Black Meetings & Tourism - IN TAMPA BAY, EVERY MEETING IS A BIG EVENT

Industry Briefs
IN TAMPA BAY, EVERY MEETING IS A BIG EVENT
Tampa Convention Center Meeting Room What makes Tampa Bay the perfect place for meetings of all sizes? Simply ask meeting professionals who've experienced the destination firsthand. Stacey Shafer, Vice President of Community Engagement at PCMA, said, "Our experience planning an event in Florida, specifically Tampa Bay, was exceptional. Tampa was an ideal choice, a vibrant, accessible city with a wide range of excursion options that appealed to every type of participant. The collaboration between the hotel and Visit Tampa Bay was seamless, creating a highly curated and elevated experience for attendees. Once you go, you get it." From seamless collaboration between Visit Tampa Bay and top-tier venues to a walkable waterfront downtown, Tampa Bay delivers an elevated, thoughtfully curated meeting experience. With versatile offsite excursions, standout food and beverage, and a destination that appeals to every attendee type, planners consistently describe Tampa Bay as a place where meetings feel effortless and memorable. Award-winning venue. Unforgettable meetings. The Tampa Convention Center packs award-winning service, innovation and economic impact into 600,000 square feet of event space. With a 36,000-square-foot ballroom and 52 meeting rooms - 27 overlooking the water - the venue won ConventionSouth's Best of the Best Convention Center Readers' Choice Award. Plus, it received Northstar Stella Awards three years in a row, a Smart Stars Award from Smart Meetings and a Tampa's Best Award. All while earning LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Where you stay matters. Tampa Bay offers more than 1,500 new hotel rooms - plus over 3,000 rooms within walking distance of the Tampa Convention Center. Whether you prefer boutique style or luxury brands, you'll find your match. Top picks include the 519-room JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, the 173-room The Tampa EDITION and the dual-branded Hyatt Place + Hyatt House Tampa Downtown. Culinary highlights. Tampa Bay's culinary scene serves options to fit every occasion and taste. Guests can savor renowned flavors from MICHELIN-recognized restaurants or dine in style in the hip, wellness-focused Water Street neighborhood. Just outside the Convention District, there are two food halls - Sparkman Wharf and Heights Public Market at Armature Works. Each offers a variety of innovative dining choices and entertainment in a lively waterfront setting. Easy access by air. Tampa International Airport (TPA) offers nonstop flights to 80+ domestic and 10 international destinations - and is just 15 minutes from downtown. A new terminal with 16 gates is coming in 2028. Unlock savings and incentives. Whether you're planning a large convention or a team retreat, the Visit Tampa Bay team offers discounts and deals for meetings and events of all sizes. Explore the latest savings opportunities to find the right option for your event. Discover more at TampaMeetings.com today. Contact: Sherri Brown Vice President of Multicultural Sales and Development P: (813) 342-4062 SBrown@VisitTampaBay.com

Industry Briefs

IN TAMPA BAY, EVERY MEETING IS A BIG EVENT

Tampa Convention Center Meeting Room

What makes Tampa Bay the perfect place for meetings of all sizes? Simply ask meeting professionals who've experienced the destination firsthand. Stacey Shafer, Vice President of Community Engagement at PCMA, said, "Our experience planning an event in Florida, specifically Tampa Bay, was exceptional. Tampa was an ideal choice, a vibrant, accessible city with a wide range of excursion options that appealed to every type of participant. The collaboration between the hotel and Visit Tampa Bay was seamless, creating a highly curated and elevated experience for attendees. Once you go, you get it."

From seamless collaboration between Visit Tampa Bay and top-tier venues to a walkable waterfront downtown, Tampa Bay delivers an elevated, thoughtfully curated meeting experience. With versatile offsite excursions, standout food and beverage, and a destination that appeals to every attendee type, planners consistently describe Tampa Bay as a place where meetings feel effortless and memorable.

Award-winning venue. Unforgettable meetings.

The Tampa Convention Center packs award-winning service, innovation and economic impact into 600,000 square feet of event space. With a 36,000-square-foot ballroom and 52 meeting rooms - 27 overlooking the water - the venue won ConventionSouth's Best of the Best Convention Center Readers' Choice Award. Plus, it received Northstar Stella Awards three years in a row, a Smart Stars Award from Smart Meetings and a Tampa's Best Award. All while earning LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Where you stay matters.
Tampa Bay offers more than 1,500 new hotel rooms - plus over 3,000 rooms within walking distance of the Tampa Convention Center. Whether you prefer boutique style or luxury brands, you'll find your match. Top picks include the 519-room JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, the 173-room The Tampa EDITION and the dual-branded Hyatt Place + Hyatt House Tampa Downtown.

Culinary highlights.

Tampa Bay's culinary scene serves options to fit every occasion and taste. Guests can savor renowned flavors from MICHELIN-recognized restaurants or dine in style in the hip, wellness-focused Water Street neighborhood. Just outside the Convention District, there are two food halls - Sparkman Wharf and Heights Public Market at Armature Works. Each offers a variety of innovative dining choices and entertainment in a lively waterfront setting.

Easy access by air.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) offers nonstop flights to 80+ domestic and 10 international destinations - and is just 15 minutes from downtown. A new terminal with 16 gates is coming in 2028.

Unlock savings and incentives.

Whether you're planning a large convention or a team retreat, the Visit Tampa Bay team offers discounts and deals for meetings and events of all sizes. Explore the latest savings opportunities to find the right option for your event.

Discover more at TampaMeetings.com today.

Contact:
Sherri Brown

Vice President of Multicultural Sales and Development

P: (813) 342-4062

SBrown@VisitTampaBay.com