Trade Show News

Tampa Bay's hotel taxable revenue reached over $72.7 million in September, a 9.5% increase from the previous year, with an occupancy rate of 64.5%. Meetings and conventions booked by Visit Tampa Bay and the Tampa Convention Center contributed significantly, generating almost 18,000 room nights and nearly $14 million in estimated economic impact for the month. This strong performance follows a robust August, indicating continued visitor demand for the destination.

Tampa Bay's hotel taxable revenue reached nearly $73 million in September 2026, a 9.5% increase from the previous year, with meetings and conventions significantly contributing to this growth. Events like the Tampa Bay Comic Convention and Juice Plus+ LIVE Fall booked almost 18,000 room nights, driving nearly $14 million in estimated economic impact for the month.

The Hotel ORA + Private Residences, a $675 million condo-hotel tower in Downtown Tampa, is under construction since 2026 and is targeting a 2029 opening. This 39-story development will include more than 15,000 square feet of convention and meeting space, significantly enhancing the city's hospitality infrastructure.

The Tampa Convention Center is concluding a successful year in 2026, having hosted 94 events and welcomed over 340,000 attendees. These events generated an estimated $149 million in local economic impact for Tampa and Hillsborough County. The center continues to serve as a significant economic engine for the region, attracting major national conventions and trade shows.

The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council (EDC) celebrated a successful 2026, with 22 projects creating 1,888 new jobs and generating over $221 million in capital investment. Tampa was recognized as a top city for foreign businesses and corporate headquarters, highlighting its growing economic appeal as a business destination.

The International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) has opened its call for proposals for the 2027 Education Conference, seeking presentations from marine industry professionals. Submissions are due January 4, 2027, for the technical seminar program at the Tampa Convention Center.

The International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) has opened its Call for Proposals for the 2027 IBEX Education Conference, inviting marine industry professionals to share their expertise. Submissions are due January 4, 2027, for the technical seminar program taking place during IBEX, December 7–9, 2027, at the Tampa Convention Center.

Pyramid Global Hospitality is seeking a Director of Sales for Hotel Flor Tampa Downtown to lead sales strategy and revenue generation across corporate, group, convention, association, and other market segments. This role involves developing sales plans, driving account growth, and representing the hotel within the Tampa hospitality community, directly impacting the hotel's engagement with the meetings and events industry.

Marissa Weaver's title changed from Public Relations Coordinator to Media Relations Specialist at Visit Tampa Bay as of October 18, 2026. The article provides an overview of current leadership, including Santiago C. Corrada as President & CEO.

Visit Tampa Bay installed Peter Wright as its new Board Chair during its 2026 Annual Meeting, where it also highlighted the success of its "Go and You'll Know" marketing campaign, which generated an estimated $213 million in hotel revenue for Hillsborough County.

Tampa will host the 2027 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships from August 12-15, with the accompanying USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show running from August 13-15. The Tampa Convention Center is expected to welcome approximately 3,000 attendees and trade show exhibitors for these events. This marks the third time Florida has hosted the national championships.

The National Principals Conference 2027, a premier gathering for PK–12 principals and assistant principals, will be held at the Tampa Convention Center. This private event aims to foster purpose-driven communities, elevate leadership, and advance equity in education through research-grounded strategies.

ELEVATE Phoenix 2026 is scheduled to take place from November 8-11, 2026, at the Tampa Convention Center. This event is listed among upcoming trade shows in Tampa.

ELEVATE Phoenix 2026 is scheduled to take place from November 8-11, 2026, at the Tampa Convention Center. This event is listed among the upcoming trade fairs in Tampa.

The Fertilizer Show, a global gathering for the fertilizer production supply chain, will take place at the Tampa Convention Center from November 18-19, 2026. The exhibition serves as a meeting place to discuss the latest technologies for a sustainable and efficient fertilizer industry.

The Tampa Convention Center has been awarded Gold for Best U.S. Convention Center in the 2026 Prevue Visionary Awards. This recognition, voted on by meeting planners and event professionals, highlights destinations, convention centers, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and airlines that are shaping the future of meetings and events.

The Tampa Convention Center has been awarded Gold for Best U.S. Convention Center in the 2026 Prevue Visionary Awards, a recognition determined by votes from meeting planners and event professionals. This adds to the center's accolades, including being named a 2027 Exhibitor Center of Excellence.

The Tampa Convention Center has earned Gold for Best U.S. Convention Center in the 2026 Prevue Visionary Awards, a recognition voted on by meeting planners and event professionals. This is the first time the center has received this award, adding to its growing list of industry accolades for 2026. The award highlights Tampa's infrastructure, hospitality, and attendee experience for successful meetings and events.

The Tampa Convention Center has been awarded Gold for Best U.S. Convention Center in the 2026 Prevue Visionary Awards. This recognition is a result of votes from meeting planners and event professionals, highlighting the center's standing in the industry.

The Tampa Convention Center has been awarded Gold for Best U.S. Convention Center in the 2026 Prevue Visionary Awards, a recognition voted on by meeting planners and event professionals. This marks the venue's first time receiving this honor and adds to its growing list of industry accolades for 2026.