Touted as a ‘waterfront meeting space at its finest,’ Tampa Convention Center is ideally located right at the edge of the bay. From afar, the building almost seems to be resting on the surface of the water. The low-lying beauty of the Convention Center building is easy to appreciate: its façade has numerous pillars and an open, inviting feel. It also has a unique history: the center is located on the original site of Fort Brooke, the original American outpost established on Tampa Bay in 1824. A community of new Americans gradually formed around this historic outpost, increasing after two wars with the Native Indians and the American Civil War. Today, the Convention Center takes up a much more peaceful role in communal life, holding over 300 events in its spacious halls every year. Those who attend a conference here will appreciate the large, airy meeting halls and range of dining options available. And if you’re arriving at Tampa Bay via cruise or yacht, why not tie up at the center’s floating docks and take a few hours to explore the area, or even stay the night? The alfresco dining options and leisurely atmosphere will definitely charm you from the start.