02-25-2009, 03:10 PM
TAMPA OUTDOOR EXPO & BOAT SHOW KICKS OFF FEBRUARY 27
TAMPA, FLORIDA - The Tampa Tribune Outdoors Expo & Boat Show hosted by Frank Sargeant is Florida's largest outdoors expo and Tampa's only spring boat show. When it opens on Friday, February 27 for its 18th year, it will offer attendees all the great shopping and hands-on, how-to entertainment they have grown to love, along with some exciting new exhibits and initiatives.
"I probably sound like a broken record each year but this year's Expo is better than ever," says Expo host and Tampa Tribune outdoors correspondent Frank Sargeant. "Some of our guests now are second generation visitors who came as kids to our early shows. They bring their kids now." "It's is a party for 20,000 of my closest friends," Sargeant says. "It has become a sort of annual community gathering for outdoors families from all over the state."
As always the Expo will feature continuous interactive presentations from a variety of outdoors experts, a shopping extravaganza and boat show in a family-friendly country-fair atmosphere.
The Expo boasts 140,000 square feet of indoor exhibit space plus outdoor display areas and several lakes. This year's Expo will include 40 boat dealers and more than 170 exhibitors. Whether your passion is boating, saltwater or freshwater fishing, cast netting, fly fishing, hunting, dog training or kayaking, The Tampa Tribune Outdoors Expo is the place for you.
Special Features and New Wrinkles
The Diving Equipment and Marketing Associations' "Be a Diver" pool will be making a stop at this year's show. The pool is 41-foot by 21-foot and four foot deep. The exhibit includes dressing rooms, towels and all the newest diving equipment. The 25,000-gallon pool gives attendees everything they need to sample the diving experience under the watchful eye of Professional Diving Instructors. Since 2001, the "Be A Diver" pool has brought this exciting interactive experiences to more than 65,000 participants at over 175 venues.
Author and international fly fishing authority Ed Jaworowski makes his first appearance at the show this year. Fly fishing legend Lefty Kreh calls Jaworowski "the best teacher of fly casting I have ever known." Jaworowski will appear will appear three times each day.
Some of Florida's best known captains will conduct additional seminars on a wide range of topics, including virtually any fishing subject you can think of. The Devore Labradors Kennel returns with demonstration on pointing and retrieving as well as a variety of dog training tips. Also returning, the popular outdoors grilling stage, sponsored by Direct Buy of Tampa and conducted by the Outdoor Kitchen Company. Cast net demonstrations, rock climbing and a number of special giveaways are also on the agenda. Kids can participate in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Fishing Derbies, conducted by "Get Reel," as well as other hands on outdoor activities.
Go Fishing! Initiative
Go Fishing is a major initiative being launched by The Florida Communications Group* for the purpose of promoting fishing in Tampa Bay and throughout North America. The goal is to get children and families hooked on fishing, as well as educate amateur anglers on proper fishing techniques and conservation practices.
Go Fishing is THE home for anglers to access everything fishing -with The Tampa Tribune, online at TBO.com keyword Go, The Tampa Tribune Outdoors Expo & Boat Show, The Florida Aquarium, mobile access at go.tbo.com, grassroots seminars and events, fishing tournaments, in addition to the "Reel Animals" TV and radio shows.
Spokesmen for Go Fishing are The Tampa Tribune's outdoors correspondent Frank Sargeant and radio and TV's "Reel Animals," Captains Michael Anderson and Billy Nobles.
Admission and Hours
Admission to the Expo is FREE FOR ALL AGES on Friday, and free every day for kids 12 & under. Admission for ages 13-and-up is only $8.00 on Saturday and Sunday. Parking at the Fairgrounds is five dollars.
Show hours are 1:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday. The State Fairgrounds are located east of Tampa near the junction of I-4 and I-75.
Vendors
Vendors from across North America will offer great deals on boats, fishing tackle, hunting gear, resorts and lodges, canoes and kayaks and other outdoors-related items. In addition to the special discounts, Expo visitors will get their first look at many new products.
Non-profit fishing, hunting and conservation groups - including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, will be on hand. Whether your favorite pastime is fishing for bass, kings, grouper, snook or redfish; or hunting turkey, deer, or ducks, you'll find the right club or organization with experienced members and volunteers eager to share their expertise with you.
Sponsors
Presenting sponsors include The Tampa Tribune, WFLA News Channel 8, TBO.com, and Reel Animals. Participating sponsors include The Sports Authority, Reece Builders, and Direct Buy of Tampa.
*About Florida Communications Group<br />
The Florida Communications Group (FCG), owned by Media General, includes newspapers, broadcast television and online operations in West Central Florida. It incorporates Media General's converged operations in Tampa, including The Tampa Tribune and TBO.com, the No. 1 newspaper/online combination in the Tampa Bay market; WFLA-TV, (NBC) the market broadcast news leader at 5, 5:30, 6 and 11 p.m. weeknights, and CENTRO Grupo De Comunicación, a Spanish-language print, broadcast and online media operation. Florida Communications Group also includes Highlands Today, Hernando Today, 12 weeklies, and several shopper and niche publications.
Source: Scarborough 2008 Release 2; Nielsen Media Research, November 2008 Sweeps Period, Adults 25-54 and Household Ratings.
