Tampa Bay & Company

Site Visit March 28-30, 2010

Tampa-St. Petersburg 2012 logo

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Tampa Bay is experienced and hospitable, we have the venues and the support, but more than that, we have the capability to help win in 2012. As a bellwether political community, our area offers a decisive edge as we look and act just like America – in age, education, racial/ethnic diversity and income. History clearly demonstrates - if you win Tampa, you win the state. If you win Florida, you win the nation.

Surrounding our convention area is an exciting destination filled with first-class hotels, world-famous attractions, and a population of local residents who are consistently recognized as extraordinary ambassadors of hospitality. With over 30 million visitors a year, Tampa Bay welcomes the world every day, and we look forward to making the 2012 Republican National Convention feel at home. Additionally, we can provide peace of mind that the convention will be staged in one of the safest, most secure destinations. The combined resources of our local law enforcement agencies and those of MacDill Air Force Base place the convention in a strategic environment.

Host City:

Tampa-St. Petersburg will be where Florida is won or lost in the 2012 presidential election. A bellwether political community, this dynamic region has all the elements necessary for providing the decisive edge: the state’s largest media market; a highly partisan-competitive landscape including a large block of independent voters; diverse racial and ethnic demographics; a balanced mix of political geography; and a proven track record of accurately predicting the electoral outcome. By nearly every measure: age, education, racial/ethnic, income, and marital status, Tampa Bay looks and acts like America.

Host Committee:
The Tampa/St. Petersburg Host Committee is once again chaired by Al Austin, CEO of Austin Companies. He has put together a team of prominent business leaders from the local community who serve as co-chairs and will help in pulling together a successful bid to have the convention in Tampa Bay.

Facilities: There is nothing conventional about Tampa Bay’s convention and meeting facilities. Nor is there anything conventional about the area’s ability to so impressively assemble everything needed - and more - for the Republican National Convention within a single, central location. This includes the main convention area, media work space, staff office space, and unique facilities to accommodate special events. When it comes to addressing the two major convention venues, it all comes down to location, size and technical capabilities. The St. Pete Times Forum, the main convention area, overlooks the nearby Tampa Convention Center, one of two proposed sites of the media work space. Towering between these two buildings, the 717-room Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina looks as if it were custom-made to be the headquarters hotel. Within an easy walk from this convention complex are the recommended locations for the office staff facilities, additional accommodations, plentiful parking, and flexible staging areas for transportation systems.

Accommodations:
The Tampa Bay area’s more than 40,000 hospitable hotel rooms and greatly exceeds the room requirements of the Republican National Convention. 70% of the room block is within 20 minutes of the St. Pete Times Forum and stands ready to respond positively to any additional housing needs. Grand historic resorts, high rise luxury hotels with contemporary designs and modern conveniences, cozy bed and breakfasts that cater to travelers by creating the comforts of home and much more beckon travelers fortunate enough to stay within the Tampa Bay area.

Transportation:
From the skyways to the highways, all major roads, railways, waterways and flight routes lead to Tampa Bay. The area’s abundant network of publicly and privately operated transportation systems already in place, coupled with those under construction, keep traffic flowing smoothly throughout the entire area. Spacious, prevalent parking facilities put delegate’s just steps away from the main convention area and other key locations, contributing to the overall accessibility and convenience of travel throughout Tampa Bay. As the cradle of commercial aviation, it is only natural that Tampa Bay boasts one of the most popular and admired airports in the world, Tampa International Airport (TPA). Today, the Tampa Bay area is served by two stellar international airports, Tampa International and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International, as well as eight regional airports located within a 50-mile radius of each other. MacDill Air Force Base, home of U.S. Central Command, provides another possible flight service option for government dignitaries.

Security:
Our objective is to keep everyone safe in Tampa Bay. We will be successful because it is our business to protect visitors; we do it day in and day out for tens of millions of tourists each year. Delegates for the 2012 convention will be safe because it is vitally and equally important to preserve an environment where delegates can concentrate on the Convention and the future of the Republican Party. We will achieve this goal by calling upon the expertise of federal, state, local and military resources active within the Tampa Bay region.

Our track record proves this can be done. Tampa Bay safeguarded 4 NFL Super Bowls, NHL playoff and Stanley Cup games, NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament games, NHL All-Star Weekend, Annual Gasparilla Events, Vice Presidential Debate, the Gulf States Governors Conference and the 2000 Republican Governor’s Association (RGA) Annual Meeting. Each event was successfully planned and conducted without incident, an unparalleled testament to the effectiveness and professionalism of our law enforcement officers. Fans at sporting events felt the passion of competition and expressed the thrill of celebration while officers and security guards maintained a high profile presence but stayed out of the spotlight. Dignitaries and guests at the RGA meeting enjoyed the safety and security the Tampa Bay area offers while enjoying all of the amenities. Bank on this promise: Our security plan will be well orchestrated to safeguard the lives, property and peace of mind for all who arrive for the 2012 Republican National Convention.