Best of Tampa Bay vol 1

B E S T

O F

TAMPA BAY

V o l u m e 1 G l o b a l V i l l a g e . w o r l d

“Reroute your thinking”

BEST of

TAMPA BAY

PUBLISHERS Foreword Tampa Bay – At the Pinnacle of Progress

‘Best of Tampa Bay’ is a love story of the city, a showcase and celebration of Tampa Bay’s leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation and lifestyle.

Tampa Bay has collaborated and risen to the occasion to make this dream book a reality.

It was an absolute privilege to lovingly document this collective pride.

The thread of optimism which has woven itself throughout the Bay is at an all-time high.

Sven Boermeester and Christina Sloan

Tampa Bay’s continued success is certain and our opportunity to grow and prosper as we ride this wave for the next 10 years, makes us one of the most exciting and livable cities in the world right now.

The current focus for Tampa Bay, evident through these pages, is about supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, maker spaces and collaboration across the region.

Google Fiber chose Tampa as the second best city in the US to successfully start a new business. We are the number one city in the US that people are relocating to and voted the most livable city in Florida. The combined growth of our airport and sea port coupled with the opening of the new Panama Canal and the Cuban marketplace launches us into a formidable gateway city for the Americas and the Caribbean.

Many of the forces behind our runaway success are highlighted within the pages of this book. This is our 1st edition, our pilot movie on Tampa Bay and as the cities grow and transform we shall publish updated editions for many years to come.

We would like to thank our city leaders and all the companies and entrepreneurs that participated and contributed to the success of this project. This untold story of Tampa Bay will travel far and wide as we position our Tampa Bay on the world map.

We hope that ‘Best of Tampa Bay’ Volume 1 inspires both visitors and locals alike to fall in love with this special part of the world and accelerates our growth into a world class smart city.

Sven Boermeester and Christina Sloan

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Branding and Marketing Teena Cardozo - BrandMunki Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in The ‘Best of Tampa Bay’ vol 1. Neither ‘Best of Tampa Bay’, Proudly Florida nor Global Village assume any responsibility for errors or omissions.

All rights reserved: No part of this publication shall be reproduced, copied, transmitted, adapted or modified in any form or by any means. This publication shall not be stored in whole or in part in any form in any retrieval system.

Contact details: Email: info@proudlyflorida.com www.ProudlyFlorida.com In Partnership with: www.GlobalVillage.world

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CHAPTER 2 Page 92

TOURISM & ATTRACTIONS

TAMPA FOR FOODIES

Page 170

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 1

Page 1

DOING BUSINESS IN TAMPA BAY

CHAPTER 12

Illustration Christina Sloan Kristijan Hranisavljevic

Page 274

Photography Joe Sale Rick Tauceda John Weatherby

MEET THE PEOPLE

CHAPTER 17

Art Direction and Design Peter Batistich – Deep Fried Designs

WELCOME TO TAMPA BAY

Page 72

Editorial Christina Sloan Joe Malinowski Topher Morrison Peter Kageyama Rebecca Eb Antonia Armstrong Jodi McLean John Robinson Marc Wolfson Joey Knight Daniel Dixon

CHAPTER 6

Production Manager Gia Bischofberger

Page 148

Project Manager Carel and Belinda Van Graan

CHAPTER 11

Publishing Partners Darcy Davis Kelly Mariskanish

Page 242

Proudly Florida Publisher Christina Sloan

CHAPTER 16

International Group Publisher Sven Boermeester

Page 22

CONTENTS

TECHNOLOGY & MEDIA

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

CONSTRUCTION, REAL ESTATE AND & DEVELOPMENT

CHAPTER 18

SUCCESS IN THE CITY

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

Page 226

Page 216

Page 180

FRANCHISING CHAPTER 15

Page 326

CHAPTER 14

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION SPORTS TEAMS

HEROES & VETS

CHAPTER 20

Page 312

CHAPTER 13

BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES

CHAPTER 19

Page 290

Page 138

Page 124

Page 110

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

HOTELS CHAPTER 5

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT ART & CULTURE

FISHING TAMPA BAY

HEALTH & WELLNESS

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

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MAYOR

Bob Buckhorn

Tampa is a city of resilience – a city built by the determination of immigrants from Cuba, Italy, Spain, South and Central Americas, Scotland and others.Â

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Thousands came to Tampa in search of prosperity, safety and equal opportunity, but what the early architects of this great city brought to Tampa was just as valuable as what they sought. Tampa was built by the proud. They brought a vision and a motivation that laid the groundwork for a better tomorrow, a vision we are still building on today.

Tampa is built on the foundations of our early roots.

Old cigar factories, once the backbone of our city’s economy, are still scattered along our streets and the old Tampa Bay Hotel, built by railroad tycoon Henry B. Plant, still stands today as the University of Tampa.

Our journey from small port town to the 53rd largest city in the United States has been one of perseverance and vision. It’s that vision which led us out of the Great Recession. While there was no blueprint for our recovery, we emerged stronger.

Today, we stand united as a vibrant city rich in diversity and culture. Diversity is a pre-requisite for creativity and innovation, and by extension, our economic competitiveness. We have never been more competitive for business, for intellectual capital, or for trade as we are today. That’s because we are open – no matter your race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, Tampa is a city where you can make your way, you can prosper, and your family can thrive.

We are building communities that provide a true live, work, and play environment; communities that foster public safety, healthy living, and the highest quality of life. In downtown Tampa, we completed the Riverwalk, a project championed by 6 mayors and pushed through 40 years till its completion in 2015. This waterside walkway features Tampa’s most valuable natural asset, the Hillsborough River, and connects our downtown in a new innovative way. In the Channel District, our port is exporting more goods than ever before and connecting us with international markets.

In West Tampa we are reimagining neighborhoods that are safer, provide choices, and afford residents more opportunity to raise a family. And soon Tampa will be home to the world’s first WELL Certified district, a community with a modern focus on health and wellness, walkability, clean air, and sustainable development.

We are a city on fire, a city with swagger, a city reimagined. A decade after this snapshot of Tampa has been published, you won’t recognize our skyline.

Thank you for embracing with me our rich history and bright future.

Welcome to Tampa.

Mayor Bob Buckhorn

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MAYOR

Rick Kriseman

From green space to office space, sports to the arts, neighborhoods to nightlife, the sun shines every day in St. Petersburg. The “Sunshine City” averages 361 days of sunshine each year with an average temperature of 73 degrees.

St. Petersburg still retains much of the resort-town flavor its founders so cherished, a community of pelicans, porpoises, endless sunshine and sailboats.

Prior to St. Petersburg incorporating as a city in June 1903, General John Williams bought 2,500 acres of land on Tampa Bay, and envisioned a grand city with graceful parks and broad streets, the trademark of today’s St. Petersburg. And Peter Demens, a noble Russian aristocrat, brought the Orange Belt Railway to town, naming the city after his birthplace of St. Petersburg, Russia.

In 1914, the rich history of spring training baseball began when the city’s former mayor, Al Lang, convinced the St. Louis Browns to relocate to the Sunshine City 6

Best of Tampa Bay

for spring training. In the same year, Tony Jannus flew his Benoist airplane across Tampa Bay in 23 minutes, skimming across the water at a height of 50 feet, an event commonly hailed as the birth of commercial aviation. The city’s first library, built along Mirror Lake using Andrew Carnegie funds, opened December 1, 1915 and remains in operation today.

In the 1920s, the state’s first big growth boom brought an invasion of tourists who arrived by auto, railroad, and yacht – including the Gandy Bridge opening in 1924 that cut travel time to Tampa by more than half.

The 1920s boom years brought notable architecture to St. Petersburg, fostered in large part by Perry Snell, who created a 275-acre Snell Isle subdivision.

St. Petersburg has emerged as a top destination for the arts – home to the world renowned Salvador Dali Museum, the Dale Chihuly glass collection, the Museum of Fine Arts and six art districts.

The Mediterranean Revival makeover is evident in several buildings including The Renaissance Vinoy Resort, Jungle Country Club Hotel, Princess Martha Hotel, Snell Arcade, and St. Petersburg Senior High School. St. Petersburg’s City Hall was built with New Deal federal funds in 1939.

The place of African Americans in the city’s history centers around the 22nd Street South hub, where more than 100 black-owned or -operated businesses, entertainment and professional offices served the neighborhood. During its heyday in the 1950s and 60s, “The Deuces” became home to the iconic Manhattan Casino, which drew many of the nation’s finest African American musicians.

Now, our downtown core is transforming into one of Florida’s hottest neighborhoods. More than 14,000 residents call the downtown core their home – choosing from urban-style lofts and townhomes, to luxury condominiums along Beach Drive. With the continued expansion of USF St. Petersburg, downtown is also home to a growing number of students. More than 10 oceanographic institutes call St. Petersburg’s Bayboro Harbor area their home.

The city is home to Major League Baseball, where the 2008 American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays play at Tropicana Field; and the popular Tampa Bay Rowdies, NASL soccer team based at waterfront Al Lang Stadium.

More than 900 events bring over 10 million people each year to the sunshine city to experience yacht races, triathlons, baseball, parades, an IndyCar race, cycling, festivals, cultural exhibits, and music.

Now entering its second golden age, St. Petersburg’s business climate rivals only the year round outdoor climate ideal for growth – from downtown’s Sundial shopping, dining and entertainment complex to the emerging Skyway Marina District. Here, young and old, tradition and innovation come together to create a vibrant sense of community.

Welcome to St. Petersburg, where the sun shines here!

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Mayor George Cretekos Every year people come from all over the world to visit and see all that the City of Clearwater offers from bay to beach.

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With so much natural beauty, vibrant neighborhoods, and an abundance of outdoor activities both on land and at sea, it is no wonder Clearwater is the most-visited destination on the Gulf of Mexico in the United States.

Clearwater’s popularity dates back to the late 1800s when the town became known as a tourist and resort area after Henry B. Plant built the first passenger railroad line into the town in 1888. Clearwater was reincorporated as a city in 1915, and Clearwater Island was renamed Clearwater Beach. At that time only a small wooden bridge led visitors and residents to the beach; now, the fixed span, 2,540-foot long, 74-feet high Memorial Causeway Bridge connects downtown to the beach.

That early popularity of the city continues today as its beach was voted “Best City Beach on the Gulf of Mexico” in 1999

by Dr. Stephen Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach. More recently, in 2013 USA Today named Clearwater “Florida’s Best Beach Town,” and in 2016 Clearwater Beach was voted the No.1 best beach in the United States as part of TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards. Clearwater Beach was also named No. 20 on TripAdvisor’s Top 25 beaches in the world; the only Florida beach to be ranked.

Clearwater is home to Winter, an injured dolphin with a prosthetic tail made famous by the 2011 hit movie “Dolphin Tale” and “Dolphin Tale 2.” Clearwater is also home to some of the best facilities for sporting events and artistic performances in the area. Bright House Field, home of the Philadelphia Phillies’ Spring Training and the Clearwater Threshers, is a terrific place to watch baseball during the spring and summer months. Clearwater has been the Phillies spring training home for more than 70 years. Ruth Eckerd Hall and the Capitol Theatre are outstanding performing arts centers that continue to entertain thousands.

Clearwater hosts many events throughout the year. Clearwater Fun ‘n Sun is a 10-day festival highlighting the city’s beaches, parks and recreational activities. The annual Sea-Blues Festival has become one of Clearwater’s most beloved signature events, and appeals to thousands of visitors during February each year. The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, a 10day festival celebrating Clearwater’s sugar sand beaches, transforms some of that sugar sand into a museum of dazzling sand sculptures. In October, the city’s Coachman Park is also the site for the signature, four-day Clearwater Jazz Holiday.

The city is also working to diversify its economic base. It has partnered with the Urban Land Institute for recommendations for its downtown, East Gateway, and north marina district. It has recently begun to update plans for development along the US Highway 19 corridor, and it has welcomed an expanded General Electric’s Instrument Transformer division to the Hercules Industrial Park area.

Clearwater, now entering its second century, is truly “bright and beautiful from the bay to the beach” and is a great place in which to work, to call home, or to visit.

Sincerely, George N. Cretekos

Mayor

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About the Tampa Bay Region

Already well known for its sugar-white beaches and professional sports teams, Tampa Bay boasts a surprisingly diverse collection of individuals and communities, companies and opportunities, special places, rich history and fresh ideas within its eight-county regional footprint.

A welcoming spirit is matched by a vibrant lifestyle, making Tampa Bay a world-class destination that appeals to visitors, residents and businesses alike.

Geography

The Tampa Bay region is comprised of eight counties: Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota. Its 6,515 square miles encompass a broad landscape of urban city centers, suburban neighborhoods, rural agricultural land and striking coastline. Situated on the clear blue waters of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa Bay’s beaches are widely recognized as some of the most beautiful in the world. In addition, nature preserves and parks are located throughout the region, conserving the charm and beauty of Old Florida.

tampaBAY AT A GLANCE Innovation

Tampa Bay has a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, with incubators and accelerators such as the Tampa Bay Innovation Center, First WaVE, SMARTstart and the Tampa Bay Research & Innovation Center at USF CAMLS. Events such as StartUp Weekend, BarCamp, and Startup Xchange give entrepreneurs access to their own social network in the community. Co-working spaces in Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg provide entrepreneurs the office space to turn their businesses into a reality.

Gazelle Lab and the Florida Venture Forum help start-ups find funding to continue to grow in the region.

Industries

Tampa Bay is a leader in health and bioscience industries, including biomedical research, health information systems, medical device manufacturing and clinical trials. The region is home to nearly 13,000 companies and more than 255,000 workers employed in these fields. Other major industries include: High-Tech Electronics and Instruments manufacturing and research and development; Marine and Environmental Activities; and Business, Financial and Data Services, which accounts for more than 5,400 companies and 81,000 employees in the region.

Fortune 500 companies including Publix, Tech Data, Jabil, WellCare Health Plans and Raymond James Financial are based in the Tampa Bay region, along with other major headquarters such as Bloomin’ Brands, Home Shopping Network, Beall’s, Tervis and Rooms to Go.

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Infrastructure

Tampa Bay is well positioned to move people and commerce throughout the region and around the world. The region is served by three international airports, including Tampa International Airport, ranked by passengers as the best large airport in the nation, St. PetersburgClearwater International Airport and SarasotaBradenton International Airport. The region is also home to three seaports, including Port Tampa Bay, Florida’s largest and most diverse seaport, Port Manatee and the Port of St. Petersburg.

Workforce

Tampa Bay is an ideal location to relocate or expand a company, thanks to the diversity and strength of the 2.1 million residents that make up its workforce. The region’s talent pipeline is fueled by nearly 1,600 public and private schools, as well as more than 200 career academies and magnet programs at the high-school level. With over 80 institutions of higher learning, including the University of South Florida, one of America’s Top 25 elite research universities, Tampa Bay produces thousands of wellqualified graduates each year. In addition, six workforce boards throughout the region help to match students with companies in their industry through recruiting, training and placement services.

For more information on the communities of Tampa Bay, please visit: Citrus County – www.edacitrus.com Hernando County – www.hernandobusiness.com Hillsborough County – www.tampaedc.com Manatee County – www.thinkbradentonarea.com Pasco County – www.pascoedc.com Pinellas County – www.pced.org Polk County – www.cfdc.org Sarasota County – www.edcsarasotacounty.com

Weather

On average, the year-round temperature in Tampa Bay is a balmy 73 degrees, which makes the region a prime location to enjoy an array of outdoor activities.

Lifestyle

From beaches to baseball and Broadwaystyle shows to shopping, there is always something to do in Tampa Bay.

POPULATION

With an estimated 4.5 million residents, Tampa Bay is one of the largest and fastest-growing regions in the country, with an additional 650,000 new residents projected to move to the area by 2025.

CITRUS

HERNANDO

PASCO

POLK PINELLAS HILLSBOROUGH

MANATEE

Sarasota

The arts are a key part of the local lifestyle, with 60 theatre groups including the Sarasota Ballet, Tampa Opera, Sarasota Opera, the Florida Orchestra, and the Florida West Coast Symphony. The Tampa Bay Times Forum is one of the busiest arenas in the world, hosting more than 150 events annually, including concerts, family events, and indoor sports. The David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts is the largest performing arts complex south of New York City’s Kennedy Center, and Ruth Eckerd Hall, located in Clearwater, was ranked in the top five U.S. concert halls by a nationwide industry poll.

The region also has an eclectic offering of world class arts and exhibits, with 36 major museums in the area, including the world-famous Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, the Chihuly Collection at the Morean Arts Center, the Tampa Museum of Art and the Tampa Bay History Center.

In January of 2011, St. Petersburg opened the new Salvador Dali Museum, the largest museum dedicated to a single artist. In addition, MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry) is the largest science center in the southeast, 5th largest in the nation, and the largest children’s science center in the nation. Other regional museums such as the Glazer Children’s Museum, focus on childhood education, local history, fine arts, and offer some of the best vintage automobile and aircraft collections in the world.

As a top tourism destination, Tampa Bay’s theme parks and natural attractions provide plenty of entertainment for local residents, including Busch Gardens & Adventure Island, the Florida Aquarium, LEGOLAND Florida and the MOTE Marine Aquarium. The Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa has been rated “The No.1 Family-Friendly Zoo in the U.S.” by Child Magazine.

Sports lovers will enjoy cheering on the Super Bowl XXXVII champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 2004 Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning, Major League Baseball’s 2008 American League Champions the Tampa Bay Rays, and 2004 Arena Bowl victors, the Tampa Bay Storm. Grapefruit League baseball spring training is a legendary tradition with The New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers.

www.tampabay.org

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Hillsborough County School District is the 8th largest in the U.S.

Top Port in the state of Florida

Photo courtesy visit St Pete Clearwater

134 International ancestries represented in Tampa Bay

Home to U.S. Central Command and U.S Special Operations Command

Florida ranks 2nd in the nation for tech job growth and 3rd for high tech establishments

Ranked 2nd of Top 10 Best Cities in America for Young Entreprenuers Forbes

#2 Best Airport in America - CondĂŠ Nast Traveler

2nd Largest Base of Manufacturing Employment in the State

Tampa Bay is home to Florida’s 2nd largest workforce

Median Age = 37. Over 50% of the population between ages of 18-54

Ringling College of Art and Design - Among world’s top ranked schools for computer animation

Tampa - One of America’s 50 Best Cities - Bloomberg Business Week

Photo courtesy visit St Pete Clearwater

tampaedc.com

University of Tampa - One of America’s Best Colleges (Forbes)

92,000 veterans in Tampa Bay’s active labor force

St. Petersburg Ranked #1 Arts Destination among Mid-Sized American Cities - AmericanStyle Magazine

Pinellas County is the most densley populated county in the state of Florida

Pinellas County has 3 nationally ranked public schools U.S. News & World Report

USF - Fastest growing research university in the United States

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TAMPA

International Airport The premier gateway to the treasures of Florida’s West Coast.

Serving a metropolitan area of almost 3 million people and annually welcoming more than 19 million passengers, the Airport provides access to the beaches of St. Petersburg and Clearwater (annually ranked the best beaches in the country), Florida’s ample tourism hotspots and one of the fastestgrowing economies in the United States. Tampa International Airport offers 82 nonstop flights daily to domestic and international destinations. Since 2010, the Airport increased international destinations by more than 100% providing connectivity throughout the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and beyond.

Globally recognized as one of the world’s best airports, Tampa International Airport has long prided itself for being laser-focused on the passenger experience and making every interaction personal.

Most recently, Phoenix Marketing International polled 170,000 passengers through AirportXP and Tampa International Airport was number one in customer satisfaction. Other accolades for the airport include: Travel + Leisure Magazine twice named Tampa International Airport as the second best U.S. airport based on reader polls; TPA is the only U.S. airport listed among the world’s ten most loved airports by CNN Travel; it is also ranked second in passenger satisfaction for U.S. airports by J.D. Power.

Building on a longstanding track record of success, TPA is implementing the largest construction project in the history of the airport. With an investment of nearly $1 billion, the airport is expanding it’s main terminal by 50,000-square-feet, constructing a state of the art rental car facility and connecting them with a brand new 1.4 mile people mover. The project has created almost 6,000 jobs in the local economy.

