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Welcome to the YJA 2012 Convention in Tampa Bay, Florida co-hosted by the Orlando and Tampa Bay Jain Sanghs! The first day you arrive at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, you will check in and complete your on-site registration. At this time, you will receive the key card to your hotel room. You have the option to specify one of your roommates (only one) in advance during online registration or you will have the opportunity to meet new friends by being randomly assigned roommates based on the same age range.
Hotel Accommodations
The Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay will serve as the convention site. The Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay is a four star, four diamond luxury business resort, located 5 minutes from the Tampa International Airport. This will be one of the grandest hotels to host a YJA convention, with features such as a private beach, nature preserve, jogging trails and boardwalk through the Grand Hyatt's 35 acre waterfront wildlife sanctuary. We're extremely excited about hosting the convention at this beautiful hotel. Take a look at the pics below and see for yourself!
For Reservations before and after the convention we have negotiated a discounted rate at the WESTIN Hotel near the Tampa Bay Hyatt:
THE WESTIN TAMPA BAY, TAMPA, FLORIDA
7627 Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, Florida
Please call 813.281.0000 or 888.627.8647 and reference the Young Jains of America Room Block to receive the discounted rate of $99/night (plus taxes) for traditional guestrooms.
Please note: the cut-off date for accepting reservations under the block is 06.05.12.
Travel Arrangements
The Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay offers complimentary airport shuttles between 5am and 1am. Attendees arriving at Tampa International Airport (TPA) will be greeted by convention staff in the main terminal baggage claim and guided toward the 10-minute shuttle to the hotel.
Airline discount codes will be made available through MyYJA after registration is complete.
About Tampa
Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and estuary along the Gulf of Mexico on the West Coast of Florida. Tampa Bay is known to have wonderful cuisine, attractions, and great weather and beaches. It's close proximity to Orlando allows for easy travel to another major travel destination, including Disney World and the Harry Potter Theme Park!
In addition to being able to visit Tampa Bay, FL, we will be staying at the esteemed Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay Resort! Don't miss out on #YJA12 and take part in our 10th YJA bi-annual convention!
If you are planning to arrive earlier or stay later in the Central Florida area, we have provided a list of local attractions. Please refer to this information as you make plans before or after the YJA 2012 Convention.
Here are a few sites to help guide you:
General Tourist Information:
Places to Go:
Busch Gardens
Florida Aquarium
Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
Things to Do:
Walking Tour of Ybor City
Take a walk on the boardwalk at Lettuce Lake Park
Visit the Pier in Downtown St. Petersburg
Gulf Beaches
Jain Centers in the Area:
The Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, in Central Florida, is central to two major Jain centers:
Jain Society of Tampa Bay
5511 Lynn Road
Tampa, FL 33624-4811
Phone: (813) 962-0006
http://www.jainsocietytampabay.org/
We are the local Jain Association (Sangh) located in the Tampa area in Florida, U.S.A. Our association was started in 1988 with about 4 Jain families in Tampa Bay area. As of 2008 we have more than 125 Jain families.
We are also fortunate that we have tremendous amount of support from our neighboring communities in all over Florida. We all work together and we support each other. Our intention is to learn and promote Jainism thru out the region. We also want our future generation to understand and follow Jainism. It is our mission to help and support to people in need. We are in very close contacts of most national and international organizations for Jainism. We have developed good relations with all our major dignitaries around the world and are constantly blessed by all our Sadhus, Sadhvis, Samnijis, leaders and elderly. They keep our community on the right path and together.
Jain Society of Central Florida
407 West Citrus Street
Altamonte Spgs, FL 32714-3605
Phone: (407) 774-0028
http://www.jsocf.org/
The Jain Society of Central Florida was started in 1981 by a Daytona, Florida resident, Dr. Lal Jain. Several Central Florida cities, namely Ocala, Daytona, and Orlando, had Jain families who held prayer meetings and ceremonies in their homes. Poojas and other activities were held continuously in people's homes since 1981. The Jain Society of Central Florida became registered with the IRS as a non-profit, tax exempt corporation in 1993.
The spiritual center, used by both the Jain Society of Central Florida and Jain Vishwa Bharati USA, is part of a large 5 acre compound owned by the Bhavok Singh family. The family has occupied this compound since the late 1970's. It began as a plant nursery and is now a thriving auction house.