By: Many businesses including restaurants, museums, and more will be bustling with business during the 2012 Republican National Convention‘s run in Tampa from August 27-30, but not in the way you might think. From restaurants to art museums, a handful of businesses in both these districts will be closed to the public and occupied by media outlets and other organizations involved with the convention.
With an estimated 50,000 ranging from politicians to protestors expected to attend, this only makes sense. While some luxury suites inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum will be converted into small television studios, many of these large media outlets need equally large spaces to set up and cover this monumental event.
This means places like the Tampa Bay History Center will be closed and playing home base for Fox News from August 21 through September 1. Both the Mahaffey Theater and the Straz Center have no events listed during the convention’s run, although the Straz will host a handful of Daily Show tapings for those who were lucky enough to grab tickets months ago.
Other occupied venues throughout Channelside, Ybor, and beyond are numerous. The Glazer Children’s Museum will close its doors to the public and play host to Newsweek, The Daily Beast, the Lifetime Network, and others during the convention.
But, many venues have signed confidentiality agreements when it comes to who they’re hosting. The Florida Aquarium, the Tampa Theatre, Jackson’s Bistro, Carne Chophouse, Channelside Cinemas, and a handful of other business around the area won’t be open for regular business during the 2o12 Republican National Convention as well.
When likely a hassle to some, many of these occupancies will generate revenue in the Tampa Bay area that’s much needed for many. What do you think of all this? Let us know in the comments section below.
