a big Hope Solo fan myself!

Josh Jones signing off!

Guess what ACC Football fans?  Country music artist Blake Shelton will perform in concert immediately after the 2008 Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game on Dec. 6 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. The concert will be included in the general ticket price for the Championship Game. The 2008 Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship game tickets can be purchased now at www.TheRoadToTampaBay.com.
 
Blake Shelton in Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay EntertainmentThe concert announcement comes fresh on the heels of last week’s news that Shelton’s new album will be released Nov. 18. Due to the overwhelming excitement and enthusiasm over Blake Shelton's latest single, "She Wouldn't Be Gone," Warner Bros. Records decided to rush-release Shelton's fifth album which was originally scheduled for release in January of 2009.
 
The post game concert will reside in the FanFest area, located in lot 6D, directly south of Raymond James Stadium.

The approximate concert time is at 5:30 p.m. which is shortly after the conclusion of the 1 p.m. Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game.  ACC FanFest is a 200,000-square-foot interactive fan experience area that is open during both pre and post game.  FanFest will include a national caliber concert stage, corporate hospitality, interactive games and the always popular ACC mascot football game.

Deals don't get much better than this ACC Fans, as we're talking $25 for a game ticket and the concert , so log on and purchase your tickets for this awesome event!
 

Ok, so in case you haven’t heard, our area will play host to the mother of all events come February of 2009…that’s right, I’m talking about Super Bowl XLIII!!!!!  The Host Committee has been hitting the streets and gearing up for Tampa’s FOURTH Super Bowl for more than a year now, and let me tell you, if you are looking for some Tampa Bay area events, they have some good stuff in store for you! 

If you read the newspaper every day (like I do), then you may have already heard the great news…but, for those of you don’t then you’ll want to keep reading (even if you know, keep reading!!!!).  The Super Bowl is known for the half-time performances, and It has just been announced that Rock ‘n’ Roll Superstar Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will perform at the Super Bowl on February 1 at Raymond James Stadium!  Now, how's that for some Tampa Bay entertainment?!?! 

If you love rock ‘n’ roll, or are anything like me (aka: a child of the 80s), then you are already getting excited.  And for those of you who are wondering why this is a big deal, let me just fill you in on one little statistic – last year's halftime show was watched by more than 148 million viewers in the U.S. alone. 

And in case that stat didn’t do it for ya, then how about this – last year’s game was televised by 60 broadcast partners in 223 countries and territories worldwide and in 30 languages…plus, the NFL expects more than 4,000 credentialed media to cover Super Bowl XLIII, including more than 400 international media…AND, more than 100,000 people are expected to visit Tampa Bay during Super Bowl.

Now, if that doesn’t get you excited, then I don’t know what will!  Tampa will be in the spotlight, showing everyone what a great place we live in!!!!  There will also be plenty of other things to do in Tampa Bay...from Ybor City to the Westshore district, gear up for everything Super Bowl, including dining, nightlife, attractions, shopping and more.  To get the whole scoop, hit up their website, click here

So, start getting excited and let me know if you have any big plans for the game this year!  Or, drop a line if you have any questions about the big game, and we’ll find the answer for you! 


As a part of the promotional tour for the Under Armour Hillsborough County All-Star game, and the Under Armour Game Day of Champions, The Road To Tampa Bay street team was around the Tampa Bay area this past weekend. The group helped celebrate the 2008 ACC Football season and got fans ready for a 48-hour celebration of football in the ACC and in Hillsborough County.

The Road To Tampa Bay street team showcased the Championship trophy, and held enter to win contests at the Gaither versus Freedom high school football game on Friday night, and at the youth football New Tampa Wildcats organization season kickoff on Saturday.  This is the street team’s 6th stop at Hillsborough County high school football games. 

In Raymond James Stadium, the Under Armour Hillsborough All-Star Game will follow the ACC Championship game on December 6th, and will feature the top players in Hillsborough County. The 2008 Under Armour Game Day of Champions will take place on December 7th at Raymond James Stadium.

Admission to the 2008 Under Armour Hillsborough County All-Star game and the 2008 Under Armour Game Day of Champions are free to the general public.

Keep an eye out for the Road To Tampa Bay street team to take advantage of their special promotions and offers!

Alright Big East football fans, are you ready for some football!  Yeah so I stole that from the old Monday Night Football theme song, but its the only way I could get the message across.  On October second the USF Bulls will kick-off conference football play against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay!

Big East Football in Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay Area EventsThe Bulls will take on five Big East opponents at the stadium this year in the form of: Syracuse, UConn, Pittsburgh, and Rutgers. Tampa Bay & Company  created a microsite to help all of those traveling Big East Football fans get to the game and enjoy the sunshine as we move closer to those winter months.

