The head of the local hoteliers association denied Thursday that its members are seeking inflated rates for rooms during the 2012 Republican National Convention and said the group has seen no evidence to justify the convention host committee's request for lower rates and higher booking fees.
Nonetheless, Bob Morrison, executive director of the Hillsborough County Hotel and Motel Association, said the group will work with convention planners and expects a satisfactory resolution.
As if to underline that point, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn showed up to speak to the hotel group at a lunch meeting Thursday.
"You will be the face that they will see first, and the impressions that we leave will be largely based on their interaction with you," he told the group.
In comments to reporters, Buckhorn said the dispute can and should be resolved.
Twitter