At the same time, the airport is adding local flavor and supporting Tampa Bay Area businesses in a complete overhaul of its concession program. Through a carefully curated collection of food and beverage along with retail, guests at Tampa International Airport are able to experience the taste and culture of the Tampa Bay region. In addition to providing a true “sense of place” for the area, it is estimated the new concession program in the Airport will generate $1.3 billion in gross sales over the next 10 years – much of which will remain in the local economy.

As the re-imagining of Tampa International Airport takes shape, the airport remains ever-vigilant for new opportunities to serve the regional economy of the Tampa Bay area. The airport currently offers more than 82 nonstop flights to destinations throughout the United States and around the world including Frankfurt,

Zurich, Panama City and London. The Frankfurt service on Lufthansa began in September 2015 and opens the Tampa Bay area to virtually all of Europe and Asia within one stop. This service compliments the already successful international service offered with airline partners like British Airways, Air Canada Copa Airlines, Edelweiss Air and Cayman Airways.

Tampa International Airport was conceived as an economic engine supporting the greater Tampa Bay economy with ease of travel and access to the world.

Since opening in 1971 with a revolutionary and oftcopied design, Tampa International Airport has been, and remains, America’s Favorite Airport. Today’s efforts ensure it will remain there for generations to come.

www.tampaairport.com

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PORT TAMPA BAY Cruise Gem of West Florida.

Adding to the draw for visitors to the Tampa Bay region, in the addition to theme parks, beaches, culture and nightlife, is the presence of some of the largest cruise lines in the world, with a half dozen ships in port embarking and disembarking weekly during the high season.

That’s because Port Tampa Bay is ranked as one of the top ten homeports in the United States, welcoming cruise guests with three modern cruise terminals that facilitate fast and efficient passenger transfer in a safe and secure environment. It’s just one of the operational business lines of Florida’s largest and most diversified seaport.

An ideal, convenient location and uncongested homeport—Port Tampa Bay is the only cruise port along Florida’s western shore. It is popular with many cruise operators and their passengers due to its location near the Caribbean, Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Cuba. The port’s user friendliness and the area’s bounty of attractions and activities add to the allure of this beautiful cruise port.

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Port Tampa Bay is located adjacent to the urban core of Tampa, just minutes from Tampa International Airport, one of the top-rated airports in the world and home to 18 airlines that offer non-stop flights to 80 destinations throughout the Americas and Europe.

Each year, nearly one million passengers pass through Port Tampa Bay to sail on a varied range of itineraries to destinations such as Belize, Grand Cayman, Roatan in Honduras, and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.

Tampa History Center

Effectively a dynamic and desirable destination in itself, the Tampa Bay area also offers multiple pre- and post-cruise activities for visiting cruise passengers, including top-rated white-sand beaches, nature preserves, various outdoor recreational offerings, museums and restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife— most notably that offered along the colorful streets of Tampa’s historic Latin district, Ybor City. Tampa is also located in close proximity to eight of the top 11 theme parks in the country, as well as Busch Gardens and the Florida Aquarium, which is literally steps away from all three cruise terminals.

As of 2016, Port Tampa Bay homeports cruise ships, both year-round and seasonally, from the world’s largest cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Norwegian Cruise Line. In addition to a robust winter cruise season, Port Tampa Bay is proud to be a port of call for AIDA Cruises, the German cruise line which wrapped up its second highly successful season in Tampa, offering its German-speaking passengers a host of local attractions and activities before setting sail for their next port of call.

Located in close proximity to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, as well as Cuba, Tampa is a convenient

embarkation and disembarkation port for ro-pax (cargo and cruise passenger) ferry services, which adds to Tampa’s uniqueness in the cruise industry.

Because Tampa is only 300 nautical miles from Cuba, the port is also well positioned to serve the highly anticipated Cuba cruise market, which is expected to grow rapidly over the coming years.

Port Tampa Bay’s modern cruise terminals offer convenient proximity to the port’s generous parking facilities (more than 4,000 safe and secure parking spaces), porters and security staff on hand during cruise days, and Wi-Fi access, enabling passengers and crew to stay connected. The port prides itself on upgrading cruise facilities and seeking higher levels of satisfaction for both the cruise operators and the many thousands of customers, who have voted Port Tampa Bay among their favorite cruise ports

in recent surveys—mostly for the key factors being fast, easy and congestion free.

Economic Strength An economic impact study by Martin Associates found that cruise activity in Tampa equates to nearly 2,000 jobs and some $90 million in wages and salaries per year. This robust activity generates an annual economic impact of around $380 million for the region. Port Tampa Bay aims to continue making strategic investments and foster strong relationships in order to ensure it can continue to expand in the future and deliver a world-class experience for cruise passengers.

www.tampaport.com

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PORT TAMPA BAY From Bulk Port to Champion of Cargo Diversity

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The West Central Florida region’s number one economic engine, Port Tampa Bay is the largest and most cargo diverse port in Florida. Once known only for its strength as the premier phosphate and fertilizer products port in the United States, today’s Port Tampa Bay is the very definition of an omniport, handling all cargos as well as cruise passengers across a vast, 5,000 acres complex.

The port’s strengths lie in both its diversity of cargo, manufacturing and shipbuilding activities and in its real estate holdings which—coupled with the port’s strong financial performance—ensure that the port can and will continue to expand and maximize its resources to build a port that is truly world class.

Port Tampa Bay is home to a wide range of customers and tenants who make up the backbone of the Port Tampa Bay community. Because of its far-reaching activities, including cargo, cruise, real estate and shipbuilding/ship repair, Port Tampa Bay is the top economic engine for all of West/Central Florida, touching more lives daily than any other entity in the region. From orange juice to steel, from cruise ships to automobiles, from cement to aluminum, and anything in between, large or small—if it needs to be lifted, poured, conveyed or shipped, Port Tampa Bay, with its stellar labor force and terminal operators, can lift, pour, convey or ship it.

Tampa History Center

Central Florida’s large and fast-growing consumer market is most efficiently served by Port Tampa Bay, from a shipping and logistics perspective. The area along the bustling I-4 Corridor, between Tampa and Orlando, is home to one of the South’s largest retail distribution center hubs, and the trend shows this growth is assured. Company’s such as Rooms to Go, Southern Wines & Spirits, Sysco International, Publix and Vigo are among the high profile importers and exporters that see the benefits in utilizing Port Tampa Bay as their transportation solution. Florida has overtaken New York as the third most populous state, and the port will only strengthen as the logical transportation and distribution option for the entirety of Central Florida. [In fact, 219 distribution centers with 87 million square feet of warehouse space are within the port’s primary market area].

A central focus for the port is continued development of its container sector. The port took delivery of two brand new Post-Panamax gantry cranes, in spring

2016, which have not only catapulted the port into a new category of container capacity, but have also won the eye of global carriers, who are taking notice that Port Tampa Bay is serious and focused on becoming the most logical, money-saving option for container movements within a huge and growing segment of Florida. The new cranes and the port’s enviable intermodal connectivity are contributing to a seamless and efficient way for shippers to see their cargoes move from the proverbial point A to point B. And as the world celebrates the opening of the expanded Panama Canal, Port Tampa Bay will receive its piece of the growth in container cargo that is expected over the coming years.

Another jewel in the port’s real estate crown is known as Port Redwing, an area of the sprawling port located in southern Hillsborough County. Over the last few years, Port Redwing has been developed from literally a large peninsula of land into what is becoming a vibrant activity center, which includes innovative industry, bulk and breakbulk terminals and impressive steel activities. All of this bustling activity is fortified with easy access to surface transportation, including major highways and CSX rail.

Economic Strength An economic impact study by Martin Associates found that activities generated by Port Tampa Bay’s array of operations equates to more than 80,000 jobs and some $15 billion in wages and salaries per year. Looking now and into the future, prime real estate opportunities to grow and develop new maritime-related businesses and manufacturing/ shipping centers are among the economic strengths on which the port will capitalize. The port’s continued strong financial performance—even showing record revenue levels during difficult economic times—has helped the port to continue to build and reinvest in infrastructure and to modify and realize an aggressive master plan that will deliver generational impacts for many years to come. Without question, Port Tampa Bay is on track to remain the premier economic engine in West/Central Florida.

www.tampaport.com

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Business in Florida has never been better. Or easier. Or more accessible.

It all starts with our talent pool, which has grown to nearly 10 million. That’s nearly 10 million highly-skilled, educated, diverse and ambitious members of a workforce consistently ranked among the best in the Southeast and the nation. And that’s a workforce that keeps growing, thanks to our education system.

The state’s 12 public universities, six major medical schools, and numerous private colleges and universities work closely with the business community to build programs that reflect the needs of Florida’s industries. The state’s colleges and universities are among the nation’s top performers of research & development (R&D) and commercialization of technologies.

Even after graduation, Florida keeps its workforce sharp. Florida’s customized training programs and incentives help companies become operational and profitable in less time and with lower costs. CareerSource Florida, the state’s innovative partnership for workforce training, provides programs to help existing and new companies recruit, train and maintain cutting-edge skills and keep pace with new technologies.

and data get into, around and out of the state? It’s easy when you have an expansive infrastructure like Florida’s. Over the last six years, the state has invested $1.3 billion in our 20 commercial service airports, $1 billion in our 15 deepwater seaports and more than $1 billion in railways.

All of that infrastructure provides unique and unmatched access to global markets. Florida serves as a global launchpad to the highly sought-after Latin American market and is a major international trade center and hub for businesses across all industries. No other site in the Western Hemisphere can match Florida’s unique combination of strategic geographic location as a gateway to the Americas, state-of-the-art ports and transportation infrastructure, multilingual workforce, and concentration of corporate and financial resources. International trade and investment accounted for about one-sixth of the state’s economic output last year.

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Global companies appreciate that their business dollars go a lot further in Florida given the state’s tax advantages, tax exemptions and zero personal income tax. Those same advantages benefit Florida companies as they do business at home and across the nation.

Florida was named the #2 best state for business in 2016

by Chief Executive Magazine, thanks in part to the state’s cost-competitive business climate, highly-skilled workforce, expansive infrastructure and easy access to global markets. The state’s favorable business tax structure, government policies and competitive costs make planning for future success easy.

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Discover what a future in Florida means for your business at floridathefutureishere.com or call 1-877-YES-FLORIDA.

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Visit TAMPA BAY Photo by Jerry Ferguson

The perfect vacation blends excitement and relaxation. You’ll discover an abundance of both when you visit Tampa Bay. Explore fine arts, Florida history, daring attractions, and sunsets over the bay.

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Unlock Tampa Bay Tampa Riverwalk unites many of the best destinations along our unique downtown waterfront – from The Florida Aquarium to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts and beyond. You’ll find inviting hotels around every turn. Just minutes across town, you can experience the thrills of African wildlife, water rides, roller coasters, concerts, and major sporting events.

What’s your favorite vacation pastime?

You have a treasure trove of options to choose from in Tampa Bay. Why not immerse yourself in them all?

Fine Dining Tampa Bay reveres its food. It’s a little spicy, always fresh, and often served with entertainment. Fine dining hotspots abound here. Sample our aged steaks, catch-of-theday seafood, farm-to-table creations and lavish libations. The Cuban sandwich was born in Tampa Bay, so you know we know what’s cooking. We’re also home to the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. Our restaurant settings are as lavish as the food: waterfront bistros, meticulously restored historic buildings, dinnertime flamenco performances, and old-school bronze fixtures and flocked wallpaper.

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Best of Tampa Bay

Florida Aquarium

Arts & Culture Tampa Bay has a bounty of cultural gems waiting for you. The Straz Center for the Performing Arts brings you Broadway shows, local theater, opera and ballet. The Florida Orchestra enriches the region with nearly 100 performances a year, including Pops in the Park under the sky at downtown’s riverfront Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The Tampa Museum of Art displays its own collection, running from ancient Greek to modern, and also hosts fascinating traveling shows each year.

Robert La Follette

Craft Brewing Let your taste buds take flight as you sample the offerings on tap in one of the country’s top destinations for craft beer. Find your favorite among the old stand-bys and one-offs you’ll find at nearly two dozen tasting rooms across the region. Our hometown champ, Cigar City Brewing, won four Grand Champion awards at the 2015 U.S. Beer Tasting Championship and continues to raise Tampa Bay’s profile as a prolific craft beer destination.

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The museum’s façade becomes a work of art itself at night, when “Sky (Tampa)” covers the surface in shifting colored lights.

The Tampa Bay History Center encapsulates 12,000 years of human habitation along the shores of Tampa Bay, including Native Americans, Spanish conquistadors, Cuban cigar rollers, and the U.S. military.

Tampa Bay’s inspiring art and rich culture will deepen your visit.

Family Fun You’ll find no shortage of family fun in Tampa Bay. Busch Gardens Tampa will have everyone screaming with delight as they conquer its thrill rides, including Falcon’s Fury – a face-down plunge from the top of North America’s tallest drop tower. For quieter times, the steam-powered Serengeti Express will carry your family on a mini-safari through the theme park’s sprawling open-air collection of African wildlife.

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Best of Tampa Bay

Stehlik Photography eBoats Tampa

Journey under the sea at the Florida Aquarium, regularly ranked one of the best aquariums in the U.S. You can get your hands wet petting a stingray or simply sit and ponder the beauty of sharks gliding through the enormous Coral Reef exhibit. The truly daring can even dive with them. You can come noseto-nose with a Florida manatee at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, one of three locations in the state licensed to treat and release the injured giants. Voted the number one zoo in America by Parents Magazine, Lowry Park houses more than 1,500 African, Asian and Australian animals and has more Florida species than any other zoo in the state.

More than 450 activities help young learners grasp scientific concepts. The Florida Hospital IMAX Dome theater takes viewers along on trips into space, the ocean and the infinitesimal.

Outdoor Sports Year-round sunshine makes Tampa Bay the ideal destination for outdoor activities. Spoiled for choice with nearly 100 golf courses, including several on the Florida Historic Golf Trail and two award-winning courses built to reclaim a former phosphate mine. After the turf, take to the surf with fishing charters that can take you from the shallow waters along the coast out to the deep blue of the Gulf of Mexico. Find your own fish story on board. Or take to the water closer to home with paddleboarding, water bikes, pedal-powered kayaks or electric-powered eBoats. Tampa Bay has always been a community that loves the water. Join in.

Ready to Unlock Tampa Bay? The key to life is adventure. Use it, and discover memories you’ll treasure when you conquer Tampa Bay.

“Hands-on learning lies at the heart of MOSI, Tampa Bay’s Museum of Science and Industry.”

401 E Jackson St #2100, Tampa, FL 33602 Tel: (813) 223-1111 www.TampaBay.com Best of Tampa Bay

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Topher Morrison

My love affair with Tampa began by happenstance in 1999. I was all set to leave Southern California and move to Colorado.

Because of my love of mountain climbing, it seemed like the ideal move. Besides, I love clean air and the outdoor life. Then, between business trips to West Palm and Atlanta, a good friend who recently moved to Tampa invited me to come see the city.

It made perfect sense. Why fly back to the West Coast for just a few days when I was already so close to visiting an old friend?

are they?” to “How lucky would I be?” Three weeks later I became a resident of Tampa Bay and I’ve never looked back.

Tampa Bay couldn’t get more geographically perfect. We are far enough north that we have the southern hospitality you might find in our states in the “deep south.” But we are far enough south that we have the big city excitement and flavor of Miami.

Can you get any better than that? In a state known for oranges, sunshine, and hurricanes, it turns out you can get even better, because we seem to be located far enough north to avoid the southern coastal hurricanes and far enough south to avoid the gulf coast storms. This means we’ve remained virtually unblemished for more than 60 years.

When I arrived in Tampa, it was love at first sight. The weather reminded me of vacationing in the tropics, and I felt relaxed instantly. The beauty of the skyline reminded me of one of my favorite cities in Australia, Brisbane. And the ease with which you could drive anywhere in 20 minutes reminded me of where I grew up in Spokane, Washington, but with Check out a top 10 cities or best-of list in more of a big-town feel. There was America and there’s a good chance Tampa The beauty of the something magical about Tampa Bay is there. From our rankings with artistic skyline reminded me that I couldn’t quite put my finger flair in St. Pete to best beaches in Clearwater on. The river going through the heart to best micro brews in Tampa, we just of one of my favorite of downtown, the white sugar-sand keep getting noticed by those who are in cities in Australia, beaches, the clear skies (a welcome the know. We are small-business friendly relief from the smog-filled air of and have embraced the collaboration age.

Brisbane.

Southern California.)! The speed by With collaborative work centers and a low which you could be out of the city cost of living, this city is a start-ups dream. and into the wonderful natural wildlife seemed almost surreal. I kept asking myself over and over each I wake up every morning and overlook one of the most beautiful day, “How lucky are these people to live in a place like this?” skylines in America. I’m not just a resident of downtown Tampa, I’m an advocate and steward to the city. I haven’t Oh, did I mention the people of Tampa Bay? Out of everything owned a car in more than five years. I don’t need one because this place has going for it, that was the one thing that made everything I need is already in downtown. I live in a high-rise with the biggest impression on me. The people of Tampa Bay are gym, grocery, and dry cleaning services built in; I work at the some of the nicest you’ll meet anywhere in America. Always world’s leading brand accelerator [according to the Huffington eager to wish you good morning when you’re walking down Post]; I play with my dog Macie at the nearby parks, and enjoy the street. Happy to offer directions for the lost tourist holding all the restaurants in this city by the bay. I’m always up for a map. And that open seat at your table at Starbucks? giving a tour to anyone who is visiting. Don’t believe me? Just Stick around, it won’t be long before someone asks to join enjoy a drink on Franklin Street and you’ll see me walk by with you. That’s when I changed my question from “How lucky my dog. Say hi, and I’ll be happy to show you my favorite spots.

www.tophermorrison.com

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I love watching a movie at one of the top ten most beautiful theaters in the world - the Tampa Theatre.

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I love eating a mediterranean feast at Fallafal Inn. The owners are so friendly and epitomize the heart and mind of an entrepreneur.

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I love walking through the back of Glazier Museum. The massive graffiti art is the largest in Tampa Bay! #StayCurious

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I love walking to work each day. There’s something freeing about not owning a car and not needing one. My daily commute is a six minute walk! #DowntownLiving

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Things to love about Downtown Tampa

By: Topher Morrison

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I love taking my dog to the dog park at Curtis Hixon park. Great views of the Hillsborough River and University of Tampa.

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I love having dinner at the Tampa Club, Tampa’s highest restaurant on the top floor of the Bank of America Building.

I love seeing “top-ten” lists on social media and knowing that Tampa is most likely on the list. #TampaHasSwagger

I love the concerts in Curtis Hixon Park. I can open my slider in my apartment and listen to award winning bands.

6

I love the El Jefe at Taco Bus… I’ve yet to be able to eat it in one sitting. Come to think of it, it takes me 3 sittings!

7

I love reading books in Gaslight Park in the fall.

Perfect temperature, and makes me feel like I’m in London on a nice day.

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I love being a pirate at Gasparilla and throwing beads to the cheering crowd. I don’t love the sore elbow the next day. #ItWasWorthIt

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I love people watching down Tampa’s historic Franklin Street, while drinking a fresh, coldpressed juice from Urban Juice.

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I love yoga in the park on Sundays. With nearly 500 people each week it’s one perfect place to meet like minded people committed to a healthy life.

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I love walking the Riverwalk at the end of the day.

The people with their pets, and the sunset over University of Tampa just melts away any stress from the day.

I love taking walking tours of Ybor city with Lonnie… there’s no better story teller around and he’s backed up all his facts from two separate independent sources, so you get historical facts delivered in the most entertaining way.

17 Photo John Weatherby

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I love renting a blue bike anywhere in Tampa and dropping it off at my destination. So easy!!!

I love all the Downtown Partners with their bright yellow shirts and safari hats. They are always friendly and willing to answer a question.

Plus, for anyone needing an escort to their car for safety, they are a phone call away. (813) 267 - 2220

18 Park.

I love Rock The Park. Free concerts on the first Thursday of the Month at Curtis Hixon

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I love the downtown Farmer’s Market in the fall. Food tastes better when you know you are buying healthy and supporting local business owners at the same time.

