WHAT’S NEW WHAT’S TO COME TAMPA BAY – WINTER 2009

12-31-2008

 

 

  

Super Bowl XLIII Feb. 1, 2009

The road to NFL greatness leads through Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium.  More than 100,000 visitors, 4,000 credentialed media and 800 million worldwide television viewers will soon set their sights on Tampa Bay when the region plays host to the world’s largest one-day sporting event.  Join in on the excitement of The NFL Experience presented by Bank of America. The NFL Experience is the most exciting continuous event surrounding Super Bowl XLIII – pro football's interactive fan festival offering participatory games, displays, entertainment attractions, kids' football clinics, free autograph sessions and the largest football card show ever.

 

For more event information, please visit

www.tampabaysuperbowl.com

 

ATTRACTIONS

Tampa Bay History Center

The Tampa Bay History Center will open to the public on Jan. 17, 2009. Visitors stepping inside the new 60,000-square-foot history center will take an illuminating walk through 12,000 years of powerful stories.  Following in the footsteps of the first native inhabitants, Spanish conquistadors, pioneers, presidents, sports legends and railroad tycoons, guests will discover the places and people who’ve inspired generations.  The four-floor Center boasts a visually captivating atrium, interactive exhibits, theaters, map gallery, research center, event hall, museum store and the internationally-acclaimed Columbia Café.  The history of the Tampa Bay region will come alive within these walls.  Begin your adventure online at www.tampabayhistorycenter.org.

 

Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center

The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center (TBPAC) has just completed the installation of an ambitious sound and video project aimed at enhancing the patron experience. The project involved networking 23 Sharp Aquos high-definition monitors, as well as 48 speakers in the lobbies and around the 335,000-square-foot campus. The monitors and speakers have been divided among many geographic zones to ensure that patrons encounter relevant and targeted images and sounds based on the show they’re coming to see. The new monitors came as part of an innovative marketing relationship with Sharp, the official HDTV provider of TBPAC.

 

For more information about the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and its upcoming events, please visit TBPAC’s website at www.tbpac.org.   

 

Tampa Museum of Art                               

The Tampa Museum of Art is constructing a new 66,000-square-foot facility in downtown Tampa. The state-of-the-art museum is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2009 and will provide the region with a variety of world-class traveling exhibitions, a growing collection of contemporary and classical art, expanded educational programs and access to scenic outdoor events along Tampa's Riverwalk. TMA will become a nationally recognized major art destination and premier venue for residents and visitors. The museum's interim facility is located at 2306 N. Howard Avenue in Tampa. Interim location hours: Tues. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; third Fri. 8 - 11 p.m. Closed Sun. and Mon.

 

Dinosaur World

Raptor Pack

Dinosaur World in Plant City is releasing a new Raptor Pack which will include Oviraptors, Velociraptors and a Dilophosaurus.  The raptors can be seen along the Dinosaur Walk with over 150 other life size prehistoric creatures. In addition to viewing the life size raptors, guests will learn interesting facts along the way.

 

Its mission is to enhance the understanding of prehistoric life by stimulating thoughts in an educational and family friendly atmosphere. For more information, please visit www.dinoworld.net

 

HOTEL & RESTAURANT NEWS

Bay Harbor Hotel

Bay Harbor Hotel, formerly the Radisson Bay Harbor Hotel, located ten minutes from Tampa Bay International Airport, has recently made some changes to the property. New paint externally welcomes you to the property with a modern paint scheme updating and freshening the building. The 257 rooms have undergone a new look with bedding, drapes and linens. Bay Harbor Hotel also has new, upgraded exercise equipment in its fitness room along with wireless internet access at no extra fees.  The Bay Harbor Hotel is the closest thing to an all-inclusive resort that you will find in the Bay area. 

 

Complimentary parking, transportation and newspapers are just a few additional items they provide to guests.  Its signature restaurant, Crabby Bill’s has daily specials and an upgraded menu. Packages and sports packages will be available via their website at www.bayharbortampabay.com. 

Special events, government and city rates are available upon request.

 

Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore

The Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore has recently completed a multi-million dollar renovation of the entire hotel in preparation for 2009 Super Bowl.  The renovation included all public space, meeting rooms, bar, restaurant and guest rooms.  All of the guest rooms have a new "chic" look with natural tones, 37” HDTV and Herman miller chairs.

 

Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Busch Gardens/University of South Florida

The brand new Holiday Inn Express offers 123 guest rooms & suites – all non-smoking. All rooms feature flat-panel televisions, pillow-top bedding, microwave/fridge, unique décor themed to Busch Gardens, outdoor pool, and a free shuttle to USF, Busch Gardens, and Adventure Island. Holiday Inn worldwide recently updated their brand – the hotel is among the first in the State of Florida to represent the new changes. The property is also an environmentally sound Green Hotel. Visit www.hiexpress.com/tampafl to learn more.

 

Hyatt Place- Busch Gardens/ USF and Tampa Westshore

Hyatt Place®, which has grown to 118 hotels nationwide since its 2006 launch, has been named the top mid-scale full service brand in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction IndexSM.

 

“Hyatt Place was designed to be a next generation concept and was the result of some of the most extensive customer research ever undertaken by Hyatt,” said Mark Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer, Global Hyatt Corporation. According to the J.D. Power and Associates study, Hyatt Place received the highest rankings possible in nearly every key measure of the guest experience, including guestroom,

hotel services, hotel facilities and costs and fees.

 

Hyatt Regency Tampa

Hyatt Regency Tampa, located downtown at Tampa’s City Center, has renovated the hotel’s suites to compliment the newly refurbished 521 guestrooms.  Known for its ideal location for both business and leisure travelers in the heart of the city, thirteen brand new suites at Hyatt Regency Tampa complete the second phase of the multi-million dollar renovation.

 

During the first phase of renovation, all 521 guestrooms have been completely redesigned with contemporary furnishings and modern amenities, including the signature Hyatt Grand Bed™, 32-inch LCD flat-screen televisions, expanded work stations with oversized desks and T-Mobile® wireless internet access.  The new guestrooms also feature iHome™ clock radios with an iPod® docking station and high-fidelity speakers. The new guestroom bathrooms showcase sleek granite countertops and marble floors.

 

InterContinental Tampa

Intercontinental Tampa has earned the highly recognized AAA 4 Diamond Rating for 2009. AAA rating criteria includes upscale facilities, extensive services and spacious, well-appointed guest rooms with superior furnishings and amenities. The AAA sign provides quality assurance as the most respected restaurant and lodging rating system in the industry. From the luxury rooftop pool with spectacular views of the bay and city, to dining at world-famous Shula's Steak House, to a full-service "In The Know" concierge program allowing guests to enjoy authentic and enriching local experiences, InterContinental Tampa is well deserving of its outstandi
[Back to Press Releases Main]