With next IIFA to be held in Tampa Bay USA, its CEO has talks with film industry in Mumbai

Activities have started in full swing no sooner did the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) announce that the star-studded film award ceremony would make its American debut in Tampa Bay, Florida in June 2014. In a follow up of sorts, this week, key delegates from Visit Tampa Bay including Santiago Corrada – President and Chief Executive Officer of Visit Tampa Bay came over to Mumbai and New Delhi to forge crucial ties before the big weekend next June. Corrada and IIFA officials discussed a number of details ahead of IIFA’s American debut, anticipating all of the special arrangements that will need to be addressed to host India’s most celebrated business leaders and Bollywood’s A-list. Slated to make its debut in the United States, IIFA will host the 15th year of the Tata Motors IIFA Awards in Tampa Bay, Florida next year. With world-class infrastructure and facilities and having hosted myriad international concerts, events and the Super Bowl four times over, Tampa Bay is the ideal choice for the 15th IIFA Weekend & Awards. The Bay Area comprises Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, collectively referred to as Tampa Bay. Speaking on his interaction with people of the Indian film industry, Corrada said, “My first visit to India truly has been incredible. For the past 6 months I have developed a great deal of respect, admiration and affection for the IIFA team and India as our relationship has grown in the bid for the annual IIFA Weekend & Awards to be hosted in Tampa Bay in 2014. In Tampa, Florida and the United States of America we understand the immense power of IIFA and we are privileged and honored to serve as it's host city in 2014. From economic development to trade and tourism to the exchange of art and cultural expression, IIFA makes it all a reality through cinema and provides a unique platform to succeed in doing so.” With over 1.5 million Indians and fans of Indian cinema living in the States today, come June 2014 the shores will see a large number of Indian celebrities, delegates, throngs of international media and fans from around the world. Earlier this week, Corrada met celebrated film stars like Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Sohail Khan and Sonu Nigam.