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Photo John Weatherby

I love hopping on the TECO line streetcar over to Channelside. It’s fun, convenient, and insanely affordable.

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I love the new water taxis that take up the Hillsborough River and all the way to Channelside. I can’t decide which views are nicer.

The walks along the Riverwalk, or the view of the Riverwalk from the Water Taxi!

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YBOR CITY

No trip to Tampa Bay is complete without a visit to Historic Ybor City.

Known as Tampa’s Latin Quarter for over a century, Ybor City offers an exotic blend of aromas, flavors, sights and sounds. From the scent of roasting Cuban coffee early in the morning to the rhythms of Latin music late into the night, Ybor is a feast for the senses.

Just a short streetcar ride from Downtown Tampa, Ybor City is an eclectic mix of history, heritage, entertainment and excitement that keeps the tradition of our proud cigar making past. When you first arrive in Ybor, drop by the Ybor City Visitor Information Center, located on 8th Ave in Centro Ybor, browse eclectic shops and art galleries or visit the 911 Memorial located on 8th Ave and 19th St. Ybor City today is so much more. The Ybor Arch reminds us of the gateway to the cultural melting pot that created Tampa and Florida, a connecting Port for raw products and a railroad for finished ones.

Ybor is a rich cultural landmark. Founded by Vicente Martinez Ybor (e-bor) as a cigar manufacturing center, Ybor City today is one of only two National Historic Landmarks Districts in Florida. Red brick buildings, wrought iron balconies, narrow brick streets, and the electric streetcar give it an old world charm that is a refreshing change of pace from the beach and mall.

Walk down the streets of Ybor City and you will see century year old buildings, most of them cigar factories. The cigar rollers that gave life to Tampa became the most educated and politically knowledgeable workforce in existence thanks to the lecturers that read to them while they worked.

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John Weatherby

The workers used to live in the “Casitas”, small but very functional and inviting living spaces for Cigar factory workers and their families. The small houses, surrounded by picket fences symbolize community life. These houses were known for utilizing the front porch for visiting with the neighbors and for the first food delivery service, the “lone nail”. Cuban Bread was delivered to their homes and slapped on a nail next to the front door until picked up by the resident.

Ybor City’s 7th Avenue. Share authentic tapas and a pitcher of genuine Spanish sangria in a café atmosphere reminiscent of a Mediterranean village. See a hand rolled cigar being made, or just relax and people watch with a cup of Ybor’s famous Café Con Leche. And don’t forget our Ybor City Museum State Park, which showcases the story of how the birth of the cigar industry transformed Tampa into a multicultural and modern industrial city.

Ybor’s majestic social clubs built for the Italian, Cuban and German populations were the core of those communities.

From birth to death, all medical, social, political and recreational needs were met at the clubs. Ybor City became the epitome of the American Dream, the Immigrant Dream of a better life. The Immigrant Dream of a better life. The traditions and pride of these generations still live well within the city.

Photo courtesy of Visit Tampa Bay

The City is home to the only piece of land in the U.S. owned by the Cuban government, the José Martí Park. It was modeled after the elegant two story brick structures and black wrought iron balconies reminiscent of New Orleans. The whimsical and iconic wrought iron lights with four downward globes and one upward-facing grace the entire city and add to the ambiance that remains today.

Chickens and roosters are the protected residents of Ybor City. They can be seen heralding from dusk till dawn throughout the district. 123 tobacco shaped leaves run the sidewalks of Ybor City from 15th Steet to 22nd Street.

Each leave is encrypted with excerpts from the “Ybor City Chronicles”, a book written by painter, historian and Ybor native, Ferdie Pacheco.

Choose from a variety of traditional cuisine from Spain, Cuba, Italy, Greece and Asia by strolling down famed La Setima,

Day or night, discover why Historic Ybor City has something for everyone! www.ybor.org

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History of the Cuban Sandwich by the Columbia

With every bite, every nuanced, satisfying flavor, the ingredients of the Cuban sandwich tell the tale of Tampa’s history.

coated with butter on the exterior and pressed thin between a hot plancha.

Over the years, many restaurants looking to trim costs took shortcuts in production by buying processed ingredients. In 2007, Richard Gonzmart, fourth generation family member and president of the Columbia Restaurant Group in Tampa embarked on a quest: To remake the sandwich according to the family restaurant’s original recipe from 1915.

Built upon mixto sandwiches that migrated to Tampa from Cuba in the late 1880s and early 1900s, (they literally were a mixture of whatever meats were available), the modern cubano born on Florida’s Gulf Coast reflects the rich mixture of immigrant populations that founded Tampa. The sandwich was born of necessity, a portable meal workers could carry with them from restaurants to workplaces.

Cubans and Spanish who worked in Tampa’s cigar factories and coffee mills in Ybor City contributed the moist, roasted mojo pork, the creamy Swiss cheese and the glazed ham. Families of the city’s Italian stone masons added peppery Genoa salami. Jewish and German cooks embellished with tart pickles and tangy yellow mustard.

Surrounding the tasty combination was the crustyon-the-outside, tender-in-the-middle Cuban loaf split with local palmetto leaves. The loaf itself is a source of Cuban pride. The loaves were stretched and lengthened during lean years to make them easier to ration.

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The earliest U.S. bakery to produce Cuban bread is believed to be Ybor City’s now-defunct La Joven Francesca, which founded in 1896 by Sicilianborn Francisco Ferlita. The largest producer of Cuban bread in the Tampa area is La Segunda Central bakery, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary.

By the 1920s and ‘30s, the sandwich had exploded in popularity throughout Tampa, with each restaurant adding their own variations in condiments, meats and breads. The Cuban sandwich eventually migrated south to Miami in the late 1940s as that city’s Cuban population slowly grew before exploding after the Cuban revolution in 1959. That city gave it a makeover as well, removing the Genoa salami. Miami now considers it heresy to include that ingredient, even though the original sandwich on the island nation featured salchichón, a dried, cured Spanish sausage.

The sandwich transformed again during the late 1950s when the crust of the bread began being

“When I was a little boy, I remember how people made Cuban sandwiches… the marinating of the roast pork, the glazing of the ham, the caramelizing and slicing,” Gonzmart said. “I remember the Genoa salami that had the peppercorn in it. Everything was done fresh daily.”

Two years later, after spending more than $30,000 in development, research and new equipment, the original sandwich was reborn on the Columbia menu.

Although a friendly rivalry between Tampa and Miami exists over the sandwich’s heritage and ingredients, the cubano is celebrated with pride each summer at a festival in Tampa. Each year during the Cuban Sandwich Festival, a Best Cuban Sandwich trophy is bestowed each year in Ybor City’s Centennial Park across the street from the former Ferlita bakery, which is now a museum celebrating the city’s culinary heritage. To cement the sandwich’s origins, the Tampa City Council in April 2012 designated the “Historic Tampa Cuban Sandwich” as the city’s signature sandwich.

Favorite Cuban Sandwich spots around Tampa Bay Try a Cuban Sandwich at one of the many Columbia Restaurant locations throughout Tampa Bay. Ybor, Sarasota, Clearwater Beach, Tampa International Airport and Tampa History Center.

Stone Soup Company, Ybor City West Tampa Sandwich Shop, Tampa Brocato’s Sandwich Shop, Tampa Hugo’s Spanish Restaurant, South Tampa Gaspar’s Grotto, Ybor City Bodega, St. Petersburg La Segunda Bakery, Ybor City La Teresita, Tampa Pipo’s Café, St. Petersburg

Tampa Histiry Center

• • • • • • • • •

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20 Love Notes from TAMPA BAY

Author and St. Petersburg resident Peter Kageyama writes about emotional engagement with our places. He studies what people love and hate about their places and is an internationally recognized expert on cities, place making and the unique role that citizens play in making great communities. He writes about “love notes” – the small things that have outsized impacts on the way we feel about our places, so we asked him to share his favorite “love notes” from around Tampa Bay. tersburg Murals of St. Pe rsburg

loped a which has deve wn St. Pete st few years. pa I live in downto the eet murals over str of n tio llec 2015 when wonderful co el in the fall of whole other lev a to en tak artists out s l ra mu That wa d and brought l Festival debute ra Mu Pete an .

INE St e SH giv the backyard to world and our from around the . op e backdr ful and creativ even more color

Studio @620

The Studio is a small, black box space in downtown St. Petersburg. It has been going strong for over 10 years and while it is far from the largest arts and cultural institution in the region, I think it has the most heart. Under the wonderful guidance of Creative Director Bob Devin Jones, the Studio

is known to say “Yes” to just about any type of event or project. They host gallery events for local and national artists, they produce and showcase plays, musicals, radio drama and even erotic poetry events. They are the place where creative projects go to find a home.

Green Bench Brewery

I don’t’ even like beer and I like Gree n Bench. Their outdoor patio is a great place to meet frien ds and people watch. Any given evening you can see people doing partner yoga on the grass, playing giant Jenga or watc hing a screening of a movie on their outdoor wall.

r Palladium Theate

acts when eclectic touring e for smaller, oic ch of e es, Broadway nu blu ht, The ve y. Jazz one nig ough Tampa Ba run by Paul is h urc they come thr 0’s ch s renovated 192 thi xt, ne the ormers. or comedy st talented perf Bay area’s mo the of e on , Wilborn

Fort DeSoto Park - Dog Beach

St. Petersburg has many dog parks but the off-leas h dog beach at Fort DeSoto Park is a special occasion for dogs and dog owners alike.

Fort DeSoto has been reco gnized as one of America’s Best Beaches, so having the opportunity to bring your dog to such a beautifu l location is awesome.

600 Block St. Pete

Central Avenue is the central east-west road in St. Petersburg.

The 600 Block is in the heart of downtown and is the home of dozens of small, eclectic and creative businesses.

The brainchild

of several local business and political leaders, they convinced the property owners to keep the small storefronts and affordable rents to ensure a vibrant local, small business scene.

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Glass and Clay art in St Pete

Duncan McClellan is only one example of the extensive glass and clay art community that has emerged in St. Petersburg. Creative Clay, the Clay Center of St. Petersburg and the Morean Arts Center provide gallery space, studios and retail outlets for the working artists in the region. The Dale Chihuly Collection on Beach Drive is a gorgeous showcase of the Seattle artist’s work and was brought to the region by the Morean Arts Center.

the ford Street, ’s famous Ox ce of London e, part us pie ho le litt ee a ff d co Taking , part tea an part bookshop ted next Exchange is g space. Loca kin or -w co rt pa e in en ev d an ed no expens restaurant e owners spar gant of Tampa, th ele an ity rs like ive els Un at fe to the ned space th sig de ully tif au creating a be de.

European arca

St. Pete Mad Dogs

Tampa Bay is one of the national epicenters of the multisport scene - running, swimming, cycling and triathlon. St. Petersburg is home to the world’s largest triathlon club, the St. Pete Mad North Shore Dogs, which boasts over 3,000 global members. runs and of rides, for place meeting the is Bay the along Pool

course the place to swim. The world renowned St. Anthony’s Triathlon draws over 4,000 participants from all over the world and is the opening race of the major triathlon season.

Tampa Theater

I have lived in Tampa Bay for over 20 years and one of my all-time favorite love notes is the gorgeous Tampa Theater.

The classic theater, built in downtown Tampa in 1926 is on the National Registry of Historic Places. It is the home of art house movies and the occasional special event. Years ago when there was not much happening in downtown Tampa after 5pm,

the Theater was the reason to go downtown after dark. Now it is a beloved anchor for the Franklin Street district in a burgeoning part of the city.

pendent largest inde is Florida’s , used w ne th old Flo ’s. With bo A taste of t lost to the 1930 ge ck d ba an s s te m sla and da go into Ha to bookstore sy ea is it ible books, and collect of ideas. ld or w r in anothe

ook Store Haslam’s B m’s rida, Hasla

Saturday Morning Market

The farmer’s market is a huge seasonal draw for the region, running from October through May. Over 120 vendors and 10,000+ people come to market every Saturday. Ranging from organic vegetables to arts and crafts and awesome prepared foods, I like to say that the market is “Where St. Petersburg goes to meet itself.” I know I will see people I know there as people come with their kids, their dogs and their friends from out of town.

Rowdies Football

The Rowdies are our local professi onal soccer team, the North America playing in n Soccer League.

Their home field historic Al Lang Sta is the dium in downtown St. Petersburg on waterfront. Even the if you are not at the Rowdies gam hear the chants e you can and songs the fan s sing at every hom e match.

Warehouse Arts District

Formerly a light industrial area on the south side of downtown St. Petersburg, the Warehouse Arts District has become the home of some of the Bay areas best and most successful creatives. Credit to Duncan McClellan, one of the world’s leading glass artists for relocating his studio and home to the

WAD several years ago. His space became a showcase for arts and cultural events and an anchor for the development of the district.

and Tampa downtown St. Pete Coffee Shops in to office fac de my y act as

shops - the of I love good coffee the time. Some meetings there all e tak h suc ps as I write and sho ee al coff s are the great loc Indigo my favorite place and e Pet St. in s and Brew D Liciou as Kahwa Coffee Tampa. Places Ginger Beards in and ge han Exc rd feel Coffee, Oxfo us ke l and ma cities feel specia like these make our community. connected to the

Dunedin Fin e Arts

Center & W The Arts Ce earable Art nter is a no Show rth county Wearable Ar gem that ho ts Show ev sts the annu ery summer al artists and .

Th e show feat designers w ures local ho collabora that is mor te to cr eate a fash e of a perf ion show ormance ar The show is t event than edgy fun an anything els d e. something th every year at draws hu . ge crowds

Veranda at the Vin

oy Hotel The historic Vinoy Hotel in downtown gorgeous re St. Petersbu minder of a rg is a different ag exemplifies e and their this “out of veranda tim e” m om on a sultry ent. One go Florida even es there an ing, sipping a d sits cigar and yo drink, perhap u can feel s smoking a the Florida of a bygone time.

Downtown Gulfport

Gulfport is a small community located at the southern tip of Pinellas County. Known for its artistic community, downtown Gulfport is home to eclectic restaurants and shops but to me it is distinctively the “most colorful city in Florida.” The shops and restaurants are painted in vibrant, crazy colors and this carries

FOR THE LOVE OF TAMPA BAY

ange Oxford Exch

over in the neighborhood houses as well. Walking through the city is walking through a lovely and fun candy colored world.

Main Stre et Du

nedin Located in north Pin ellas Count that has y, Dunedin a fantastic is a lovely downtown. little town their Main Restauran Street. A ts and loc nd an al shops lin other love bike and f e note, the oot trail th Pinellas Tra at connect has a cro il, a s nearly 40 ss roads m ile on s of the cou Main Stree see cyclis t. So it is nty, ts coming not uncom off the tr mon to or a mea ai l an d into dow l. ntown for a drink

Dali Museum

The Salvador Dali Museum is the major arts and cultural draw for our region and deservedly so. The collection of Dali’s works is the second largest in the world and the museum itself is an iconic architectural statement that solidifies St. Petersburg’s claim of being a “City of the Arts.”

By Peter Kageyama Author, For the Love of Cities & Love Where You Live www.fortheloveofcities.com www.facebook.com/fortheloveofcities @pkageyama

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BEACHES OF TAMPA BAY

From powdery white sands, pristine blue water and sunshine year round Tampa Bay can be considered home to some of the most popular beaches in the country.

For years fun ‘n sun lovers have come from all over the world to enjoy the beaches of Tampa Bay. A diverse selection of beaches offers the opportunity to experience unique amenities in a gorgeous setting. Surfing, parasailing, snorkeling, fishing, paddle boarding or simply soaking up the sun, makes Tampa Bay a true Tropical Paradise.

In 2016 millions of TripAdvisor users voted two of Tampa Bay’s beaches amongst the best beaches in the US. Clearwater beach took the #1 spot while St. Pete Beach made it to #4. It is said that Siesta Key in Sarasota receives approximately 361 days of sunshine and ranks in on the list of best Florida Beaches.

Whether you are a Tampa Bay resident or a beach lover visiting the area, the beach is the place to be!

All photos courtesy of Visit St.Pete/Clearwater

Here is a list of the best beaches and activities you can find in Tampa Bay. »» CLEARWATER BEACH – Voted “Best Beach Town” in America. This beach has a little bit of everything for everyone. Do not miss sunset at Pier 60. »» CALADESI ISLAND STATE PARK, DUNEDIN – A barrier island in Tampa’s Gold Coast and voted amongst the top 10 beaches in America for 3 years in a row. Accessible only by ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park. »» FORT DE SOTO PARK, TIERRA VERDE – When it comes to beaches for dogs, this beach is the place to be! Pets can enjoy the off leash beach or the Paw playground. Camping and biking are also great activities at this beach. »» KITE SURFING – With awesome weather year-round and lots of oceanborn winds Tampa Bay has become a popular destination for kite surfers around the nation. Areas such as Indian Rocks Beach, East Beach and John’s Pass are popular destinations. »» RIDE THE WAVES at Upham Beach in St. Pete Beach! »» Join an 18-year-old tradition and RING THE BELL AT PASS-A-GRILL BEACH. Every night at the Paradise Grille they hold a bell-ringing ceremony to celebrate the sun’s disappearance into the gulf as it gets ready to come back the next day. »» TAMPA BAY BEACH BUMS VOLLEYBALL host unique and fun beach tournaments year round. Visit their website for tournament dates and locations.

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»» VISIT CAPTAIN MEMO’S PIRATE CRUISE in Clearwater and watch the sunset from a pirate ship! »» ENJOY A SUNSET SAIL from St. Pete Beach »» SHELL HUNTERS will find a plethora of shells waiting a Shell Key, just a short shuttle ride from Pass-a-Grill beach. »» Want to check out a LOCAL DIVE BAR? Stop by Mahuffer’s in Indian Rocks Beach! »» Check out the LOCAL SURF REPORT each day at Lenny’s Surf Shop. »» Take a trip to SARASOTA and enjoy the pristine water and local shops at Siesta Key. »» SUNSET DRUM CIRCLE – Every Sunday at sunset come to Treasure Island beach, dance to the beat of the drums and enjoy some of Tampa Bay’s most beautiful sunsets! »» ST. PETE BEACH – This Beach has been voted best beach in the US and in the world! Go down gulf boulevard and explore all the local shops and restaurants. »» Make a Splash at the TRADEWINDS FLOATING WATERPARK! More than 15,000 square feet of water fun! »» Visit the “SHARK TOOTH CAPITAL OF THE WORLD” and go hunting for fossilized shark teeth in and around Venice Beach. »» Accessible only by boat, spend the NIGHT CAMPING AT ANCLOTE KEY near Tarpon Springs.

“The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”

Jacques Cousteau

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The Florida AQUARIUM

Born with a conservation mission and a vision to protect and restore our blue planet. The Aquarium opened its doors in 1995 as the cornerstone of development in the Channel District.

Built in an underdeveloped section of Downtown Tampa, the Aquarium was soon joined by retail, residential and entertainment venues turning the once barren district into the bustling area it is today.

Welcoming over 800,000 visitors a year, the Aquarium strives to inspire guests with the wonders of the ocean by offering immersive, fun and educational encounters with their over 20,000 sea creatures. In their 21 year history the Aquarium has quickly grown into one of Tampa’s top attractions as well as a leader in marine conservation. So much so, their conservation programs have outgrown their downtown Tampa footprint. The dilemma was addressed in 2011, when Tampa Electric (TECO) generously donated the use of a 22-acre site. This area had more than ample room to build the infrastructure needed to house the staff, researchers and animals that would allow the Aquarium to expand their conservation and research efforts.

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Today, this site is called the Center for Conservation (CFC) at the Florida Conservation and Technology Center (FCTC). Located near the Manatee Viewing Center, FCTC is a conservation campus nestled within 500 acres of coastal habitat in Apollo Beach where TECO is aggressively restoring the property to its natural state. When finished, The Florida Aquarium’s CFC will support a 10,000 square foot sea turtle hospital and research lab; a 12,000 square foot coral nursery and greenhouse; and a 15,000 square foot shark research facility.

