Your Next Business Meeting “There’s No Place Like Home”
By Alex Kaptzan
Published: June / July 2008
WHY NOT TAMPA?
I was sitting through a business networking luncheon a couple of weeks ago, and I overheard two professionals bantering about where to have their next annual meeting. “Chicago,” one said enthusiastically…followed by places like New York, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. I even heard one of them toss out Las Vegas – for the scenery, I’m sure.
As I was sitting there, listening to these two obviously intelligent and very successful professionals battle it out for the premier meeting destination, I was shocked that their hometown, Tampa Bay, didn’t even rank in the top 10!
It seems to me that many local residents simply don’t realize the convention destination Tampa has become. Our excellent accommodations, waterfront convention center and multitude of dining and entertainment options combine to create a vibrant environment for hosting meetings.
Tampa Bay & Company, Hillsborough County’s destination marketing organization, has built its business, not to mention its reputation, on providing one-of-a-kind experiences for organizations and groups of all shapes and sizes, including local ones. The one common thread among all of them – it has to be new, exciting and something they’ve never seen before.
EXPLORE YOUR OWN BACKYARD
Having lived and worked in the Tampa Bay area for 11 years (and I’ve still not done everything there is to do here), I’ve come to one indisputable certainty – you must explore your own backyard to find the true value of YOUR destination.
Locals might take for granted being able to hand-feed a giraffe, pet a manatee or fish for snook and redfish, but many visitors from other parts of the country or world may have never seen what we are able to get close to anytime we want.
The one question I continue to ask businessmen and women, professionals and local organizations and groups – why not use the plethora of experiences beckoning at your fingertips and have your meeting locally? I mean, what better way to save time, money and effort than to create an all-new experience at home and bring everyone, including national and international counterparts, to Tampa Bay?
The Bay area offers some of the best dining and nightlife experiences available, some of the best attractions in the world, family fun, and outdoor and eco-friendly activities, not to mention championship sports teams – all without spending more than 20 minutes in your car. Leave home without leaving your hometown! You can “play tourist” and still sleep in your own, comfy bed at the end of the day. Spend the day experiencing the Bay area’s world-class restaurants, innovative hotel concepts, vibrant arts and culture, and some of the best outdoor activities known to man. You can do it all without breaking the bank for you or your delegates. Save travel time and expenses and in the process leave a smaller carbon footprint on the environment.
Getting the best “bang for your buck” is more important now than ever! During times of economic downturn, rising prices and minimizing costs, businesses are forced to find alternative ways to create unique experiences for their delegates. What better experience than to open their eyes to a place that was right under their noses the entire time – and do it all while generating economic development in the community.
SUPPORTING YOUR COMMUNITY
Is it just the hotels that benefit from your booking a meeting in one of their conference rooms? Is it only the restaurants that you’ll frequent during your lunch breaks in downtown Tampa? Answer: every business in Tampa Bay will ultimately benefit from keeping your annual meeting, training conference or national meeting in your hometown.
The “trickle down effect” of hosting a meeting or convention in your own backyard is one that is undeniable. Money spent in the community is money that stays in and supports the community. When you tipped the server at the restaurant the other night; or, how about the company that produced the signage to direct your delegates to break-out sessions and provided recognition for your sponsors?; or even the electric company who helped illuminate the ballroom or supplied power for that presentation you gave to the executive board? - these all contribute to the economic impact of hosting a meeting here.
Each and every business can benefit from the unique Tampa Bay experiences you can provide your delegates – simply by staying near home. A one-of-a-kind experience is right here in Tampa Bay. All you need to do is walk out your backdoor and experience it!
About the Author
Alex Kaptzan is Director of Convention Sales and oversees the Tampa Bay & Company convention sales team of 10 managers, including two satellite offices – one in Chicago and one in Washington DC. Kaptzan has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry including those with the Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott organizations prior to joining Tampa Bay & Company in 2006.
