Located on the northern edge of the Florida Sun Coast, the Tampa Bay area offers stunning scenery with its luscious landscape, glistening waterways and spectacular sunsets to rival the best. Miles of coastline set off this vibrant city with some of the country’s top beach resorts not far away. Its unique cultural heritage is felt throughout the city as it boasts art, architecture and attractions that entice visitors from around the world. It is here that we will gather May 15th through May 18th for our 36th annual convention.
Centrally located downtown, you are close to local attractions like the Tampa Theater, Florida Aquarium, Ybor City and the Museum of Art. Just across the river and easily accessible by the trolley that stops in front of the hotel, is Channelside Bay Plaza filled with dinning, shopping and entertainment venues.
The weekend will kick off Thursday evening with a special treat as we dine at the celebrated Columbia Restaurant, immersing ourselves in the ethic culture which still influences the modern-day city. Located in the heart of the National Historic Landmark District of Ybor City, the Columbia was opened in 1905 as a corner cafe frequented by local cigar factory workers. Today the restaurant is still operated by fourth- and fifth-generation family members who work hard to preserve the family's legacy that their great-grandfather created over 100 years ago. The Columbia has earned national recognition for its award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine as it preserves its old-world charm. Along with satisfying your palate, you will experience the fire of Flamenco as you enjoy a captivating show performed by the resident dance troupe.
Friday will be a grand experience! We will spend the day in Sarasota. Our first stop will be the home of member Michael Goodman to see his collections. Yes, you read correctly, that’s collections in the plural. In addition to his scale collection, Mike is interested in all types of industrial weighing and measuring devices. He is excited for us to come and see the “stuff” he has collected over many years.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art offers 31 galleries filled with works of antiquities, old masters and modern visionaries. Located on the grounds is their 56-room home overlooking picturesque Sarasota Bay. Designed in the Venetian Gothic style of the palazzos that ring the Venice canals, this dazzling palatial mansion perfectly captures the splendor and romance of the Italy they loved and admired.
The convention gets underway with the traditional Friday night get-together and album sharing. It is the time when scalies come together with albums in hand pointing out the most prized, most favored and most intriguing items in their collection.
Featured for Saturday morning are several engaging and informative programs with scales and weights being the focus of discussion. The afternoon is reserved for the traditional Silent Auction and Let’s Make a Deal. Here is one of your best opportunities to add that particular scale you have been looking for to your collection. Saturday night brings the highlight of the weekend with the gala reception and banquet. The program continues Sunday morning with Show and Tell, allowing members to share their treasures with fellow collectors. After the business meeting for all members, it is on to the farewell luncheon that concludes the convention. This will be our first convention in Florida, and Tampa was chosen for its natural beauty, easy accessibility and great assortment of attractions. We welcome all members to come and spend some time with your fellow scalies. Plans are well underway, and your hosts Bill James, Greg and Judy Hill, Judy Soslau and Don Schoenly are arranging a terrific weekend for your enjoyment. President Bob Jibben and all the board members extend a personal invitation to join them in Tampa. If you have attended conventions in the past, you know what it’s all about, and we will see you there. If you have not attended one before, now is the time to check out for yourself why so many members come year after year. See you down Tampa way!
Photos courtesy of Tampa Bay & Company |
|||
We are delighted to offer Embassy Suites as our convention hotel. The two-room suites, free cooked-to-order breakfast and the complimentary nightly reception with a variety of beverages and snacks are amenities which are tough to beat. 
Dining at the Columbia while watching the grace and passion of these talented dancers is a uniquely Tampa tradition you will not want to miss!
Then it is off to The Ringling. Upon his death in 1936, famed circus impresario John Ringling left his estate and vast art collection as his legacy to the people of Florida. 
You will be able to tour the Circus Museum where the costumes, clowns, posters, props and wagons all come alive to take you away to the Big Top. Then stroll through the gardens to realize that the beauty continues beyond the galleries and mansion. We will have lunch on site at the Treviso with spectacular views of the Bayfront Gardens.
