Meet the Newest Member of the Team, Allison Godlove 

By Chris Kuhn 

Chances are, those who have lived in the Tampa Bay area full-time for a while, recognize Allison Kropff. She appeared in homes on their TVs every lunchtime and evening locally for 10 years delivering the news as an anchor for Channel 10 WTSP. But last fall, Allison set out on a new adventure to leave the world of television news to embark on a freelance adventure. Recently, DESTINATION TAMPA BAY announced that the talented broadcaster would be serving as the platform’s video host. 

Earlier this spring, Allison got married in St. Petersburg, and is excited to explore the Tampa Bay area with DESTINATION followers and is having a blast in her new career sharing the best places to live, eat, drink, and play across both sides of the Bay, something that Allison — now, Allison Godlove — is quite familiar with as she herself has lived in both Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. We recently caught up with our newest collaborator about her new role and living in the Bay area. 

Chris Kuhn (CK):  We’re so proud to share that you’re a part of the team, Allison. Tell us about your new role and what you’re looking forward to most collaborating with DESTINATION TAMPA BAY. 

Allison Godlove (AG):  I’m so excited to be a part of something that celebrates the place I’ve called home for the last 10 years! I love finding new places, learning about our hometowns, trying new restaurants and events, and then telling everyone about it so they try it, too! It really is such an awesome opportunity. To get to talk about a place you love and show it off, what’s better than that? 

CK:  Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you hail from originally and do you come from a large family? 

Allison:  Western New York, south of Buffalo. I’m the oldest of four girls! Yes, four. And yes, it was wild growing up with all women in the house. 

CK:  Do you have any pets? Many of our readers are big pet lovers. 

Allison:  We have a 13-year-old pocket beagle named Beamer. He came with my now husband, but I like to think I spoil him enough that he loves me more. He is the sweetest boy! 

CK:  So, what led you to leave the broadcast TV news world to go out on your own? 

Allison: The decision to leave TV News was a difficult one. It was a career I worked so
hard on and dreamt about since college. But I knew in my gut it was time for a change.
Honestly, I wasn’t as in love with it as I once was, and I knew someone out there
desperately wanted to sit in that chair. I was excited about what my skills as an
anchor/reporter/journalist could do for me in this next adventure. So, I took a leap of faith
and decided to see what was out there beyond the anchor desk. I have to admit at times
it’s been challenging, but it’s also exciting. I am so proud of my career in TV News. I
won national awards, regional Emmy awards, Associated Press Awards and recognition
from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Florida Association of Broadcast
Journalists. But more importantly, I helped make real change in our communities
including getting laws changed. I feel like I had a very accomplished career, so why not
go out on a limb and try something new

CK:  What do you love most about living in the Tampa Bay area? 

Allison:  That we get to live where people vacation! (laughs) Seriously though, my mom sent a photo from April 19 with about a foot of snow on the ground. You can’t beat our weather, the fact that we can get to the most beautiful beaches in the country in minutes and that you get to feel like you’re on vacation all the time. 

CK:  When you’re nestled with a book, what will we most likely find you reading? 

Allison:  Biographies and autobiographies. I love learning about people’s lives. I always find that I walk away with more wisdom. 

CK:  What are some ways you enjoy spending your free time with friends and family? 

Allison:  On a boat! My husband and I are out on a boat almost every weekend. If not there, then walking my dog around town or hanging with my sister, brother-in-law, and my 2-year-old nephew. I’ll be welcoming a new niece soon! 

CK:  So many people discovered new hobbies or interests over the pandemic. At our house, we fell into the black hole of jigsaw puzzles. How about you? Did you uncover any new interests and are you still indulging 2+ years later? 

Allison:  The hobby topic is a tough one for me. I have been trying to find a hobby for YEARS now! Suggestions are welcome. But during the pandemic, I did it all — puzzles, cooking, baking, binge watching every show out there. But one thing that stuck that I’m so happy about is Zoom/Facetime Happy Hours with friends and family. It was something we had to do when we were shut down, but with friends and family all over the country it has become something we now do all the time. It’s so wonderful that when we couldn’t be together, we become more connected. 

7 Fave Local Picks in Destination Tampa Bay

by Allison Godlove

1. Favorite Place to Beach:  Pass-A-Grille or Siesta Key
2. Favorite Tampa Bay Dishes:  The 1905 Salad from the Columbia and Grouper
3. Favorite Bay Area Place to Browse:  Downtown St. Pete
4. Frequent Hangout with Friends/Family:  Caddy’s on Madeira Beach
5. Best Photo Spot in Tampa Bay:  rooftop of The Hurricane in Pass-A-Grille at sunset
6. Favorite Local Sports Team to Cheer:  Tampa Bay Lightning!
7. Best Way to Spend the Day in Tampa Bay:  Outside! Anywhere: on a boat, on the beach, at the bar.

Content created by Chirs Kuhn for editorial purposes. Photos provided are of the Tampa Bay area and from Allison Kropff Godlove– all rights reserved.

The post Meet the Newest Member of the Team, Allison Godlove  appeared first on Destination Tampa Bay™.