RNC says local small biz contracts in millions

TAMPA - More than 5,000 volunteers will watch an orientation video produced by a local company before Tampa swells with RNC visitors in August.

"We decided to add a little flair to it instead of just a regular training video that bored everybody," said Victoria Jorgenson, the owner of 'A Media Marketing.'

It teaches local volunteers and those from 20 other states what to do and not do during convention week. The video is just a small chunk of the millions of dollars in contracts the convention has brought to Tampa Bay.

"It's been about a ten percent gross bump for us and in the summertime, that's great for us, especially during an election year so we're pretty elated. More than money, the press has really brought us a lot of attention," said Jorgenson.

Jorgenson's small family business has been around for 43 years.  'A Media Marketing' is the type of local company the Tampa Bay Host Committee hoped to feature and promote.

"We've got revenue generation that we're getting from whether it's catering or transportation companies or rental cars or local housing agencies. All those things are positive not only because they're going to get revenue but because they're going to get exposure," said Ken Jones, CEO Tampa Bay Host Committee.

Inside the Forum, local contractors including electricians, carpenters and moving companies are an example of the convention's economic impact. Jorgenson hopes the positive impact will continue not only through convention week but afterwards.

"Coming up at the end of August, it's going to be us on that stage and to be a part of that has been basically an honor," she said.