Tampa Hillsborough's Film Commission Moves to Visit Tampa Bay Headquarters
November 1, 2016
In-house Move to Boost Overall Marketing and Economic Development Impact
Tampa, FL (November 1, 2016) – Two of Tampa Bay’s most successful economic drivers will join marketing forces, as Film Tampa Bay takes up full-time residency at Visit Tampa Bay’s downtown headquarters.
The move is expected to boost overall marketing and economic development impact for Tampa Bay, which is rapidly becoming one of the most attractive destinations in the United States. Film Tampa Bay remains functionally independent, with its own executive director, funding and board of directors. Film Tampa Bay relies on Visit Tampa Bay for administrative functions, destination marketing support, and additional resources when needed - allowing a closer partnership on targeting goals and enabling efficiencies and cost-saving.
For Visit Tampa Bay, the development continues its leadership role in shaping the industry and effectively communicating that tourism in Tampa Bay means big business. For Film Tampa Bay, the change marks the next step in its evolution, as it looks to strengthen its relationship to the business community, and reorganizes as a private, non-for-profit company to raise funds that will allow it to keep growing to meet its goals.
“We welcome Film Tampa Bay with open arms,” said Santiago Corrada, President & CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. “We always knew we were playing on the same team but now we can train and strategize together properly. I couldn’t be happier to have Dale and her team next to us as we continue to make great strides together in Tampa Bay.”
Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, who was instrumental in founding the Film Commission, said: “Both of these organizations are operating at the top of their field. This move is strategic as we continue to build the brand of Tampa Hillsborough as a top filming, business and tourism destination.”
With fiscal year 2016 that just ended, Film Tampa Bay continued to see an increase in film production for the third year in a row, while Visit Tampa Bay had its most successful year on record. Almost 22 million people visited Hillsborough County.
“This reunion makes all the sense in the world,” said Dale Gordon, the Executive Director of Film Tampa Bay, which had been housed within the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation. “It was always important to me that our organization was established with a strong relationship to the business community. We are grateful to the tremendous support we have received from the EDC. We’re especially excited to become a 501c3 so that we can raise the kinds of private capital we need to provide assistance to both local and prospective productions.”
“We’ve greatly enjoyed hosting and guiding Film Tampa Bay through its launch until the present time,” said Craig J. Richard, CEcD, President and CEO of Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation. “But this new alignment with Visit Tampa Bay makes tremendous sense. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with both Film Tampa Bay and Visit Tampa Bay to increase our region’s overall economic competitiveness.”
About Visit Tampa Bay
Visit Tampa Bay encourages adventurous travelers to unlock our destination’s trove of unique treasures. We are a not-for-profit corporation that works with more than 750 partners to tell the world the story of our home – the hip, urban heart of the Gulf Coast of Florida.
About Film Tampa Bay
The Tampa Hillsborough Film & Digital Media Commission is a non-profit organization charged with marketing the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County as a premier filming destination. Services include one-stop permitting, location assistance, crew assistance, public awareness, production resources, and much more. For more information visit www.filmtampabay.com.