New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS): The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) which will hold its 15th edition at Tampa Bay, Florida, seems to be gearing up for the awards. Key delegates from Tampa Bay travelled to Mumbai and New Delhi to forge ties before the big weekend in June 2014.

Santiago Corrada, president and chief executive officer of Tampa Bay, met Bollywood actors Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Sohail Khan and singer Sonu Nigam earlier this week, said a statement.

Corrada and IIFA officials discussed a number of details regarding IIFA’s American debut, anticipating all of the special arrangements that will need to be addressed for the event.

The IIFA weekend will be grand and will see a host of Bollywood celebrities.

"There is unprecedented excitement and buzz within the city of Tampa Bay and the state of Florida following this announcement in July, and we have been overwhelmed with the warmth and welcome shown by the people of Tampa for IIFA," Andre Timmins, director of Wizcraft International, said in a statement.

"IIFA is equally excited and is looking forward to providing Tampa the platform to become the 'Gateway to USA' for India and the global Indian diaspora," he added.