On September 24, Tampa Bay & Company celebrated 23 years of serving as Hillsborough County's official tourism corporation at the organization's annual meeting & luncheon at the Tampa Convention Center. More than 550 of Tampa Bay's most influential business owners and corporate elites attended the celebration.
"Tampa Bay & Company is continuing to shine in the community as a driving force for tourism in Tampa Bay," said Sandy MacKinnon, chairman of the board of directors. "The best way to ensure that tourism continues to prosper in our community is for each of us to become ambassadors and to keep thinking outside the box."
Frank Clemente and Lynn McGee of conceptBAIT took those words from MacKinnon as inspiration for the event's out-of-the-box design. The tables were covered in bold primary-colored spandex linens, with bright greens and purples as accents. Bay Stage Lighting framed the perimeter of the space with colorful lighting, further emphasizing the colorful design scheme. Every turn showcased the organization's logo, which was featured on floral arrangements, lighting, and more.
Performers from Dorene Collier's Event Show Productions and Norton Interactive Comedy entertained guests with colorful acts and interactive humor, as stilt walkers meandered around tables inspiring lively conversation among the attendees.
The afternoon focused on the accomplishments of the organization over the past 23 years and the future of the bay-front city. The occasion was also intended to generate awareness of the value of the tourist industry to the Tampa Bay area and highlight the overall benefit of tourism to the local economy.
