Social Program

Welcome to ALL!



 
My name is Celeste Raffaelle and it is my pleasure to be your Social Program Chair for the 39th PVSC to be held in Tampa, Florida. Tampa Bay has all the best of Florida in one place. From wild to mild, there is much to see and do and the one-of-a-kind attractions provide fun for the entire family.

We are pleased to offer three organized companion tours through the Bay Area Destination Management Inc. (e.g., Dali Museum Tour, Highlights of Tampa Tour, and the Clearwater Beach Day). In addition, we have arranged a self-organized day trip. We will board the convenient TECO line Streetcar right in from of the convention center and make stops at Tampa's Channel District where guests may visit The Florida Aquarium, the Tampa Bay History Center, or play and shop at Channelside Bay Plaza; we will then proceed on to the brick-lined streets of Ybor City and the Latin Quarters-"Centro Ybor," where our group will lunch on own at the gem of Spanish Restaurants-Columbia, and get to see their famous Flamenco Dancers!


In addition to the companions program, we will be holding our traditional conference banquet and Cherry Receptions. The conference banquet will be held at the world famous Busch Gardens. Space will be limited, so please make your reservations early. This year’s Cherry Reception will be Jackson’s Bistro which is walking distance from the convention center and overlooks beautiful Tampa Bay.


As has been the practice over the past few conferences, we are asking all the companions to register for the conference. This will make signing up for the various activities quite easy, ensure that you will receive emails regarding any changes and other special events/opportunities, and will provide you with access to the companions room at the convention center (which includes complimentary continental breakfast each morning). In addition, all PVSC badged individuals will be able to ride the TECO Streetcar at no cost. You only need to present your PVSC badge to the conductor at the time of boarding. Anyone not displaying a PVSC badge will have to pay the normal cost.

Take care and I will see you all soon in beautiful Tampa Bay!



Bay Area Organized Tours

Monday June 17th, 2013

THE SALVADOR DAL MUSEUM (Tour Timing: 9:00am - 12:30pm)



St Petersburg is quickly becoming a Mecca for the arts with the recent opening of the new Dali Museum in the downtown area. This morning your tour will take you through town and along the beautiful waterfront where you will see the new Dali Museum with its Dali-esque façade facing the bay. The Salvador Dali Museum houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by the late Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali.

Your self-guided will provide you with interesting background and insight into the genius of Dali’s life and works. Collected by A Reynolds and Eleanor R Morse, Dali’s personal friends and scholarly collectors since 1942, this collection includes 94 original oils, over 100 watercolors, and drawings, plus 1,300 graphics, sculptures, holograms, objects of art and photographs.

From the Dali Museum you will continue along Beach Drive and see Snell Isle, the historic Renaissance Vinoy and numerous other sights which make St Petersburg the exciting and thriving area that it’s become in the past decade.

Cost per person: $52.00
Inclusions:

  • Round trip transportation
  • BayArea Destinations Professional tour guide
  • Admission to the Dali Museum in St Petersburg
  • All taxes and gratuities for included items.

Tuesday June 18, 2013

HIGHLIGHTS OF TAMPA TOUR (Tour Timing: 9:30am - 1:00pm)

The city of Tampa comes to life as your guide highlights the area.



Begin with a visit to the old Tampa Bay Hotel at the University of Tampa. This National Historic Landmark features unique Moorish revival architecture and dramatic minarets. Soak in the splendor of days gone by as you see and hear the history of this fabulous hotel and its founder, railroad tycoon, Henry B. Plant. A drive along beautiful Bayshore Boulevard and through the Hyde Park area will show you the diverse architecture that is Tampa.

Your next stop will be in Ybor City, the national historic landmark district located in Tampa. Travel down 7th Avenue and hear the history of the cigar industry, learn of life in this Latin community and the influence these valuable immigrants had on the city of Tampa. Your guide will provide you with a look into this area that was once the Cigar Capital of the World.

