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.

“We want everyone to experience all of what Tampa Bay has to offer, whether that is dining in one of our local restaurants or visiting one of our area attractions. Tampa Bay is full of things to do and sights to see,” said Host Committee President and CEO Ken Jones. “By offering a discount program to both our guests as well as the local community, we are encouraging people to frequent and support our local business community.”

The GOParty Card discount program is comprised of more than 100 local Tampa Bay establishments and is divided into six categories: Arts & Culture, Casual Dining, Dining, Things to Do, Golf and Outdoor Activities & Ecotourism. Discounts range anywhere from percentages off purchases to “buy one, get one free” deals.

The GOParty Card can be found and printed via the Host Committee’s website at: www.2012Tampa.com under the Delegate tab. It is also available on the Host Committee’s mobile application: Tampa 2012, which can be downloaded on Apple and Android platforms. The GOParty Card must be shown in order to receive discounts and can be displayed on a smartphone device or printed paper.

The Host Committee and the Outdoor Arts Foundation is pleased to announce… The elephants are here, and they’ve invaded Tampa Bay!

Check out the elephants, by clicking here.

The application, or app, provides users the ability to watch live Convention coverage and share their experiences via social media networks.  Other features include maps, transportation and weather information, local news and Florida fun facts.

The mobile application, “Tampa 2012,” is available on Apple and Android platforms and was developed for the Host Committee and the Convention by AT&T, the Official Wireless Provider of the 2012 Republican National Convention.

Users can view the master calendar for the Convention in addition to adding their own events. Maps of the Tampa Bay region highlight GOParty Card local businesses, which offer discounts beginning August 17 until September 3, 2012, and numerous shuttle routes and taxi services are listed. In addition, to promote local business, the mobile application provides interactive trivia games and a scavenger hunt where users have the chance to win prizes by scanning QR codes at a number of GOParty Card locations.  The GOP Store is also available where users can purchase Convention-related merchandise.

“We are excited to provide an integrated mobile application for this year’s 2012 Republican National Convention,” said Host Committee President and CEO Ken Jones. “Four years ago, at the last Convention, iPhones and other smart phones were just making their debut and mobile apps were in their infancy. Now, these devices are everywhere and we have the fantastic opportunity to provide our guests, and the public who are interested in the Convention, with a mobile application that is cutting-edge, easy-to-use and fun. More importantly, it provides users the chance to learn about the Tampa Bay region and all it has to offer.”

“The mobile app will greatly enhance the experience of both convention attendees and non-attendees like never before,” said convention CEO William Harris. “Information will be at their fingertips. The convention schedules will be, for the first time, available on a mobile device. Convention guests will be more informed and better able to navigate all the activities taking place in Tampa Bay while non-attendees will be able to join a Convention Without Walls and all the social conversations surrounding the convention.”

The mobile app is available for iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android devices, and through a mobile website that will enable Blackberry and other smart phone users to access the convention’s mobile app experience. A link to the mobile app and additional Host Committee information can be found at: http://2012tampa.com/delegates/mobile-application/.

In addition, the first release of the Convention schedule will be through the Convention app:

• Monday, August 27 convention schedule to be released August 20
• Tuesday, August 28 convention schedule to be released August 21
• Wednesday, August 29 convention schedule to be released August 22
• Thursday, August 30 convention schedule to be released August 23

Periodic schedule updates will be issued as necessary.

The combined delegate and media welcome event, which will kick off the week of the Convention on Sunday, August 26, 2012, is the first-of-its-kind in the history of a presidential nominating convention. More than 20,000 guests have been invited to this ground-breaking event. Performances will highlight the local Tampa Bay region in an inaugural, innovative and incredible way.  The acts below, and more, will represent Tampa Bay:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders
• Tampa Bay Rays Street Team
• Tampa Bay Lightning’s “Lightning Girls”
• University of South Florida’s “Herd of Thunder” Marching Band
• Gasparilla pirates and krewes
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay performers and acts

In addition to local musical and dance performances, cirque-style performers, including acrobats, contortionists, rolla bolla artists and animal-themed dancers will perform as a part of “Cirque Dreams,” presented by Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

“We are excited to showcase Tampa Bay and the many wonderful entertainers that represent our region,” said Host Committee President and CEO Ken Jones. “Guests of The Welcome Event will experience a taste of Tampa Bay’s culture, history and themes, as well as its warm hospitality. We are proud of the Tampa Bay region and all it has to offer. We are excited to show the thousands of convention guests the Tampa Bay we know and love.”

