Long before the world’s first commercial passenger flight landed in Tampa on January 1, 1914, the city had already established itself as a hub of commerce. From its beginnings as a trading center and a major source of phosphate to the arrival of railroads and its rise to fame as the Cigar Capital of the World, Tampa developed into a vital regional and national business destination.
Today, a $38 million Capital Improvement Plan has expanded the Tampa Convention Center’s waterfront meeting and exhibition spaces and upgraded infrastructure to better serve the business community.
“The growth of Tampa Bay has been tremendous as we continue to add more meeting space and look forward to the million-dollar addition to our beautiful waterfront Tampa Convention Center,” said Santiago C. Corrada, president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. “These additions make it possible for Tampa Bay to host even larger meetings and conventions, bringing in significant dollars to our industry by supporting our attractions, unique culinary profile and incredible hotels.”
© Visit Tampa Bay
Meeting planners, exhibitors and attendees can now enjoy renewed lodging options, including significant renovations to two iconic Tampa Bay properties. The Floridan Palace Hotel has joined Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, while Saddlebrook Resort—featuring 500 rooms, 45 tennis courts and two Arnold Palmer–designed golf courses—has been acquired by Mast Capital and is receiving a major facelift.
Once renovated, Saddlebrook will offer approximately 100,000 square feet of meeting and event space along with new restaurants and cafés. The historic Floridan Palace Hotel is slated for a $25 million renovation of its 212 rooms and will add upscale boutique shops and dining options.
Also new to the local hospitality scene is The Tampa EDITION. Located in the Water Street Tampa neighborhood and situated on 56 acres, this five-star property adds 172 guestrooms and suites and the signature branded amenities and experiences that the EDITION name provides.
These additions are timely. The “Make It Tampa Bay” campaign is actively promoting the region to out-of-state professionals by highlighting local opportunities on a national scale. According to Craig J. Richard, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, Hillsborough County, key growth sectors include finance, life sciences, information technology, cybersecurity, fintech and health tech.
© Chengusf | Dreamstime.com
Across the city, landmarks and attractions provide memorable experiences for meeting attendees, investors and new residents. The Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge spans Lower Tampa Bay with an impressive steel structure. At night, more than 1,800 LED lights create programmed displays that transform the bridge into a glowing visual spectacle.
Tampa’s culinary, entertainment and recreational offerings make it easy to enhance corporate events. Historic Ybor City—founded by Vicente Martinez-Ybor in the 1880s—became a worldwide center for cigar manufacturing and a home for immigrants from Cuba, Italy and Spain. Today, the TECO Line Streetcar connects visitors to Ybor City’s historic neighborhoods, known locally as Cigar Town. While exploring, groups often visit The Cuban Club, a National Register of Historic Places site that reflects the city’s cultural heritage and local lore.
SCENIC DRIVES
For a slower-paced, nature-focused experience beyond the city, two scenic drives stand out: the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve and The Ridge Scenic Byway.
The Green Swamp Region encompasses hundreds of thousands of acres of wetlands, flatlands and low ridges. To explore it, drive north from the city on US 301 to US 98 South, then continue north on State Road 471 for access to varied landscapes and wildlife.
The Ridge Scenic Byway follows the Lake Wales Ridge, passing lakes, citrus groves and pastoral farmland between Haines City in the north and Frostproof to the south. To reach the byway, take I-4 East to FL 559 North in Auburndale, then follow County Road 557A/State Road 557 and US 92 East/Highway 17 North to US 17-92 North in Haines City. The state-designated route travels through communities such as Hillcrest Heights, Babson Park, Highland Park, Lake Wales, Lake of the Hills, Dundee and Lake Hamilton, offering a scenic corridor that highlights Central Florida’s natural beauty.