Cost per person based on a minimum of 35 passengers: $40.00
Inclusions:

  • Round-trip motor coach transportation
  • Admission to the Henry Plant Museum
  • BayArea Professional Tour Guide
  • All taxes & gratuities for items included

Wednesday June 19, 2013

CLEARWATER BEACH DAY (Program Timing: 9:00am - 4:00pm)



Take a day and enjoy the white sands of Florida! Beautiful Clearwater Beach is rated the best beach on the Gulf of Mexico. You can swim, play volleyball, walk or fish on Pier 60. For your convenience there are beach showers, restrooms, concessions, & umbrella rentals. Stroll up & down Beach Drive and shop the souvenir shops for keepsakes & collectables! Shuttles will run throughout the day. The last shuttle back to Tampa will leave at 3:00pm.

Important Information:

  • No alcohol is permitted on Clearwater's public beaches.
  • Swim within the "Safe Bathing Limit" at all times. This area extends 300 feet west of the high water line and is clearly marked by buoys or pilings.
  • Boaters and jet skiers are not allowed inside the "Safe Bathing Limit" area.
  • Florida sunshine is intense. Use sunscreen with a high SPF.

Cost per person based on a minimum of 35 passengers: $31.00
Inclusions:

  • Roundtrip Shuttle Service to and from Clearwater Beach
  • All gratuities for included items.

 


Thursday June 20, 2013







  

Celeste’s Semi-Independent Tour (Tour Timing: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm)

Our self-directed tour will be aboard the convenient TECO line Streetcar with stops to Tampa's Channel District where guests may visit The Florida Aquarium, the Tampa Bay History Center, or play and shop at Channelside Bay Plaza; and guests may stroll the brick-lined streets of Ybor City and the Latin Quarters "Centro Ybor" where our group will lunch on own at the gem of Spanish Restaurants--Columbia.

A 1-day unlimited ride fare card is $5. A family (i.e., 2 adults 3 children or 1 adult 4 children) all day ticket is $12.50. The vending machine for tickets and the departure point is right in front of the convention center. The group will depart from TECO stop at the convention center at 10:00. We will proceed to Ybor City to see the shops and take in the cultural sites. At noon, for those who wish to join us, we will have lunch at the famous Columbia restaurant, Florida’s oldest restaurant and the world's largest Spanish Restaurant. You can check out the menu at: http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/ybor.asp

For those who do not wish to eat at Columbia, there are a number of other dining options in a close proximity.
After lunch, the group will once again get on the TECO for the short trip to Channelside http://www.channelsidebayplaza.com/. There is plenty to see and do once there. Whether you want to shop, tour a museum, or even go bowling, there is something for everyone. You can call it a day at any time by just hopping back on the trolley and returning to where it all began. Trolleys leave every 20 minutes.




INDEPENDENT ACTIVITIES





The above organized activities are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things to do in Tampa. If you are into animals you should consider a trip to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, Big Cat Rescue, or even Dinosaur World. If you are more the museum type you may want to consider the Tampa Museum of Art, Glazer Children's Museum, or Henry B. Plant Museum. Don’t forget Tampa has a stellar Broadway series and other cultural events in their world renowned Straz Performing Arts Center. If shopping is your thing, there are a number of upscale malls including: Old Hyde Park Village, Westshore Plaza, or go global at International Plaza.







If water is your main attraction, you can cruise Tampa Bay on the Starship Yacht, take a dining cruise, or even a water taxi to a large number of waterside attractions. Also, don’t forget that just a short drive from Tampa Bay is Clearwater Beach with variety of activities designed to keep all ages happy. With miles of unspoiled beauty, sugar-white sand, clear gulf water, and a record 351 days of sunshine per year, visitors can spend the day relaxing on the pristine white sand beach and shelling, enjoy a dolphin Encounter Cruise, ride the wind under a parasail, or experience a Gulf Fishing Trip. For more information on the myriad of choices awaiting you in Tampa please see: http://www.visittampabay.com/visitors/things-to-do/ .