Once open, guests will be welcome to visit the entire property which will include: exploring the sea turtle research and recovery rooms, the Aquarium’s coral nursery and coral ark; meeting the vets and research staff; touring the Sand Tiger Shark research facility; hiking in the coastal forest; and kayaking through the estuary.

In addition to the Manatee Viewing Center, guests can already experience a 1.4-

mile walking trail through portions of the 500-acre property and a 50-foot wildlife observation tower featuring scenic views of Apollo Beach. Future plans for the center include Tampa Electric’s Energy Technology Center to showcase cuttingedge energy options.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which is sharing the campus, has just opened a 6,000 square foot Suncoast Youth Center with indoor and outdoor classroom space that will serve as the educational hub for the FCTC. In addition, FWC has plans for as a fish hatchery enhancement facility by 2021. This partnership between a corporation, state agency and private not-forprofit organization enhances the Aquarium’s overlapping missions tremendously, affording all three entities valuable opportunities.

other institutions to help expand the conservation reach. The Florida Aquarium is also the first Aquarium in the United States to have an official partnership with the National Aquarium in Cuba and they are now part of the Trinational Initiative working on marine conservation in Cuba, Mexico and the U.S.

The Florida Aquarium has experienced great success in their work and collaborations, learning how to leverage their programs with more resources. In addition to FCTC, they have formed unique partnerships with universities and

www.flaquarium.org Best of Tampa Bay

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TAM P SCIE A’S MU SEU NCE & IN M OF DUS TRY

Our i nn mind ovative h . We show ands- on e here. xh yo W and t e spark c u how co ibits urge h o o y other eir grand nversatio l curiosity ou to ask par ns qu ca place like i ents, betw about the n be – th estions a t in T Ride ere a nd ex een s world in the a r first d m e the f p a n ouse pa B utu riverle nd th o tes pand yo ss ca the F re in 3D s a , ur y ts or e a r .

P lor open rintin nd be futur g to th Plane ida Hosp q u e pub ital IM : The Exh tarium e t izzes ween amon li ibitio A Moo , ex n, ex c in North nbas plore X® DOM s perie g t e lun A E m r scien T a k ange e noth ar co ids ce ce er w heatre, se nce an im rica, witn lony, r nter. e the ess orld mers s and .

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“A scientific playground with more than 450 handson activities in the largest science center in the southeastern United States.”

to re locat et reloc ation o a bran d ne will c core. w, w reate orldan ic class onic scie instit “Our u tion a nce cen plann te nd a ers w futur beac r in Dow e. An ill be ntow o n d seek we’ll for le spac n Tam ing o a arnin e, un pa ut in g in derst lso be ele Pres nova Tamp . MOSI’s vatin andin ident t iv a g e ’s cu g and C key e desig healt ltural le EO M ns a h sc nd e “In th ience ments of olly D xcitin MOS e yea s, an e m e g I rs ah ulena d co ’s ex ways the S isting ead, nnec ere. outh to t MOS ting prog east with I will rams ouch the to be m t – exp c o o o Durin morr ve fro ming lorin ow,” g the maf one o s estim aid M g o hom f c the fi us on e, its ated OSI nest being three curre in No Florid the la nt ca to fiv r a will t h r Ame e yea mpu re IMAX rica.” gest scie rs it ® film main 100 s on Eas nce c t Fow will take perce enter s, an to cr ler A d new nt op in e a v e t e e n and nue temp M O acros SI’s n orary 100 p s fr ew fu exhib ercen tur its. t ama om the U niver e-focuse zing, d sity o with new f Sou upgr th ades , new

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SUNDIAL Shop. Dine. Enjoy.

Sundial is downtown St. Pete’s premier shopping and dining destination, a two-story oasis in the heart of the city’s bustling downtown center. Just steps from the worldfamous waterfront, Sundial includes a special collection of shops, restaurants and spa experiences unique to the Tampa Bay area.

Originally opened as Baywalk in the 1990s, the plaza saw a drastic decline and was nearly vacant when local businessman Bill Edwards purchased it in 2011 with the intention of creating a signature outdoor shopping and dining destination.

A passion project for Edwards, the 80,000-square-foot lifestyle center opened in Spring 2014 after a $40 million makeover. This modern, open-air center is a showcase of Florida Gulf Coast living specializing in luxury, sophistication and relaxation. Sundial is home to a variety of unique shops and boutique one-of-a-kind finds.

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Immerse yourself in personalized fashion from local designer Tracy Negoshian, discover downtown’s best selection of footwear and swimwear, and browse a wealth of highly-desired brand names for men, women and children.

Tampa History Center

Visitors regularly discover the latest trends from Tampa Bay’s own Florida Jean Company, intuitive styles with a flair for the unexpected at Juxtapose Apparel & Studio, custom jewelry with local sensibility at Diamonds Direct Fine Jewelers, and artisan goods delivered daily at Locale Market.

Retail staples such as Chico’s, White House Black Market, Tommy Bahama and Swim ’n Sport join locally and regionally owned Jackie Z Style Co, Ansley Z Style Co and John Craig Clothier in offering the latest fashions for men, women and children.

Dining options include award-winning restaurants Sea Salt, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and FarmTable Kitchen, from some of Tampa Bay’s most celebrated chefs.

And if pampering is what you need, you can experience timeless grooming and beauty treatments at The Shave Cave and Marilyn Monroe Glamour Room.

From fashion shows to pop-up performances, holiday and seasonal entertainment can be found throughout the year.

Every third Saturday of the month, Sundial hosts the largest free yoga event in the Tampa Bay area when upwards of 200 yogis create a sea of tranquility in the courtyard with the sun rising over the bay to the east.

The courtyard features a modern, clean design with finishes such as travertine, quartzite stone, custom stainless railings, European shade umbrellas, skylights and state-of-the-art video boards.

The plaza’s centerpiece is a nearly working sundial, fountain and mosaic designed by Emmy Award-winning designer René Lagler. The sundial is a

three-story lagoon, all production nod to St.

Petersburg’s history as the Sunshine City, and was designed to keep accurate solar time.

In addition to the sundial, bronze dolphin statues created by St. Petersburg-based artist Mark Aeling make a splash with families and guests of all ages, creating a memorable picture spot.

In the short time it has been open, Sundial has become the heart of the Sunshine City, a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, embodying Florida living at its finest.

www.sundialstpete.com https://www.facebook.com/ SundialStPete https://twitter.com/sundialstpete https://www.instagram.com/ sundialstpete/ @SundialStPete #SundialStPete

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Loews Don CeSar Hotel Known as Florida’s “Pink Palace,” the Loews Don CeSar Hotel, facing the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico, was built in 1928 to resemble a Mediterranean-style castle.

Born in the Great Gatsby era as a playground for the rich and famous, the iconic “Pink Palace” has been revitalized and refreshed within, ensuring a future as rich and storied as its history.

The Don features 277 luxurious rooms including 36 suites and 2 penthouses, many with spectacular views of the pristine Gulf beaches or Boca Ciega Bay. These light, airy rooms have flat-screen HD color TVs, ironing boards and irons, hair dryers, Premium Plus Wi-Fi, Keurig coffeemakers and minibars.

Loews Don CeSar Hotel offers a multitude of dining options, with six different restaurants and lounges we have something for everyone! The award-winning Maritana Grille features an array of gourmet choices, including local seafood dishes with unique touches and a prime menu offering the finest cuts of steak and shareable sides. For casual dining, guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday Champagne Brunch inside, or out, at Sea Porch.

Start your morning with a Starbucks® coffee or, after soaking up the sun, cool down with a scoop or a shake at Uncle Andy’s.

While lounging poolside, sip on an ice-cold beverage or snack on a sandwich from Beachcomber. At the epicenter of the iconic Pink Palace, enjoy specialty cocktails in the Lobby Bar overlooking the Gulf of

Mexico. Catch a sunset with a hand-crafted cocktail or local brew in hand while lounging fireside at the newly opened Rowe Bar, featuring coastal cuisine in a relaxed beachfront atmosphere. Whether you want to do it all or nothing at all, Loews Don CeSar Hotel is the place to do it!

Soak up the sun by our two pools while listening to live entertainment or while relaxing on our pristine, sugar-sand beach in a comfortable lounger or cabana. Cruise around the Gulf on a jet-ski, paddleboard, or kayak. Relax and indulge at Spa Oceana, featuring over 11,000 square feet of spa facilities, luxurious treatments, full service salon, and a private rooftop terrace overlooking the azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Take home a piece of the Pink Palace from our variety retail shops offering a selection of authentically local gifts, designer clothing and accessories, and more.

Younger guests can spend a morning, afternoon, or the entire day at Camp CeSar! Campers will enjoy exciting and educational programs, outdoor sea explorations, arts & crafts, games, movies, and more!

The Don also features 38,000 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor function space, providing an unforgettable meeting experience and wedding location.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LoewsDonCeSarHotel | Twitter: Loews_Hotels Instagram: loewshotels | www.loewshotels.com/don-cesar Best of Tampa Bay

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Mainsail Lodging & Development Joe Collier

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Entrepreneurial. Outside-the-box.

Approachable. Innovative. All words synonymous with Mainsail Lodging & Development and its president, Joe Collier.

Epicurean Hotel Theatre

Founded in Tampa, Florida in 1998, Mainsail Lodging & Development specializes in hotel, corporate furnished housing, and resort property management and development, marketing and sales. Mainsail prides itself on seeking unique lodging opportunities with a purpose.

Collier built the company from humble beginnings with a combination of daring vision, dogged determination and the support of a group of enterprising investors. An extremely grounded leader, Collier’s values and lifestyle are reflected in his management style, which, coupled with his extraordinary leadership skills and determination, has positioned Mainsail Lodging & Development as a leader in property development and management.

Joe is also a singer and guitar player in the company rock band, Joe Collier & The Sound Bites, along with banjo man and self-proclaimed clogger.

Joe’s talents and passion extend well beyond the

boardroom. Leading by example, he is deeply involved in community projects, investing both his time and money. Joe supports a number of non-profit organizations every year, and serves on a number of community-outreach and professional boards.

As a veteran of Marriott Hotels, Joe saw an opportunity when PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

Epicurean Hotel

wanted to establish a national training facility in Tampa. Collier acted swiftly to found the Tampabased Mainsail Management Group, Inc. and built the 360-room extended stay Mainsail Suites Hotel and adjacent four-story training facility. This $50 million specifically designed complex centralized all PwC employees and jumpstarted Mainsail Lodging & Development.

Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina In 2003, following a series of business deals and utilizing several key corporate business relationships, Mainsail began to acquire Marriott ExecuStay® franchises in the Southeast. In 2012, Marriott International sold ExecuStay® to Oakwood Worldwide®. A year later in September 2013, Oakwood® expanded its relationship with Mainsail Lodging & Development by signing the company as its first Oakwood® brand franchisee.

From this instrumental move, the company began to rapidly gain momentum. Currently, Mainsail exclusively manages the Florida market for Oakwood Worldwide® under both its ExecuStay® and Oakwood® brands, while retaining its ExecuStay® franchises throughout the Southeast.

Mainsail procures, furnishes and manages luxury apartments under leases to corporate, government and leisure clients that require temporary housing in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

Also in 2013, the company broke ground on the highly-anticipated Epicurean Hotel, in collaboration with Tampa’s legendary Bern’s Steak House.

Opened in 2014, the hotel was the first newly constructed property in the United States to join the prestigious Autograph Collection® of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR). Located in the trendy Hyde Park historic district of South Tampa, the Epicurean Hotel is a 137-room boutique hotel devoted to extraordinary culinary experiences. The hotel features a state-of-the-art culinary classroom known as the Epicurean Theatre; Élevage, a restaurant where classic recipes are reimagined; EDGE rooftop bar; Chocolate Pi pâtisserie; Bern’s Fine Wines & Spirits wine shop; Evangeline fullservice spa; and 5,200-square feet of flexible event space.

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Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, Windward House Villa

North Beach on Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina

In the few short years since opening its doors, the Epicurean has hosted well-known chefs such as Emeril Lagasse, Simon Majumdar, Whitney Miller and Emily Ellyn for a variety of classes and events.

The Epicurean is also the site of many unique events to benefit Mainsail’s corporate charity partner, Feeding Tampa Bay, including Pumpkin Fight, a pumpkin carving contest between the area’s top restaurants. The hotel also hosts Epic Chef Showdown, a seven-week competition pitting eight of the Tampa Bay area’s top restaurants against each other in a friendly cooking competition judged by a panel of local and national celebrities.

Other Mainsail Lodging & Development interests include Mainsail Beach Inn on Anna Maria Island, which is consistently recognized by TripAdvisor ® with its annual Certificate of Excellence. In 2010, the company opened a spectacular private island resort in the British Virgin Islands. Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina became the first Autograph Collection® hotel in the Caribbean and Marriott International’s first property in the British Virgin Islands – yet another “first” for Mainsail Lodging & Development.

Showing no signs of slowing down, Mainsail Lodging & Development is in the process of transforming the historic Fenway building in nearby Dunedin, Florida into another boutique hotel flagged by the Autograph Collection®. Slated to open in early 2017, plans for the property include a rooftop bar, original restaurant concept and scenic meeting and wedding space. Also opening in the spring of 2017 is Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club on Anna Maria Island. The new resort will feature 72 guest rooms, which encompass 37 stylish twobedroom suites, each with 1,100 square feet of living space. Amenities include a 50-slip marina, a signature restaurant and bar, and a resort-style swimming pool with oversized sun deck extending into the marina. The latest exciting news from Mainsail Lodging & Development is the addition of the Harborside Hotel in downtown Fort Myers, scheduled to open in 2018. In addition to building a new hotel, Mainsail will assume management of the neighboring Harborside Event Center, with 42,000 square feet of exhibit and event space.

Fenway Hotel

Rooftop Bar at Fenway Hotel

Mainsail Lodging & Development’s expertise and imagination are used to full advantage in the lifestyle brand category of hotels and resorts. Each project is approached as a rare opportunity to create oneof-a-kind experiences for guests and locals alike.

As enthusiastic storytellers, Mainsail celebrates independently branded concepts and takes pride in assuming stewardship of the community and environment in which they work.

4602 Eisenhower Blvd S, Tampa, FL 33634, United States Phone: +1 813-243-2613 www.mainsailhotels.com

Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club, Anna Maria Island

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“The Greatness of a culture can be found in its festivals.”

Siddharth Katragadda

Visit Tampa Bay

ENTERTAINMENT So much to do and so little time is an understatement. From family friendly excursions and exciting nightlife to beautiful beaches and unique culinary experiences, Tampa Bay has you covered from all angles.

Photo Courtesy City of St Pete

Joe Malinowski, Chief Seeker of AwesomenessTampa Bay is Awesome

Tampa’s rich history has contributed to the area’s unique evolution. Our booming cigar industry within Ybor City, legendary Gasparilla pirate invasions, musical influences from the 60s, and cultural diversity, have contributed to a melting pot that is uniquely our own.

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Photo Courtesy City of St Pete

Photo Courtesy of the City of St Pete

We have had the privilege of enjoying private investments in our community by some extraordinary individuals, as well as visionary and dynamic Mayors and community leaders. Jeff Vinik, owner of The Tampa Bay Lightning, is dedicated to redeveloping Downtown Tampa’s Channelside District. Bill Edwards, owner of Tampa Bay Rowdies and development powerhouse, has made a tremendous impact on the revitalization of Downtown St. Petersburg. These various people have expanded our options for living, working, and playing exponentially over the past decades. We are certainly an area of interesting, visionary residents who continue to shape our entertainment options. The Redner family has cultivated and shaped a variety of local industries such as craft beer, amongst others, putting Tampa Bay on the national and international map.

Our unique districts are evolving so rapidly that even the locals feel like tourists venturing into uncharted territory for a weekend stay-cation. From indoor surfing and amusement parks to Broadway shows and sporting events, there are endless opportunities for fun. Where else could you enjoy a sunrise walk on the longest waterfront sidewalk in the world, bounce over to an amazing brunch, enjoy some post meal spa treatments, spend the afternoon with your choice of brewery tours, beaches, zoo’s, or aquariums, and spend your evening munching your way through any of our downtown districts?

Tampa’s roots as a cigar manufacturing town gave way to the area’s historic entertainment district of Ybor City. Ybor is home to delicious restaurants, boutique shopping, freshly brewed coffee and beer, cigar rollers, and night clubs housed in historic multi-story brick buildings. Though Ybor City was the Bay Area’s original nightlife hub, in recent years’ new entertainment districts have sprouted up in Downtown St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Downtown Tampa, South Tampa, and Dunedin, just to name a few.

With all of the new, privately owned, restaurant concepts coming out of the Bay Area you could literally eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a different place every day and go for months without repeating or visiting a chain restaurant. Our recent explosion of craft breweries (over 60 breweries in 25 square miles) means there is never a shortage of local brews to enjoy. Craft Beer isn’t our only culinary specialty; Tampa Bay is rapidly creating a name for itself in the craft cocktail industry, with dozens of trendy new restaurant concepts creating new spins on classic cocktails.

Tampa Bay is Awesome!

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TAMPA BAY’S FESTIVALS & EVENTS

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Photo Courtesy of the Strawberry Festival

Photo Courtesy of the Strawberry Festival

Photo Courtesy of the Strawberry Festival

Photo Courtesy of the City of St Pete

Millions of people visit the Tampa bay area every year. But not only the beaches make this a popular vacation destination.

Tampa Bay hosts an array of events and festivals throughout the year that celebrate the regions beauty, culture, food, arts and much more.

Photo by Joe Sale Photography

Photo Courtesy of the City of St Pete

into an annual, international, music festival that draws tens of thousands of visitors each year to beautiful Coachman Park in Clearwater.

Photo Courtesy of the City of St Pete

Tampa Bay is definitely an exciting place with fun for everyone. Here is a list of some of the Best festivals to enjoy throughout the year in Tampa Bay!!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Florida State Fair Strawberry Festival Firestone Grand Prix St. Pete Pride Parade Peach Festival Blueberry Festival Wazoo Hunapuh’s Day Gasparilla Film Festival Clearwater Jazz Festival Gasparilla Music Festival Margarita Festival Sarasota Chalk Festival Taste of South Tampa

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Sunset music Festival Cuban Sandwich Festival Bern’s Wine Fest Gasparilla Distance Classic Ash Bash Big Guava Music Festival Outback Bowl Bay Area Renaissance Festival Clearwater Super Boat National Championship Tarpon Springs Epiphany Celebration Tampa Bay Blues Festival Airfest at McDill AFB Sarasota’s Shark Tooth Festival

Home of the Florida State Fair, this event attracts more than 500,000 people to Tampa Bay each year.

Visitors can enjoy exhibits for aquaculture, horticulture, woodcarving, needlework and more. As the first State Fair of the year, we get all the latest and greatest in fair foods such as the donut burger, deep fried Oreos, Amish donuts and so much more.

Photo Courtesy of the Strawberry Festival

For more than 35 years’ music lovers have been able to enjoy the Clearwater Jazz Festival. This event is a four-day and four-night, worldclass, live, music festival, enjoyed by over 35,000 people. It is celebrated on the third week of every October. This event has evolved from a series of concerts on the back of a flatbed truck and at venues around Clearwater

Photo Courtesy of the Strawberry Festival

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, celebrated in March every year, takes place on the waterfront street course in downtown St. Petersburg.

It has become one of the most respected motorsports events in North America and features a week-long festival-like atmosphere that includes the fastest racing series on the planet, celebrity athletes, live entertainment and interactive activities.

Photo by Joe Sale Photography

Soon after, visitors and residents of Tampa Bay enjoy the sweetness of locally grown strawberries at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Guests come from near and far to enjoy exhibits of agriculture, commerce, industry, livestock, fine arts, horticulture, and crafts. The festival hosts some great social events, contests, youth developmental programs, topname entertainment, and parades with glorious floats and high-stepping marching bands.

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GASPARILLA Invasion For more than 110-years the city of Tampa has been invaded by pirates and the “last buccaneer”, José Gaspar, is the one to blame.

