JOIN US!

CELEBRATING TRAVEL
& TOURISM

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, join us for our National Travel and Tourism Week Luncheon at the Tampa Marriott Water Street as we celebrate the powerful impact of travel and tourism on our great state and the people who call it home.

Together, we’ll recognize our True Tourism Champions, honor our Hospitality Heroes, applaud the next generation of industry leaders from our Tourism Academy, and shine a spotlight on our Meeting the Moment and Talk Up Tampa Bay award winners, all while embracing a Stars and Stripes celebration filled with vintage Americana flair.

Let’s come together to salute the spirit of Tampa Bay and the bright future ahead.

Presented By

Thursday, May 7, 2026

📍 TAMPA MARRIOTT WATER STREET

11:30am – Arrival & Networking

12:00pm – Program Begins

Attire: Glitzy Stars and Stripes or Business Attire

Colorfield Photobooth Experience

Check out the National Travel and Tourism Week luncheon photos captured by ColorField, they’re a great look back at an amazing celebration!

Thank you!

Diamond Sponsor

Sapphire Sponsor

Madden Media
MOR-TV/ Hearst Television
Manthey Hospitality
Port Tampa Bay
Shriners International
Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Convention Center
TECO, Tampa Electric
Ybor City Chamber of Commerce
ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Hospitality Heroes

Our Hospitality Heroes display a passion and care on a daily basis that make Tampa Bay a must-visit destination:

Austin Wood - Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay
Jane Booker – Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
Chef Frederick Jaeger – Hillsborough College
Arlene Bowman – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
Barrie Slonim – Tampa Bay History Center
Sonia Conway – Hyatt Place/Hyatt House Tampa Downtown
Edith Villar – Columbia Restaurant
Josie Ratliff – Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa USF Near Busch Gardens

Legislative Tourism Champions

Our Legislative Tourism Champions stood up for tourism and ensured our industry was protected from legislation aimed at redirecting funding:

Senator Darryl Rouson
Representative Fentrice Driskell
Representative Dianne Hart-Lowman
Representative Karen Gonzalez Pittman

Tourism Academy Program

Our Tourism Academy Program graduates are the future of tourism in Hillsborough County:

Camila Yanez Criollo
Raynelis Goytia Diaz
Angelise Melendez
Stefany Fernandez

Talk Up Tampa Bay Award

Talk Up Tampa Bay Award recipients make critical contributions in securing impactful events that made a significant economic impact to the region.

Ida C. Walker, Tampa Police Department – For the Florida Police Chief’s Association
Dr. Raghu Juvvadi & Dr. Sagar Galwanker – For the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin’s 44th Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly
Jill & Troy Manthey, Manthey Hospitality – For the Passenger Vessel Association’s Annual Convention and Maritrends

Gonzmart Family Ambassador of the Year

Congratulations to Ron McAnaugh, Area General Manager at the JW Marriott + Tampa Marriott Water Street for being selected as our Gonzmart Family Ambassador of the Year.