Tampa Convention Center nominated for city awards

The Tampa Convention Center has been nominated for a pair of awards handed out by the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

According to a news release issued by the city, the center is up for the Public Sector Project Award and the Activation Spaces award.

The Urban Excellence Awards from the partnership “celebrate organizations, projects and events that have contributed toward creating a unique, vibrant and diverse environment in Downtown Tampa.” Other categories include the Private Sector Project Award, Downtown Collaboration Award, Landmark Development Project Award, Downtown Experience Award and the Arts & Culture Award.

The Public Sector award the convention center is up for is for the $44.5 million capital improvements project that was finished in June.

The project included 18 new waterfront meeting rooms as well as upgrades to the center’s ballrooms, existing meeting rooms, restrooms and concession stands. There were also updates to lighting, paint and carpet throughout the building and improvements to its outdoor event space on the Riverwalk.

As for the Activating Spaces award, the center was nominated for hosting a live broadcast of ESPN’s First Take Jan. 16, 2023. The city says the broadcast put the center and the city in the national spotlight and brought hundreds of fans.

Winners will be announced at an event Feb. 21.