St. Pete, Florida: A Perfect Event Locale
Just when the majority of the United States is in the grip of never-ending snowstorms, there is one state that seems to avoid the trend. Though the freeze has even found its way to the deep South, Florida remains free of these back-to-back winter storms, with residents and visitors basking in balmy temperatures under a delicious sun. With weather you can count on, St. Petersburg, Florida offers the perfect destination, which is why we at TOCA Events have become partners with this great city. The area is alive with extraordinary beaches, exceptional culture and entertainment, and constant growth. You only have to read about neighboring city, Tampa’s recent development coup set to break ground this spring, offering over one million square feet of office space and a half a million square feet of hotel and meeting spaces. It became obvious to us a long time ago, that St. Pete would be the ideal setting for a satellite TOCA office. With this in mind, we were lucky to find Hospitality and Special Event pro, Suzan Gough, to join our stellar staff as Senior Executive, MICE Relations for the Tampa Bay Region. With her deep experience in client service, Suzan is helping us grow our brand, creating a significant presence along Florida’s Gulf Coast. With her background as an on-board purser and cruise hostess to years in sales and marketing for hotels Radisson, Marriott, and Resorts International, she also served as the Director of Marketing for Broward County’s Hotel & Motel Association. Launching two separate entrepreneurial endeavors, she provided event and culinary services to a broad list of clients, including ESPN, Blockbuster’s World Headquarters, the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Whitbread sailing teams. As former account executive and event producer for conceptBait, a global event and floral design house, Suzan has just the right mix of experience, creativity, professionalism, and clout to manage a strategic locale for event planning such as we have here in St. Petersburg. From the complexities of planning large corporate and sporting events, to managing ancillary activities, our St. Pete team has been hand-picked for their knowledge of the Tampa Bay/Clearwater scene. This means that when our clients ask for a full-on event package, they get the very best that the area has to offer. Whether it’s beach volleyball, a sunset boat ride, or a visit to some of the coast’s best venues, TOCA knows how to tailor off-site experiences that guests will never forget. After a full day of workshops and conferences, we know how to show everyone a good time. Obtaining hard-to-get tickets for a sporting event or a performing arts performance, gaining entrance to fashion shows and clubs, and offering off-the-beaten-path nature walks are just some of the ways our familiarity with this splendid locale can provide that “something extra” that our clients deserve. St. Petersburg and its environs is an easy sell when our clients are looking for a setting that offers consistent weather and a plethora of opportunities for relaxation and pleasure to offset an intense corporate pow-wow or simply to reward employees for work well done. TOCA Events is proud to be a part of the scene, and always excited to plan the perfect on-site and off-site events. www.tocaevents.com
Helping Employees Bond Within Corporate Culture
When our corporate clients hold an event the purpose is clear: disseminating new information and modalities for the company and rewarding employees for their good work. This is usually the motive behind meetings that also serve as a powerful way to bring company members together. Combining Business with Pleasure One of the essential ingredients that we feel is necessary for creating a successful corporate event is offering exciting extracurricular activities as a part of its fabric. Keeping participants energized, engaged, and involved beyond the scheduled meetings and workshops is a key element in combining business with pleasure. The Perfect Recipe for Team Building At TOCA we seem to touch on all the right ingredients, which is evident in the glowing reports we get after every event. Our signature talent is in providing a diversity of options, spanning everything from interactive sports to dining, cultural events, private tours, and innovative classes. Inviting attendees to mingle in a relaxed setting is the perfect recipe for team building, which forms the essence of a solid corporate culture. Loosening the Proverbial Necktie As heads of divisions mingle with those climbing the ladder, people have the chance to shake hands and get to know each other better during a relaxed “off the business schedule” experience. In this more personal atmosphere, the proverbial necktie is loosened as new friendships are made that will ultimately lead to greater productivity and inspiration in the workplace. Location Our TOCA team is always excited when we get to the extracurricular side of planning an event. Because we want to give attendees a local experience and because we are fortunate to produce events in so many exquisite and exotic settings, the choices we give our clients come from extensive research into what each specific location offers. Our diverse international team allows us to present exceptional activities from people who are really in the know, many of which are off the beaten path from conventional tourism. Our Menu of Possibilities With our two main TOCA offices in Miami Beach and Rio de Janiero, it’s not hard to imagine the great activities that are available. Beach volleyball tournaments, a guided tour of the exotic flora and fauna, hiking and climbing, a taste of local cuisine, or even a private fashion show are just some of the pleasures one can expect from our menu of possibilities. Creating the Perfect Balance From Boston to Phoenix, Buenos Aires to Berlin, it is always a thrill to mine what is nearby our event location. Introducing attendees to local fairs, wineries, bakeries, cooking classes, and even dance lessons (0ur Samba parties are famous!) create the perfect balance for a TOCA corporate event. Excursions and Culture Providing participants with a plethora of photographic opportunities, we offer day trips and overnight excursions to points of interest, as well as many behind-the-scenes events. And because our staff is exceptionally knowledgable in the performing and fine arts, we always enjoy adding museum and art gallery tours, as well as an evening at the theatre or concert to the itinerary. And Let’s Not Forget Sports! Sports are a fundamental part of what TOCA is all about. As producers of so many sporting events, we are attuned to the tremendous attraction of sports competition, especially for participants who have been attending seminars for most of the day. Whether it is extreme sports training, a day of biking, an evening of bowling, or a friendly softball game, we love it when we see people get physical. Something for Everyone From Body Activation to yoga, a spa visit, or a fitness presentation, we offer beautifully designed off or on-site activities that will bring something to everyone. At TOCA we believe in helping employees bond within corporate culture through the shared and unexpected pleasures we so love to provide. www.tocaevents.com