Media Contact<br />
Donna McCallister (813) 259-8224<br />
Interviews: Frank Sargeant (205) 295-2188
TAMPA, FLORIDA - The Tampa Tribune Outdoors Expo & Boat Show hosted by Frank Sargeant is Florida's largest outdoors expo and Tampa's only spring boat show. When it opens on Friday, February 27 for its 18th year, it will offer attendees all the great shopping and hands-on, how-to entertainment they have grown to love, along with some exciting new exhibits and initiatives.
"I probably sound like a broken record each year but this year's Expo is better than ever," says Expo host and Tampa Tribune outdoors correspondent Frank Sargeant. "Some of our guests now are second generation visitors who came as kids to our early shows. They bring their kids now." "It's is a party for 20,000 of my closest friends," Sargeant says. "It has become a sort of annual community gathering for outdoors families from all over the state."
As always the Expo will feature continuous interactive presentations from a variety of outdoors experts, a shopping extravaganza and boat show in a family-friendly country-fair atmosphere.
The Expo boasts 140,000 square feet of indoor exhibit space plus outdoor display areas and several lakes. This year's Expo will include 40 boat dealers and more than 170 exhibitors. Whether your passion is boating, saltwater or freshwater fishing, cast netting, fly fishing, hunting, dog training or kayaking, The Tampa Tribune Outdoors Expo is the place for you.
Special Features and New Wrinkles
The Diving Equipment and Marketing Associations' "Be a Diver" pool will be making a stop at this year's show. The pool is 41-foot by 21-foot and four foot deep. The exhibit includes dressing rooms, towels and all the newest diving equipment. The 25,000-gallon pool gives attendees everything they need to sample the diving experience under the watchful eye of Professional Diving Instructors. Since 2001, the "Be A Diver" pool has brought this exciting interactive experiences to more than 65,000 participants at over 175 venues.
Author and international fly fishing authority Ed Jaworowski makes his first appearance at the show this year. Fly fishing legend Lefty Kreh calls Jaworowski "the best teacher of fly casting I have ever known." Jaworowski will appear will appear three times each day.
Some of Florida's best known captains will conduct additional seminars on a wide range of topics, including virtually any fishing subject you can think of. The Devore Labradors Kennel returns with demonstration on pointing and retrieving as well as a variety of dog training tips. Also returning, the popular outdoors grilling stage, sponsored by Direct Buy of Tampa and conducted by the Outdoor Kitchen Company. Cast net demonstrations, rock climbing and a number of special giveaways are also on the agenda. Kids can participate in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Fishing Derbies, conducted by "Get Reel," as well as other hands on outdoor activities.
Go Fishing! Initiative
Go Fishing is a major initiative being launched by The Florida Communications Group* for the purpose of promoting fishing in Tampa Bay and throughout North America. The goal is to get children and families hooked on fishing, as well as educate amateur anglers on proper fishing techniques and conservation practices.
Go Fishing is THE home for anglers to access everything fishing -with The Tampa Tribune, online at TBO.com keyword Go, The Tampa Tribune Outdoors Expo & Boat Show, The Florida Aquarium, mobile access at go.tbo.com, grassroots seminars and events, fishing tournaments, in addition to the "Reel Animals" TV and radio shows.
Spokesmen for Go Fishing are The Tampa Tribune's outdoors correspondent Frank Sargeant and radio and TV's "Reel Animals," Captains Michael Anderson and Billy Nobles.
Admission and Hours
Admission to the Expo is FREE FOR ALL AGES on Friday, and free every day for kids 12 & under. Admission for ages 13-and-up is only $8.00 on Saturday and Sunday. Parking at the Fairgrounds is five dollars.
Show hours are 1:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday. The State Fairgrounds are located east of Tampa near the junction of I-4 and I-75.
Vendors
Vendors from across North America will offer great deals on boats, fishing tackle, hunting gear, resorts and lodges, canoes and kayaks and other outdoors-related items. In addition to the special discounts, Expo visitors will get their first look at many new products.
Non-profit fishing, hunting and conservation groups - including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, will be on hand. Whether your favorite pastime is fishing for bass, kings, grouper, snook or redfish; or hunting turkey, deer, or ducks, you'll find the right club or organization with experienced members and volunteers eager to share their expertise with you.
Sponsors
Presenting sponsors include The Tampa Tribune, WFLA News Channel 8, TBO.com, and Reel Animals. Participating sponsors include The Sports Authority, Reece Builders, and Direct Buy of Tampa.
*About Florida Communications Group<br />
The Florida Communications Group (FCG), owned by Media General, includes newspapers, broadcast television and online operations in West Central Florida. It incorporates Media General's converged operations in Tampa, including The Tampa Tribune and TBO.com, the No. 1 newspaper/online combination in the Tampa Bay market; WFLA-TV, (NBC) the market broadcast news leader at 5, 5:30, 6 and 11 p.m. weeknights, and CENTRO Grupo De Comunicación, a Spanish-language print, broadcast and online media operation. Florida Communications Group also includes Highlands Today, Hernando Today, 12 weeklies, and several shopper and niche publications.
Source: Scarborough 2008 Release 2; Nielsen Media Research, November 2008 Sweeps Period, Adults 25-54 and Household Ratings.
Media Contact<br />
Donna McCallister (813) 259-8224<br />
Interviews: Frank Sargeant (205) 295-2188