Tampa is where it's happening in the global marketplace. One of its unique initiatives was to establish, through the City of Tampa Mayor's Office and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, the Tampa Bay Trade & Protocol Office. The Office houses the second-largest Consular Corps in the State of Florida and works with diplomats from all over the world. Working with consuls, embassies, ambassadors, and other diplomatic trade commissioners is important for growing investment and trade. The presence of top public officials such as the Mayor and the Chair of the Commission brings many high-level delegations, in both business and government, to the area.
Over the past four (4) years, the Office has also facilitated outbound missions to approximately 15 countries. These missions go beyond business-to-business engagement; they also result in Sister City relationships and Memoranda of Understanding. The Office serves as liaison to the Tampa Bay Sister Cities program, the Tampa Bay World Trade Center, and the Bi-National Chambers in the area. It also serves as an advisory member for the State to U.S. Global Leadership, and works closely with Enterprise Florida, the Southeast United States Japan-Korea Society, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the Department of State. Florida and local economic development organizations, as well as universities, tourism organizations, the Tampa Bay Film Commission, and the U.S. Economic Development Administration all play an integral role in this success.
In a nutshell, Tampa and Hillsborough County had the fortitude and vision to move forward with the Tampa Bay Trade & Protocol Office.