TBO.com, The Tampa Tribune and Bar-Z worked together to develop a Smartphone app guide to the International Indian Film Academy awards running from April 23-26 in Tampa, Fla. 

TAMPA, FL - The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards dances its way into Tampa, Fla., tomorrow and the Bollywood Tampa 2014 Visitors Guide app acts as a guide to both the festivities and the host city. TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune partnered with Bar-Z, a mobile app and web development firm, to develop the app for iPhones and Androids.

The goal of the Bollywood Tampa 2014 app is to introduce event attendees to the host city and to introduce Tampa residents to what’s commonly known as the Bollywood Oscars.

“We’re proud to be able to help visitors on the go learn more about our local community,” said Brian Burns, Tampa Tribune Vice President, Advertising and TBO.com General Manager. “And Bar-Z’s technology is helping us make a connection between our advertisers and our local residents and guests.”

Those downloading the app will be able to keep up with all the IIFA events which run from April 23-26 and access news from the Tampa Tribune and from bloggers in the local Indian-American community. They’ll also be able to read profiles and see photos of the nominees for awards in all categories and participate in an unofficial poll on who should win. To help orient visitors, the app offers information and maps to restaurants, shopping, tourist attractions, beaches and more. 

After the event, the app will evolve into Discover Tampa, an enhanced guide for locals and visitors offering information on places to go and things to do around the area as well as the major events and festivals that give Tampa its local flavor.

“We are excited to work with The Tampa Tribune to develop an app that honors this unique special event. Bar-Z is in the business of developing mobile solutions so we are pleased that our system will also allow The Tribune to deliver value to Tampa visitors and locals year-round,” said Wm. Lee Little, Founder and CEO at Bar-Z.