THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE TAMPA BAY SUPER BOWL LV HOST COMMITTEE
JUNE 2020
IN THIS EDITION
Features 3 One-On-one with Tony Diaz
Get to know Tony Diaz, Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee’s Vice President of Operations.
5 Getting Involved
Learn more about the Super Bowl LV Business Connect Summer Professional Developmental Workshop Series titled: Rethink, Refocus, Reopen!
6 #TampaBayLV Virtual Game Ball Initiative Learn how to “Share the LV” by recognizing community heroes that are giving back!
7 Tampa Bay 55 Podcast
See the new guests that have made virtual appearances on the Tampa Bay 55 podcast.
8 In the Media
Discover what people are saying on social media about #TampaBayLV!
TAMPABAYLV.COM 2
Our team is a passionate group of MVPs who are ready to propel the #TampaBayLV movement forward forever. “Together, we will focus on raising the bar for the fan experience in the region, implementing lasting legacy initiatives, showcasing the destination’s recent progress and exciting future, all while delivering a fifth world-class Super Bowl.” - Rob Higgins
Tony Diaz
Vice president of operations
Tony Diaz is Vice President of Operations for the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee. Tony joined the Tampa Bay Sports Commission staff as the Sales and Events Coordinator on October 1, 2010. Four years later (October 1, 2014), Tony was promoted to Sales and Events Manager and in 2019 was elevated to Director of Sales and Events. Tony assists with the coordination of the commission’s direct sales efforts in attracting as well as organizing sports and entertainment events of all sizes on behalf of the community. Tony received his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida in May of 2010, and his degree of Master of Business Administration from Florida International University in December of 2018. Before joining the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Tony was an intern in the Special Events and Team Operations department with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2009-2010 season. You are serving in a critical role as the Vice President of Operations for the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee. Please explain your core responsibilities and how your 10 years of experience with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and on previous host committee’s has prepared you for this opportunity. As the Vice President of Operations, my role is to serve as the primary liaison for the Host Committee on all transportation, team operations, parking and other logistical components related to Super Bowl LV. I work very closely with our partners at the Tampa Sports Authority who interface directly with the NFL regarding all the elements at Raymond James Stadium, and the surrounding areas. In addition, I work alongside our Director of Community Ambassadors, to plan for successful implementation of our volunteer program, which will be a crucial piece to Team Tampa Bay’s hosting effort. Last, but not least, and like everyone else on our staff, my role comes with the “other duties as assigned” tag that we use daily! Having the privilege to be a part of our team at the Tampa Bay Sports Commission over the past ten years has given me the opportunity to take several key leadership roles in previous major events Tampa Bay has hosted. Events such as the 2019 and 2015 NCAA Women’s Final Four, 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship, 2016 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four, and 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Preliminary Rounds have provided me with the experience to step in and assist in any role necessary with the Super Bowl LV Host Committee.
3 TOUCHDOWN TAMPA BAY
You have worked with youth, amateur and major event organizers and planners from all over the country. From your perspective, what makes Tampa Bay so special and why do so many events continue to return to our community? The people, our outstanding sports franchises and community partners, our hospitality, and of course, our weather! Born and raised here in Tampa, there is truly nowhere else I would rather be. I have always felt a genuine sense of pride when given the opportunity to be part of all the incredible events we have had the privilege to host. Event organizers and planners can hopefully feel that sense of pride radiate from everyone in the Tampa Bay event and hospitality industry the moment they arrive. As a life-long Team Tampa Bay fan and former Buccaneer employee that still assists on game days, how excited are you for the future of the franchise? Tough to put into words, with no pictures or GIFs, but I am pumped! While I am undoubtedly excited to see the great Tom Brady take the field in a Buccaneers uniform, the defense that Jason Licht has returning next season has me equally enthusiastic. The five prime-time games, the classic head-to-head QB matchups, the crowds at Raymond James Stadium, everything about this year has me thrilled to be a Bucs fan. Also, I am excited for the staff at AdventHealth Training Center with all the buzz from this offseason carrying forward into the regular season, playoffs, and when the Bucs hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy in their own stadium come February 7, 2021! You have the unique opportunity to wear many different hats for the Host Committee as well as the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. What do you love most about your job and the team you do it with? Our ability to adapt and adjust to any circumstance is probably the most impressive feature about our staff. We have a team of experienced individuals who know how to do their jobs and do them at a very high level, while having fun in the process. While our staff is small in numbers, we are also very fortunate to work alongside great community partners that double as an extension of our family and team. They are all a huge part of our ability to deliver and host big events successfully. After the confetti falls on Feb. 7, 2021, what do you hope fans and visitors will say about their time in Tampa Bay? That they can’t wait to come back and visit! Given what so many of us around the world are going through this year, Super Bowl LV will likely be one of the most anticipated and important events that we’ve had the opportunity to be a part of. There are a lot of incredible people putting in long hours to make sure fans and visitors have an unforgettable experience while in our hometown.