Legend says that during the late 18th and 19th centuries José Gaspar terrorized the coastal waters of West Florida. It is believed that he was an aristocrat by birth and had been an officer of the Spanish Navy. After years of ransacking and terrorizing other ships near the gulf coast, Gaspar and his crew seized a U.S Navy ship in disguise in 1821. Gaspar and his crew met their demise as the US Navy won the battle and ended his career as a pirate.

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Photos courtesy Lori Ballard Photography

Photo courtesy Lori Ballard

In 1904, the first krewe of Gasparilla was born, the “Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla”. Miss Louise Francis Dodge, society editor of the Tampa Tribune, and George W. Hardee, director of customs, wanted to revitalize the May Day celebration in Tampa by combining the legend of Gasparilla with elements of the Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans. 40 members of the “Ye Mystic

The mock invasion took place on horseback until a pirate ship was used for the first time to capture the city in 1911.

Parade officials did not celebrate the pirate invasion during World War I, but once it restarted the parade moved from May to February to coincide with the Florida State Fair. For decades both events merged and the parade route ended at the festival fairgrounds in downtown Tampa.

Photo courtesy Lori Ballard

Photo courtesy Lori Ballard Photo courtesy Lori Ballard

Krewe of Gasparilla” took on the city on horseback and masks and surprised Tampa residents with a mock pirate invasion and captured the city during the Festival Parade on May 4, 1904. Since that day, the City of Tampa gets invaded by pirates every year.

In 1976 the Florida State Fair moved to a larger location away from the downtown Tampa area, but the parade stayed true to its original route and with a few small variations it continues its route down Bayshore boulevard and portions of downtown Tampa. In 1988, the parade moved to the first Saturday in February after decades of being celebrated on the second Monday in February. This allowed for more visitors to attend the celebration. Since then, the parade has become the third largest parade in the United States with over 300,000 visitors and an economic impact of over 20 million dollars to the city.

In 1937, the “Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla” or YMKG, bought the first pirate ship and named it “José Gasparilla I”. The parade was cancelled during World War II but resumed in 1946. This was the second instance that the parade had been cancelled due to war. In 1954, the YMKG commissioned the building of “José Gasparilla II”, the world’s only fully rigged pirate ship to commemorate the krewe’s 50-year anniversary

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Since 2005 the Gasparilla Invasion takes place on the last Saturday in January. The celebration begins when 750 swashbucklers invade Tampa Bay aboard the majestic pirate ship «José Gasparilla”. The ship is usually surrounded by hundreds of boats known as the “Mosquito Fleet”. The pirates invade the city by the Tampa Convention Center where the Mayor has no choice but to surrender the keys to the city.

“Make way, mateys!”

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Once ashore, all the participating krewes take control of the city during a four-mile long Parade of Pirates, they unload and share their treasures in the form of beads and coins to visitors and locals alike. The Gasparilla Pirate Invasion boasts over 130 custom designed vehicles which include more than 90 elaborate floats, 14 marching bands and a 1000 dressed up pirates.

Today, many krewe members honor the city and promote tourism by being involved with different charities. The krewes visit

Joe Sale photography

Photo courtesy Lori Ballard Photo by Christina Sloan of the Krewe of Rogues

local hospitals, raise money for charity and host different fund raising events throughout the year.

The Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla still carries on its social tradition with the annual Debutante and Coronation Balls. The pirate-themed Gasparilla Season kicks off every year in January and runs through March with a full line up of events such as the Gasparilla Music Festival, Gasparilla SUP Invasion, Children’s Extravaganza, Gasparilla Pirate Fest, Sant’ Yago Knight Parade, Gasparilla Distance Classic, Gasparilla Festival of the Arts and the Gasparilla Film Festival.

Out of season visitors can visit the “José Gasparilla” docked at the Tarpon Weigh Station on Bayshore boulevard, a replica of a West Indiaman used in the 18th century. The steel ship stands at 165’ long by 35’ across the beam and 3 masts standing 100’ tall. Artifacts and memorabilia of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla are also on display annually at the H.B. Plant museum located inside the University of Tampa.

www.ymkg.com

Recognized as “The Best Festival in Tampa Bay”, the Gasparilla Music Festival takes place each March on multiple stages along the Riverwalk and in the parks of Downtown Tampa.

Hosted by the Gasparilla Music Foundation, a 501C3 non­profit organization, the festival celebrates the best of Tampa Bay’s diverse music scene, highlighting the top regional bands leading into national touring headliners.

Started by Tampa residents passionate about music and the arts, GMF supports youth music education and promotes the continued renewal of downtown Tampa and the cultural development of the Tampa Bay region.

The Gasparilla name represents Tampa’s history of eclectic music, food, arts and personalities showcased throughout the festival weekend.

www.gasparillamusic.com

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rst Mate or a Captain, Fi , in wa ats Bo t, tis Ar a Se a e ar u Whether yo something for everyone.

Tampa’s “Gasparilla Season” offers

ganza – January Gasparilla Children’s Extrava event for the whole family

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Gasparilla SUP Invasion – May

Paddlers attack downtown Tampa in a fun filled kid-friendly race across the Hillsborough River. www.gasparillasupinvasion.com

Gasparilla P

irate Fest – Ja Tampa’s an nuary nual Pirate Invasion fe hundreds of aturing swashbuckl ers aboard ship “Jose the pirate Gasparilla” and a Bayshore B lvd. and Dow parade along ntown Tam www.gasp pa. arillapiratef est.com

Sant’Yago Knight Parad

e – February Hosted by the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’Ya go since 1974, this celebration takes place in Ybor Cit y’s Seventh Avenue. The parade inc ludes an impressive pro cession of illuminated floats, cos tumes, and plenty of bea ds! www.knightparade.com Gasparilla International Film Festival – April

Operated by the Tampa film Institute, this festival features short films, international movies, documentaries and Florida-made movies. www.gasparillafilmfestival.com

Gasparilla Festival of the Arts – March

Gasparilla Distance Classic – February Since 1978 thousands of participants join in support of their favorite youth programs and organizations in Tampa Bay! The event includes a half-marathon, 5k, 15k wheelchair race, Stroller Roll & Walk and much more! www.tampabayrun.com

While Pirates take a break, photographers, painters, wood carvers and more gather in downtown Tampa to showcase their pieces. The festival attracts more than 250,000 art lovers each year. www.gasparillaarts.com Best of Tampa Bay

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Destination: The Dalí

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There has never been a place like The Dalí Museum. This magnificent building, located on the waterfront in the heart of beautiful downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, is home to an unparalleled collection of renowned artist Salvador Dalí’s finest works – from iconic melting clocks to imaginative visual illusions and avant-garde symbols.

The Dalí stands as a cultural beacon in the Tampa Bay area and is consistently rated by Trip Advisor as “the #1 attraction in St. Petersburg.

The Dalí Museum features more than 2,000 Salvador Dalí works consisting of oil paintings, watercolors, drawings, prints, photographs, sculptures and objets d’art. It is the largest collection of Dalí’s work outside of Spain, and one of the most acclaimed collections of a single modern artist in the world. The Dalí is the first and only museum in the Southeastern United States to be recognized internationally by the Michelin Guide with a three-star rating.

2 Image One: Image Rights of Salvador Dalí reserved. Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Figueres, 2016. Images Two, Four & Five: ©2016 – Salvador Dalí Museum, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL Image Three: Daddy Longlegs of the Evening – Hope !, 1940, oil on canvas. Worldwide right ©Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dali, (Artist Rights Society), 2016 / In the USA ©Salvador Dalí Museum, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL (USA) 2016. Image Six: The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory, 1952-54, oil on canvas. Worldwide rights ©Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dali, (Artist Rights Society), 2016 / In the USA © Salvador Dalí Museum, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL (USA) 2016.

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5 The building is itself a work of art, featuring 1,062 triangular-shaped glass panels – the only structure of its kind in North America. Nicknamed “the Enigma,” it provides an unprecedented view of St. Petersburg’s picturesque waterfront and The Dalí’s AvantGarden. The garden offers a unique environment of learning and tranquility where visitors can explore the Labyrinth, Mathematical Garden, and make a wish on the Wish Tree. Inside, the Museum houses another unique architectural feature – a helical staircase – recalling Dalí’s obsession with spirals and the double helical shape of the DNA molecule.

The Museum welcomes as many as 400,000 visitors annually including guests from more than 40 countries. The Dalí reaches beyond the museum tradition and invites visitors to reflect on the human experience through myriad exhibits and initiatives.

In addition to the extensive permanent collection of Dalí works, the Museum shows frequent special exhibitions curated from the top worldwide collections. Recent exhibitions have included the works of Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, M.C. Escher and other acclaimed artists.

The Dalí is the epicenter of St. Petersburg’s culture and arts community. It offers a multitude of unique

6 educational programs and activities that take on the excitement and wonder of the art in the galleries.

Regular Museum programming includes films, lectures, performances, social events and more for adults and families. The Museum also offers free public docent tours of the permanent collection and free audio/visual guides for adults and children (in English, Spanish, French and German).

The Dalí is a one-of-a-kind destination that you simply have to experience for yourself—alone or with family and friends. Explore the inspiring architecture, taste authentic Spanish cuisine in the Museum’s Café Gala, shop the largest collection of Dalí-inspired merchandise in the world, play, wander and quench your curiosity for all that is Salvador Dalí and beyond. We welcome you seven days a week.

www.TheDali.org Tel: 727 823 3767

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MAHAFFEY THEATER

With its elegant design, plush lobby and breathtaking glass-walled atrium offering a georgeous view of Tampa Bay, The Mahaffey Theater is the luxurious center of beautiful downtown St. Petersburg.

It’s a magnificent performing arts center, with three levels of European box-style seating, state-of-theart sound and lights, and an unparalleled yearround schedule that brings in the finest, and most popular, entertainers. From legendary singers like Tony Bennett, Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson, to rock greats including Todd Rundgren, Brian Wilson and Alanis Morissette, The Mahaffey’s lineup is everchanging, the better to reflect the diverse preferences of every person in our community.

Why, in 2016 alone, The Mahaffey’s brilliant bill-offare has been both varied and vivid: William Shatner reminisced and cracked jokes, Celtic Woman told tales of Ireland through song, the magicians of “Masters of Illusion” thrilled and chilled, and the audience went wild for the musical madness of “Weird Al” Yankovic.

A classical music fan? The award-winning Florida Orchestra performs regularly at The Mahaffey during its annual October-to-May season. In fact, the orchestra – currently under the musical direction of famed conductor Michael Francis – has had a home at The Mahaffey since the late 1970s.

It was known as the Bayfront Theater then, part of the City’s expansive Bayfront Center complex.

Constructed in 1965, the complex encompassed a 7,000-seat sports and entertainment arena and a relatively intimate 2,000-seat theater.

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Today, the Dali Museum is on the spot where the arena once stood. The Bayfront Theater became The Mahaffey Theater in 1987, after extensive renovations. Named for a St. Petersburg family whose generous contribution spearheaded the makeover, The Mahaffey was improved upon again in 2006.

Big3 Entertainment took over management of the theater in 2011, with CEO and Chairman Bill Edwards privately funding an ultra-deluxe VIP lounge, along with a significant upgrade of the lobby décor.

Every year, dozens of couples choose to celebrate the most important day of their lives at The Mahaffey. The spacious Grand Ballroom, East Atrium and surrounding patio areas provide a variety of elegant options for an unforgettable wedding experience.

And giving back to the community – one that’s shown more than 50 years of support - is key.

Operated with the cooperation and participation of the Pinellas County School System, the theater’s long-running and highly successful program Class Acts enables area schoolchildren to experience the performing arts through in-theater performances, as well as in-school outreach and extension programs.

Class Acts is funded by the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts, a 501c3 dedicated to the success and future of The Mahaffey Theater, and to the notion that through diverse programing and patron membership support, performing arts should be enjoyed by all of St. Petersburg’s citizens.

Patron memberships in the Foundation – available at different levels - produce dividends including preferred seating, access to the exclusive VIP Lounge, the ability to purchase tickets before the general public and more.

With its proud history, track record of the finest performances, dedication to quality, luxury and a one-of-akind experience for everyone who walks through its towering front doors, The Mahaffey has earned its esteemed place in our wonderful community.

www.themahaffey.com www.facebook.com/MahaffeyTheater www.twitter.com/MahaffeyTheater @MahaffeyTheater #TheMahaffey

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TAMPA THEATRE

On October 15, 1926, downtown Tampa got a little bit brighter, with the city’s name in lights towering seven stories above Franklin Street.

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Inside, opening night guests marveled at the sight of what was being touted as “one of America’s most elaborate movie palaces.”

The brilliant mind behind the majestic theatre was that of John Eberson, an architect who had earned renown for a style he called “atmospheric.” Decades before Walt Disney built his first themed attraction in central Florida, Eberson set out to transport his guests out of their everyday lives and into a moonlit Mediterranean courtyard, draped in flowering vines and dotted with classical statuary. Above it all, 99 stars twinkled in a faux night sky.

With “talkies” yet to make their debut, the 21-piece Tampa Theatre Orchestra provided the soundtrack to the films, with help – and a full rank of sound effects – courtesy of the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ.

Like other lavish downtown movie houses across the country, Tampa Theatre was enormously popular when it opened. For 25 cents, the common person could indulge in a few hours’ entertainment and be treated like royalty by uniformed platoons of ushers and attendants.

For several decades, Tampa Theatre remained the crown jewel at of Tampa’s cultural landscape. Generations of people followed the world through the newsreels, stole their first kisses in the balcony, and grew up coming to the Theatre week after week.

But by the 1960s, times had changed. The “flight to the suburbs” left downtown businesses hurting – especially the movie houses that had brightened America’s main streets. Audiences dwindled and costs rose. And with the advent of television, many of our nation’s finest theaters were demolished as their value dropped below that of the land upon which they sat.

In 1973, Tampa Theatre, too, had a date with the wrecking ball.

But Tampa’s citizens rallied, community leaders got involved,

and soon a deal was struck with the city to rescue the landmark.

By the time Tampa Theatre reopened to the public in 1977, it had become something of a national model on how to save an endangered theater.

Today, Tampa Theatre straddles the line between the next generation and the last. Still primarily a film house, the Theatre projects more than 500 show times each year of new-release independent and foreign films with top-of-the-line digital picture and sound, each preceded by a live performance on that original Mighty Wurlitzer organ before the stagehand brings down the house lights on the vintage 1926 control panel.

With its 1,400 seats and amazing acoustics, Tampa Theatre is also one of the most intimate live performance venues in town, presenting a dozen stand-up comedians, small bands and spoken-word shows annually on its historic stage. More than 1 million school children have visited for field trips, tours and summer film camps — all within the context of one of Tampa’s largest historic preservation projects.

Recently called “One of the 10 Most Beautiful Cinemas in the World” by the BBC and among “15 of the World’s Most Spectacular Theaters” by CNN, Tampa Theatre was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, is a Tampa City Landmark, and is a proud member of the League of Historic American Theatres and the Art House Convergence.

711 N Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602 24 Hour Information Hotline: (813) 274-8981 www.tampatheatre.org

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Tampa Bay History Center A Smithsonian Affiliate Museum- features three floors of exhibits exploring 12,000 years of Florida history.

Experience the stories of Seminole Indians, Cuban cigar rollers, and Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders through hands-on exhibits and immersive theater experiences. The History Center is located along the Riverwalk in the heart of Tampa’s Channel District and features waterfront dining at the Columbia Cafe and a museum store showcasing local crafts and artwork. One of Tampa’s premier cultural attractions, the History Center’s cutting-edge, interactive exhibits provide a fun, educational experience for visitors of all ages.

Cutting-edge, interactive exhibits provide a fun, educational experience for visitors of all ages. www.tampabayhistorycenter.org 68

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Marilyn Binder Silverman Marilyn studied Fine Art and Design at the Johannesburg School of Art and then at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.

After emigrating to the USA she worked as an art consultant for a gallery in Manhattan, while attending the New York School of Interior Design. Early in her career, Marilyn was captivated by the school of abstract expressionism which has influenced her greatly. Marilyn moved to Tampa in 2003 where the sun, sea and atmosphere of Tampa Bay inspire and energize her.

Her art studio is located in an old cigar factory in downtown Tampa. Marilyn paints in oils and acrylics. Her abstract style and intense hues reflect her free spirit and enthusiasm for life. She sees the world in vibrant colors and in her paintings she expresses the spontaneity of energy that appear all around us.

In her most recent work she focuses on the beauty of buildings in Tampa Bay and she simplifies the architectural designs into the abstract compositions of angles and lines that are part of her signature style.

Email: Msilverman22@gmail.com | Tel: 813-951-0307

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James Rosenquist working on the plate for Welcome to the Water Planet.

Graphicstudio Tucked away in a research park on the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus sits Graphicstudio, a print studio at the forefront of international fine art publishing.

Sandra Cinto (left) working with master printer Tom Pruitt at Graphicstudio. Photo by Will Lytch.

Graphicstudio is an atelier, a fine art production workshop, and the most extensive of any associated with a university. Emerging and established artists from all over the world are invited to work with master printmakers to produce limited editions of prints and sculpture multiples. Visitors to the studio can view or purchase many of the over 1,000 works produced since the studio was founded in 1968, or they may find a visiting artist at work with Graphicstudio printers on a new edition.

The Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian, the New York Public Library and the Whitney Museum of American Art are among the many institutions that have Graphicstudio productions as part of their permanent collection. The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. maintains an archive of many prints produced by the studio.

James Rosenquist. Welcome to the Water Planet, 1987. Aquatint printed in halves in two runs.

From two copper plates on a single piece of folded paper. 75 3/4” x 60” edition of 55.

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Vik Muniz works on a self portrait created with rubber stamps.

Robert Rauschenberg. Studies for Chinese Summerhall V, 1982-1984.

At Graphicstudio, research into technical art-making processes works in tandem with new aesthetic expressions by visiting artists. The constant drive of collaborating artists and studio faculty to create new possibilities for artistic practice is the backbone of the atelier and what distinguishes it from other fine art print studios. New techniques and printmaking processes have been developed to satisfy the creative impulse and drive of visiting artists, pushing the boundaries of traditional printmaking and sculpture fabrication.

Color photograph. 30 x 94”, edition of 25 plus 8 proofs. Copublished with Gemini G.E.L.

One of the first artists to work at Graphicstudio was Robert Rauschenberg, whose energy perfectly fit the philosophy and practice of the new workshop. The artist, along with a dedicated group of faculty, staff and students, avidly experimented with forms and techniques— photo transfer, cyanotype, sepia prints, printing on cloth and ceramics, sculptures with new materials, a hundred-foot-long photograph—and ultimately completed over sixty editions. The studio’s reputation as a place where faculty and staff will eagerly pursue and collaborate with the artist’s every idea and inspiration was established in those early days, and this innovative environment continues to be a major factor in its continuing success.

Leading artists have produced significant new works at the studio, including Georg Baselitz, Louise Bourgeois, William S. Burroughs, John Chamberlain, Chuck Close, Jim Dine, Alex Katz, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Mapplethorpe, Christian Marclay, James Rosenquist, Ed Ruscha, Lorna Simpson, Kiki Smith, Richard Tuttle, Bernar Venet, William Wegman, and many others. Tampa’s geographic location and commercial and cultural history have led to artists from Latin America and the Caribbean collaborating with increasing frequency. These include: Abel Barroso, Carlos Garaicoa, Arturo Herrera, Graciela Iturbide, Los Carpinteros, Vik Muniz, Ibrahim Miranda, Guillermo Kuitca, Esterio Segura, and Janaina Tschäpe.

The studio works with only a few artists a year, by invitation of the Director, Margaret A. Miller. Artists are brought to the studio for a week at a time, often returning for multiple visits as a collaboration progresses. It can take years to bring a project from conception to completion, depending on the scope and complexity of the artist’s vision. Sales of the artworks produced support the studio and offer collectors an opportunity to buy works by leading artists.

Graphicstudio is open to the public and free to visit, Monday through Friday from 10am to 5pm. Guided tours can be arranged by contacting the studio.

Christian Marclay rinses a cyanotype print with Graphicstudio printer Sarah Howard. Photo by Will Lytch.

