About Tampa

Tampa is a city “On the Move” located on Tampa Bay, along Florida’s Gulf Coast. A major business center, it’s also known for its museums, sports facilities and other cultural offerings. Tampa’s Airport (TPA) offers a robust schedule of flights and has recently completed a $2- Billion renovation. The Waterstreet District downtown and the surrounding area will top $5-Billion in investments when complete, including new hotels, restaurants and shopping! Busch Gardens is an African-themed amusement park with thrill rides and animal-viewing areas. The historic Ybor City neighborhood, developed by Cuban and Spanish cigar-factory workers at the turn of the 20th century, is a dining and nightlife destination. Forbes magazine reported Tampa and surrounding communities to have the highest hotel occupancies in the US in 2020. Tampa is open and ready to welcome your groups year-round.

Taxes

  • How much is the total cumulative hotel tax? 13.5%
  • How much is the F&B tax? 8.5%
  • How much is the average F&B gratuity? 24%

Airport

  • How many miles from the airport to downtown? 7 miles
  • Is there public transportation, such as a bus or subway available? Yes
  • How much does the public transportation cost? $2 – $4
  • What is the shuttle bus fare from the airport to downtown? $13
  • What is the taxi fare from airport to downtown? $25
  • How many daily flights into the airport? 220-300
  • How many daily flights out of airport? 219
  • Is the airport a hub for any carrier? No
  • What are the major carriers serving airport?
    Air Canada, Alaska, American, British Airways, Delta, Southwest, Icelandair, JetBlue, Silver, Spirit, United, Lufthansa

Hotels

  • How many committable hotel rooms downtown on peak night? 2,200
  • How many committable hotel rooms downtown on peak within walking distance to convention center?
    2,200
  • How many headquarter hotel properties? 1
  • How many rooms available on peak night at the largest headquarter property? 600
  • Hotels:
    Tampa Marriott Water Street
    JW Marriott Tampa Water Street (Opened December 2020)
    Marriott EDITION (Early 2021)
    Embassy Suites Tampa Downtown Convention Center
    Westin Tampa Waterside
    Hilton Tampa Downtown
    Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk
    Aloft Tampa Downtown
    Le Meridien
    Hyatt House / Hyatt Place Tampa Downtown
    Home2/ Hampton Inn Tampa Channelside
    Courtyard Inn by Marriott Tampa Downtown
    Residence Inn by Marriott Tampa Downtown
    Epicurean Hotel, Autograph Collection (South Tampa)
    Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Ybor
    Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa Ybor
    Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa Ybor City
    Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk’

 

  • WESTSHORE/ROCKY POINT:
    Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
    The CURRENT Hotel, Autograph Collection
    The Westin Tampa Bay
    Renaissance International Plaza Hotel
    AC Hotel Tampa Airport
    Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Westshore
    DoubleTree Suites Tampa Westshore
    Embassy Suites Tampa Airport/Westshore
    Four Points by Sheraton
    Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Tampa Westshore
    Hotel Alba Tampa, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
    Hilton Tampa Westshore
    Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
    Hampton Inn & Suites Avion Park
    Hampton Inn by Hilton Tampa Airport / Rocky Point
    Homewood Suites by Hilton
    Hilton Garden Inn
    Hyatt Place
    Marriott Tampa Westshore
    Residence Inn by Marriott Tampa Westshore
    Sailport Waterfront Suites
    Springhill Suites by Marriott Tampa Westshore
    Tampa Airport Marriott
    Towneplace Suites by Marriott Tampa Westshore
    DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Tampa Bay
    The Godfrey Hotel & Cabanas
    Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore
    The Westshore Grand

 

  • BRANDON/NORTH TAMPA
    Saddlebrook Resort
    Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Brandon
    Comfort Suites Tampa Brandon
    Comfort Suites Tampa Fairgrounds/Casino
    Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Veterans Expressway
    Embassy Suites Tampa Brandon
    Homewood Suites by Hilton Tampa Brandon
    Home2 Suites by Hilton Tampa Brandon
    Holiday Inn Express USF Busch Gardens
    Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa Busch Gardens
    Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa North
    Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Brandon
    Hilton Garden Inn Tampa North
    Hilton Garden Inn Tampa East
    Hyatt Place/Tampa Busch Gardens
    Residence Inn by Marriott Sabal Park/Brandon
    Springhill Suites by Marriott Tampa Brandon
    StayBridge Suites Tampa East
    Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Tampa Brandon

Convention Center

  • How many total gross square feet of exhibit space at Convention Center? 200,000
  • How much of this exhibit space is contiguous? 200,000
  • How many total gross square feet of meeting space is available at the Convention center? 600,000
  • How many meeting rooms does the convention center have? 61 (after renovation)
  • How big is the largest meeting room? 36,000
  • How many ballrooms does the convention center have? 4
  • How big is the largest ballroom? 36,000
  • When was the last renovation or expansion? 2019 / current
  • When is a future renovation/expansion scheduled? 2020 & 2021
  • Is there free Wi-Fi at the convention center? Riverwalk / Public Space
  • Is there an exclusive in-house Electrical provider? Yes
  • Is there an exclusive in-house AV provider? Yes **Exceptions can be made in certain cases
  • Is there an exclusive in-house decorator? No
  • Is there an exclusive in house caterer? Yes
  • Is the convention center a union property? No
  • Here are a list of labor unions with whom planners will be required to work at the convention center:
    Convention Center is Non-Union

Off Site Venues

  • How many off site venues within walking distance can host up to 2,000 people? 6
  • How many off site venues within a ten-minute bus transfer can host up to 2,000 people? 15
  • Can you list 3-5 local attractions and there whereabouts? 100+Florida Aquarium (Downtown Tampa)

Sparkman Wharf (Downtown Tampa)
Tampa Riverwalk (Downtown Tampa)
Busch Gardens (9 miles/15 min from Downtown Tampa)
Straz Center for Performing Arts (Downtown Tampa)
Glaziers Children’s Museum (Downtown Tampa)
Amalie Arena (Downtown Tampa)
Steinbrenner Field (Yankee Spring Training)
Armature Works (Downtown Tampa)

Resources

Tampa Bay – A Day in the City

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