Getting involved BUSINESS CONNECT update In June, the Super Bowl LV Business Connect team officially kicked off its Summer Professional Development Workshop Series titled: Rethink, Refocus, Reopen. The webinar series is designed to help member vendors navigate the ever-changing business environment in a new, socially distanced world. Business Connect Advisory Board committee member, Aakash Patel, shared best practices on networking from a distance and connecting with clients- old and new- using digital platforms. Daniel Mitchell, local Tampa entrepreneur and small business expert, led member vendors through a series of exercises focused on examining and adjusting business practices in an effort to strategically increase their responsiveness to core clientele and to ensure business sustainability. The Summer Professional Development Series will continue to host monthly virtual workshops through August focused on positioning local diverse business owners to make needed adjustments to ensure their businesses are strong in the ever-changing marketplace. Each workshop will introduce thought leaders who will share best practices, explore current business trends and empower vendors to be Super Bowl ready post COVID-19.
For more information on the Super Bowl LV Business Connect Program: LaKendria Robinson, Director of Business Connect & Community Outreach Email: BusinessConnect@TampaBayLV.com
COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR PROGRAM ABOUT THE TAMPA BAY SUPER BOWL LV COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR PROGRAM: In 2021, the Super Bowl is set to return to the Tampa Bay community for the fifth time. As with all major events, the Super Bowl LV Host Committee, Tampa Bay Sports Commission and NFL will rely heavily on the volunteer and community support to help execute and elevate the overall event. This is your opportunity to assist with an incredible week of Super Bowl fun. A multitude of volunteer shifts will be available throughout the championship week. Please click to sign up and receive volunteer information and event updates. The official Super Bowl LV volunteer registration site will launch in the near future.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR INTEREST
During these unprecedented times, members of #TeamTampaBay are coming together like never before to help raise up our community. Today, we are launching our virtual #TampaBayLV Game Ball campaign to recognize and honor the selfless individuals and organizations that are putting our community first. Game balls are traditionally given in sports to award MVP’s, great leadership or outstanding performances. Help us SHARE THE LOVE and deliver virtual game balls to deserving recipients by following us on social and by submitting nominations using our hashtag, #SHARETBLV, as we honor our hometown heroes for their generous acts of kindness.
How to nominate community MVP’s 1. Help identify individuals and organizations that are out helping by going above and beyond during these unprecedented times. 2. Share their story on Twitter and tag @TampaBayLV and #SHARETBLV, or... 3. Reply or comment to an already shared story by tagging @TampaBayLV and using #SHARETBLV.
TAMPABAYLV.COM 6
The Tampa Bay 55 Podcast Long before the teams arrive at Raymond James Stadium, countless hours of work are dedicated to making the big game and the amazing spectacle that accompanies it an overwhelming success! Tampa Bay 55, a new podcast, is YOUR exclusive all-access behind-the-scenes pass, with the deal makers, hand shakers, celebrities, athletes and more.
New on the pod:
The podcast is hosted by Ryan Bass, anchor at 10 Tampa Bay, WTSP -- the CBS affiliated television station in the Tampa Bay area and Rob Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and president/CEO of the Super Bowl LV Host Committee. They will be joined by special guests weekly as we countdown to the main event in the heart of Florida’s gorgeous west coast!
Episode 19: » Jason Licht, Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager » Katie Kicklighter, Manager of Events and Hospitality for the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee
New episodes will be released weekly. Super Bowl LV will be broadcast nationally on CBS.
Episode 20: » Jeff Vinik, Tampa Bay Lightning Chairman and Owner
WE WANT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS! CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOURS.
Episode 22: » KJ Sails and Jordan McCloud, University of South Florida Football Student-athletes » Titus O’Neil, WWE Superstar and Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host committee Member
Click the icon to listen!
7 TOUCHDOWN TAMPA BAY
Episode 18: » Peter O’Reilly, Executive Vice President of Club Business & League Events for the NFL
In the Media
See what people are saying about #TampaBayLV on social media! Tag us and use the hashtag, #TampaBayLV, to show your support for the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee. Maybe you could end up being showcased in TOUCHDOWN Tampa Bay, too!
Follow Our Flow @TAMPABAYLV
TAMPABAYLV.COM TAMPABAYLV.COM 8
