Tampa's Transformation To Be Focus Of International Conference

Tampa FL

19 October, 2021

3:59 PM

Description

TAMPA, FL — Tampa's transformation from sleepy Southern town to bustling metropolitan area will be highlighted when the Tampa Downtown Partnership and the International Downtown Association co-host the 67th Annual Conference & Marketplace Oct. 20-22. Downtown leaders from around the world will descend on Tampa to discuss post-pandemic recovery efforts, and explore solutions to the obstacles urban place management organizations are currently facing. It kicks off Wednesday, Oct. 20 with an opening general session from 4 to 5 p.m. in Ferguson Hall of the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. Macinnes Place, Tampa. Speakers at the opening session will include Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, Tampa Bay Sports Commission Executive Director Rob Higgins, Tampa Preparatory School Director Kevin Plummer and Tampa Downtown Partnership President and CEO Lynda Remund. The 2021 conference will highlight Tampa Bay's transformation from an emerging metropolitan area to one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. This year's theme, "Modern Momentum," will focus on the ways in which urban districts have creatively embraced new challenges to better support economic development, placemaking and communications in their communities. Industry leaders will discuss post-pandemic recovery efforts and how to carry the momentum of unprecedented times into deploying unique strategies in an ever-evolving economy. Like many major Florida cities, Tampa has activated and invested in its waterfront, using the natural environment as the ethos for the future and resulting in a series of emerging districts with distinct character, purpose and design. Attendees will visit some of these communities and Tampa's 2.6-mile transformative Riverwalk, sample Tampa's signature Cuban sandwich, tour cutting-edge breweries, explore the success of Tampa's trophy-winning sports teams and discover how a fictional pirate became the focus of Tampa's three-month Gasparilla celebration. The 2021 Annual Conference & Marketplace will be held at the Hilton Tampa Downtown Hotel and at various other locations throughout downtown Tampa.