``Name Your Own Price''...The Unprecedented Meeting Planner Booking Connection to an Exciting, Affordable, Downtown Tampa Destination is Making Meeting Planners Take Notice.

Business Editors/Travel Writers

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 25, 2003

A new partnership comprised of Downtown business and tourism leaders, better known as the "Tampa Downtown Connection," has recently rolled out the "Name Your Own Price" campaign. An unprecedented and somewhat surprising component of the campaign is a website (http://www.tampaconventions.com) that offers meeting planners an opportunity to actually write and submit their own version of an ideal contract.

"We know it's a bit unconventional," stated Bob Stewart, Tampa Downtown Connection spokesperson and marketing director for the Tampa Waterside Marriott Hotel & Marina, "but this campaign actually opens the door for the meeting planner to submit a proposal with a `Zero' rooms attrition clause, or a Food & Beverage attrition `waived' clause. On the flip side, we're not guaranteeing that the planner's request will be accepted, but we are guaranteeing the requests will get some serious discussion, no matter how unconventional the request may seem. Think the idea's crazy, may be, but what do you have to lose?"

Totaling 2,500 rooms and more than 1,000,000 square-feet of function and exhibit space the distinguished cluster includes: Tampa Convention and Visitors Bureau, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, Hyatt Regency, Wyndham Harbour Island, Radisson Riverwalk, Marriott's Courtyard and Residence Inn, St. Pete Times Forum, Channelside Entertainment and Retail Complex (CB Richards), Yacht Starship and The Florida Aquarium.

In describing Tampa, Steven Hacker, President of the International Association for Exhibition Management (IAEM) had this to say: "It is unquestionably the prototype 21st century event destination." IAEM held their 44th Mid-Year Meeting & Marketplace in Tampa this past May. With Downtown Tampa's incredible central location, many hotels and resorts are within footsteps of the 600,000 square-foot Tampa Convention Center.

"Downtown Tampa has been and will continue to remain a sought after destination for serious meetings and special events. With our diverse selection of competitive hotels, vibrant waterfront locale, unique attractions and the fact that Tampa International Airport is within 15-minutes of Downtown, makes travel in and out of the city both convenient and affordable," added Stewart.

For information or group reservations visit http://www.tampaconventions.com.