Rochelle Feinstein (at left) works with Graphicstudio printers screenprinting her Research

Diana Al-Hadid applies patina to a bronze

Park Project series of prints. Photo by Will Lytch.

sculpture. Photo by Eric Vontillius.

Graphicstudio | 3702 Spectrum Boulevard, Suite 100, Tampa, Florida 33612 | Tel: 813-974-3503 | Email: gsoffice@arts.usf.edu www.facebook.com/GraphicstudioUSF | twitter.com/graphicstudiofl www.ira.usf.edu Best of Tampa Bay

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“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.�

Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities

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MEET THE PEOPLE

Dr. Judy Genshaft “Every great city has a great university” Dr. Judy Genshaft has served as the University of South Florida System’s president since 2000. She has been instrumental in the economic development of the Tampa Bay region by making USF one of the fastest growing research universities in the nation with an economic impact of more than $4.4 billion and a rapidly expanding international reputation for academics, research and innovation. President Genshaft is one of the most influential women in the Tampa Bay area and the world of higher education, evidenced by the numerous awards she has won for her leadership and community involvement.

In 2007, she was named Business Woman of the Year by the Tampa Bay Business Journal and in 2008 she was inducted into the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame. In 2010, President Genshaft became the first woman in history to chair the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Board. In addition, she was honored with the Global Leadership Award by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn in Bangkok, Thailand, and was the first woman to receive an honorary doctorate in literature from Yeungnam University, South Korea. She also recently received an honorary degree by the Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola in Peru for her commitment to building global citizens.

Why did you choose Tampa Bay as your home and what do you love most about the city you live in?

I came to Tampa Bay because of the opportunity I saw in the University of South Florida (USF) and its growth in the larger Tampa Bay region.

The USF System is an up-and-coming, energetic institution that has

made a difference locally, across the state and across the world – both economically and educationally.

Throughout the years you have shown immense passion and support towards the international community. Why is internationalism and promoting Tampa Bay to the rest of the world so important to you?

The USF System is closely involved in all things that are global or international. Tampa Bay is an international gateway, and USF similarly has opened doors for thousands of students to travel abroad and become citizens of the world. These talented students will help build the backbone of an increasingly competitive global workforce.

What is your future vision for USF and Tampa Bay? Tampa Bay and USF are growing together. As Tampa Bay grows, so will the university. The University of South Florida is already the third largest employer in this area with nearly 18,000 employees. We have 48,000 students who fuel the local economy. We graduate thousands each year who join the state’s workforce and create new jobs. Our researchers are at this very moment working on discoveries and innovations that have practical benefits for both public good and private enterprise. We are now ranked ninth in the nation among U.S. public universities for patents awarded. Clearly, having a major research university such as USF at the heart of Tampa Bay has an incredible impact on our region’s quality of life and viability as one of the nation’s great cities.

www.usf.edu

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Together, we are unstoppable!

plentiful fresh water lakes mostly year-round. I began to see the growth of our business base and realized that I wanted to stay in Tampa and grow with it.

Rhea Law Interview with Rhea Law, a fifth generation Floridian, and proud lifelong resident of Tampa Bay. Her passion for Tampa Bay extends beyond her current work as chair of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney’s Florida offices. Rhea serves on the Board of Directors and co-chairs the firm’s Diversity Committee. She has held numerous leadership positions serving the Florida community including the University of South Florida Board of Trustees, Tampa Bay Partnership, Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, H. L. Moffitt Cancer Center National Board of Advisors, Stetson University College of Law Board of Overseers and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation.

She now serves as the chair of the Florida Council of 100, the public policy liaison with the Governor, Cabinet and Legislature. For over 30 years Rhea has practiced in the areas of higher education, economic development, environmental law and land use.

What was it like growing up in Tampa?

I’ve been fortunate to have lived during one of the most aggressive periods of growth in the Tampa Bay area. Growing up in Tampa was amazing! As a young person, I loved to swim and ski in our

When the state was founded, Hillsborough and Pinellas were part of a larger county. Over the years, the competition for tax dollars caused a divide in the region which ultimately created separate counties. Now we are linking arms again to bring continuity and strength in our ability to attract new businesses and enhance the economic vitality of the Tampa Bay region.

What was Ybor City like in the early days?

Ybor City is an eclectic and exciting place to see! It started as a community of expatriate cigar makers in the late 19th century and soon became a melting pot for Cuban, Spanish, German, Eastern European Jewish and Italian immigrants.

In those days everyone knew everyone. Today, its revitalization has attracted restaurateurs and commercial enterprises that have made Ybor City a tourist destination with its’ many “off-beat” and funky places to stop and see. New residential, commercial and recreational areas are helping to accelerate the revitalization.

What is your future vision in uniting Tampa Bay? The future success of our region is being fueled by collective and innovative efforts to recruit and grow our business base – specifically focusing on industry, entrepreneurs and researchers for collaboration and support of our existing business and educational opportunities. Through the use of innovation districts, we are creating cohesion among geographic areas and resident industries in creative and new ways. We’ve seen tremendous growth and success in each individual sector and the expansion of our transportation infrastructure will further bind the region. Tampa will become the hub of a wheel encompassing the entire region.

Tampa Bay is a unique and remarkable place to live, work and play – it is welcoming, it is innovative and it is becoming known to the world! www.bipc.com

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Paul Anderson Paul Anderson has served as President and CEO of Port Tampa Bay - Florida’s largest port - since 2012.

Prior to Paul Anderson’s tenure in Tampa, he held high-profile leadership positions in the public and private sectors, including Federal Maritime Commissioner, highlighted by an appointment to the Committee on Maritime Transportation, a cabinet-level strategy group responsible for the nation’s seaports and reporting directly to the President.

and recessions. Great cities all over the world were built around their ports, and Tampa is no exception. Cities like Tampa and the Tampa Bay region are gateways to global trade, economic opportunity, prosperity and cultural enrichment. Continued development of the port is extremely healthy for the regional and state economy, as well as the livelihood of its people.

Influential throughout the maritime and transportation industry, he was CEO for the Jacksonville Port Authority immediately prior to coming to Tampa. Other leadership positions are many, including past chairman of the Florida Ports Council, board member of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and board member of the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC).

What sort of optimism do you bring to the table as the port CEO? When I look out over the entire port complex, I see optimism all throughout a group of people and companies, all with a common objective to make this the very best maritime complex that it can be.

You’ve been quoted in the past saying Port Tampa Bay’s future will lead the economic vitality of the region as a whole. Can you tell us more about that?

Port Tampa Bay will continue to grow and serve a very large and growing market. We are the largest port in the state of Florida in both size and tonnage, but most importantly, we have room to grow, with over 5,000 acres of port complex situated within the georgraphical and population center of the state. The port is the region’s largest economic generator, supporting more than 80,000 jobs and over $15 billion in economic impact annually.

8.5 million residents live in central and west-central Florida. Just as impressive, this year more than 60 million tourists will visit this region’s various attractions and beaches. We are likely second only to Disney with our economic impact in the region. We are Florida’s most diverse port, meaning that our portfolio of business lines is greater than any other port in the state, providing protection from economic downturns

The port is engaged in new connectivity. New infrastructure. Creating new jobs. New expansion. New real estate and attracting new cargoes. In short, new opportunities. The Port Tampa Bay family both within the port authority and throughout our large and diverse customer and tenant base - is engaged in the planning, development, implementation and service of this growth. I couldn’t be prouder to be at the helm. Port Tampa Bay was recently named “Port Operator of the Year” by the esteemed publication Lloyd’s List, and it is because of our leadership, efficiency and productive approach that we are able to enjoy such recognition. There is indeed much optimism in our midst, and working together will keep this momentum going.

There are immense trade and cruise opportunities awaiting Tampa in the future. In light of the milestone expansion of the Panama Canal and our new post-Panamax container cranes, we are investing heavily in facilities, berths, and upland infrastructure. We are making strategic alliances that will carry our port well into the future, with generational impacts and positive effects, positioning ourselves to remain competitive on a global scale.

www.tampaport.com

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Joe Lopano Joe Lopano came to Tampa International Airport in 2011 with the goal of building the Airport’s international footprint while strengthening its role as an economic engine and the premier gateway to the west coast of Florida.

Five years later, it’s safe to say: Mission accomplished. Under Lopano’s leadership, international passenger traffic has doubled with new nonstop service to Switzerland, Germany, Panama, Cuba and the Bahamas. These flights contribute to the $7.8 billion in economic activity the airport generates annually. Thousands of Florida-based architects, engineers, designers and constructions workers are taking part in the airport’s $1 billion expansion, and dozens of local restaurants are setting up shop in Tampa International as part of a concessions program overhaul. An aviation veteran, Lopano has previously worked at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Lufthansa and Continental Airlines.

What changes have you noticed in Tampa Bay since you arrived and what do you see as the airport’s role in the region?

The transformation over the past few years has been remarkable.

You can feel it in the air, whether you’re visiting Tampa’s Riverwalk, checking out St. Petersburg’s growing food scene, or visiting our world-class museums and beaches. The whole area is more vibrant, more exciting, more international. It’s not unusual to walk down the street and hear people speaking German, Spanish, French or Portuguese. And chances are they flew directly into Tampa International Airport on one of our new nonstop flights.

What are some of the most exciting changes to come?

We’ve already grown so much as a region, but it’s clear the best is still to come. Jeff Vinik’s massive urban redevelopment has got to be at the top of everyone’s list. It’s going to change the complexion of the downtown and make it not just a must-see destination, but a place to live, work and play. And, of course, I’m looking forward to the end of next year, when our expansion is complete. That’s pretty exciting!

What are your hopes for the future of Tampa Bay? I feel confident we are going to continue to see more business growth here, more international flights, more tourists. Our beaches are the world’s most beautiful and our cities are worthwhile destinations.

My greatest hope, though, is for more transportation options. That includes everything from making our cities more bike-friendly to pursuing transit opportunities. That will improve the quality of life for our residents, make us more attractive to millennials and provide a better experience for visitors. I love that our region is on the forefront of the driverless car movement. They are closer to reality than most people think. They will transform our lives the way computers and cell phones and the Internet have. I’m ready. And so is Tampa Bay.

www.tampaairport.com

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Jeff Vinik Jeff Vinik is the current owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Tampa Bay Storm. He is also a Philanthropist and real estate developer. He now shares with us what brought him to Tampa Bay and his future vision for downtown Tampa.

The weather, the people and the abundance of culture and sports form an amazing community that makes the quality of life in Tampa Bay unbeatable. This is a major metro area with a population over 4.3 million people yet it is a very welcoming and charming place. It’s this unique combination that means Tampa Bay a special place to call home.

When it came to making the decision to purchase a hockey team, I considered several things and the Tampa Bay Lightning had everything I was looking for and more. It had seen successful in 2004, having won the Stanley Cup, and had promise for a great future. An important selling point was its location in the heart of Tampa Bay. Not only could I move my family here, but we could become a part of the community – an opportunity I could not find in many other places.

The immediate area surrounding the Amalie Arena is underdeveloped – that presents us with an opportunity within the urban core on the waterfront. There is incredible potential here, and we believe that this project is transformative

for Tampa. We plan to build a community that is walkable, livable, sustainable, vibrant, and connected.

Our team at Strategic Property Partners is working to create the world’s first WELL certified community, designing buildings and spaces that enhance the health and wellbeing of anyone who visits, works in, or calls our neighborhood home. Tampa will be the first of its kind and will serve as a model for cities around the world.

With our partners at Cascade Investment, LLC, we shaped a vision that we believe will catalyze this community and surrounding region. We will build on what is great about Tampa and create a place where people can come together, enjoy culture and our amazing waterfront and experience Tampa in a whole new way.

Jeff Vinik

www.spprealestate.com

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Bill Edwards

Bill Edwards is a businessman and philanthropist, a risk taker and a fixer. Originally from Michigan, he came to Pinellas County in the mid-1990s and never left. He first settled in Treasure Island, but now calls St. Petersburg his home.

Bill Edwards has created success in multiple businesses, all centered around things or ideas he is passionate about. At first glance they may not appear to have much in common, but to Edwards they are all part of bettering the community he calls home.

Big3 Entertainment manages the 2031-seat Mahaffey Theater in downtown St. Petersburg and the adjacent 7,000-seat Al Lang Stadium, both owned by the City of St. Petersburg. When Edwards took over management of the Mahaffey Theater it had been recently renovated, but was still not drawing acts and audiences like he knew it could. After investing personal money to further renovate the lobby and dressing room areas, he and his team focused on bringing a variety of well-known talent to the theater. In the four years Big3 has been managing the venue, nearly one million patrons have passed through its doors.

Edwards’ real estate and development arm boasts several high-profile turnaround stories for St. Petersburg and Pinellas County. Bankrupt when he bought it, the Club at Treasure Island is now a sparkling private yacht and tennis club situated on the beautiful intercostal waterway.

Sundial is an 80,000 square foot lifestyle center in downtown St. Pete featuring local, regional and national tenants catering to St. Petersburg’s evergrowing number of residents and visitors. After buying the nearly vacant center (formerly known as Baywalk), Edwards invested over $40 million to make it a world-class destination for shopping, dining or just relaxing in the Sunshine City.

And although he is not ultimately developing it, he and his team were able to secure a prime downtown block, which had been a vacant eyesore for decades, and sell it to The Kolter Group, which immediately activated the site. One St. Petersburg is slated to open in 2018 and will include a 41-story mixed use condominium tower and a premier hotel.

Perhaps Edwards’ most surprising endeavor has been his acquisition of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, an NASL professional soccer team. The team, which had an uncertain future when he purchased controlling interest in 2013, is now one of the top performing clubs in the league. Attendance has skyrocketed, and Edwards continues to invest in both the stadium and the team to ensure a first-class experience for the fans and the players.

He was inducted into the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame in 2013.

In addition to his business ventures, Edwards is known as one of the most generous philanthropists in the area, focusing his attention on children and veterans. His generosity has been recognized by Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and Veterans Airlift Command, among many others.

When asked what his vision is for St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area, he answered very simply, “I live here. It’s a great place, and I want to make it an even better place.”

St. Petersburg, Florida info@edwardsgp.com

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ability to recruit talent and bring people in. It’s not a difficult sell to convince people to want to relocate to Florida, you can be outside 365 days a year! People are our most important asset. On top of that is the business climate, the ability to open a business with ease, low taxes, the cost of operating the company here is much lower than most other states without having to compromise infrastructure.

Charles (Chuck) Sykes President and Chief Executive Officer of Sykes Enterprises​​ He serves on the Board of Directors for Feeding America of Tampa Bay, Junior Achievement of West Central Florida, and the American Heart Association’s Metro Board. He also serves on boards of the Tampa Bay Partnership, the Hillsborough County Economic Development Committee, and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. In 2014 he was selected as a member of the North Carolina State MAE (Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering) Hall of Fame, and he was inducted to the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame by the Florida Council on Economic Education. Throughout the years Chuck has been voted Tampa Bay’s Top Business Leader in the St. Petersburg Times Annual Leadership Survey of the Business Community.

In your experience, what are the key advantages of running a corporation headquarters out of Tampa Bay versus any other city in the US? The basics to me is the access to the talent that resides here. The

What motivates you to support entrepreneurship in the Tampa Bay community?

If you take care of your employees, in turn, they take care of your clients, you will make enough money to take care of your shareholders and have enough left over to give back to the community. That helps you build a brand that people in the community want to be part of.

It’s a basic circle enabling you to recruit, hire and retain the best people. If you look at the word “entrepreneur” in a generic sense, it still applies to any corporation, we have to remain entrepreneurial in our thinking to stay in business.

What are some of the growth industries we need to look out for in our region ? instead of : What industries do we need to watch and what is your future vision for Tampa Bay? You have to look at the industries of the future. Tampa is a great location for anybody that is doing something entrepreneurial related to healthcare. Look at the research we’re doing relating to genetic and genome sequencing. They are going to have 300 researchers living in St. Petersburg, every day working on it. The USF medical school is right in downtown Tampa. We are beginning to see a strong cluster build in the area of healthcare. Right behind that is cyber-security.

You have a strong cluster of people specializing in the field of security based in Tampa. The service industry is also going to be immense.

We will continue to see more entrepreneurs create new services like Über. Everything from home security, in your personal home, to telemedicine, will grow. Cloud computing, access to information and connectivity are going to allow entrepreneurs to easily create new product type service deliveries. And where else would you like to do it than the world’s largest tourism market, Florida.

What is your vision for the future of Tampa Bay? Florida is now the 3rd largest state, it just overtook New York. Over a 1,000 people a day are moving into the state. People want to be here. I believe Tampa is still young enough that we have the potential to build a smart community for the 21st century. The most advanced care in the world is not just being delivered here but is being discovered here. People in Tampa are leading smart, active, healthy lifestyles.

There are wonderful schools, incredible research institutes, smart communities and smart infrastructure.

Warm climate - cool living - smart living – smart business – that is our future! www.sykes.com

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Joey Redner His vast knowledge of craft beer and collaborative spirit has inspired an industry to flourish to a point where Tampa Bay is now considered a leading craft beer destination.

Joey Redner is the founder of Cigar City Brewing, which opened in the spring of 2009 at 3924 West Spruce Street Tampa, Florida with two employees, Brewmaster Wayne Wambles and himself. With an initial investment of $850,000 Cigar City quickly became the cities destination for craft beer enthusiasts and today Cigar City is worth more than $60 million with projections to brew 75,000 barrels for 2016. Redner is a leader in his field and a selfdescribed “beer geek”. His vast knowledge of craft beer and collaborative spirit has inspired an industry to flourish to a point where Tampa Bay is now considered a leading craft beer destination.

brewery will cost consumers confidence. Everyone needs to make the best beer they can. Like a fashion district or a diamond district, a thriving brewing scene needs a critical mass of alternatives and a successful business model for other craft beer entrepreneurs to follow.

The brewing boom reached Tampa Bay in 2013 and today there are more than 60 breweries in the bay with Florida being one of the fastest-growing beer industries in the country. The Cigar City family took the lead in the Florida brewing community by welcoming newcomers to the industry, sharing ideas, recipes, know-how and working side by side to create collaborative brews.

Joey Redner is a Tampa native with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Prior to Cigar City he owned the Yeoman’s Pub on Davis Islands, worked for Dunedin Brewery and utilized his college creative writing and English degree to write the beer column for the Tampa Bay Times. Today, Joey continues to support the entrepreneurship movement in Tampa Bay by continuously sponsoring, mentoring and supporting events such as Startup Week, Startup Weekend and various entrepreneurial events around the bay area.

Joey believes that cooperation among brewery owners is important, a good brewery will boost the industry; a bad

Outside of the beer industry but still in craft and fermenting, Joey opened Cigar City Cider and Mead in Ybor city. Hard cider and mead (fermented honey and water with flavors) is a natural extension of his craft beer empire. The 4,000 square foott production facility and tasting room opened at 1812 N. 15th Street, Ybor city

Twitter: @joeyredner | www.cigarcitybrewing.com Best of Tampa Bay

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Alfred Goldberg As one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the third most populous state in the U.S., Tampa’s work in developing international ties will continue to produce tangible results as tourism and trade increase.

When I was a child, my mother would drop me and my brother at our grandparent’s home before reporting to St. Joseph’s hospital; where she worked the early shift as a RN. My grandfather, José Farfante, would wake us each morning before school with freshly buttered and toasted Cuban bread that he would pick up from La Segunda bakery. He would even offer us children a cup of Cuban coffee. For lunch, he would often serve yellow rice and chicken. It is understandable that I often told people that my grandfather was Cuban, which always frustrated him. You see, despite this seeming preference for Cuban cuisine, my 82

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grandfather was actually a proud Asturiano from the Asturias region of Spain.

My grandfather grew up in Tampa’s Ybor City, a community of immigrants founded in the 1880’s that was largely comprised of immigrants from Spain, Cuba, Italy, Germany, Romania, and even China.

Unlike other communities comprised of mixed ethnicity, Ybor City saw a blending of cultures that produced a colorful but often chaotic environment in which members adhered to their own identities while still picking up aspects of their neighbor’s culture.

