THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE TAMPA BAY SUPER BOWL LV HOST COMMITTEE
MARCH 2020
This month’s edition celebrates:
IN THIS EDITION
Features 3 Meet The Krewe
Get to know your Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee Chief Operating Officer, Claire Lessinger, along with the other female leaders making up the host committee.
5 One-On-One with bemetra simmons
Learn more about Business Connect Advisory Committee Chair, Bemetra Simmons, and her continued passion and support for major events in Tampa Bay.
7 Getting involved
Your guide to becoming a part of the #TampaBayLV movement through participation in the Super Bowl LV Business Connect Program and our Community Ambassador Program.
8 Pitching it
Read about what took place during Business Connect’s “Pitch Day,” where more than 120 businesses had their chance to shoot their shot at becoming a participating vendor.
9 Tampa Bay 55 Podcast
The Tampa Bay 55 podcast is your exclusive behind-the-scenes pass to all things Super Bowl and the journey leading up to the big game.
10 In the Media
Discover what people are saying on social media about #TampaBayLV!
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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
Claire Lessinger
Chief Operating Officer
As Tampa Bay prepares to host its fifth Super Bowl in February, 2021, Claire will help lead the effort by serving as Chief Operating Officer for the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee, overseeing internal operations, special events, legacy programming and community engagement. Claire is also the Vice President of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission where she helps drive social and economic impact by recruiting, bidding on and hosting major events in Tampa Bay. Most recently, Lessinger served as the Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Local Organizing Committee for the 2019 NCAA Women’s Final Four, which recorded the highest alltime attendance as a three-time host (123,039 fans). Recognized as one of the most influential women in Tampa Bay sports by the Tampa Bay Times, Lessinger has been instrumental in piloting successful legacy programs and social impact initiatives like the “Beyond Series”, which focuses on gathering and empowering local women of influence in support of major events in the community. As a result, over 800 local women have participated in the Beyond Series throughout the years. Active in the community, Claire is a founding member and Vice President of WISE Tampa Bay (Women in Sports and Events) and serves on the Executive Boards of USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy, Positive Coaching Alliance – Tampa Bay and University of Florida Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute. Lessinger also serves as a mentor for USF Athletics – Selmon Mentoring Institute and is an active member of the Saint Leo Sport Business Advisory Council and the Athena Society.
CLICK THE LINK TO MEET THE REST OF THE HOST COMMITTEE TEAM TAMPABAYLV.COM/ABOUT_US 3 TOUCHDOWN TAMPA BAY
our team is filled with strong, talented and determined women that are making a forward. forever. impact on #Tampabaylv. in honor of women’s history month, we want to celebrate them.
LaKendria Robinson
Jenna Grooms
director of Business Connect & Community Outreach director of host committee events
Brooke Skelley
director of marketing & Communications
Jordyn Tramble
Lisa Urban
director of community ambassador program
Katie Kicklighter
manager of host committee events manager of hospitality & events
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Because this month is about honoring magnificent and impactful women, we wanted to use our March TOUCHDOWN Tampa Bay edition as an opportunity to focus on Bemetra Simmons, Chair of the Business Connect Advisory Committee and current Chief Strategy and Operations Officer for United Way Suncoast. Not only is Simmons serving in an integral role for our host committee efforts and more specifically helping lead the Business Connect Program to success, but Simmons also served in leadership roles for previous Tampa Bay Sports Commission events such as the 2019’s Women’s Final Four.
Bemetra simmons chair, business connect advisory committee In your current role as the Chair of the Business Connect Advisory Committee, how do you plan to help ensure the success of the Business Connect Program and its everlasting impact on our community? I am incredibly humbled and honored to chair such an important committee in conjunction with Tampa Bay hosting Super Bowl LV. My role as chair is to be an advocate of the program by connecting as many businesses and community groups as possible to the process. We wanted to cast a wide net of access and information to our local diverse businesses, so that any eligible business that wanted to participate had the opportunity to do so. In the spring of 2019, you served on the first-ever all women’s local advisory committee for the Women’s Final Four. As a trailblazer for women in sports and in the Tampa Bay region, how did this accomplishment make you feel about the strides our area is making in gender equality? Serving on the advisory committee was not only an honor, but also an incredibly fun experience. I have a deep passion for girls and women getting involved in sports. It was a special treat given that my first introduction to Tampa was as a visitor and fan attending the 2008 Women’s Final Four. The fact that our sports commission created a specific advisory committee shows our commitment to and support of women in the Tampa Bay region. What was your main takeaway from your role on Tampa Bay’s 2019 Women’s Final Four Advisory Committee? My key takeaway is that each and every citizen has an opportunity to be an ambassador for the Tampa Bay Region! I was happy to have played a small role in showcasing our destination, rich resources, local support and passion to the NCAA and women’s basketball community.
