ACTION ALERT, TAMPA

From: John Adams
To: 'John Adams'
Cc: 'Marion Lambert'
Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2008 9:48 PM
Subject: FLAGS ACROSS FLORIDA - SPECIAL ACTION REQUEST - PLEASE POST TO LISTS


Dear Friends,

Within a couple of days the Florida Division, SCV will be meeting with Tampa Tourism and Business leaders about the "Giant Confederate Flag" we will be raising in Tampa on a permanent basis.
As nothing could persuade us not to fly the flag, local leaders will have two choices: To work with the SCV to create a "positive spin" and use the flag to generate tourism, or take
the "Chicken Little - The Sky is Falling" approach, brand the flag as racist, and hope it doesn't affect tourism.

The SCV would like to show the tourism industry that our flag will bring visitors to the area, who will contribute to the economy. To that end, we are asking you all to email or call the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors' Bureau, and ask the following:

(PLEASE COMPOSE YOUR OWN ORIGINAL LETTER - THESE NEED TO BE UNIQUE)

Dear Sirs,

My Family and I are planning a trip to the Tampa area (next year, whenever) and one thing we hope to do is visit the big Confederate flag site, and memorial park. We would like for you to send us information on
hotels, and other attractions in the area.

Use your real mailing address, indicate how many in your party. All you will get is a nice packet and letter.

You can also call them on the phone and ask about the flag, when it's supposed to be flying, and where to stay nearby when it gets dedicated next year. FYI, We expect as many as 5,000 for that dedication, and we will address getting hotel blocks this fall. Tell them friends sent you news reports, or you saw it on television and are planning your family vacation around the dedication ceremony. Better yet, tell them you are coming for the 2009 Superbowl in Tampa, and want to stay out close to the flag site.

Just try to be somewhat original, mix up your tourism questions a bit, and be sure to indicate that the flag is a big reason you will be headed to the Tampa Bay area with your family.

The hopeful result of this effort will be a "bewildered and puzzled" Visitors Bureau when we have our meeting with them. If they see this flag as potentially positive for the area, they won't know what to do with themselves. Remember, the political mavens may hate the flag, but they are guided and funded by the business leaders - let one faction drive the other, so to speak.

Thank you for your time and help,

John Adams
Co-CHMN Flags Across Florida

Contacts are listed below:

Tampa Bay Company
401 East Jackson Street, Suite 2100
Tampa, Florida 33602
Phone: (813) 223-1111 or (800) 44-TAMPA

General Questions:
Info@VisitTampaBay.com
Visitor Information Center Manager Natalie Bryant 813-342-4078
nryant@visittampabay.com

National Sales Manager (Fraternal, Military, Education, Government, International) Dori Laack (813) 342-4067 dlaack@visittampabay.com
Public Relations Manager Brooke Maynard (813) 342-4053
bmaynard@visittampabay.com

Website: http://www.visittampabay.com/