Party leaders have said that Tampa, Fla., Wednesday beat out Phoenix and Salt Lake City for the 2012 Republican national convention.

It has been reported that it will be the first time one of the two major political parties has held its national convention in Florida since 1972 when both the Republicans and Democrats convened in Miami. The Democrats haven't settled on a site for their 2012 convention.

A 12-member Republican National Committee selection panel unanimously gave the nod to Tampa, which has never held one of the national political gatherings, the Tampa Tribune reported. The newspaper also said that Tampa officials got the word in a 3:30 p. m. phone call from RNC Chairman Michael Steele.

The Tribune quoted Steele as telling the host committee members, "We're excited and ready to get to work on what we believe will be one of the best people's conventions we've ever had."

The convention will take place the week of Aug. 27, 2012, at the St. Pete Times Forum with related events held at other venues in the area.

It was also noted by the reports that the decision needs the formal backing of the 168-member RNC, which will take up the matter in August. The selection panel's choice has never been overridden in the past.

Al Austin, co-chairman of the host committee that saw attempts to snare the convention got to St. Paul, Minn., in 2008 and New York in 2004, said, "This is big fish, but it takes a long time to land one." (With Inputs from Agencies)