Chamber Launches TampaMediaCenter.com

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce officially launched TampaMediaCenter.com, a website that features local stories of interest, spotlighting local businesses, business leaders and institutions.

“Our community has a wealth of success stories.  The University of South Florida is ranked in the Top 50 universities for research funding (includes public and private schools).  The Port of Tampa is Florida’s largest port and one of the nation’s most diversified.  A key player in our national security – MacDill Air Force Base is home to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), the Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE), the 6th Air Mobility Wing and over 40 other tenant units.  We have witnessed small businesses grow into large companies.  Outback Steakhouse (now Bloomin’ Brands, Inc.) was the Chamber’s Small Business of the Year in 1990 and is now a one of the world’s largest casual dining companies with approximately 86,000 employees and more than 1,400 restaurants in 48 states and 20 countries and territories. These are the type of great stories that are told on the Tampa Media Center website,” said Bob Rohrlack, President & CEO of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

Starting now and throughout the Republican National Convention, TampaMediaCenter.com will feature stories on a diverse array of Tampa-area businesses and institutions.  From small businesses to large corporations; research and development news to quirky facts, each of the stories provides members of the media a glimpse of what makes Tampa a great place to grow business.  The Chamber’s communications department can provide journalists with additional information to pursue a more in-depth exploration of any of the story topics posted. Visit www.TampaMediaCenter.com to view the Tampa Media Center.

2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee for the Republican National Convention Unveils New Videos and Website to Showcase Tampa Bay

The 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee for the Republican National Convention recently redesigned and launched a new website with new Tampa Bay videos  to better promote the Tampa Bay region to the nation and world.

To help people get to know the Tampa Bay region, the Host Committee has utilized its volunteer Communications Action Group to develop four videos. The main video will highlight all of Tampa Bay, and the three additional videos will showcase the individual cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater.  The videos can be found on the delegate tab of the website.

In addition, the website, www.2012Tampa.com, is a complete overhaul from the former site’s design. New tabs include a Delegate tab, which provides important information about Tampa Bay for convention delegates; an Economic Development tab, which champions the Host Committee’s “Why Florida? Why Now?” economic development series; and a Store tab, which features merchandise commemorating the 2012 Republican National Convention.

“The Host Committee is comprised of individuals who live in Tampa Bay, and it is important that we promote our region to the tens of thousands of guests coming to our area for the Convention this August,” said Host Committee President and CEO Ken Jones. “Information is organized so that visitors to the website, including delegates, media and others, can easily find what they need. We are excited to have launched a website that will be useful to those interested in learning more about the Tampa Bay area, as well as the 2012 Republican National Convention.”

The Delegate tab is designed to be utilized by any guest coming to Tampa Bay in August. Information targeted directly towards guests will be continuously updated as a way to promote the Tampa Bay region, its small businesses and local tourist destinations.

The Host Committee’s website also features easy-to-find buttons for those interested in volunteering or donating. In addition, the Host Committee’s Small Business Network Directory, which is comprised of registered Tampa Bay small businesses, is highlighted.

Locally owned In Creative Group, a member of the Host Committee’s Small Business Network, helped in the design and implementation of the new website, and Riverbank Studios, which is a member of the Host Committee’s volunteer Communications Action Group, produced the Tampa Bay videos.

2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee for the Republican National Convention Unveils Faces of Tampa Bay

The Faces of Tampa Bay, a volunteer recruitment campaign by the 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee for the Republican National Convention, launched today with a press announcement on site at Tampa International Airport.  A reflection of the diversity in the region, the Faces of Tampa Bay encourages volunteer support during the days and weeks leading up to the Convention.

“The Host Committee’s volunteers are the ‘Faces of Tampa Bay.’  They are the representatives of our region,” said Host Committee Director of Events and Volunteers Amanda Whitelaw.  “As a Host Committee, we want our volunteers to reflect the diversity in our community, so we are encouraging everyone from all walks of life to get involved and register to volunteer.”

The Faces of Tampa Bay campaign is a 10-day push to recruit volunteers from throughout the Tampa Bay community, featuring 10 registered Host Committee volunteers from the region.  One volunteer will be featured on the Host Committee’s Facebook and Twitter pages each day for 10 days, beginning today.

“Tampa Bay will be on a national and international stage for the Convention this August, and this is the perfect opportunity to showcase just how great this region is and will continue to be,” said Cody Rickert, Host Committee volunteer.  “Warm southern hospitality does not just happen on its own.  I feel that it is our responsibility to make it happen, and I am excited to be a part of welcoming our guests in the next few months.”

Since the beginning of the year, the Host Committee has been actively recruiting volunteers to fill 7,500 volunteer roles, with more than 50 percent of the roles having been filled already.  Volunteers will welcome guests at local airports and hotels throughout the area, as well as support Host Committee programs and a variety of events during the months leading up to the Convention.

For more information or to register for the Host Committee’s volunteer program, visit: www.2012tampa.com/get-involved.