Tampa Republic

Tampa Convention Center has been awarded the title of Best Convention Center in the Southeast U.S. for the second consecutive year. The center received the gold honor at the prestigious Stella Awards.

"Tampa Convention Center team is proud to have repeated the title of best convention center in the region," said David Ingram, Tampa Convention Center Executive Director. "We truly have a winning team here made up of the best event professionals and service partners in the industry. This award is well-deserved recognition for our dedicated team."

The Stella Awards are recognized as one of the highest honors within the meetings industry, celebrating venues that consistently provide exceptional service to meeting and event professionals. Criteria for winners include overall excellence, food and beverage offerings, staff professionalism, sustainability initiatives, among other aspects.

Northstar Meetings Group presents these awards, known for its influential brands such as Meetings & Conventions and Successful Meetings. A record number of venues competed this year with over 1,000 nominations submitted across 16 categories globally. Recipients were chosen after a thorough vetting process by industry experts and more than 8,000 planners and public votes.

The Tampa Convention Center is situated in Downtown Tampa offering waterfront views and 600,000 square feet of adaptable event spaces with modern amenities. It was also named among 20 Centers of Excellence by Exhibitor Magazine and won in ConventionSouth’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards. The venue is hosting numerous large events throughout 2024 with an expected economic impact exceeding $148 million dollars.

In partnership with companies like Aramark for food services and Encore for audiovisual needs, Tampa Convention Center aims to provide high-quality services to event managers and exhibitors.