Leaders from across Tampa Bay’s civic, economic and international community will take the stage November 16–17 at the Tampa Convention Center
TAMPA, Fla. — September 9, 2026 — The Tampa International Diplomacy & Exchange Summit (TIDES) today announced the first group of featured Main Stage participants for the inaugural summit, taking place November 16–17, 2026, at the Tampa Convention Center.
Mayor Jane Castor will help open TIDES, joined by Alfred Goldberg, president of Tampa Sister Cities and executive lead for TIDES. The Main Stage program will bring together leaders representing many of the institutions shaping Tampa Bay’s position in the global economy and international community.
Featured participants announced as part of the Main Stage program include:
- Mayor Jane Castor, Mayor, City of Tampa
- Harry Cohen, Commissioner, Hillsborough County
- Alfred Goldberg, President, Tampa Sister Cities
- Michael Stephens, Chief Executive Officer, Tampa International Airport
- Paul Anderson, President & CEO, Port Tampa Bay
- Santiago Corrada, President & CEO, Visit Tampa Bay
- Dr. Moez Limayem, President, University of South Florida
- Dr. Jaime Banfi, Director, Gabo Foundation
The Main Stage will examine Tampa Bay’s emergence as an increasingly connected international region and the institutions, infrastructure, relationships and ideas positioning Tampa for greater participation in the global economy.
“TIDES is about bringing together the people and organizations that connect Tampa to the world,” said Goldberg. “When you look at the airport, the port, our universities, our business community, tourism, research, innovation and our international relationships, Tampa already possesses many of the assets of a global city. TIDES creates a place for those assets to come together around a shared conversation about where we go next.”
Among the featured Main Stage sessions is Global Assets: The Institutions Connecting Tampa to the World, which will explore the infrastructure and organizations that enable Tampa Bay to compete, collaborate and build relationships internationally.
The summit will also feature an opening ceremony, keynote conversations and a closing discussion focused on What’s Next for Tampa on the Global Stage.
TIDES will bring together leaders and participants from business, government, diplomacy, education, innovation, sustainability, culture and international organizations during two days of programming, networking, exhibits and international exchange.
Additional speakers will be announced throughout September.
Registration, sponsorship and exhibition opportunities are available at TIDESTampa.com.
About TIDES
The Tampa International Diplomacy & Exchange Summit (TIDES) is a two-day international summit taking place November 16–17, 2026, at the Tampa Convention Center. TIDES brings together businesses, diplomats, educators, innovators, civic leaders, international organizations and community partners around five primary areas of focus: Trade, Innovation, Diplomacy, Education and Sustainability. TIDES is organized by Tampa Sister Cities with support from the City of Tampa and community partners. Mayor Jane Castor serves as Chair of the TIDES Host Committee.
Media Contact:
Kari Goetz
communications@tidestampa.com
