Florida Huddle 2008 - Tampa Bay - Our 32nd Annual Marketplace
Florida Huddle delegates began arriving in Tampa just as the pirates and
wenches from the annual Gasparilla invasion were departing the city. They
registered in host hotels and received their credentials for the show early
Sunday and immediately headed to Busch Gardens. Busch Gardens, our
opening night sponsor was munificent enough to provide access for a free
roaming of the park prior to the evening grand, (really grand!) opening
reception and dinner. A wonderful meal and the unexpected treat of
entertainment by an incredible troupe of step dancers, Irish Thunder, was
followed by a lavish dessert spread, games, rides on the thrilling SheiKra, and
dancing in the street. The hardy delegates then went on to the Hard Rock
Hotel and Casino for gaming and dancing at a late night after-party party.
It was down to hard work first thing Monday morning. First time buyers from
China and Italy were among this year's nine new buyer companies. A total of
205 registered domestic and international buyers conducted one on one
interviews with 178 booth holders representing 287 purchasing
opportunities. Forty-four international travel trade journalists covered the
business and social events along with journalists and broadcasters from five
Tampa Bay area daily newspapers, a weekly business journal, and four radio
stations.
An appointment driven show, Florida Huddle restricts the number of suppliers
registered in order to maintain a near one to one ratio between buyers and
suppliers. Keeping these numbers in balance assures the maximum number of
appointment requests may be filled. This year suppliers submitted over
8,100 appointment requests and buyers submitted 7,200, an all time high.
The computer did it's magic creating schedules that kept buyers busy and
suppliers doing business galore.
The annual press conference included presentations by the following panel
members:
Lynn Warren, President, Florida Huddle
Steve Hayes, Exec. VP, Tampa Bay and Company (Host 2008)
Bud Nocera, Pres. and CEO, Visit Florida
Bill Lupfer, Pres. and CEO, Florida Attractions Assn.
Gary Sain, Pres. and CEO, Orange/Orlando CCVB (Host 2009)
An extensive question and answer period followed the presentations.
After a busy day on the show floor, delegates were treated to a relaxing sail
of Tampa Bay on the Yacht StarShip during which a delicious meal was
served. The evening festivities concluded with dessert service and a tour of
the underwater denizens of the deep at Florida Aquarium.
Two new features were added to Breakfast with the Bureaus, an event now
celebrating it's third year. Throughout the Tuesday morning breakfast,
delegates were entertained by a power point presentation of wonderful art
showing the great diversity that is our state, Florida. These photos were
provided by the shows' participating bureaus. Baskets, bags, and, yes, even
buckets of goodies were provided by the bureaus. A drawing for these items
gave many delegates great pleasure. Lots of bureaus, lots of winners.
As buyers and suppliers began their second day of business appointments,
press delegates were whisked off to a continental breakfast and tour of the
historic Henry B. Plant Museum. In the 1800's Plant, like his contemporary,
Henry Flagler, build some of Florida's original grand hotels. One wonders what
Henry Plant would think of Florida Huddle and the size and scope of the
industry he helped found?
Over 598 people (registered delegates, Tampa Bay and Company staff and
volunteers, and Florida Huddle staff) met to work and play in Tampa. They did
this year, as they do each year, the business that will insure the continuing
prosperity of Florida's tourism industry.
We encourage you to register early for Florida Huddle 2009 - Orlando. On line
registration...www.floridahuddle.com...for buyers and suppliers begins
February 15, 2008. Members of the press should email DJ Towle at
DJ.Towle@floridahuddle.com.
------------------------------------------------------------
|