This led to the creation of the Cuban sandwich, or as Ybor residents referred to it, the ‘mixto’ as well as ‘La

Gaceta’, the nation’s only trilingual newspaper. This community played a pivotal role in shaping the city of Tampa. Prior to the founding of Ybor City, Tampa’s population did not exceed 1,000 people. Over the next 20 years, the city’s population swelled to over 16,000.

My own international business was founded in 1999 with a Romanian business partner. Many of my friends who moved to Tampa from other areas had difficulty understanding why I was not daunted by the international aspects of my entrepreneurial endeavor. They would counsel that I should try to grow a business at home first, and then possibly expand to other cities around Florida. The feasibility of working in foreign markets was all but dismissed.

After more than 15 years of international business experience, I have come to realize that what my friends and advisors had overlooked was the changing global business environment that was being ushered in with the advent of the Internet and the subsequent rise of globalization. Thankfully, Tampa’s political and business leadership have never overlooked the importance of international trade and developing strong partnerships and relations with other countries. From the very beginnings of the city, immigration and international relations have always played an important role in making Tampa the great city that it is.

In addition to a number of bi-lateral chambers of commerce and trade organizations, Tampa currently boasts a strong consular corps and an ever growing list of sister cities dating back to 1966. As a board member of Tampa Sister Cities, I have seen the recent addition of Sister City relationships with Ashdod, Israel, Porto Alegre, Brazil and South Dublin, Ireland.

For the first anniversary of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, I took part in a trade mission to Bogota, Colombia. During the trip, I saw firsthand the work of the Tampa-Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. After this trip, I joined both the EDC’s International Trade Task Force and the Chamber’s International Business Committee. Both groups are dedicated to developing and supporting international relations, and support our ports, airports, and cultural embassies in strengthening international ties.

As one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in now the third most populous state in the U.S., Tampa’s work in developing international ties will continue to produce tangible results as tourism and trade increase. And if those tourists want to try some Cuban bread, they can always buy it from La Segunda, who celebrated their 100 year anniversary in 2015.

Twitter: @alfredgoldberg www.absolutemobilesolutions.com

John William Barger III St. Petersburg native John William Barger III is the fourth generation to join his family businesses Barger Builders & Developers and Barger Real Estate.

A keen industry insider with a finger on the pulse of the area, he is an expert at identifying highreturn acquisition and development opportunities for hungry investors both large and small while simultaneously working with homeowners and homebuyers to buy and sell the home of their dreams often times without the need of the MLS or a For Sale sign. “I’ve spent my entire life in St. Petersburg and seen it blossom from a sleepy small town into the cultural mecca it’s become today. I like to say that my family has been here longer than air conditioning, so it’s my passion to both respect our area’s history while building its future.”

The unique style and elevated taste level of his luxury Snell Isle custom homes derive from a very different passion: Fashion. “I’m crazy about couture!” says John William, who makes a twice-annual pilgrimage to Paris to attend the haute couture shows with his mother. “A fashionable life is the only life worth living,” and it’s that uberchic sensibility and tongue-incheek charm that has won John William weekly syndicated air time on NBC Daytime, as well as features on television shows around the world. “I started out after college wanting to be a fashion designer, I wanted to bring a bit of Paris chic to St. Petersburg. The timing just felt right, I thought St. Pete was ready.” While he ultimately followed a divergent path, fashion design led to fashion journalism when he was offered an opportunity to write a monthly column in Tampa Bay Magazine.

“At the very young age of 22, they took a chance on me and gave me what I was lacking: a voice.”

From there he went on to write, design, and style for the Tampa Bay Times, Snell Isle Living and duPont Registry, ultimately reaching over 550,000 readers across Florida before transitioning from print to television.

also runs a successful consulting firm that offers business development services to international luxury brands. “At the end of the day, it’s not just about clothing or sales or houses, it’s the whole lifestyle. I know the market and I understand the luxury consumer, their tastes, their habits, their wants and needs. So it’s in that spirit that I constantly strive to elevate the entire experience of living in Tampa Bay.” He, more than most, has already elevated the charitable giving experience in Tampa Bay with his signature sexy, wine and fashion-driven events that have raised millions of dollars for charities like the Museum of Fine Arts and Brookwood Florida. “You have to give back to the community that gives to you. Tampa Bay has given me so much support and opportunity over the years and I only see it continuing to grow in the years ahead, so this is how I like to show my thanks, by throwing a big party!”

“Growing up, everyone told me to just focus on one thing, but my parents always encouraged me to do what I love and it will all come together.”

And it has come together nicely, as John William

John William Barger III may be contacted at: Email: Jwbarger3@gmail.com | Tel: +1 727 224 4954 | @jwbarger www.bargerrealestate.com | www.bargerbuilders.com | www.jwbarger3.com

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Kevin Harrington Kevin Harrington has been a successful entrepreneur over the last 40 years.

He is an Original Shark on the ABC hit, Emmy winning TV show, “Shark Tank.”

He is also the Inventor of the Infomercial, As Seen On TV Pioneer, Co- Founder of the Electronic Retailers Association (ERA) and Co- Founder of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). Kevin has launched over 20 businesses that have grown to over $100 million in sales each, has been involved in more than a dozen public companies, and has launched over 500 products generating more than $5 billion in sales worldwide with iconic brands and celebrities such as Jack Lalanne, Tony Little, George Foreman, and the new I-Grow hair restoration product on QVC. Kevin has extensive experience in business all over the world, opening distribution outlets in over 100 countries worldwide. The true value of Kevin is not only the 40 years of his knowledge of building businesses but also what he can do for other companies in many industries with his global Rolodex and his ability to solve problems.

You became an entrepreneur at age 15. What inspired you to step out of the norm?

My father was an entrepreneur. I was 11 years old, when I started working in my father’s restaurants as dishwasher and bus boy. I became assistant chef at 11 when the chef didn’t show up for work. As I was growing up, my friends had a lot of nice things that I couldn’t afford so I realized that I would have to do it myself.

Everybody in America knows you from “Shark Tank”. What are some of your biggest accomplishments and what are you working right now?

I’ve been behind the cameras for 30 years, shooting infomercials. I’ve been called the inventor of the infomercial. I did a lot of first infomercials, like the first

golf infomercial, first fishing infomercial. I’m very much a product guy. I speak over a 100 times a year and 25 of those are tradeshows. I have three to five projects that are rolled out on an annual basis. I love to find new products and the most innovative thing in an industry. My latest project is an FDA cleared hair growing helmet, with a 100 laser lights on it and it is guaranteed to grow hair. It’s called the iGrow. It’s got science, technology all build into one device. We are doing over $5,000 a month right now with this product. It’s going to be a $200 million product. It’s clinically proven that the infra-red and the low-level-laser therapy accelerate the epidermis and actually grow hair.

Can you describe the positive state of Tampa Bay as a place for start-ups & entrepreneurs?

I’ve seen a lot of cool start-up businesses and programs that have been launched here, like the Tech garage in St. Petersburg. I network with a lot of the start-up businesses and I’ve been part of USF Young Entrepreneur of the Year for many years. HSN also has been a big part of the growth behind the start-up businesses for production and technology in our industry.

Originally from Ohio, what brought you to Tampa and why?

I moved to Tampa in 1994 in a venture with the Home Shopping Network called HSN Direct. I moved on from HSN but decided to stay in Tampa. The sun shines almost 365 days a year here and I love to play golf. From the beaches to golf, there are so many fun things you can do outside. It’s a great city with lots of great business opportunities.

Twitter: @HarringtonKevin | www.facebook.com/officialkevinharrington Instagram: www.instagram.com/realkevinharrington | www.kevinharrington.tv

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Aakash M. Patel Aakash M. Patel is here to help business owners learn, connect and grow in the community. Though originally from New Jersey, Aakash M. Patel considers the Sunshine State his home.

Patel is a graduate of Sickles High School and earned degrees in both English Literature and Political Science from Florida State University.

After graduating, Aakash began his incredible community-focused career.

Aakash first worked as an Editorial Assistant at the Tampa Bay Times Tallahassee Bureau. From there, Aakash served as Public Relations Coordinator for the Westin Tampa Bay hotel where he engaged the community in order to increase awareness of the new waterfront property. Aakash moved from hospitality to business engagement as the founding Director of Business Development for Chamber.com, an application-based networking website for business professionals worldwide. Chamber.com launched in 2010 with 5 members and grew to over 1.5 million members. Patel’s diverse work background aided in the 2012 launch of his firm, Elevate, Inc., a Florida-based strategic business consulting firm providing public relations, community relations, target networking and social media services.

In addition to his formal schooling, Aakash is a graduate of many community and business organizations including the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Tampa (2012), FBI Citizen’s Academy (2013), and Tampa Police Citizen’s Academy (2012) just to name a few! As Aakash became involved throughout Florida, he was recognized for numerous contributions. In 2013, the FSU Alumni Association named Patel as one of their top “Thirty Under 30” alumni.

Aakash was cited as one of Tampa Bay’s Up & Comers by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in 2008. He was also denoted in the Tampa Tribune as one of “Tampa’s Networking Heavyweights”. In order to give back while staying connected, Patel volunteers and serves with many community organizations. The following are only a handful of the organizations to which Aakash dedicates his time and efforts: The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, Chairman, the University of Tampa Board of Counselors, Chair, the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce, Chair.

Aakash has been humbled by the variety of opportunities he has received, and prides himself in his drive and determination to succeed, and is unique in how many people he knows. He is committed to networking and connecting people to others, to causes, to businesses, and to Tampa Bay because he enjoys helping people and making a difference.

#TampaHasSwagger Twitter @Pateltimes 4115 W Spruce St, Tampa, FL 33607 Tel: (813) 364-4769 Email: aakash@elevate-inc.com

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Antonio de Sousa

Every day for more than 30 years, professional bellman Antonio de Sousa has shown up for work in his uniform and a big smile to greet the locals and visitors of Tampa Bay. He has never missed a day of work , “my kids were born on my day off”.

Antonio de Sousa is a resident of St. Petersburg, he was born in Portugal and later while living in France he met his wife from Iowa who was working as a missionary in Biarritz at the time.

Antonio is one of nine children and spoke no English at all when he met his wife who he married in 1979 and they decided to settle in the US. His wife, Diane, works at the St. Petersburg College bookstore. They have 2 children, a daughter Natalie who attends the University of South Florida and a son John, a student at the University of Central Florida.

Antonio is a professional bellman and started his career and training at the 5 star Drake hotel on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue.

He came on holiday to Florida with his family 30 years ago and fell in love with the region so they decided to stay. A 30-year long career then followed at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Tampa and more recent the Hilton of downtown Tampa without missing a single day of work.

No man in the city has given more welcomes, road directions, traffic updates and helped more people with their luggage than Antonio de Sousa and there probably never will be. He has been widely recognized and published by the Wall Street

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Journal, ABC news, The Times of Tampa Bay and The Tampa Bay Business Journal for his dedication and passion to his job and the city.

His well know story goes like this, when Antonio de Sousa’s car broke down on the way to work, instead of calling a tow truck, he left the car beside the highway and ran five miles through downtown to make it to work on time. Mr. de Sousa’s coworkers have accused him of timing the birth of his two children around his job. Both were born on a Monday, his regular day off. He celebrated the births and headed back to work the next day as scheduled. It was just a strange coincidence he says.

He never gets sick, which is something that runs in his family, and to add to that he takes preventative measures by washing his hands every 30 minutes.

He comes every day to a job he loves, he meets and greets everybody in the city many of which he knows by name.

Shaking hands with Mayors and CEOs and receiving hugs from secretaries, everyone is treated like royalty. Being social and helping people from all walks of life is this wonderful and friendly city is what keeps me motivated to never a miss a day.

Yvonne “Yolie” Capin Generations of my family have lived and worked in Tampa.

My mother and father were born in Tampa; my grandmother was born on Main Street in 1908 and my great-grandmother was born in Key West.

I am typical Tampa, attending our fine public schools from V.M. Ybor Elementary to Thomas Jefferson High. I grew up on both the East and West side of the Hillsborough River that runs right through our City’s core.

Photo by Juan R. Capin

I was married to Juan R. Capin for 44 years; we crossed oceans, rode in trains and planes together but always returned to our favorite place on earth - Tampa.

Early on, Juan and I worked at minimum wage jobs so he could finish college and we could save money to purchase a home.

One day Juan showed me details of a trip to South America and to Spain, where he was born. I asked him, “No house”?

Juan said “Well this is something we can do now or when we are 65”. So we went.

He always took the road less traveled with me tagging along. We raised a daughter, Jessica Lynn, and in 2012 welcomed a grandson, Myles, to our world.

At age 21 I started out as a small business woman. By age 24 I had opened my first jewelry store at a regional mall. For almost 30 years I worked side by side with my late husband Juan and retired at age 55 from my retail business. We always worked elbow-to-elbow on political campaigns and I launched a new career three years later as a City Councilwoman for the City of Tampa.

Currently I am happily serving my third term on Tampa’s City Council representing District 6, a city-wide seat. A window to our city like none other, this seat affords me a whole city view. Taking advantage of this seat I have, by initiating legislation, created the Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Cultural Assets as an Economic Engine to leverage the many assets we have that are major contributors to Tampa’s quality of life and economy, a first for the city. I brought this work to the county and it is in the process of soon being adopted as the Cultural Assets Commission – also a first for the county.

www.tampagov.net

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Karl Kaliebe Karl grew up in Tampa and graduated from Berkeley Preparatory School before earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from Lawrence University in Wisconsin. to facilitate and expand trade for regional and worldwide clients. It serves companies in the Tampa Bay region that want to explore international markets, as well as international companies seeking business and investment opportunities in Tampa Bay and beyond.

Services range from international trade counseling and market research to trade missions and import/ export assistance.

Access to the World Trade Center’s global network of 330 membership associations is a tangible resource that leads to valuable relationships, profitable channels of distribution and increased market share.

There are also significant cost savings through the WTC network in the purchasing of foreign exchange as well as access and understanding of the 5 million strong B2B KOMPASS global business directory.

“After returning from Asian society, I can’t help but compare it with Tampa. The growth and aspirations of our business communities have become equally impressive. The pace of change in Asia promoted opportunities for rapid growth, and now technological advancement is ingrained in the business mindset there. They’ve learned to avoid unsustainable markets and industries and are always on the look out for the next wave of technology.

That is an important mindset that I am determined to promote here and as our city is fast becoming the international gateway for the region our connections and links with Asia will become a vital part of our future growth. “ In 1992, he moved to Taiwan where he spent the next 14 years and is now fluent in Mandarin Chinese. His first Asian position was as a marketing professional for Transworld Media Corporation, and next as a cofounder of a bio-medical equipment company. Under his leadership, E2Joy Corporation became a market leader in its field. In 2006, Karl returned to Florida where he now works as an international business consultant and assists innovators in commercializing advanced technologies.

In synergy with Karl’s international consultancy, he has taken over the managing role for the World Trade Center of Tampa Bay.

www.wtctampa.com

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The World Trade Center of Tampa Bay provides international trade services and key global contacts

“It is very much our role as the WTC of Tampa to promote our city and its business community to the outside world. ‘The Best of Tampa Bay’ book is an ideal gift and education tool for all our international relations, we are honored to be featured and we will make sure all our international partners receive a copy of the book.”

Karl is very down to earth and always happy to share his knowledge and resources with the entrepreneurs and business community of Tampa Bay.

Joe Sale Photography

Sven Boermeester BEST OF THE WORLD - CONNECTING MINDS - BUILDING COMMUNITIES Sven Boermeester Sven is a global publishing entrepreneur with a career that spans 20 years visiting more than 100 countries.

He was born in Antwerp, Belgium and grew up in Durban South Africa. Soon after he completed his business and media studies in Cape Town he opened his first media company publishing the trade and industry directories for South Africa. Before he turned 30, he moved his business model to New Zealand and Australia for a number of years and from there he moved to Dubai where he first launched the ‘Best of’ the World series.

Fast forward 10 years and 171 ‘Best of’ editions across 60 countries later he meets a girl on a valentine’s pub crawl in Ybor while on vacation in Tampa. Sven is now happily married to his wife Christina and her dog Max making Tampa Bay his final city of choice to live.

Global Village Publishing “Today the business model behind the book series has become a licensing model as we have become an ever growing tribe of media entrepreneurs, colleagues and friends that publish the ‘Best of’ the World in each of the cities we have chosen to live. The future growth of the series is almost endless as in today’s global market, every country, city and region must compete with others for a share of the world’s skilled work force, entrepreneurs, tourists, exports, and investors. The books hereby provide the ultimate interactive corporate gift and P.R. marketing tool for governments, companies, hotels and business people providing the leading products and services for their region. “ Best of the Americas “The Best of Tampa Bay” is our flagship book for the Americas series. While Tampa Bay has now become home base having moved

from Dubai, our lifestyle will always be one of extensive travel. We have a 2-year plan to develop partnerships across every city in the US and Canada, it’s going to be a serious road trip to say the least. Meeting the country’s leading entrepreneurs, while experiencing every corner of this great nation is what I live for. Be sure that on the road I will be promoting Tampa Bay in all its glory as it comes from the heart - I AM TAMPA BAY! “

PS: If you want a shirt like mine you can order it on www.iamtampabay.com www.GlobalVillage.world

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Steven Parker

Steve Parker has been at the wheel of or involved with seven international startup companies largely specializing in high-tech instrumentation and lighting.

His last two and most successful ventures were born and bred in Tampa Bay. Being able to fish and bike all year round was a pure lifestyle choice when he first decided on Tampa Bay.

Steve resides in South Tampa with his lovely wife Dr. Amber Parker, a veterinarian, their fox red British Labrador named “Brit” and two somewhat feisty cats. Steve and Amber were married under water while scuba diving near Crystal River.

Hobbies include fly-fishing, scuba diving, bicycling and photography. “We are blessed in Tampa with the best saltwater fly-fishing in North America. Species such as tarpon, snook, redfish and sea trout are all available here.”

Steve chose the Tampa Bay area for his recent startups of Lightech and SLV Lighting. Both companies have become industry leaders in North America. Tampa Bay was the ideal location for both startups due to the availability of great local talent, low cost of rent/real estate, reasonable cost of living, reasonable labor rate, accessibility to an award winning airport, a great local port for incoming containers and competent local brokers such as Kuehne + Nagel and Panalpina.

SLV Lighting was Steve’s most recent challenge which is a prominent German manufacturer of contemporary lighting that was looking to enter the US market. Over the last six and a half years, Steve and his team have redesigned more than 2,800 luminaires converting them from 230 VAC to 120 and 277 VAC as well as bringing them in compliance with the National Electric Code, US safety standards (UL) and Canadian safety standards (CSA). A state of the art warehouse was required to handle the logistics using very narrow aisle racking and a forklift system running on wires imbedded in the floor. The system maximized the number of pallet positions in the square footage. A team was assembled including sales, internet sales, accounting, engineering, manufacturing and customer service.

The engineering team is 5 engineers strong and has a Ph.D. leading the team. The team has designed and redesigned products for North America that have exceeded the performance of those sold in Europe by the parent company.

Today SLV sells through 65 independent representatives throughout Canada and the United States. As the company has grown, the need for additional space has become apparent beyond the two facilities just north of the airport.

The company has acquired 14.6 acres to build a new North American Headquarters. Steve assisted in the selection of a builder (R.R. Simmons) and with the design of the facility which will be 75,000 SF and have 5,0000 pallet positions, a showroom, training center, R&D center and house all employees under one roof. With the help of friends at the Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, all permitting is in place.

Steve likes to do the heavy lifting of getting companies off the ground. As the captain of a startup, it is not just steering the ship. The startup involves: designing the ship, having knowledge of the expected seas, hand picking the crew, convincing them of the journey and setting the path to the destination.

Steve is a big supporter of not for profit organizations and is largely involved with veteran’s causes which include Stay In Step (spinal cord injury rehabilitation center) as well as others. Steve is also writing a book titled Lighting the Way to EBITDA, which outlines how to create a successful startup in the lighting industry.

Steve is ready for his next “big challenge” and would like to do at least one more startup before calling it a career.

