2018 Conference Hotel & Travel Information
We work closely with hotel and travel providers to secure competitive lodging and transportation needs for conference attendees. We encourage you to secure your hotel and travel reservations as early as possible.
Conference Locations
Tampa Convention Center
333 S Franklin St
Tampa, FL 33602
Marriott Tampa Waterside
700 South Florida Avenue
Tampa, FL 33602
Conference Hotels
What You Should Know Before Reserving Your Room
- Book early. Conference hotels usually sell out of rooms several months in advance of our conference.
- All reservations must be guaranteed with a one-night deposit (applicable toward your hotel bill) and a valid credit card.
- Please be considerate of other conference attendees by reserving only the rooms you need for your confirmed attendees.
- Please be mindful of each hotel's deadline for reserving rooms at AWP's discounted rate. After these respective dates, discounted rates will no longer be available to attendees.
- For reservations, contact the hotel directly. AWP does not endorse or use a third-party housing service to help with the reservation and/or sale of hotel rooms during our conference. Attendees who use a third-party housing service to secure lodging at one of our contracted hotels may be engaging in illegal activity.
- If you cancel your reservation fewer than 30 days in advance of your arrival, the hotel will apply a cancellation fee to your reservation equal to one night's room and tax. If you check out prior to your reserved checkout date, the hotel may apply an early departure fee.
- If you experience issues with website reservations, we recommend you call the hotel reservations department directly at the number listed below. Allocations of certain bed types may run out through the websites as the hotel’s rooms are booked.
Headquarters Hotel
Marriott Tampa Waterside—Sold Out
700 South Florida Avenue
Tampa, FL 33602
Across the street from the Tampa Convention Center
(See Google Directions to the Convention Center)
This hotel is now sold out. Call (813) 221-4900 to check for cancellations.
AWP Rates: $209 singles / doubles (plus taxes and fees)
To receive the special conference rate, please make your reservation by Friday, February 9, 2018. All reservations must be guaranteed with a valid major credit card. Attendees can cancel up to 60 days in advance without penalty. All deposits are non-refundable 60 days prior to the date of arrival.
Overflow Hotels
The Westshore Grand—Room Block Closed
4860 W Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33609
5 miles from the Tampa Convention Center
(See Google Directions to the Convention Center)
The AWP room block deadline for this hotel has passed. Call (866) 912-1041 to check for cancellations.
AWP Rates: $199 singles / doubles (plus taxes and fees)
To receive the special conference rate, please make your reservation by Friday, February 16. All reservations must be guaranteed with a valid major credit card. Attendees can cancel up to 30 days in advance without penalty. All deposits are non-refundable 30 days prior to the date of arrival.
The Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk—Room Block Closed
111 W Fortune Street
Tampa, FL 33602
Located along the Riverwalk, 1.0 miles from the Tampa Convention Center
(See Google Directions to the Convention Center)
The AWP room block deadline for this hotel has passed. Call (813) 223-1351 to check for cancellations.
AWP Rates: $185 singles / doubles (plus taxes and fees)
To receive the special conference rate, please make your reservation by Friday, February 9, 2018. All reservations must be guaranteed with a valid major credit card. To avoid forfeiture of deposit or penalties, written cancellation requests must be received by the hotel by January 15, 2018.
Hilton Tampa Downtown—Room Block Closed
211 N. Tampa Street
Tampa, FL 33602
0.4 miles from the Tampa Convention Center
(See Google Directions to the Convention Center)
The AWP room block deadline for this hotel has passed. Call (844) 742-8035 or (813) 204-3000 to check for cancellations.
AWP Rates: $205 singles / doubles (plus taxes and fees)
To receive the special conference rate, please make your reservation by Thursday, February 8, 2018. All reservations must be guaranteed with a valid credit card. Cancellations made fewer than 30 days in advance of your arrival are non-refundable. If you check out prior to your reserved checkout date, the hotel may apply an early departure fee if not notified of a change in your travel plans during check-in.
Embassy Suites Tampa—Sold Out
513 South Florida Avenue
Tampa, FL 33602
Across the street from the Tampa Convention Center
(See Google Directions to the Convention Center)
This hotel is now sold out. Call (813) 769-8300 to check for cancellations.
AWP Rates: $205 singles / doubles (plus taxes and fees)
There is a skybridge that connects the Embassy Suites to the second floor of the Tampa Convention Center. This skybridge is accessible with automatic doors from the Embassy Suites, but the doors on the second floor of the Convention Center are not automatic and do not have wheelchair buttons. Please use the Channel Entry or the Franklin Street Entry of the Convention Center if you require an accessible entrance.
To receive the special conference rate, please make your reservation by Monday, February 5, 2018. All reservations must be guaranteed with a valid credit card. If you cancel your reservation fewer than 30 days in advance of your arrival, your deposit will be non-refundable. If you check out prior to your reserved checkout date, the hotel may apply an early departure fee.
Westin Tampa Harbour Island—Sold Out
725 South Harbour Island Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33602
0.3 miles from the Tampa Convention Center
(See Google Directions to the Convention Center)
This hotel is now sold out. Call (813) 229-5000 to check for cancellations.
