The Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau celebrated the unveiling of its new name at its 22nd annual meeting and luncheon on September 27 at the A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa. Now known as Tampa Bay and Company, they have rebranded themselves with a sleek and vibrant new logo. Board members, corporate partners, and city luminaries enjoyed an afternoon luncheon with a classic Florida theme.
Frank Clemente and Lynn McGhee of conceptBAIT created a tropical oasis filled with warm sunset hues and statuesque palm trees. Large custom-made palm fronds were created to resemble those appearing in the Tampa Bay and Company logo and were suspended from the ceiling to produce the feeling of being in a palm grove. Round tables took on a new contemporary shape with stretch coverings in green, orange, fuchsia, and yellow, while the surrounding chairs were clad in a striking, modern shade of white.Bay Stage Lighting played on the tropical theme by using an uplighting effect to simulate the passing of a day from morning to evening. The room's glow gradually faded from various amber shades to vibrant blues throughout the afternoon. Spotlights strategically placed around the perimeter of the room beamed in citrus tones to reproduce the appearance of sun rays.
No event to celebrate Tampa would be complete without a lively performance from the well-known flamenco dancers of Columbia Restaurant. Motown singers from Busch Gardens also provided musical entertainment.
The local history and environment inspired A La Carte's event planners to create signature Floridian menu items—in particular, the Tampa Trifle, a layered dessert with blueberries, kiwi, yellow cake, and orange curd served in a martini glass. Attendees were greeted with signature nonalcoholic "Guava-tinis" before and after the luncheon. Upon leaving, each guest was presented with his or her own martini glass featuring the new Tampa Bay and Company logo and a detailed thank-you card including the recipes for the Tampa Trifle and Guava-tini.
Frank Clemente and Lynn McGhee of conceptBAIT created a tropical oasis filled with warm sunset hues and statuesque palm trees. Large custom-made palm fronds were created to resemble those appearing in the Tampa Bay and Company logo and were suspended from the ceiling to produce the feeling of being in a palm grove. Round tables took on a new contemporary shape with stretch coverings in green, orange, fuchsia, and yellow, while the surrounding chairs were clad in a striking, modern shade of white.Bay Stage Lighting played on the tropical theme by using an uplighting effect to simulate the passing of a day from morning to evening. The room's glow gradually faded from various amber shades to vibrant blues throughout the afternoon. Spotlights strategically placed around the perimeter of the room beamed in citrus tones to reproduce the appearance of sun rays.
No event to celebrate Tampa would be complete without a lively performance from the well-known flamenco dancers of Columbia Restaurant. Motown singers from Busch Gardens also provided musical entertainment.
The local history and environment inspired A La Carte's event planners to create signature Floridian menu items—in particular, the Tampa Trifle, a layered dessert with blueberries, kiwi, yellow cake, and orange curd served in a martini glass. Attendees were greeted with signature nonalcoholic "Guava-tinis" before and after the luncheon. Upon leaving, each guest was presented with his or her own martini glass featuring the new Tampa Bay and Company logo and a detailed thank-you card including the recipes for the Tampa Trifle and Guava-tini.
![Event planners created a tropical Florida theme with lighting and custom props.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2007/10/e8944tampacvb_standalone.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Event planners created a tropical Florida theme with lighting and custom props.
Photography by Chanele
![Attendees were served signature nonalcoholic 'Guava-tinis' before and after the luncheon.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e8944tampacvb_1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Attendees were served signature nonalcoholic 'Guava-tinis' before and after the luncheon.
Photography by Chanele
![Event planners created a tropical Florida theme with lighting and custom props.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e8944tampacvb_2.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Event planners created a tropical Florida theme with lighting and custom props.
Photography by Chanele
![Round tables took on a new contemporary shape with stretch coverings in green, orange, fuchsia, and yellow, topped with cylinders filled with tropical branches.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e8944tampacvb_3.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Round tables took on a new contemporary shape with stretch coverings in green, orange, fuchsia, and yellow, topped with cylinders filled with tropical branches.
Photography by Chanele
![A tropical Florida theme was created by conceptBAIT using colorful fabrics and creative decor.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e8944tampacvb_4.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
A tropical Florida theme was created by conceptBAIT using colorful fabrics and creative decor.
Photography by Chanele
![Flamenco dancers from the Columbia Restaurant spiced up the afternoon with a lively performance.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e8944tampacvb_5.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Flamenco dancers from the Columbia Restaurant spiced up the afternoon with a lively performance.
Photography by Chanele
![Lighting played on the tropical theme by using an uplighting effect to simulate the passing of a day from morning to evening.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e8944tampacvb_6.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Lighting played on the tropical theme by using an uplighting effect to simulate the passing of a day from morning to evening.
Photography by Chanele
![The Tampa Trifle, a layered dessert with blueberries, kiwi, yellow cake, and orange curd, was served in a martini glass.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e8944tampacvb_7.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
The Tampa Trifle, a layered dessert with blueberries, kiwi, yellow cake, and orange curd, was served in a martini glass.
Photography by Chanele
![Guests were presented with their own martini glasses, featuring the new Tampa Bay and Company logo.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e8944tampacvb_8.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Guests were presented with their own martini glasses, featuring the new Tampa Bay and Company logo.
![Large custom-made palm fronds were created to resemble those appearing in the Tampa Bay and Company's logo and were suspended from the ceiling.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e8944tampacvb_9.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Large custom-made palm fronds were created to resemble those appearing in the Tampa Bay and Company's logo and were suspended from the ceiling.
Photography by Chanele
![Tampa Bay and Company revealed a sleek and vibrant new logo.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e8944tampacvb_10.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Tampa Bay and Company revealed a sleek and vibrant new logo.
Photography by Chanele