Tampa Tries to Land 2008 GOP Convention TAMPA (WUSF) - In 2003, Tampa was one of three finalists for the Republican national convention. The event was awarded to New York, but that doesn't dampen the enthusiasm of Paul Catoe, with the Tampa Convention and Visitors Bureau.

CATOE: We feel confident that the Tampa Bay area and our community can successfully host and produce a successful national Republican convention.

Organizers say the event will attract 50,000 people and have an economic impact of more than $100 million. Carole Ketterhagen is with the St. Pete-Clearwater Convention and Visitors Bureau.

KETTERHAGEN: We know that we can pull the right package together. We have the accommodations, we have the meeting space we have the off site venues here for everyone to enjoy.

Tampa's RNC Host Committee will attend a meeting in April and submit their bid in June.

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