Office: (813) 852-1977
What we offer
Site Selection
Program Planning & Exhibit Hall Management
Program Planning & Exhibit Hall Management
We do location scouting to help you choose the best area for your event and contract with hotels to obtain top quality venues for our clients.
Program Planning & Exhibit Hall Management
Program Planning & Exhibit Hall Management
Program Planning & Exhibit Hall Management
We work closely with our clients to manage all event logistics to make certain the event is a success. We are able to handle any permit, signage, or audiovisual need. We are also experienced in working with and communicating with sponsors and exhibitors as well as management of the overall Exhibit Hall.
Online Registration
Program Planning & Exhibit Hall Management
Online Registration
We handle the registration process from beginning to end. We provide support for members, track reports, and even prepare attendee packages and name badges. We work with Cvent, YourMembership.com, RegFox, and Regonline.com.
Speaker Management
Special Events & Entertainment
Online Registration
We work closely with event speakers to ensure a smooth presentation. We manage all agreements, create speaker manuals with deadlines, and coordinate to meet audiovisual needs for each presentation.
Budget Development
Special Events & Entertainment
Special Events & Entertainment
We create and manage a working budget that is frequently reviewed with our clients.
Special Events & Entertainment
Special Events & Entertainment
Special Events & Entertainment
We oversee and partner with different industry vendors that can assist with providing unique and memorable experiences for your attendees.
OUR TEAM
Karen Farrington, CMP | President
Jennifer Rodriguez | Project Manager
Jennifer Rodriguez | Project Manager
Karen Farrington, Founder and President of Suncoast Meetings & Events, Inc., is an event planner with a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Designation and a Learning Environmental Specialist (LES) Designation from the Professional Convention Management Association.
Karen received the MPI Tampa Bay Meeting Professional of the Year award
Karen Farrington, Founder and President of Suncoast Meetings & Events, Inc., is an event planner with a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Designation and a Learning Environmental Specialist (LES) Designation from the Professional Convention Management Association.
Karen received the MPI Tampa Bay Meeting Professional of the Year award in 2016-2017 and was also recognized as Member of the Month for the Tampa Bay Chapter in October of 2016. She has served on the Tampa Bay MPI Board of Directors twice in leadership roles since joining in 1999 and spearheaded the chapter’s “Emerging Leaders” program which is still currently in place today.
She continues to serve on the MPTBA nominations committee and as an advisor for special projects.
Jennifer Rodriguez | Project Manager
Jennifer Rodriguez | Project Manager
Jennifer Rodriguez | Project Manager
Jennifer Rodriguez is the project manager at Suncoast Meetings & Events, with key roles in online and on-site registration, attendee management, mobile app design, client service, and overall project management. She has been a part of the Suncoast team since 2021. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida.
Client Testimonials
"We have worked with Karen and Suncoast Meetings for 8 years now, which is a testament in itself as to the quality of service we receive. Karen and her staff of meeting coordinators do an excellent job of planning the details, handling the registrations and implementing the on-site functions at our annual convention and trade show. Her attention to customer service is impeccable and our members appreciate her professionalism and knowledge."
Jane McEwen
Executive Director
International Packaged Ice Association
"The National Drowning Prevention Alliance sought out Suncoast Meetings and Events after attending a US Swim School Association conference. That conference was so professionally organized we had to find out who the event director was. The NDPA was under contract within weeks after meeting Karen. Suncoast completely ran our annual symposium for the first time in March 2012. We doubled our attendance from the previous year and went from covering expenses to making a very nice profit. Our sponsorships were up, our exhibitors went up and our bottom line went up!! The personal relationship that Karen brings is way beyond just customer service, it is dedication beyond all expectations. One word for anyone thinking of Suncoast for your events - Effortless! Karen does all the work."
Executive Director
National Drowning Prevention Alliance
"I have been working with Karen and Suncoast Meetings for about 5 years or more and can say she is professional, efficient, easy to work with and we have fun doing it."
Dawn Ladd
Executive Director
Southern Ice Exchange
"I recently attended the Endocrinology for Primary Care MER sponsored meeting at the Westin St. John Resort last week. I have attended multiple MER primary care conferences over the years. I wanted to recognize & thank you for the exceptional services provided not only by your host, the Westin St. John Resort, but especially Ms. Karen Farrington. She has remarkable composure, organizational & public speaking skills. Having personally organized & medical directed multiple previous emergency medicine professional educational meetings, I know how difficult it is to coordinate & manage physicians in this setting. Karen is a true asset to your organization. I look forward to my next MER meeting."
Ralph N. Terpolilli, M.D., MBA, FACEP, FAAEM Clinical Associate Professor
Center for Emergency Medicine
Univ. TX Health Science Center, San Antonio