The Tampa-St. Petersburg area, normally seeking small to mid-sized groups that want beachfront events, is looking to emulate its neighbor Orlando as an attractive destination to larger conventions.
The area is undergoing a $1 billion building boom.
As part of that effort, a 293-room airport hotel, the Renaissance International Plaza, opened next to a shopping mall at the airport.
The Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park opened earlier this year with 227 rooms and a 10,000 square foot ballroom.
Three other major hotels — the Sandpearl Resort at Clearwater Beach, the Grand Bohemian Resort and the Hyatt Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa — are due to open in 2007.
Report by David Wilkening
