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Selling Tampa: The 2008 Republican National Convention

The 2008 Republican National Convention site selection committee is touring Tampa this week and comparing it with the three other cities vying for the event — New York City, Cleveland and Minneapolis. We offer a look at some of Tampa’s selling points and challenges.

By BILL VARIAN and JANET ZINK
Published August 20, 2006

[Times file photo: Stefanie Boyar]

One of Tampa's advantages? The support the president enjoys here as compared to some of the more left-leadning competitors. Here, the Bayshore Patriots rally in Tampa in 2003.

Pros

A Place to See and Be Seen: Tampa’s got places for meetings big and small, and within walking distance of each other, from the Tampa Convention Center to the St. Pete Times Forum. “That facility is one of the best in the country, if not the best,’’ GOP fundraiser Dick Beard said of the Times Forum. It’s downtown. Hotels are close. There’s a media center next door. Water views are plenty, he said. After the flag waving, GOP faithful can hop on the street­car to what by 2008 should be a jump­ing Channel District, or to Ybor City. Not far: Busch Gardens, Disney, BayWalk, beaches.

Get in, Get out: Tampa International Airport ranks among the top nationwide for convenience. It connects to most major cities, making the pilgrimage a snap. Hotels are close. Flights in and out are comparatively cheap. “It’s the finest airport in the world,’’ crowed Louis Miller, who runs it. As Super Bowls have proven, many a jet-setter will arrive on private plane. TIA takes them too, as do several smaller airports nearby.

Nay to naysayers: Sure, those 27 Florida electoral votes are coveted. But Tampa’s real edge may be the dim chance for wide-scale protests compared with its more Democratically leaning rival cities, said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics. Remember the protesters detained on piers in New York City in 2004? Well this time around, with President Bush’s approval ratings sliding, the potential for protest is even greater. “My guess is that those demonstrations will pale in comparison to 2008,’’ Sabato said. “It’s always a potential disaster for the incumbent party in these circumstances.’’

Cons
No room at the inns: After listening to speeches and taking in the entertainment, most convention-goers will need a ride before they sleep. There are few hotel options downtown. “They aren’t large enough to accommodate something like that,’’ said Ed Turanchik, who led Tampa’s Olympic courtship. “I’d say the biggest liability is the lack of hotels close to the convention center.’’

More hotels are planned, and tenants of future condos under construction nearby are sure to rent space. But some NCAA Final Four visitors voiced that gripe after the basketball tournament was held in St. Peters­burg a few years back. Different cities, sure. Similar challenge.

Get in, get stuck: Picture malfunction junction at rush hour. Stir in tens of thousands of visitors who don’t know their way around and who have scant transit options. Tampa’s bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics failed in part because of its transportation handicap. Then again, Tampa has handled Super Bowls.

“Public transportation is not one of our strong suits, there’s no doubt about that,” said Miller, the airport head. Temporary transit measures such as bus shuttles will be needed for visitors while the rest of us idle.

Rain on their parade: Historically, September is the most active month for tropical storm systems. RNC 2008 would run Sept. 1-4, about a week before the historical peak of hurricane activity, Sept. 10, according to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration. And September storms tend to pack more punch, said Ryan Sharp, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service. Even without a hurricane, our typical summer weather isn’t too great, especially if you’re wearing a suit. Expect lots of humidity and a 40 percent chance of rain with lightning.

[Last modified August 20, 2006, 23:19:20]