Tampa Bay Area
Hello! Florida Destination Management
Tampa Bay offers something few destinations can match: a vibrant waterfront city experience paired with the relaxed energy of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Centered around Tampa’s dynamic downtown, groups enjoy a highly walkable destination connected by the award-winning Riverwalk, where convention hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and event venues sit steps from the water.
Beyond the meeting room, Tampa’s rich Cuban and Spanish heritage, thriving culinary scene, championship sports, and year-round outdoor lifestyle create authentic experiences that can’t be replicated elsewhere. Groups can host a reception aboard a private yacht, celebrate in a historic cigar factory in Ybor City, gather at world-class museums and performing arts venues, or enjoy exclusive waterfront experiences showcasing the region’s natural beauty.
What truly sets Tampa Bay apart is the ability to experience multiple destinations within a single program. Attendees can explore the arts and culture of St. Petersburg, unwind on Clearwater’s award-winning beaches, discover Sarasota’s sophisticated dining and arts scene, and return to downtown Tampa in time for an evening event. This unique blend of urban energy, coastal beauty, accessibility, and authentic local character makes Tampa Bay an ideal destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and unforgettable group experiences.
- Tampa
- St. Petersburg
- Clearwater
- Sarasota
AIRPORTS
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)
With more than 12 years at Hello! Florida, Karen has built her career from the ground up, beginning as an intern and growing through roles in program design, operations, and sales, before becoming Market Director. Her broad experience gives her a unique perspective on what it takes to create successful programs and lasting partnerships. Karen is known for her creativity, resourcefulness, and signature "yes, let's figure it out" mentality. She loves connecting clients with the people, places, and experiences that make each Tampa Bay Area destination special, and she thrives on building relationships that turn great ideas into unforgettable events. A proud Florida native, Karen's path to the hospitality industry wasn't exactly straightforward. She began college pursuing Art and Graphic Design, but after years of working in restaurants and catering, she discovered that her favorite part wasn't creating on paper, it was creating experiences for people. She changed her major to Hospitality and Event Management during her junior year and found the career she was meant for.
