About Tampa Bay

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? 7%
  • 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? TECO Streetcar
  • How much does the public transportation cost? Complimentary
  • What is the shuttle bus fare from the airport to downtown? N/A
  • What is the taxi fare from airport to downtown? Approx $30
  • How many daily flights in and out of the airport? 292 flights daily in more than 80+ nonstop domestic markets
  • Is the airport a hub for any carrier? Southwest
  • What are the major carriers serving airport? Southwest, Delta, American Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit and Frontier

HOTELS

  • How many committable hotel rooms downtown on peak night? 1,500 in peak season; 2,400 in off peak season
  • How many committable hotel rooms downtown on peak within walking distance to convention center? 1,170 in peak season; 1,875 in off peak season
  • How many headquarter hotel properties? JW Marriott / Tampa Marriott Water Street , Embassy Suites Tampa Downtown Convention Center, Hilton Tampa Downtown
  • How many rooms available on peak night at the largest headquarter property? 525, Or 750 if using both JW Marriott / Tampa Marriott Water Street. Properties are connected via skybridge on meeting room level.
  • Can you list hotels by rating?? 5 star , 4 star, 3 star?
    JW Marriott / Tampa Marriott Water Street – 4 star
    Embassy Suites Tampa Downtown Convention Center – 4 star
    Hilton Tampa Downtown – 4 star

CONVENTION CENTER

  • How many total gross square feet of exhibit space at Convention Center? 200,000 square feet; Divisible into 75,000; 100,000; 125,000 or 200,00 square feet
  • How much of this exhibit space is contiguous? 200,000 square feet
  • How many total gross square feet of meeting space is available at the Convention center? 600,000 square feet
  • How many meeting rooms does the convention center have? 52, not including exhibit hall’s
  • How big is the largest meeting room? 36,000 square feet
  • How many ballrooms does the convention center have? One
  • How big is the largest ballroom? 36,000 square feet
  • When was the last renovation or expansion? 2023
  • When is a future renovation/expansion scheduled? N/A
  • Is there free Wi-Fi at the convention center? Yes
  • Is there an exclusive in-house Electrical provider? EDLEN
  • Is there an exclusive in-house AV provider? Encore & SmartCity
  • Is there an exclusive in-house decorator? No
  • Is there an exclusive in house caterer? Aramark
  • Is the convention center a union property? Non-union
  • Here are a list of labor unions with whom planners will be required to work at the convention center: N/A

OFF SITE VENUES

  • How many off site venues within walking distance can host up to 2,000 people? 5 venues
  • How many off site venues within a ten-minute bus transfer can host up to 2,000 people? 11 venues
  • How many restaurants are within walking distance of the convention center? 50+
  • Can you list 3-5 local attractions and there whereabouts?
    The Florida Aquarium – Downtown Tampa
    Busch Gardens Tampa Bay – 20 minutes north of Downtown
    ZooTampa at Lowry Park – 15 minutes north of Downtown
    Tampa Bay History Museum – on Tampa Riverwalk
    Museum of Fine Art – on Tampa Riverwalk