Tag Archives: Events

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce annually hosts more than 150 events designed to meet the varied needs of our diverse membership. Our event calendar features programs for every FIT level, giving you the opportunity to build your business network, learn from respected industry professionals and gain insight into pertinent issues affecting Tampa’s future.

Delegation gets brief on RNC’s impact in Philly

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David Cohen addresses Tampa delegation

Benchmarking this morning…

Got briefed by David Cohen, the chair of the 2000 host committee that got the RNC to Phily.

Takeaways for Tampa:

    1. Make it an effort to have a long-lasting impact on tourism/hospitality – not just a one-time show.
    2. Create separate/dedicated transportation system for delegates – make them feel very special and make it so they can go wherever they want to go around the area – free of charge.
    3. Create promotional program for area restaurants.  This was the most disappointed group in Philly – they had high expectations for business, but it didn’t come through because delegates were at the convention from 6 – 10:00 each night.  Definitely make public pitch to get locals out in restaurants.
    4. Like baseball’s Fanfest and basketball’s Jamfest, create Politiicalfest – a multimedia celebration of American politics.  Make a replica of oval office.  Create a mock up of the convention stage and allow people to give speeches – with balloon drops and all.  Sell DVD’s of their speech.  Have political memorabilia vendors come in.
    5. Do video feeds from convention – put up big screens strong city where public can watch.  Engage the public – make it free and get local politicians (from both parties) to attend these events and mingle.  .
      Do a Host committee reception every night.  Non-partisan reception – thanks to biz community.
    6. The convention paid off in Phily – they’re consistently up on hotel nights compared to pre-convention and established the city as a player in major hospitality events.

Off to the airport…more later.

 

Tuesday Benchmarking – Politics and Stadiums

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On benchmarking trip today…

Got Philly briefing from Mayor Nutter – Penn grad – very impressed with his grasp of city ops. Says he treats it like a business – he’s the CEO and the taxpayers are investors.

Dr Genshaft announced a multi-million dollar grant from BP to USF to further study effects of oil spill – Go Bulls!

Presentation on the inner-workings of Philly’s stadium deals by Tom Whitworth, of NorthMarq Financial and Sam Rhoades, Sr VP of Finance, PIDC (economic development arm) – very insightful. Tom has worked on several stadium deals, including the Marlins park in Miami; Sam is on economic development side from Philly’s perspective. They have the only sports complex in the country where professional football, baseball, basketball, and hockey are played. The combined parks – Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Park, and the Wells Fargo Spectrum – have a combined 108,000 seats and parking for 22,000 cars.

Take-aways for Tampa –

  1. Make it about community impact….not about the stadium. Focus on how the project will impact the surrounding community both economically, and from a ‘quality of life’ perspective.
  2. Structure deal so the community shares in upside of increase value of franchise – get a piece of the action if team owners cash out after public money helped increase the value of the team.
  3. The stadium is storm shelter – example from Miami’s new park, which has retractable roof system.
  4. Make teams responsible for cost overruns – set up deal with capped commitment from public sector.
  5. Issue bonds on incremental new income – this could be done if there’s substantial upside in new revenue from a new stadium.

Off to the Liberty Bell and Constitution Hall!

Steve@plantz.us

Chamber Delegation Visits Reading Terminal Market

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Nice day yesterday in Phily after Irene cleared out. Started with a trip to their market. Chuck Sykes, Troy Atlas, and Steven Bernstein tested the Phily Cheese Steak.

Small Business of the Year Awards is almost here!

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We are closing in on the 2011 Small Business of the Year Awards! This is a very exciting time for our finalists who have completed their judging process and are looking forward to the highly anticipated banquet on Friday, September 16th. We already are expecting over 800 attendees.

Interested in participating next year?  Nominations start every year in January and you can either nominate your own company or have someone nominate on your behalf.  Your company must be in business for at least three years, have between 5-250 employees and headquartered in Hillsborough County, Pinellas or Pasco county.   If you are not a Tampa Chamber member, then your headquarters must be in Hillsborough County.

The Small Business of the Year Awards has been recognized and received excellence awards by the ACCE (American Chamber of Commerce Executives) for consecutive years.  Join us for the most exciting and prestigious awards for small businesses in Tampa Bay! For more information, you can email cstrandberg@tampachamber.com or call (813) 276-9402.