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Industry Briefs
FLORIDA’S MOST SUCCESS STORIES



Tampa Bay has more than Florida sunshine to offer your next meeting. With smart safety measures, cutting-edge upgrades to Tampa Convention Center, tech grants, new hotels and accolades by everyone from J.D. Power to USA Today, we’re writing Florida’s most meeting success stories. And we’ll do the same for you.

 

Serving a diverse range of organizations.

What do your organization and meeting have in common with Super Bowl LV, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the U.S. Travel Spring Meeting and Connect Marketplace? Tampa Bay’s mix of safety and amenities met their event needs, and we can meet yours too. Plus, the AAD and Connect Marketplace join a growing roster of organizations that have moved their meetings to Tampa Bay from other cities.

 

Smart preparations from arrival to departure.

After being a mainstay as one of the top five airports in J.D. Power’s rankings, Tampa International Airport (TPA) ranked second in J.D. Power’s 2020 North America Airport Satisfaction Study. Plus, TPA was one of just five North American airports to rank among the most hygienic facilities in the Airport Service Quality Awards from Airports Council International.

The best venue keeps getting better.

The waterfront Tampa Convention Center is already gearing up for even more

renovations, targeted for 2023 completion. These include 18,000 sq. ft. of new meeting rooms on the sparkling waterfront, upgrades to the ballrooms and meeting halls, as well as adding two floors.

The Tampa Convention Center also received the GBAC Star™ accreditation. The Global Biorisk Advisory Council STAR accreditation is the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation — the gold standard for prepared facilities.

Acclaimed, award-winning hotels await.

If you’re looking for luxury, try the five-star JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. This 519- room masterpiece features sprawling views of the waterfront and downtown as well as floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Amalie Arena. Plus, it features sleek midcentury modern furniture, décor with subtle nautical motifs and even a waterfall. 

For a unique boutique hotel, the new Hotel Haya in historic Ybor City is minutes from the Convention District. With midcentury Cuban flair, its wraparound balconies, stunning

artwork and innovative menus earned it a spot on USA Today’s roster of 2020’s best new hotels.

Open-air adventures in every direction.

After a day of meeting, guests can enjoy an evening filled with fresh-air fun. The Tampa Riverwalk makes much of it easy to access along one stunning pedestrian pathway. It connects the Tampa Convention Center to 2.6 miles of innovative outdoor dining options, scenic parks and other attractions.

Looking for a unique teambuilding activity? Stroll down to a group standup paddle boarding experience from Urban Kai, or set sail on a dolphin watching tour from The Florida Aquarium.

Stay connected with the new Hybrid Meeting Grant.

Introducing a convenient way to offset unanticipated hybrid technology expenses. The Hybrid Meeting Grant — with a maximum of $15,000 per event — helps keep attendees connected and minimize hybrid technology costs.

To help promote your meeting, Visit Tampa Bay and event organizers will develop a customized sponsorship marketing package that includes mutually agreed-upon items. A

few options include a custom landing page on VisitTampaBay.com, exclusive partner offers, sponsorship items and additional perks.

Grants will be awarded based on estimated economic impact, anticipated attendance figures and other factors.

Explore more on this grant.

  • Go to VisitTampaBay.com/hybrid-meetings
  • Contact:

          Sherri T. Brown, M.A.

          Vice President of Multicultural Sales and Development

          P: 813.342.4062

          SBrown@VisitTampaBay.com

 

Explore more at TampaMeetings.com today.

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