AWP Rates: $209 singles / doubles (plus taxes and fees)
To receive the special conference rate, please make your reservation by Saturday, February 3, 2018. All reservations must be guaranteed with a valid credit card. Remember to mention that you are an attendee of the 2018 AWP Conference & Bookfair. Cancellations made fewer than 29 days in advance of your arrival are non-refundable.
Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel—Sold Out
200 N Ashley Dr
Tampa, FL 33602
0.4 miles from the Tampa Convention Center
(See Google Directions to the Convention Center)
This hotel is now sold out. Call (813) 223-2222 to check for cancellations.
AWP Rates: $209 singles (plus taxes and fees)
To receive the special conference rate, please make your reservation by Monday, February 5, 2018. All reservations must be guaranteed with a valid credit card. Deposits are non-refundable if canceled fewer than 30 days in advance of your arrival. If you check out prior to your reserved checkout date, the hotel may apply an early departure fee.
Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Downtown—Sold Out
102 E Cass Street
Tampa, FL 33602
0.7 miles from the Tampa Convention Center
(See Google Directions to the Convention Center)
This hotel is now sold out. Call (813) 229-1100 to check for cancellations.
AWP Rates: $199 singles / doubles (plus taxes and fees)
To receive the special conference rate, please make your reservation by Friday, February 9, 2018. All reservations must be guaranteed with a valid major credit card. Attendees can cancel up to 60 days in advance without penalty. All deposits are non-refundable within 60 days prior to the date of arrival.
Transportation Partners
Alaska Airlines
To receive 7% off published fares from Alaska Airlines, go to alaskaair.com and enter the discount code ECMX999 when searching for flights to Tampa, FL. Valid travel dates: 3/5/18–3/11/18.
Conditions:
- If you choose to book over the phone (800) 445-4435, a $15 charge will apply.
- Discounts applicable to U.S./ Canada originating passengers.
- Travel may be booked on blackout dates, but no discount will apply.
United Airlines
To receive up to 10%* off published United flights to Tampa, FL, go to united.com or call (800) 426-1122 and use offer code ZYVS809784. Valid travel dates: 3/5/2018–3/14/2018. Conditions:- *Determination of exact percentage off is calculated by United based on booking class and origin of flight.
- A flight may be booked over the phone (800) 426-1122 using the promo code ZYVS and agreement code 809784 for phone bookings. A service charge will be incurred.
- The discount code is not valid with any other offer, certificate, coupon, or promotions.
Additional Transportation Information
Parking Information
There are many commercial garages within a few blocks on the Tampa Convention Center. Please consult this PDF map from Discover In-Town Tampa!. There is also valet parking available at the Tampa Marriott Waterside, charged by the hour. A full day costs $28.
Tampa, FL Public Transportation
Tampa offers plenty of ways to get around town. The TECO Line Streetcar would be the most convenient, providing a connection between the convention center core and downtown dining, shopping, and entertainment destinations. You will have to purchase a ticket in order to ride. Regular fares are $2.50 for a single ride and $2.50 for an all-day ticket. Youth (5-17), Senior (65+), Disabled, and Medicare cardholders receive a discounted fare of $1.25 for a single ride ticket and $2.50 for an all-day ticket. Children under 4 ride free with paying adult. For more streetcar information, visit TECO Line Streetcar System's website.
The HART Local Service is a separate bus system that also accepts cash and can be purchased on the bus or from any HART sales outlet including the Marriott Waterside Gift Shop. Sold in local, discount and express fare categories. A Local Discount ride cost $1. All buses and vans are wheelchair accessible. Please feel free to visit the HART website for maps and more information.
Transportation from Tampa International Airport to Downtown Tampa, FL
There are several options for attendees arriving at the airport traveling to downtown:
- Shuttle Service: SuperShuttle and Supreme Airport Shuttle run services from Tampa International to downtown. Taxi/Driver Service: Uber and Lyft provide rides to and from Tampa International. There are also taxi lines clearly marked outside baggage claim at every terminal.
- Public Transportation: Tampa International has its own transit bus stop located at the west end of the Red Baggage Claim curbside by Belt #15. The route map and schedule are posted at the bus stop. For more information visit HART online or call (813) 254-4278.
Tampa, FL, Taxi Services
The following companies provide phone dispatch taxicab service.- Cab Plus
(813) 288-8888 - Dan The Cab Man
(727) 831-0178 - On Time Taxi Company
(813) 995-7977 - OnCabs Tampa
(813) 867-4818 - Unique Car Service & Transportation
(813) 927-5045
Tampa Downtowner
The Tampa Downtowner is a free ride service operating in the Downtown Tampa and Channelside District areas. The service has twelve six-passenger electric vehicles and two five-passenger vehicles. The Downtowner has one handicap accessible vehicle. You can download The Downtowner app to request a free ride. The Downtowner operates Monday through Friday from 6 a.m.–11 p.m. and on Saturday through Sunday from 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
Attendee Guide
Please refer to the 2018 Conference Attendee Guide for more information about Tampa, FL, arts and entertainment, dining, and other attractions.
