RNC expected to boost tourism and business in the area

It is hoped that the 2012 Republican National Convention, which will take place in Tampa in August, will help to drive tourism in the region and give the economy a timely boost.
An expected 50,000 out-of-state delegates, including journalists and volunteers, are expected to arrive in Tampa for the convention. This will help drive business in hotels, restaurants and shops, as well as assisting tourism-driven businesses.
Denver, which was the location of the last Democratic National Convention in 2008, saw an increase of $266.1 million in terms of regional economic impact and a similar figure is expected for Tampa with the arrival of the Republican National Convention.  
The ultimate goal for businesses in the area is to ensure that those attending the convention will fall in love with the area and want to return in the future.  Speaking about the plans that are in place, the executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Elliott Falcione, said: "We're trying to plant that seed in the minds of attendees so they dig into our website and plan a future vacation here. We will be prepared for the impact."
The visitor’s bureau has spent $75,000 on advertising alone ahead of the event to ensure that it gets the right message across, including two billboards appearing on Interstate 275 and an additional billboard on Interstate 4. These have been designed to welcome Republicans to the area.

In addition it is hoped that the convention will showcase Tampa as the location for possible business relocation.

The 2012 Republican National Convention will take place between August 27th and 30th in Hillsborough.