Also performing at The Welcome Event are former competitors and national recording artists from two top network reality shows, both with ties to Tampa Bay:

• Shannon Magrane, from the eleventh season of Fox’s “American Idol”
• Karla Davis, from season two of NBC’s “The Voice”

Media outlets interested in covering the event should contact the Host Committee at media@2012Tampa.com. NOTE:  Only credentialed media for the Convention will be able to request Host Committee credentials to cover The Welcome Event. Due to very limited space, the deadline to request a Host Committee credential to cover the event as press is Friday, August 17, 2012. 

Ryan was selected to sing the “Star Spangled Banner” after performing in front of a crowd of roughly 2,000 volunteers at the Host Committee’s Volunteer Pep Rally this past Saturday. Ryan will perform the national anthem at the Host Committee’s “Salute to the Military” private luncheon during the week of the Republican National Convention. Congratulations again Ryan and thank you to everyone who participated!

“As the official Republican National Convention Host Committee, we have made it our mission to steadfastly support Florida’s business community. The Host Committee has been, and continues to be, committed to utilizing statewide businesses to provide the goods and services we need to make the Convention a phenomenal success,” said Host Committee President and CEO Ken Jones. “In addition, we’re working hard to promote Tampa Bay’s businesses, including its small business community, to those descending on the region this month.

To date, the Host Committee has awarded millions of dollars in contracts to businesses in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding region. In May, the Host Committee launched its Small Business Network Directory, the first of its kind in the history of the Republican National Convention, in an effort to market Tampa Bay’s small business community to the thousands of guests visiting the area this month.

Jones added, “Given that the broader economy and Florida in particular have been emerging from a difficult economic climate, the infusion of these dollars into the economy couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment.”

Categories with which the Host Committee has conducted business include:

Catering                                                            Motor Pool/Rental Cars

Construction                                                    Office Supplies/Furniture

Creative Services                                            Operations and Build Out

Event Services                                                 Parking

Facility Rental                                                  Printing

Facilities Upgrades                                        Production

Hotels                                                               Staff Housing

Information Technology                                Security

Legal/Accounting/Compliance

1. Brielle Carter
2. Lisa Casalino
3. Erica DiCeglie
4. Ryan Julian

These four contestants will now compete to become the “Voice” of Tampa Bay. They will sing the Star Spangled Banner live at our Volunteer Pep Rally on Saturday, Aug. 11., and one contestant will be chosen to sing the national anthem at a Host Committee event during the week of the Republican National Convention.

Thank you to everyone who participated, and good luck to the final four!

For more information on the “Voice,” click here.

“Approximately 50,000 guests are expected to converge on Tampa Bay for the Republican National Convention next month, and the Host Committee wants to welcome every single person with open arms,” said Host Committee President and CEO Ken Jones. “We want our guests to be greeted with the best of Tampa Bay’s hospitality, so they will want to come back to our region again and again.”

The Presence Program’s primary “look” is anchored by deep, rich hues of red and blue with accents of white. In addition, various size stars, flowing ribbons and Florida’s native palm tree – the Sabal Palm – are elements of the program’s design. To see a sample of the Host Committee’s look, click here.

A broad range of large and small décor items will be featured throughout the region, including street pole banners, hanging banners, flags and posters. Soon, Presence Program items will also be available for purchase on the Host Committee website for businesses and hotels interested in displaying official welcome signage. Prices will range from $25 to $100.

The Presence Program will go into effect August 17, 2012 and will remain active until September 3, 2012.

“All eyes will be on Tampa Bay this August, and we want to give our small businesses every opportunity to promote themselves to delegates, media and other guests who will be in town for the week-long event,” said Host Committee President & CEO Ken Jones. “With more than 800 million users, Facebook is the perfect social networking platform for small businesses to utilize to attract more attention to their products and services.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Facebook to host this seminar for Tampa Bay’s small business community,” said Host Committee Chief Operating Officer Matt Becker. “With the Republican National Convention less than two months away, this seminar will help to give small businesses in our region a marketing jumpstart just in time for the Convention.”

Since the beginning of the year, the Host Committee has offered several networking and seminar opportunities for the members of its Small Business Network, in addition to today’s recent event with Facebook.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, and investing in their success is important for all of us,” said Facebook Vice President of Global Marketing Solutions Grady Burnett. “We want to give businesses a boost by helping them to use the power of our site to meet new customers and deepen their relationships with the customers they already have.”

Facebook has participated in nearly 20 similar events since October 2011, as part of its Small Business Boost partnership with the United States Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business.