While “The Daily Show” beats up on Tampa Bay’s reputation for being too hot, too sprawling and not cultured enough during the Republican National Convention, we here at EMSI Public Relations beg to differ. The area has long stood out among other Florida regions as a unique blend of city life and quaint coastal culture. We enjoy deep historical roots, and our amenities pander to a wide range of residents and visitors. The year-round warm climate and sea breezes aside, Tampa has more to offer than just a pretty view. Here are five examples:

The Fine Arts, Culture
It’s no wonder that Tampa Bay was recently awarded “Top Arts Destination” by American Style Magazine. Between Tampa and nearby St. Petersburg, the area teems with museums, including the Dali Museum, MOSI, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Tampa Bay History Center and the Tampa Museum of Art. These destinations are centrally located near each other, either in downtown Tampa or St. Pete. Yet another jewel is Tampa Theatre, a beautifully-preserved destination for film buffs throughout the world. Built in 1926, the theatre runs art, foreign and independent films. The Florida Orchestra in St. Pete allows residents to enjoy their classical-music fix, and Broadway productions can be found at the David A Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts.

The Sports Scene
Sports fans have plenty to eat up here with three major sports franchises. The Tampa Bay Rays are housed at Tropicana Field, just a stone’s throw away from downtown St. Pete. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2003’s Super Bowl champs, are a big part of the community and are located a short distance north of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. So many northern transplants to Tampa have yielded a high number of hockey fans, who cheer the Tampa Bay Lightning, 2004’s Stanley cup winners. Matches are conveniently enjoyed in downtown Tampa, at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Attractions
Tampa hosts an eclectic variety of family attractions. Worldwide destinations can be found in nearby Orlando, just down the road on I-4, including Disney, SeaWorld and Universal Studios. Within Tampa city limits are Busch Gardens, open year-round, and its water park Adventure Island (located right across the street); these are some of the largest roller coaster theme parks in Florida. For educational fun there is also the beautiful Lowry Park Zoo, Big Cat Rescue and The Florida Aquarium. Ybor City, located a mile east of downtown, is the heart of the city’s historic (and party) district.

Life (and Work) is a Beach
Out of Florida’s 825 miles of beaches, Tampa Bay has some of the highest rated in the state. For gulf side access, try visiting the Clearwater beach with miles of sparkling white sand and calm blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Florida is also renowned for being very business-friendly, and more organizations are choosing to relocate in the Tampa Bay area. At EMSI Public Relations, we have plenty of clients based in New York City, Los Angeles and throughout the world. With Skype and so many other technological advances keeping the world connected, CEO Marsha Friedman enjoys the area’s amenities while her contacts and clients are just a mouse-click away.

The Shopping
For the high-end shopper and diner, the International Mall is one of the best malls in the country, and it is conveniently located near the Tampa International Airport. Looking for a more eclectic style? Ybor City and Channelside, located next to downtown, offer several independent and large retail options.

- Jeni Hinojosa, EMSI Social Media Campaign Manager

Read more here about 5 Reasons Why the Tampa Bay area is a great vacation destination on Yahoo.

Alex Hinojosa, EMSI’s VP of Media Operations speaking about Tampa Bay on 970 WFLA