Bemetra Simmons with members of the 2019 NCAA Women’s Final Four Advisory Committee at last year’s Beyond the Baseline’s Selection 101 event with Terry Gawlik.
How has your experience as a former student-athlete and basketball alumni from CBU carried over into your past and current roles with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission? Athletes practice every day, so we are prepared to flawlessly execute our plays to win games. The sports commission brings that same spirit of excellence to hosting events here in Tampa Bay. It was refreshing to serve with others who operate in a spirit of excellence and bring their very best to compete, to play and to win each day. When all is said and done, what do you hope visiting Super Bowl LV fans will say about Tampa Bay? That we are a rich, diverse, warm and welcoming community with wonderful resources! I hope after visiting Tampa for Super Bowl LV, every fan will want to come back to our market again. “Bemetra is a MVP and we are so fortunate to have her on our team. She is passionately committed to the growth of our community and her thought leadership and selfless support has helped us create unprecedented social impact initiatives and lasting legacies alongside major events in Tampa Bay.” - Claire Lessinger COO, Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee
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Getting Involved BUSINESS CONNECT update Since launching Business Connect in Tampa Bay at the beginning of November, over 1,200 diverse-owned businesses applied by the application’s deadline on February 14, 2020. These businesses will be vying for the coveted 250+ spots allotted for the program, giving them the opportunity to compete for contracts with the NFL and their partners leading up to and during Super Bowl LV. The host committee recently hosted their “pitch day” during the last week of February, serving as part of the selection process for the program in addition to phone interviews and other one-on-one meetings to help narrow down the pool of applicants. The NFL and the host committee plan to announce their selected businesses by this summer. 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
FOR MORE BEHIND-THE-SCENES FROM BUSINESS CONNECT PITCH DAY, TUNE INTO OUR TAMPA BAY 55 PODCAST. LINK: TAMPABAYLV.COM/PODCAST Episode 10: ROB AND RYAN GO INSIDE THE PITCH ROOM 7 TOUCHDOWN TAMPA BAY
Click here for more photos from pitch day
PITCHING IT The teams may not arrive to Raymond James Stadium until next February, but local diverse businesses were preparing for their own “Super Bowl” in terms of opportunity on February 25th at the newly opened Embarc Collective in downtown Tampa. After a productive application process bringing in over 1,200 submissions, over 120 businesses braved their nerves and walked into rooms equipped with a judging panel to explain what their company had to offer to the Business Connect Program for Super Bowl LV. “The companies that stand out, that offer unique products and services and really take an extra step to provide excellent service, that’s the top notch company that we’re looking for,” explained LaKendria Robinson, Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Director of Business Connect & Community Outreach. After a full day of pitches with companies ranging from floral arrangements to catering to transportation companies, the excitement only strengthened. For these companies, this was their chance to put their best foot forward and possibly earn the opportunity of a lifetime, what could be a game-changer for their professional growth. This is a very competitive process and an opportunity for our region to showcase the “Best of the Bay.” By the start of summer, the 250+ businesses will be selected and announced. “We basically get to play matchmaker between our small businesses and the NFL and their primary vendors”, said CEO/President of the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee, Rob Higgins. What happens between those two entities from contracting opportunities to professional development training is truly phenomenal. We are so excited to play a small role in it and are appreciative of the NFL for creating the program.” TAMPABAYLV.COM 8
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. The podcast is hosted by Ryan Bass, anchor at 10News 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! New episodes will be released weekly. Super Bowl LV will be broadcast nationally on CBS.
New on the pod: Episode 9: » gerald mccoy, nfl all-pro and buccaneers legend Episode 10: » Stephanie mcmahon, wwe’s chief brand officer episode 11: » michael kelly, usf athletics director » shelton quarles, director of football operations for the tampa bay bucs and super bowl xxxvii champion Click the icon to listen!
WE WANT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS! CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOURS.
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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
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