Time is of the essence Tampa’s Downtown! The 2025 State of Tampa’s Downtown Forum is just 8 DAYS away!
Join us at the Marriott Tampa Water Street, Tuesday, May 20th for this annual event where community members and stakeholders gather to hear from insightful speakers on the state of our Downtown, and how we can continue to grow and improve.
Speakers (more speakers to be announced):
Bemetra Simmons, Tampa Bay Partnership
Cedric McCray, City of Tampa CRA
Dave Traynor, Smith & Associates
Fred Hearns, Tampa Bay History Center
Garrett Greco, Tampa Bay Developer Podcast
Graham Tyrell, Kettler
Greg Holland, Straz Center
Greg Slater, Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority
Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson, Tampa City Council
Javier Marin, City of Tampa
Jeff Houck, 1905 Family of Restaurants
Keith Greminger, Greminger Urban Design, LLC
Leroy Moore, Tampa Housing Authority
Melissa Zornitta, Plan Hillsborough
Michele Smith, Tampa Arts Alliance
Sarah Cole, Glazer Children’s Museum
Scott Gilner, Kimley-Horn
Vik Bhide, City of Tampa
Huge thank you to our current sponsors:
Coffee & Snack Break Sponsor: Tampa Housing Authority
Networking Sponsor: Port Tampa Bay
Gold Sponsors:
Kimley-Horn
Smith & Associates Real Estate
Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority
Silver Sponsors:
Gensler
TECO
The Orenda Collective
The University of Tampa
Trenam Law
Want to bring more visibility to your company or organization? Consider sponsorship TODAY! If interested, contact Shameka Conwell.
Register today!
Sponsorship – Contact Shameka Conwell
The Tampa Downtown Partnership would like to extend a warm welcome to Roger Germann, President & Chief Executive Officer of The Florida Aquarium, as he joins our Board of Directors.
Roger Germann possesses a seasoned background in leadership with over three decades of experience in the public and private sectors.
Having driven unprecedented growth to The Florida Aquarium, Roger is widely known as one of the most prominent leaders and strategists in the zoological community.
Welcome aboard, Roger!
Learn more about Roger
Make your voice heard TODAY for a chance to WIN!
The Hillsborough Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) is conducting a study to receive feedback on the development of a Brightline Station in Tampa.
Make your voice heard and help guide important decisions about transit and connectivity in our region by taking a survey for a chance to WIN a $100 grocery gift card!
NOTE: Survey is due Saturday, May 31
Take survey
We would like to extend a HUGE congratulations to some of our staff members for their recent accomplishments! At the Tampa Downtown Partnership, not only do we strive to be leaders in Tampa’s Downtown, but we also encourage our staff to be leaders in other spaces as well:
Caroline Keesler: Selected to IDA’s 2025 Emerging Leadership Fellowship.
Ivy Lupco, LPM Lupco: Named Chair of ULI Placemaking Council and selected to IDA’s Top Issues Council
Jaylyn Andrews: Selected to the Tampa Bay Chamber Mentor Protégé Program
There are SO many exciting Neighborhood Programs returning to Tampa’s Downtown! We have a full lineup of quarterly and monthly events that will allow you to connect, shop, move, and make memories:
Blind Date with a Book (CANCELLED)
Channel District Date Night (REGISTER HERE)
– Date: Wednesday, May 14 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm
– Location: Washington Street Park
– Grab your partner, friend, or family member and come learn to breakdance with local legend Jepstar Dance! This quarterly event is FREE, but you must register to attend.
Central Park Eats:
– Date: Tuesday, May 20 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm
– Location: Outside of the TRIO in ENCORE!
– Forget the hassle of cooking dinner and enjoy tasty bites from Mr. Bulgogi Food Truck & Pane Piatto!
Paw-Fee Break:
– Date: Tuesday, May 27 from 10:30am – 1:00pm
– Grab your pup and enjoy FREE coffee and an opportunity to grab some toys and treats for your furry friend!
The Tampa Museum of Art will be holding their fourth annual Juneteenth Cultural Celebration on Saturday, June 14!
From 11:00am – 4:00pm attenddess can enjoy free admission to a lineup of fun activities and programs including art-making, live music, local vendors, and so much more!
Learn more
Over the past couple of years, The Florida Aquarium in Tampa’s Downtown has undergone two of four phases of a $45 million expansion project.
We are excited to share that The Florida Aquarium is now beginning phase three of this expansion project! Completion of this project will dub The Florida Aquarium as the first and only aquarium in Florida to have a Pacific Puffin exhibit.
The habitat will include a kelp forest along with other fish species, and will transport guests to a “rugged coast with multiple viewing windows” to enjoy views of the puffins!
Calling all vendors!
The holidays may seem far away, but we’re already planning for another magical season at Winter Village 2025-2026! We’re looking for local businesses, artisans, and food & beverage operators to be part of this beloved holiday tradition.
Whether you’re interested in operating the Winter Village Café or showcasing unique gifts in a holiday shop, this is your chance to bring festive cheer to Downtown!
Submission Deadline: May 31st, 2025
Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the magic! Apply today and help us create a memorable holiday experience!
Apply Today: Food & Beverage Vendors
Apply Today: Shop Vendors
Do you have an idea that will beautify a storefront or sidewalk in Tampa’s Downtown? Consider applying for our Storefront & Sidewalk Café Grant!
The Storefront & Sidewalk Café Grant serves to create a more attractive pedestrian atmosphere and commercially vibrant environment through street-level storefront improvements and inviting sidewalk café settings.
The program offers non-matching grants of up to $7,500 and matching grants over $7,500 up to $10,000 administered on a reimbursement basis, allowing for up to $5,000 of grant funds to be reimbursed every two years.
Apply today!
Monday Morning Memo –Monday Morning Memo is a weekly update of “insider downtown information” regarding developments, transportation, special opportunities and other useful information to help you make the most of downtown. Subscribe to receive this weekly newsletter.
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