Conference Opener Takes Guests on World Tour

Chosen as one of only three host locations for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' 2006 national conference in Tampa, the Florida Aquarium got a global makeover for the opening night event. Jason Carroll, the aquarium's event sales manager, promised to bring guests "everything under the sun"—and he delivered. A total of 1,600 people showed up to meet Leonardo da Vinci in Italy, dance with zumbai dancers in Brazil, and eat sushi in Japan.
Everyone was bused in from two locations: the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina and the Hyatt Regency Tampa. "Our biggest concern was to avoid long lines, so we created two separate entrances, one in the front and one in the back. We even had stiltwalkers redirecting people to either entrance," Carroll said.

Once inside, guests found a whole world to absorb. Six international stations had been set up to represent Italy, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, and St. Maarten.

Grand Events of Florida LLC built a green, blue, and orange tunnel to guide guests from the entrance to the main lobby, where the company also built and hung a lighted 20-foot sun. From here, performers from Norton Interactive Comedy took over: Leonardo da Vinci awaited in Italy, and a geisha roamed Japan, to name a few.

Aramark catered the cuisine and liquor, all of which represented the different countries. Italy's menu featured pasta and bruschetta, while its bar sat atop two wine barrels and a wood plank. Mexico featured different types of quesos with chips and salsa to complement. Sushi, sashimi, and steamed dumplings defined the Japanese cuisine. Brazil's chefs served up chicken and beef skewers. At Germany's station, guests dipped goodies in their choice of three fountains of dark and white chocolate. In keeping with its island feel, St. Maarten featured a tiki-hut bar and a live band, Bobby & the Rockets, who performed hits from the 80's and 90's.

Breezin Entertainment & Productions provided the zumbai dancers that entertained Brazil's visitors. The company also provided stiltwalkers, who roamed the park mingling the entire night, and an Italian musical trio, which consisted of a pianist, guitarist, and an electric accordion player.

Connie Duglin Specialty Linen Tampa took the 50 highboy tables supplied by Rent All of Tampa Inc. and placed them throughout the aquarium, decorating each with special-patterned linens that matched the flags of their section. And Event Networks, the company that runs the aquarium's gift shop, filled 2,000 gift bags with picture frames, bottle openers, notebooks, and other goodies—guests received these before heading back to their hotels to get ready for the upcoming conference and events at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and the Lowry Park Zoo.

—Albert del Toral

Photos: Stephen Rudd Photography