Meeting professionals are once again recognizing the Tampa Convention Center for delivering an outstanding level of service, seamless execution, and world-class venue capabilities. For the second consecutive year, corporate event organizers and association meeting planners have voted the Tampa Convention Center a winner in the Best Convention Center category for the 2026 Smart Stars Awards, presented by Smart Meetings.
The Tampa Convention Center, located on the waterfront in Downtown Tampa, Florida, was honored alongside just 17 other premier venues across North America that represent the absolute pinnacle of the group business industry. As a consecutive Smart Stars winner, the facility stands out as a premier hospitality brand reflecting the highest standards of excellence in customer satisfaction, modern amenities, and venue operations.
Voters highlighted the Tampa Convention Center as a trusted partner that consistently elevates the attendee experience for international conferences, corporate events, and trade shows.
Now in its 14th year, the prestigious Smart Stars Awards are uniquely meaningful because they are hand-selected by active meeting planners and industry professionals. The results are driven entirely by firsthand, peer-to-peer evaluations and real event experiences at venues and destinations around the globe. Earning this distinction for a second straight year underscores the center’s ongoing momentum and reputation as a coveted destination hub.
An Elite Winning Streak for Event Excellence
This latest accolade adds to a growing portfolio of industry recognition for the Tampa Convention Center’s dedication to going above and beyond for event managers, exhibitors, and attendees.
In addition to back-to-back Smart Stars honors, the center is currently pursuing its fourth consecutive Stella Award for Best Convention Center in the Southeast U.S. from Northstar Meetings Group. The center also earned Best of the Best Convention Center and a Readers’ Choice Award from ConventionSouth in 2025 and was designated as one of Exhibitor Magazine’s Centers of Excellence.
About the Tampa Convention Center
Located in the heart of a vibrant, walkable downtown district in Tampa, Florida, the Tampa Convention Center offers beautiful waterfront views, 600,000 square feet of flexible, transformable event spaces, and state-of-the-art technology infrastructure for meeting professionals.
Beyond its premier location, the facility is deeply committed to inclusivity and organizational sustainability. The venue proudly holds a LEED Silver Certification for Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M), reflecting its dedication to green building standards, waste diversion initiatives, and energy efficiency.
About Smart Meetings
Smart Meetings is a leading media outlet and dynamic publisher for the global meetings and events industry. Supporting the hospitality community with innovative ideas, elevated experiences, and authentic connections, Smart Meetings publishes cutting-edge industry content across print and digital magazines, hosts elite networking events, and provides essential digital resources to help event professionals achieve their corporate goals.