Visit BigEastTampaBay.com for your one stop shop for ticket info, game times & schedules, hotel booking info, as well as fun things to do. While your here watching the USF Bulls take your team to the cleaners, you might as well enjoy some attractions, shopping, beaches, fine cuisine, entertainment, and even get a little arts & culture in there somewhere.

So if your planning to support your team as they take on the Bulls, be sure to plan early so you can get here and check out the Westshore District as well as Ybor City.

Leave me a line or two and tell me how your stay went.  Also if you have questions on things like what to do, where to stay, or where to eat then don't hesitate to ask us!



Hello Bulls fans, K-Mart here! Three wins in a row is not catching lightning in a bottle, it’s more like mad skills. The USF Bulls football players are working their magic once again.

Tampa Bay Sports: USF Bulls“Thank God it’s Friday,” were my first thoughts as I headed towards down Raymond James Stadium for the game. Seemingly everyone else in the tri-county area was heading to the game and our 3 mile drive took 45 minutes (Hint: if you go to a game, go early!). Luckily my friend/chauffer had a bubble wand to make the drive eventful. If that wasn’t enough driving entertainment  all I had to do was look out my window to see random green and gold youth leaning out of car windows circling the Bull sign and shouting “Wooooo!” all the way down Dale Mabry.

When we finally made it to the Ray Jay parking field, there was Bull pandemonium everywhere! There were painted guys, jerseyed girls and everything in between. Just about every 3rd car had a grill fired up in front it, every 4th car was blaring opposing music and every 5th car had a tent. Tables lined with red and blue plastic cups and hacky sack boards littered the field as far as I could see, and a feeling of excitement and hometown support had taken over.

USF Bulls QB Matt GrotheThe game started at 8 p.m. after a light rain shower (gotta love that unpredictable Florida weather). The game was “edge of your seat” material. We were down by 17 points in the second quarter. No one lost hope though, and our golden boy Grothe connected with A.J. Love and Taurus Johnson for 2 touchdowns and ran a 3rd in himself (34-20). Our nationally number 1 ranked defense spent all night kicking butt, yet somehow let our 14 point lead slip away in the 4th quarter (blinding flash of light that only the defense could see?? Hmm??). Neck and neck, our safety, Nate Allen, caught an interception and ran it back 40 yards. In the end our freshman kicker, Maikon Bonani, came through with a 43-yard field goal.

The crowds were pushing forward to storm the field, but the cops had brought reinforcements… their horses. Next time you’re in town, you have to check out a Bulls game. It is an unforgettable, must-see spectacle! 

Let me know if  you were at the game and leave me some Bulls love!

Ok, so if you’ve tuned in to the Lifestyle Blog, you’ve heard the latest reviews about nightlife, the night scene, coffee shops restaurants and other things to do in Tampa Bay.  We've got so much to do here with the attractions, beaches, shopping, golf, and sports...not to mention the arts and culture in Tampa Bay...But, where do you start?  Where do you eat?  What do you do? 

Well, now you can not only get the latest reviews about Tampa Bay entertainment, but you can check back here for a weekly (hopefully) update on some of our partner’s special events, entertainment and other Tampa Bay area events for the weekend.

Start your Tampa Bay tour off tonight you can head down to Raymond James Stadium to watch the USF Bulls take on the Kansas Jayhawks (if you were lucky enough to get tickets that is).  The Bulls have started off the season on a high note, so let’s see if they can keep the magic alive.  The game starts at 8pm, so if you aren’t there, you better be in front of a TV…it’s sure to be a matchup! 

If hard-hitting action (no, we aren’t talking football here) is your thing, then head down to the St. Pete Times Forum tomorrow for the Xtreme Fighting Championships.  This Mixed Martial Arts Event returns to the St. Pete Times Forum and it all starts at 1pm, at which time the Chrysler-Jeep Plaza outside of the Forum will come alive with performances from local bands, a bike show, and more.  

If you’d rather relax with the fam, then head down to MOSI, where there’s fun for everyone.  For tomorrow and Sunday only, folks can head down and get in for 50% off and enjoy over 450 hands-on exhibits, a show in The Saunders Planetarium, and one standard IMAX® Dome Theatre film. 

This is just a taste of what’s going on with our partners this weekend, but there’s much more happening.  Just log on to the VisitTampaBay.com website and take a look at our Calendar of Events.  Plus, check back next week and we’ll let you know what’s up with our partners for next weekend. 

Make sure you get out there, have fun, then check back and let us know how it was.  Or, if you have an event you want mentioned, just let us know. 


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!

Super Bowl 2008 LogoThe 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!