TAMPA, FL -- The Republican National Committee (RNC) announced today that the nine-member Site Selection Committee for the 2008 Republican National Convention will visit Tampa – St. Petersburg sometime in August as part of the bid process.  Tampa-St. Petersburg is one of four cities vying to host the Republican National Convention, slated for September 1-4, 2008.  New York City, Cleveland, and Minneapolis-St. Paul will also be visited.

“This is just terrific news,” said Al Austin, chair of the area’s Host Committee.  “The site visit will be an excellent opportunity for us to showcase the entire Tampa Bay community and really let the RNC know we want the convention here.”

Tampa – St. Petersburg learned it had been selected as a finalist at 11:45 a.m. via a call from Jo Ann Davidson, Chairman of the Site Selection Committee, to Paul Catoe, President & CEO of the Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“We’re up against some great cities,” said Catoe.  “It’s an honor to be in contention, and we’re going to do everything we can to host an outstanding site visit.  It’s our goal to have them leave here knowing without a doubt that Tampa-St. Petersburg is the place they want to be in 2008.”

Specific dates for each city’s visit were not announced, but the RNC had previously indicated that the Site Selection Committee will travel during the weeks of August 14 and August 21.  The RNC members are scheduled to vote on the Site Selection Committee’s recommendation at the annual Winter Meeting in January of 2007.
 

 
 

The Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official tourism marketing corporation for Hillsborough County, creating economic impact for the community through the visitor and meetings industry. The Bureau is funded, in part, by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners/Tourist Development Council. VisitTampaBay.com