Tampa on Top

Tampa Bay, Fla., has a secret it wants to share with you — one that, if you’re a planner or attendee, you’ll definitely want to hear. Indeed, while Miami has the glitzy star power and Orlando the mega amusement options, planners are starting to discover that Tampa has its very own West Coast vibe (the west coast of Florida, that is), with an interesting array of unique meeting venues. So much so that for many event planners, the secret is out — Tampa is quickly becoming one of the hottest destinations for special events in the Sunshine State.

Of course, like other large cities, Tampa certainly has its share of traditional meeting space, such as the award-winning downtown convention center that is located on the Tampa waterfront and includes 200,000 square feet of exhibit space, plus a 36,000-square-foot ballroom.

Yet, while Tampa’s more traditional options certainly possess the latest technology and highly trained staff the city also offers a host of other venues that provide for unique event experiences, while still being well prepared to meet your needs.

Recently, Event Solutions traveled to this burgeoning city to scout out the most unique venues we could find. Our top five picks represent meeting space options that range from the unlikely to the innovative — each with their very own Tampa Bay flair.

1 The Florida Aquarium

When you think about an event venue, an aquarium may not be the first image that comes to mind. However, nationwide, an increasing number of these facilities are attracting corporate and other meetings — and that’s certainly the case in Tampa, where the Florida Aquarium offers one of the city’s most unique event spaces.

Since opening in 1995, the Florida Aquarium has been a huge hit with visitors and has helped revitalize Tampa’s Channel District into one of the region’s most popular destinations.

Indeed, one major advantage of scheduling an event at the aquarium is its prime location. Within walking distance of several new hotels (including downtown Tampa’s first-ever Embassy Suites, the only hotel connected to the convention center), the aquarium is also near several stops on Tampa’s new electric streetcar system.

The aquarium offers several conventional meeting rooms, but you might be even more interested to explore renting the entire facility, which can accommodate up to 3,000 guests. Events can be themed around any of the aquarium’s immersive exhibit spaces, such as the 500,000-gallon coral reefs exhibit or (cue “Jaws” soundtrack) the shark tank.

If you prefer a fresh-air option, the recently completed, multilevel outdoor pavilion has a stage and prime views of the waterfront.

For one recent client, Carol Eaves, CEO of Destination Tampa Bay, these features played a major role in selecting the aquarium.

“I find the Florida Aquarium to be a great venue, offering interesting exhibits, indoor and outdoor space, [and] dining options from casual buffets to elegant dinners in front of the panoramic window where a shark or grouper is watching,” she says.

With its full-service kitchen, live animal encounter options, and in-house event staff, the Florida Aquarium certainly offers up one of Tampa’s most unique venues.

2 The AFS Club at St. Pete Times Forum

One of the less likely things that you might expect to encounter in Florida is a successful National Hockey League franchise. Yet that’s exactly what you’ll find with the Tampa Bay Lightning — winners of the 2004 Stanley Cup no less. Even more impressive than the hockey team’s record is the venue where they play home games — the St. Pete Times Forum, a $139 million arena located in the heart of Tampa’s growing waterfront district.
While the 20,000-seat arena provides a great venue for large events, it’s a smaller venue within it that caught our eye.

Known as the AFS Club (an acronym for Academic Financial Services, the club’s sponsor), this two-floor facility serves as an exclusive club for ticket holders at hockey and arena football games. However, on non-game days, the AFS Club is available for event and meeting rentals. With in-house audio/visual support and a full range of catering services, the AFS Club can accommodate events of up to 1,350 people.

Views of the Tampa skyline and the arena itself only add to the club’s unique appeal.

3 Tampa Theatre

Years ago, Tampa possessed several classically designed theaters where guests enjoyed events ranging from silent movies to vaudeville acts. Today, only one of those theaters remains in operation — the downtown gem known as the Tampa Theatre.

Built in 1926, the theater has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977 and currently hosts first-run concerts as well as a successful film series.

The theater’s chief attraction, however, is its Florida Mediterranean architecture that includes touches of Italian Renaissance, Byzantine, Spanish, Mediterranean, Greek Revival, Baroque and English Tudor styles. In other words, schedule an event at the Tampa Theatre and the theming comes built in.

Indeed, the Tampa Theatre’s unique setting is one reason companies such as Verizon, IBM, Estée Lauder, the U.S. Postal Service and Bank of America have all held events at the historic venue.

But the appeal of the theater isn’t limited to its classic roots. In fact, the 1,400-seat auditorium offers a state-of-the-art sound system as well as high-quality video services.

It also includes a mezzanine level overlooking the grand lobby — an ideal setting for smaller receptions and events.

With its prime city-center location and grand historic architecture, you can quickly see why the Tampa Theatre generates contemporary interest as one of the area’s most unique event venues.

4 Museum of Science & Industry

Like the Florida Aquarium, a science center might sound like an unlikely option for your next event. But Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) is hardly your typical biology lab. In fact, MOSI currently holds the title as the largest science center in the southeastern United States. And with such a title comes a wide variety of permanent and temporary exhibit spaces, nearly all of which are available for event rentals.

The interactive Science Works Theater or the 6,500-square-foot Grand Lobby, which can seat up to 750 guests, are two such spaces.

In fact, the museum’s immersive theming is exactly why one recent client was attracted to MOSI.

“MOSI’s unique facility and catering services were exceedingly responsive to all of our needs during the Demystifying India opening celebration,” says Prash Pravagadhi, CEO of Key Elements Consulting. “I was able to entertain my guests without worrying about the details.”

Plus, MOSI offers Florida’s only IMAX dome theater as well as one of the area’s most unique rooftop venues, with sweeping views of the downtown, where guests can enjoy evening receptions. Combine these unique features with in-house catering and a full range of technology (it is a science center, after all) and you’ll know why MOSI made our list.

5 Ybor City: The Cuban Club and the Columbia

Rounding out our top five list is the combination of two unique venues located in the heart of Tampa’s increasingly hip Ybor (“EE-bor”) City district.

If you’re looking for a little more eclectic option in the Tampa area, Ybor City is it. Adjacent to downtown (and easily accessible from the convention center area via Tampa’s electric streetcar system), Ybor City has historically been known as everything from Florida’s Latin Quarter to the Cigar Capital of the World.

It’s also one of Tampa’s hottest destinations, with over 60 restaurants and clubs, along with a variety of national and local lodging options.

Two of the most unique event venues are the Cuban Club and the Columbia.

At the Cuban Club — the nation’s oldest active club of its kind — you can schedule events for up to 780 guests in the club’s top-floor Grand Ballroom. There you’ll find some of the best views of Ybor from the ballroom’s oversized windows and the adjacent open-air balcony.

If you prefer theater-style seating, the soon-to-be-renovated, 450-seat historic auditorium offers a unique alternative. And, while parts of the Cuban Club may show some signs of age, the 100-year-old club still provides a great location and, above all, oozes historic charm.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Ybor City sits the Columbia — a unique facility that is both an award-winning restaurant and a popular event venue. Like the Cuban Club, the Columbia has been around for over a century and during that time has honed its event acumen.

Offering 10 different rooms for special events, the Columbia can accommodate groups as small as 10 and as large as 400. And while the Columbia offers a full range of event services, it’s the food that puts this venue on our list. Named to the Fine Dining Hall of Fame in 2005, the restaurant has won numerous awards for its Spanish-influenced menu and wine list, all of which are available for catering during both large and small meetings.