Tampa is turning purple and gold! The Tampa Convention Center is proud to welcome Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. for their 84th International Grand Conclave June 26 to July 2. This event is expected to bring close to 30,000 visitors to Downtown Tampa and the surrounding area. It will have an estimated economic impact of $10,959,410, according to Visit Tampa Bay.
Omega Psi Phi is a historic fraternity, as it was the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of a historically black college. This is the group’s first visit to the City of Tampa. In honor of the event, several city landmarks, including the convention center, will light up in the Omega Psi Phi colors of purple and gold.
International Conclave is a biennial meeting where members come together for fellowship, development, and community service. This year’s theme is “Conclave with a Purpose,” with several community events on the agenda that are open to the public.
Free Community Events
Community Forum
WHEN: Thursday, June 27 – 7 p.m.
WHERE: USF – C.W. Bill Young Hall (ROTC Building)
DETAILS: This forum is designed to educate and empower the community by increasing understanding of how legal/legislative changes, both proposed and implemented, impact their lives. Moderated by D.L. Hughley. Attendees will have the chance to interact with elected officials and policy experts.
Silent March and Rally
WHEN: Friday, June 28 - 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
WHERE: Starting at the Tampa Riverwalk outside the Tampa Convention Center, ending at Curtis Hixon Park
DETAILS: The march route along the Tampa Riverwalk features 30 bronze busts of historical figures with ties to the Tampa Bay area, eight of which are African American, including an Omega man (Benjamin Mays). Among the rally speakers will be civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch.
Juilliard Masterclass and Talent Hunt
WHEN: Friday, June 28 - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Tampa Convention Center (Rooms 111-113)
DETAILS: The Talent Hunt is a chance for Black youth in grades 9-12 to showcase their talent and compete for scholarships and the chance to go before a distinguished group of judges. Go to https://internationaltalenthuntfoundation.org for more information.
Career Fair
WHEN: Friday, June 28 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Tampa Convention Center (foyer between Rooms 101-120)
DETAILS: This is held in conjunction with CareerSource Tampa Bay and includes veterans services, one-on-one career coaching, networking support, and more. Register for free at https://iys-oppf.org/index.cfm?e=event&eventId=35926.
Omega Community Mixer
WHEN: Friday, June 28 - Noon to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Curtis Hixon Park
DETAILS: This event includes guest speakers, vendors, entertainment, and resources.
The Omega Festival
WHEN: Saturday, June 29 - Noon to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Curtis Hixon Park
DETAILS: This event will feature numerous vendors, food trucks, sponsors, live entertainment, and a DJ for six hours, and it's all free to the public.
Youth Symposium
WHEN: Friday, June 28 – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Tampa Convention Center (Rooms 114-117)
DETAILS: This is open to all high school students. It will feature a panel moderated by Civil Rights Attorney and TV Personality Charles Coleman Jr., which includes D.L. Hughley, Dr. Nate Hughes, Adetayo “Tayo” Adesanya, and Thaddeus Bullard. The theme is “Strategies for the Future: How do Youth Advocacy, Resilience, and Diversity create effective strategies for success in the 21st Century?” Register for free at https://iys-oppf.org/index.cfm?e=event&eventId=35912.
Omega Psi Phi will also continue a state-wide voter registration initiative that is focused on individuals who have been historically underrepresented.
Throughout the Conclave, there will also be a book drive that will collect books focused on African American history and culture and distribute them through small libraries set up in several urban communities. The group has partnered with a Tampa business, “Black English Bookstore,” to reach the goal of 8,400 books.
For more information about the Conclave, go to https://oppf.org/conclave/.
Getting Around Grand Conclave
Parking is available at the Tampa Convention Center Parking Garage, located at 141 East Brorein Street in Tampa, across the street from the center’s Franklin Street Entrance.
Additional parking is available at Pam Iorio Parking Garage, located at 301 Channelside Drive, Tampa, just one block from the center.
See all nearby parking options here: https://www.tampa.gov/tcc/parking
Drop-off and pick-up spots for Tampa Convention Center visitors, including ADA and rideshare, are available in front of Harpoon Harry's Crab House, located at 225 S. Franklin St. in Tampa.
Visitors to the Tampa Convention Center can also take the free TECO Line Streetcar to Dick Greco Plaza Station #10, located across the street from the center. Learn more: http://www.tecolinestreetcar.org/
The Tampa Convention Center is a hub on the DASH car transit system, which connects to 20 different hubs throughout Tampa's Downtown. Rides are $2 per passenger and can be requested through the DASH mobile app. More information: https://www.tampasdowntown.com/getting-around/dash/
Food Options Near Tampa Convention Center
Attendees can enjoy food and beverage concessions throughout the Tampa Convention Center. They can also visit The Sail Plaza, featuring The Sail waterfront 360-degree bar, on property. The Sail Plaza includes the nationally acclaimed Big Ray's Fish Camp Riverwalk, which features signature Tampa dishes such as the Cuban Sandwich and the Grouper Sandwich.
Both The Sail bar and Big Ray's Fish Camp will have extended, late night hours until 1am Thursday through Sunday during Grand Conclave. Menus are available here: https://www.tampa.gov/tcc/the-sail
There will also be food trucks outside the Tampa Convention Center, by The Sail, throughout Grand Conclave.
The Tampa Convention Center also features a full-service restaurant on-site called Harpoon Harry's Crab House, which specializes in seafood, sushi, and steak. You can see their menu and make reservations on their website, https://harpoonharryscrabhousetampa.com/.