By: Richard Danielson

Published: February 7, 2012

TAMPA — They won’t get inside for the nominee’s acceptance speech, but 7,500 local volunteers will do a lot to set the tone outside the Republican National Convention.

So on Monday, the Tampa Bay Host Committee put out a call for as many people as it can find like Dan Jordan of Clearwater.

Jordan, 77, is a commercial real estate broker with a hopeful vision of the legacy that the convention could leave behind.

Click here to read the full article.

By: Dalia Dangerfield

Published: February 6, 2012

TAMPA —

The committee hosting the Republican National Convention in Tampa in August kicked off its volunteer campaign Monday at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

The group needs to find 7,000 free workers for the event.

Volunteers will be asked to greet delegates at the airport, show visitors to their hotels and complete various other jobs across the Bay Area.

Click here to read the full article.

By: Carson Chambers

Published: February 6, 2012

TAMPA – In a Largo warehouse, where they still hand-craft commercial signs sold to Tampa Bay area establishments, 29-year old Jennifer Griffin is proud to  show us around her family’s small business.

“We have big ties to Florida.  It’s our home and it’s where we’re  loyal,” said Griffin.

Griffin is a University of South Florida graduate who volunteers in her free  time.  But come summer, she is applying for a new opportunity.

“I think it’s just a great way to get involved in the community. I think it’s  a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for anyone in Tampa Bay,” she said.

Read more: http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_tampa/host-committee-needs-7500-volunteers-for-rnc-2012#ixzz1lhllCqL3

Posted: January 19, 2012

How to pursue business related to the Republican National Convention was the subject of the 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee’s “Forum I” informational meeting Thursday morning.

Host Committee officials stressed the importance of being registered with Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, the city of Tampa or the city of St. Petersburg.

The committee plans to publish the directory of local product and service providers on its website in April and to circulate the directory via email.

County and city entities had booths with registration materials on hand, and directory registration will be available on the Host Committee’s website.

The Host Committee aims to market small businesses, but cannot promise contracts, said Chief Operating Officer Matt Becker. It’s up to small businesses to further promote themselves, he said.

The Host Committee, which presented the forum along with the Latino Coalition, plans a second forum in March on a date yet to be announced.

About 500 people attended Thursday’s event at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa.

By: Ted Jackovics

Posted: January 20, 2012

SAFETY HARBOR – Like others who make their living from a small business, Terry Saverson is eager to learn how to capitalize on opportunities from the August Republican National Convention in Tampa.

Click here to read more from TBO.com.

Posted: January 19, 2012

SAFETY HARBOR — Tampa Bay businesses — big and small — are getting prepared for the Republican National Convention in August.

The RNC Host Committee held a forum in Safety Harbor on Thursday focused on 500 small businesses looking to cash in on the massive influx of people and their money that will come to the Bay area for the convention.

The business leaders got information on how to register to be a part of the convention and what guidelines they will need to follow.

Scheduled for Aug. 27 to 30 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, the convention is projected to generate an estimated $175 million to $200 million in direct spending, though not necessarily all in the Tampa Bay area.

Local businesses that were unable to attend the forum can still register at 2012Tampa.com.

Click here to read original article.

Published: January 19, 2012

With the Republican National Convention being held in Downtown Tampa this summer, local businesses hope reap the benefits of extra business.

Click here to watch the news story.

Published: January 19, 2012

SAFETY HARBOR – Dorene Collier is seeing green along with the red white and blue of the upcoming Republican National Convention. She’s the president of her own “Event Show Production” company in Tampa, providing entertainment for corporate parties and special events.

“Very excited about the RNC since it’s in our backyard,” Collier said.

She knows the event represents a huge pie, and she’d like to get a slice of it. That’s why Collier was among 500 other small business owners gathered in Safety Harbor for an information session, to get the 411 on working with the RNC.

“We all wanted to see where we could fit in that week that the RNC is here,” she said.

“Our mission in addition to hosting convention is to create jobs, promote economy, make sure local business get most out of the convention,” said Ken Jones, 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee President.

Businesses that want to be a part of the action first need to register with the host committee’s  small business network online.

Thursday’s meeting was just an early first step but down the road officials say contracts will be available.

“You have to have a product or service that is looking to be purchased or utilized by the convention, or by a business involved with the convention, but we want to set up that process to get them plugged in,” Jones said.

“A lot of people look at a convention like this and think there’s no way we can get involved, it is too big, we’re too small, we want to dispel that myth,” Jones told FOX 13.

For more information:  http://2012tampa.com/small-business-network/

By: Kathryn Bursch

Posted: January 19, 2012

Clearwater, Florida – At Jiffy Reprographics they do all sorts of digital printing, from your basic copies to giant vehicle wraps.

The owners of this Clearwater business are excited about the upcoming Republican National Convention — not because of the politics, but because of the potential business.

“We would love to be a part of that,” says co-owner Mary-Dianne Roperti. “It’s an exciting time and we know we can definitely supply some of the needs that they have.”

And that’s why the printing company sent their General Manager to a meeting in Safety Harbor Thursday. Cory Deermount joined hundreds of other business people hoping to learn how to court convention contracts.

Lori Goldsmith of Tomlin Tested Staffing attended the event.  “We’re hoping we can make really good connections and help the event be successful, as well as promote our own business,” she said.

The 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee sponsored the seminar. Leaders say the convention has a long list of goods and services that local businesses have a chance to supply.

Host Committee President Ken Jones says, “A lot of people look at a convention like this and think there’s no way we can get involved-it’s just too big and we’re too small. We want to dispel that myth.”

The Host Committee does not award contracts, but is helping play “match-maker” between convention buyers and suppliers. And there are certain steps businesses have to take to be considered. To learn more click here.

Like many small businesses, Jiffy Reprographics has suffered because of the bad economy, so in coming months one thing they’d really like to see in print is a convention contract.

http://www.wtsp.com/rss/article/233231/8/Business-owners-hope-for-convention-contracts