Tampa Convention Center, Tampa

The Tampa Convention Center is a mid-sized convention center situated at the mouth of the Hillsborough River. With its prime location, the center offers breathtaking views of both Tampa Bay's waterfront and the city's skyline. The center is connected to the neighboring Channelside District and Ybor City via the TECO Streetcar Line, which has a station across the street.

It is interesting to note that the Tampa Convention Center was constructed on the site of Fort Brooke, the original American outpost on Tampa Bay established back in 1824. Over time, the community of Tampa grew around the fort, which played an essential role in two wars with the Seminole Indians and the American Civil War. The post was decommissioned in 1883, and the land was sold for private use.

Construction of the Tampa Convention Center began in early 1989. Since opening its doors in 1990, the Tampa Convention Center has become a popular destination for events of all types, hosting over 300 events annually. With a total area of 600,000 square feet (56,000 m2), the center boasts a 200,000 square feet (19,000 m2) exhibit hall, a spacious ballroom accommodating over 2,000 guests, and 36 meeting rooms customized to suit various needs.

The Tampa Convention Center has been the media center for various events, including the 2012 Republican National Convention held at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, about two blocks away. It is also home to some annual events, including the Tampa Bay Comic Con, the anime convention MetroCon, and the Florida Bar Exam.