PRESS
RELEASE
from
2012
Tampa
Bay
Host Committee
Host Committee RNC Media Contact:
Aileen Rodriguez Communications Director
2012 Tampa Bay Host
Committee for the Republican National Convention Successfully Wraps Up
Convention Week
Convention
Showcases
Tampa Bay to the World
(PR NewsChannel) Tampa Bay, FL (August
31, 2012) – The 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee for the Republican
National Convention is celebrating the success of the 2012 Republican
National Convention.
More than 50,000 guests, including media, delegates and elected
officials, descended on Tampa Bay over the course of the last week, and
the economic impact to the area is expected to be worth $175 to 200
million. In addition, the economic “multiplier” effect will likely
result in an economic impact that will be even more significant.
“Tampa Bay took center stage this week for an event that captured the
international spotlight, and Tampa Bay was showcased like never
before,” said Host Committee President and CEO Ken Jones. “Visitors to
Tampa Bay were treated to a first-class Convention, great venues and
warm hospitality from our local community. I know without a doubt that
we have left a lasting impression in the minds of those who have
visited, and I am certain they will leave wanting to come back again
and again.”
“I've never been prouder of Tampa. We hosted a great event while the
world's eyes were on us, and the thousands of visitors left seeing the
best we have to offer,” said City of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. “This
was our time to shine, and we rose to the occasion. Hosting the RNC is
a turning point in Tampa's story.”
“While the immediate economic benefit of the RNC – including a record
setting August – is significant, the value of long-term brand-building
the entire Tampa Bay area will enjoy from successfully hosting an event
of this magnitude is immeasurable,” said Executive Director of Visit
St. Petersburg/Clearwater DT Minich. “We’ve proven we are a player on
the international stage, and we now have a working template we can use
to continue this growth together.”
“Welcoming the world for the 2012 RNC has been a tremendous success for
our destination and has opened the door for Tampa Bay & Company to
lead the way on groundbreaking marketing initiatives, such as the
first-ever Social Media Command Center for a national political
convention,” said President and CEO of Tampa Bay & Company Kelly
Miller. “Tampa Bay has arrived. Over the past week, we proved that we
are a major meetings destination, and we can accommodate and welcome
the biggest and best conventions out there.”
During the week of the Convention, the Host Committee hosted several
events throughout the Tampa Bay region. The Welcome Event, which was
held on the eve of the Convention, kicked off the Republican National
Convention at Tropicana Field. More than 20,000 guests were invited to
the invitation-only event, and it was the first time in the history of
the Republican National Convention that a combined delegate and media
event took place. In addition, the Host Committee hosted a “Salute to
the Military” luncheon and “Thank You Tampa Bay” event.
Another event done differently than ever before, during the week of the
Convention, was the Host Committee’s Economic Development Series. The
series, which included topics such as International Trade, the Emerging
Workforce and Education, was a partnership with Bloomberg. Guest
panelists included former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, U.S. Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Javier Palomarez, former Florida
Governor Jeb Bush, St. Augustine Partners President George P. Bush,
Infante Zumpano Partner Daniel Diaz Leyva and former U.S. Secretary of
Education Margaret Spellings.
The Host Committee implemented several initiatives and programs
throughout the last year. Some of these programs include the Small
Business Network Directory, the Volunteer Program, the GOParty Card and
Herd About Tampa Bay.
The Small Business Network Directory included more than 500 registered
small businesses in the Tampa Bay region. It was marketed to
delegations, media and guests in the months leading up to the
Convention in order to promote our local small business community.
The Host Committee’s Volunteer Program utilized more than 4,500
volunteers to fill approximately 10,000 volunteer roles. Volunteers
assisted the Host Committee in several aspects, including at Volunteer
Headquarters, acting as hotel and airport greeters and helping guide
guests throughout the Tampa Bay region.
The GOParty Card discount program included roughly 100 businesses that
offered discounts ranging from percentages off to buy-one-get-one-free
deals. The discount program was open to guests and the public alike. In
fact, it is still active and ongoing until Monday, September 3, 2012.
Herd About Tampa Bay, a partnership with the Outdoor Arts Foundation,
brought herds of creatively decorated fiberglass elephants to Tampa
Bay. The elephants, which were sponsored by patrons, were designed by
local artists and students and displayed in herds around the area.
In addition, the Host Committee, in partnership with the Committee on
Arrangements launched the first mobile application (or app) in the
history of the Republican National Convention, “Tampa 2012.” The app
was available on Android and Apple platforms and featured relevant
information regarding the Convention and the Tampa Bay region.
The 2012 Republican National Convention was also the first time several
social media platforms were available and utilized. The Host Committee
was active on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Flickr and
YouTube.
The Host Committee will release its financial data to the Federal
Election Commission on October 15, 2012.
About the 2012
Tampa Bay Host Committee
The 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee,
Inc. (“Host Committee”) is a Florida not-for-profit corporation that
operates as a public charity under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code. The Host Committee serves as the officially designated
Presidential Nominating Convention Host Committee under federal law and
is a registered host committee with the Federal Election Commission.
The Host Committee is not involved in any political activity and is in
no way considered a political committee under any state or federal
laws. Visit: www.twitter.com/2012Tampa, www.facebook.com/2012Tampa,
www.linkd.in/A0E6D9, www.pinterest.com/2012Tampa,
www.flickr.com/2012TampaHC, www.youtube.com/2012Tampa.
###
WASHINGTON, June
5,
2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former Presidential
Candidate Gary Bauer congratulated Governor Scott
Walker for his win in Wisconsin's
recall
election,
calling
it
"another
sign that taxpayers will award
office holders ready to do the hard work of reigning in out-of-control
government spending."
Bauer, the chairman of the Campaign for Working Families, made
the following statement:
"I congratulate Governor Scott Walker
for his hard-fought victory tonight, and most especially for having the
courage of his convictions to fight the good fight. But the victory in Wisconsin is not Scott
Walker's alone. It is a victory for the hard-working
taxpayers of Wisconsin, who foot the
bill year after year. It is a victory for common sense over
powerful special interests. It is a victory that taxpayers in
every state can celebrate. It is a victory, yes, even for some
union members.
"Since Gov. Walker's reforms were enacted, tens of thousands of
state employees have opted to keep more of the money they earn rather
than let the public employees union siphon off their hard-earned
dollars. In other words, once given the choice, more than half of
the public employees union's members decided that they didn't need the
union. These reforms will pay real dividends for the taxpayers of
Wisconsin. They are the real winners tonight.
"The recall election is a sign of good things to come. The
power of the Big Labor bosses has finally been checked, not just in Wisconsin, but also in scores of other
states across the country. More governors, legislators and
taxpayers will be inspired to stand up against the liberal labor unions
and do what is truly in the best interests of their communities. Wisconsin's 10 Electoral College votes are
now in play, and the anti-tax, small government movement that swept the
country in 2010 is about to sweep Barack Obama
out of office in 154 days!"
Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1drYR)