TAMPA, FL (April 17, 2024) – Visit Tampa Bay is proud to announce that the feel-good story of the year, the one that led to a deluge of domestic and international media coverage, has now been honored as an industry-leading creative and strategic marketing campaign.

Connecting communities and showcasing Tampa's warm and welcoming hospitality came naturally for Visit Tampa Bay when in December 2022 they brought an entire town - Tampa, Kansas - to experience some of the best Tampa, Florida had to offer. The move landed the destination marketing organization the eTSY Award for Best Partnership Marketing Campaign at the 2024 eTourism Summit in Las Vegas on April 4.

The Tampa-to-Tampa campaign, a collaboration between Tampa Bay, Florida, and Tampa, Kansas, gave residents of the namesake Midwestern city a chance to experience the vibrant culture and attractions here in Tampa Bay. This campaign demonstrated exceptional creativity and innovation in partnership marketing, creating a synergistic campaign that promoted Tampa Bay in a way that was both playful and highly strategic. 

“This is just another example of our forward-thinking and creative marketing outreach.  From our team and our amazing partners, we have been able to develop a human connection between two communities and raise the profile of both,” said Santiago C. Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay.

The initial Tampa-to-Tampa idea was instantly applauded because of the community-building potential this initiative offered. The creative campaign also provided Visit Tampa Bay with the opportunity to synergize with multiple stakeholder groups, who united to plan a fantastic weekend for the guests from the Midwest. 

The relationship has continued to blossom; in fact, a delegation from Visit Tampa Bay, including members of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, attended the Tampa, Kansas “Tampa Trail Fest” along the Sante Fe Trail on August 26, 2023.

The eTSY Awards, presented annually at the eTourism Summit, recognize the best in digital tourism marketing and are judged by a panel of industry experts. Visit Tampa Bay's win for Best Partnership Marketing Campaign highlights the organization's leadership and excellence in destination marketing.

To learn more about the Tampa-to-Tampa campaign, visit:

The heart of Florida's Gulf Coast beats in Tampa Bay. Visit Tampa Bay encourages adventure with a relaxing vibe to create vacation experiences that are authentically Tampa Bay. As a not-for-profit corporation certified by Destinations International's Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), we work with hundreds of partners to tell the world the story of Tampa Bay. Treasure awaits. For more information, visit our website.