Meetings and Events Return to Tampa Bay, Expected to Bring Major Economic Impact

TAMPA, FL (March 9, 2021) – On the heels of successfully hosting Super Bowl LV, Visit Tampa Bay is excited to welcome the return of major events and citywide meetings beginning this spring. The lineup of events, including Wrestlemania 37, Connect Marketplace and American Academy of Dermatology Association, will provide a much-needed boost to Hillsborough County’s economy.

Visit Tampa Bay has been proactive in meetings and convention travel recovery over the past year with investments in its brand-new Hybrid Meeting Grant, new staffing additions, increased flexibility and dedicated communications to meetings looking to relocate. Consequently, 75% of previously cancelled meetings will be returning with future events

The Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) has now announced several meetings and events for this year, some of which have relocated as a result of Tampa’s openness to new business and high standards of safety set by Tampa Convention Center and Tampa International Airport, among others. Wrestlemania 37 relocates from Los Angeles and returns to Tampa Bay in April, the American Academy of Dermatology Association will meet in August after a relocation from New York, and Connect Marketplace, also meeting in August, is a relocation.  

The DMO continues to make waves within the travel industry’s meeting business adding in the prestigious US Travel Spring Meeting currently meeting in Tampa Bay, Destinations International’s CEO Summit in April and even VISIT FLORIDA’s Huddle in January 2022. 

“Business travel has historically been the bedrock of our hotel occupancy in Hillsborough County, helping us achieve record-breaking numbers prior to the pandemic,” says Santiago C. Corrada, president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. “While our recent recovery efforts have helped boost leisure travel and keep us above our comp set, the key to full recovery is getting business travel back and we are excited to see meetings and events return, rebook and relocate to Tampa Bay.”   

From the moment visitors arrive to the destination, health and safety remains paramount. Tampa International Airport recently ranked as one of the most hygienic airports, one of five airports in North America to receive the recognition. Additionally, Tampa Convention Center recently achieved Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ accreditation, the gold standard from the worldwide cleaning industry association, for its cleaning and disinfection protocols. With increased safety measures at partner hotels, attractions and open-air experiences, Tampa Bay is poised to safely and responsibly welcome business goers with open arms.

Visit Tampa Bay expects to make more major announcements in the coming weeks.

ABOUT VISIT TAMPA BAY

The heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast beats in Tampa Bay. Visit Tampa Bay encourages adventurous travelers to unlock sun, fun and culture in Florida’s most diverse travel destination. As a not-for-profit corporation certified by Destinations International’s Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), we work with hundreds of partners to tell the world the story of Tampa Bay. Treasure awaits.