If you have a new international or local product ready to expand across North America and need a strong partner, he will gladly take your call.

www.stevenjparker.com or email: sjp@stevenjparker.com Best of Tampa Bay

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TAMPA BAY “People who love to eat are always the best people.”

Julia Child

Mixing Fresh from Florida ingredients with its heritage and eclectic atmosphere, Tampa Bay’s Culinary Scene is just as diverse as its roots. From street food to award winning restaurants, the region has some amazing restaurants, bars, breweries, sandwich shops and even a foodie hotel (Epicurean). No matter the time of year, there’s ample opportunity to work up an appetite, so stop by and dig into Tampa Bay’s food scene!

Here are some of the publisher’s favorite foodie destinations around Tampa Bay!

Award Winning Strawberry Milkshake – Parksdale Farms, Plant City Cuban Sandwich – Everywhere in Tampa!

Sunday Brunch – Datz, South Tampa Bite-sized warm donuts – Mini Doughnut Factory, South Tampa Hazelnut Spread Beer – Brew Bus Brewing, Seminole Heights Farm-to-table Dining – The Refinery, Seminole Heights Amazing Steaks – Bern’s Steakhouse, South Tampa Hot Dog Joint – Mel’s Hot Dogs, Tampa Old Fashioned Burgers – Goody Goody Burgers, Hyde Park Village Grouper Sandwich – Frenchy’s, Clearwater Beach Florida’s Oldest Restaurant – Columbia, Ybor City Fun for the family while enjoying a cold beer – 3 Daughters Brewing, St. Petersburg Girls Night Out – Cru Cellars, South Tampa White Truffle Lobster Risotto – Black Pearl, Dunedin Food for the Soul – Ella’s Americana Fold Art Café, Seminole Heights Best Baked Oysters – Ülele, Tampa Gelati – Mr. Penguin, South Tampa Artisan Gelatos and Sorbets – Tropicool, St. Petersburg Kitchen Experiments – Edison food + drink lab, Tampa Taste of Amish Food (and pies!) – Yoder’s, Sarasota Healthy Meal Delivery – CaterMe Fit, Tampa Mexican Food – Miguel’s, Tampa Craft Cocktails/Mixology – Mandarin Hide, St. Petersburg BBQ – Holy Hog BBQ, Tampa 92

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is for Foodies Late Night Snacks and Munchies – Munchies 420, Sarasota Fun Waterfront Dining – The Getaway, St. Petersburg Sushi – Jackson’s Bistro, Tampa Doughnut Ice Cream Cone – Dough, Tampa Chocolate Croissants – Casa del Pane, St. Petersburg Cuban Bread from a 100-year-old Bakery – La Segunda, Ybor City Tapas and Sangria – Ceviche, Tampa and St. Petersburg A Curated Grocery Experience (Gourmet Market) – Locale Market, St. Petersburg Tacos – Bar Taco, Hyde Park Village Chinese Food – Yummy House, Tampa Greek Food OPA!! – Hella’s, Tarpon Springs Wine & Cheese Heaven – Haven, Tampa Handmade Artisan Chocolates – Willian Dean, St. Petersburg Homemade Ice Cream – Strachan’s Ice Cream, Dunedin Thai Temple Sunday Food Market – Wat Mongkolratanaram, Tampa Weekend Food Market - Saturday Morning Market, St. Petersburg Italian – Bellas, South Tampa Fish n’ Chips – Yeoman’s Cask & Lion, Downtown Tampa Pizza – Bavaro’s, Tampa Cuban Food – Bodega, St. Petersburg Cup of Joe – Kahwa Coffee, everywhere in the Bay area Craft Beer – Cigar City, Tampa Local Seafood – Crabby Bills, St. Petersburg Original Hooters – Clearwater Ethiopian Food – Queen of Sheba, Tampa Favorite Breakfast Spot – Pinky’s, Tampa Crab Legs – Crab Shack, St. Petersburg Fun place to have a drink while Fido plays! The Dog Bar, St. Petersburg Fresh Bagels and Coffee on Tap – Brooklyn Water Bagel Company, Tampa Fresh Brewed Tea – Tea Bella, Tampa Smoothie Heaven – Xtreme Juice, South Tampa

#FOODIE

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A bustling, slightly noisy and happy metropolitan energy excites you the second you walk into the bistro. A warm sophisticated classic decor with gas lanterns, brass and polished dark woods surrounded by sharply dressed chefs, shooting flames from a turned steak or brandied sautéed dishes enthuse every patron. A hip and relaxed environment that is both intriguing and exciting to watch caters to all patrons alike.

From sunrise to sunset and late into the night, they will spoil you with their desire for excellence.

Jack Campbell’s 50 plus years of award winning experience in the hospitality industry combined with the best views of the city’s waterfront and skyline makes Jackson’s the destination of choice for both locals and visitors alike.

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Sushi - “Voted The Best Sushi Bar” in Tampa thanks to its creative “Flor - Asian” sushi dishes using local fresh seafood. Sushi is served from open till close.

Appetizers - calamari, coconut shrimp, yellow fin tuna, Maine lobster, sea scallops and probably the world’s best jumbo lump blue crab cakes you will ever have.

Lunch – Huge fresh sandwiches, homemade soups, hot and cold pastas, incredible burgers and creative salads Dinner – USDA Prime Stakes, chicken, duck, seafood and an outstanding selection of nightly specials.

Wine – Jackson’s continues to win wine spectator awards since 2000. With an amazing selection of over 650 wines, creative wine parings, new and hard to find wines by the glass or savor by the bottle.

•

•

Late night- The Jazz Club / Nightclub appeals to both young and mature professionals that enjoy and relate to live, upbeat, rhythms that elevate you on the dance floor. Saturday night hosts the biggest party on Florida’s West Coast and Jackson’s has been voted the Best Night Club in Tampa.

Desserts - Homemade key lime pie, tiramisu, New York cheesecake, specialty coffees, ports, cognacs and brandies to name but just a few.

Jackson’s central location within the heart of Tampa places you within close proximity to the Tampa Convention Center, Amalie Arena, leading hotels and celebrated cultural venues.

Our vantage point overlooking the Tampa Riverwalk, Bayshore Boulevard and beyond is ideal for enjoying the special events, recreational activities and native wildlife that make this waterfront an integral part of the city’s pulse.

Whether dining before a concert, taking a break from a trade show, entertaining business clients or gathering with friends and families, Jackson’s allows you to enjoy the moment while also enjoying a memorable meal.

Welcome to “the place to be” in Tampa Bay. It is our pleasure to serve you.

Jack Campbell

www.jacksonsbistro.com

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Columbia Restaurant

Founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr, the landmark Columbia Restaurant in Tampa’s Historic Ybor City is Florida’s Oldest Restaurant SM and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world.

Today, fourth and fifth generation members of the founding family work hard to preserve the legacy that Hernandez Sr., created more than 110 years ago when he opened the Columbia as a small 60-seat corner café. Frequented by local cigar workers, the café quickly became known for its Cuban coffee and Cuban sandwiches.

Over the decades, the Columbia has expanded and grown to include 15 dining rooms, with seating for up to 1,700 people. The restaurant has 52,000 square feet, and encompasses an entire city block.

Today our guests enjoy many of the same century-old family recipes and award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine such as Paella “a la 96

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Valenciana,” Red Snapper “Alicante,” Pompano en Papillot, the Original Cuban Sandwich and Filet Mignon Chacho.

Sample sangria, mojitos or a fine Spanish wine from our award-winning wine list. Be sure to try our Original “1905” Salad®, named “One of America’s Top 10 Best Salads” by USA Today.

The Columbia also features flamenco dance performances nightly Monday-Saturday. (There is no show on Sunday.) The Cafe offers live jazz Tuesday through Saturday nights.

The Columbia Ybor City is open 365 days a year, serving lunch and dinner daily.

Over the decades, the Columbia has expanded and grown to include 15 dining rooms, with seating for up to 1,700 people.

The Columbia has expanded to several locations throughout Florida, including two others in Tampa: The Columbia Cafe on the Riverwalk and the Columbia Cafe at Tampa International Airport.

Other Florida locations include St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, the Historic District in St. Augustine, Sand Key on Clearwater Beach and the Central Florida town of Celebration.

Giving back to the community is a priority. Through the Gonzmart Family Foundation, the Columbia Restaurant Group has donated millions of dollars to charities, including Moffitt Cancer Center, the University of South Florida and Jesuit High School.

Accolades • Named One of America’s Most Historic Restaurants by USA Today • Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA) Award of Excellence • Golden Spoon: One of the Top 25 Restaurants in Florida – Florida Trend • Best of Award of Excellence for Spectacular Wine List Selection – Wine Spectator • “If you cherish your palate, visit the Columbia.” – Southern Living • “The Cuban sandwiches are melty masterpieces, the ‘1905’ Salad, a citywide obsession.” – “Every Day with Rachael Ray” • All-American Icon and Fine Dining Hall of Fame – Nation’s Restaurant News • Florida’s Oldest RestaurantSM and Largest Spanish Restaurant in the World – Florida House Resolution 9013 • Our Favorite Romantic Restaurant – Southern Living

2117 E. 7th Ave. Tampa, FL 33605, United States Tel: +1 813-248-4961 Hours: Open daily for lunch and dinner www.ColumbiaRestaurant.com

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Bella’s Italian CafÊ

In 1986, Bill Shumate and Joanie Corneil shared one vision, to provide the people of Tampa with authentic Italian cuisine.

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Thirty years after opening its doors in South Tampa, Bella’s Italian Café is one of the longeststanding and most popular establishments in the area; a favorite destination for those seeking the distinct flavors of Italy.

Ms. Corneil spent several years in Italy soaking up the culture and enjoying the cuisine. Bella’s menu is a result of her experience. Ranked one of the best Italian restaurants in the Tampa area, Bella’s menu consists of fresh pasta made in house; a wood-fired oven; every sauce, dessert and bread prepared daily. The wine list includes

over 40 by-the-glass options and changes frequently. Bella’s is also home to South Tampa’s best late-night happy hour: Half-priced pizza from the wood-fired oven!

Other features worth mentioning:

• Patio dining.

• Bella’s Italian Café is dog friendly (on the patio) • All-time favorites: Pollo Milano, Nate’s Chicken, Confetti Spaghetti, the famous Chopped Salad

Mr. Shumate has owned and operated a variety of restaurants all over the country for more than 50 years; he served as Chairman of the Hillsborough County chapter of the Florida Restaurant Association as well as President of the Florida Restaurant Association. He was named FRLA’s 2014 Restaurateur of the Year.

• Late-night happy hour: half-price pizzas and calzones, 2 for 1 wells, calls and house wines.

1413 S Howard Ave #100, Tampa, FL 33606, United States Phone:+1 813-254-3355 www.bellasitaliancafe.com

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Yeoman’s Cask & Lion After being a Davis Island institution since the late eighties, Yeoman’s has reinvented itself in a new downtown Tampa venue, just a stone’s throw from Amalie Arena in June 2015.

The new concept, a 4800 square foot restaurant and patio also saw a name change from “Yeoman’s Road Pub” to “Yeoman’s Cask & Lion”.

Yeoman’s Cask & Lion is an ultra-modern, extremely spacious pub with a distinctly British feel to it. Burnt pine lines every surface not made of brick, metal, or polished stone. The main wall is adorned with some extra-large caricatures of British Icons created by local artist Justin Peterson. The drawing of the Queen sports a Tampa Bay Lightning Bolt across her face, and so does David Bowie to her left. Winston Churchill wears a Union Jack Bandana and so forth. In a way, these artworks embody the philosophy of the new Yeoman’s – a British theme fused with some modern American Elements.

A giant Union Jack motif behind the patio bar, an iconic British Red telephone booth, brown leather covered chairs and benches, and two 100

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life-sized English Palace Guardsman statues – complete with their large Bearskin hats – are just some of the other major elements to make you feel like you are back in the “Old Country”.

The menu is made up of Old English dishes like Bangers and Mash, Fish and Chips, and Shephard’s Pie, intermingled with American favorites like baked and grilled Wings, Philly Cheese Steak, and various Mac & Cheese options. The Fish and Chips are absolutely an award winning favorite.

It’s when we get to the drink menu that things get really interesting. Yeoman’s Cask and Lion has a full cocktail and spirits menu – not just wine and beer like the old Yeoman’s concept.

That doesn’t mean that they are skimping on the beer, though. A range of 22 draft beers on tap, with two of them being cask ales served from a traditional English beer engine, are complimented by a quality beer list.

While Yeoman’s is ideal for socializing and an amazing meal, that is not all they are loved for.

Yeoman’s has a strong sense of community loyalty and gets involved through various live music events and charity and fundraising efforts. Amongst many others, they choose a charity to raise funds for throughout every hockey season. Yeoman’s also supports Startup Week, hosting various after-parties and events.

All in all, Yeoman’s Cask & Lion is a great place to go and relax or grab an awesome bite to eat, especially before and after Lightning games at Amalie Arena.

202 N Morgan Street Tampa, Fl 33602 | Phone: 813-224-Yeos (9367) | www.yeomanscaskandlion.com

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Ford’s Garage is, in their own words, “your neighborhood burger and beer joint, where everyone is welcome”, but, in all fairness, that is a very simplistic description for an awesome restaurant and bar concept that has taken Florida by storm.

The Ford’s theme goes back to the era of the Ford Model T. The restaurant interior is designed to look like a service station from the early part of the last century. Old style brick, dark colors, rich wood, and hand-hammered copper bar top, combined with Ford’s Model T’s, Model A’s, tires, gas pumps and old signs give you the feeling that you just stepped into a time machine and got transported into a 1920’s service station with the distinct feel of a prohibition bar of the time. In fact, Ford’s is the only restaurant licensed by the Ford Motor Company for the use of its brand.

But don’t let that fool you into thinking that the food offerings are simple, though.

Ford’s offers an extensive menu with something for everyone. Old fashioned American burgers do take the center stage with over a dozen different types excluding the “Build 102

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your Own” option. Don’t miss the “Henry Ford’s Hubcap”, a 10 pound beast that would put anybody to shame. If you can eat a Hubcap by yourself in two hours or less, it would be free – so are you up to the challenge?

At Ford’s most Burgers are made fresh from Black Angus beef, but they also offer a few interesting alternatives such as open range Bison, Kobe Beef, Portobello Mushroom, Sushi Grade Ahi Tuna steak as well as chicken breast and all-natural ground Chicken.

If the burger selection is not enough to satisfy your palate, it is the drink menus that makes Ford’s stand out. Their beer collection is their pride and joy. They normally carry 26 drafts on tap that rotate regularly with frequent tap takeovers and in the fridges, they have over 150 different bottled beers!

The Ford’s Garage restaurant and bar concept is taking Florida and the US by storm, they have quickly grown from the original restaurant in Fort Myers to locations in Cape Coral, Estero Miromar, and Tampa Bay. They have built a winning formula and inquiries for franchising and partnerships are coming in from as far as Dubai.

11105 Cause way Blvd Brandon 33511 813-661-FORD www.fordsgarageusa.com

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Tampa-based Square 1 is the brainchild of restaurateurs Joanie Corneil and Bill Shumate. Mr. Shumate’s 50year journey in the restaurant business began with a hamburger ‘joint’ in Norman, Oklahoma, “Across the Street” from the University of Oklahoma. Many years and restaurants later, he wanted to go back to “Square 1;” to the burger business he loved so much.

Ms. Corneil created a diverse burger menu, beginning with the premise that all the proteins must be all natural, antibiotic free and humanely raised. From that came the concept of offering multiple proteins including buffalo, American-raised Kobe, lamb, chicken, salmon and of course, Angus. The vegans of the world can enjoy a house-made vegan burger as well as a marinated portobello. Other entrées include Kobe Meatloaf and Bella’s Romano Chicken. Square 1 is full service: Full bar and table service.

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Since opening their flagship South Tampa restaurant in 2008, SQ1 has expanded to ten locations with stores in Brandon, Ft. Myers, Gainesville, Lakeland, Sarasota, St. Pete, The Villages and Winter Park. Square 1 serves affordable luxury you can devour. There’s enough Awesome for everyone.

Other features worth mentioning: • Patio dining • SQ1 is dog friendly (on the patio, with ‘Jingo’s Menu’) • 3-4-5 Happy Hour • All-American Tuesday • Onion-ring Wednesday • Thirsty Thursday

3701 Henderson Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609, United States Phone:+1 813-414-0101 | www.square1burgers.com Best of Tampa Bay

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TM

Goody Goody

™

A Tampa landmark since 1925 and closed since 2005, the Goody Goody™ restaurant has been reborn in Tampa’s Hyde Park Village under the direction of Gonzmart Family of Restaurants fourth generation co-owner and President Richard Gonzmart.

After nine years of off-and-on negotiations, Gonzmart purchased rights to the Goody Goody™ name from Michael Wheeler of Tampa, who had owned it since 1981. The deal also includeed the recipe to the restaurant’s famous “secret sauce” and some furniture, including the distinctive Goody Goody™ sign.

“I promised to be a good steward – to restore the luster of its storied past,” Gonzmart said.

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Originally featuring BBQ and based on primitive “pig stands” in the Midwest, the Goody Goody™ eventually became renowned for its burgers featuring that “secret sauce” as well as housemade pies. Judges, lawyers, mayors, laborers and business people sat side by side on metal chairs or at schoolroom desks in the decidedly un-fancy dining room.

The Goody Goody™ also was Tampa’s original drive-in restaurant and the first drive-in east of the Mississippi, with customers served in their cars by male carhops and – starting with WWII – females, known quaintly as the “Goody Goody™ Girls.” Old photos show palm frond canopies over the drive-in spaces.

Although the Goody Goody™ was started in Missouri, its owner quickly followed the land boom to Florida. Original owner Ralph Stephens sold the Goody Goody™ to William B. Stayer in 1929. Stayer owned it until selling to Wheeler.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, a former Goody Goody™ customer, lauded the return of the restaurant when the purchase was announced.

“The city is on a pace like we have never seen before,” Buckhorn said. “We are growing. We are expanding.

We are attracting new people. But we have to keep our authenticity. And we have to keep our identity.

And we have to remind people what makes this such a special place. It is things like Goody Goody™ that help remind us of the foundation we stand on. … We don’t want to become a homogenized, inauthentic, artificially created city.”

The restaurant will include Fresh From Florida™ ground beef from the Strickland Ranch in Myakka, fresh-cut fries and housemade ice cream as well as house-made fresh pies – especially the famed butterscotch pie.

The restaurant also will serve breakfast all day.

“I am beyond excited to bring back this Tampa tradition,” Gonzmart said. “We’ve lost too many of these iconic places over the years and I really did not want the name to just fade away into history. The Goody Goody™ is one of those places that helped create Tampa’s identity. At the Columbia Restaurant, which marked its 110th anniversary in 2015, we celebrate history and heritage and family each day. And that’s what the Goody Goody™ represents to me.

“I have vivid memories of the Goody Goody™. I remember going to work at my office at the Columbia Restaurant on Saturday mornings. I had the Goody Goody™ on speed dial. As I headed home to be with my family, I’d frequently call ahead for my lunch order to go – a bag of Hamburgers POX. – which in the restaurant’s shorthand meant pickles, onions and secret sauce. They didn’t know who I was or my

connection to the Columbia. But they knew my voice and my order.”

The third and longest-lasting Goody Goody™ Tampa location was on Florida Avenue (“conveniently located in the Heart of Tampa,” one ad said) where it operated from around 1930 until Nov. 30, 2005. The building was demolished in 2006.

1601 W. Swann Ave. Tampa, FL 33606 www.GoodyGoodyBurgers.com

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Kahwa COFFEE Kahwa Coffee began when Raphael Perrier, a young barista working at a Philadelphia coffee shop, met a customer named Sarah with the sweet aroma of espresso in the air. As fate would have it, the couple would eventually elope.

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Months were spent creating signature blends that combined beans from all over the world until the perfect mixture of sweetness, acidity, body and bitterness emerged. After a period of door-to-door selling, Kahwa Coffee was purchased by its very first vendor, a local organic café, the same week Sarah and Raphael’s first daughter was born in 2006.

In 2008, Kahwa opened its first café in downtown St. Petersburg. Both Sarah and Raphael introduced the coffee from behind the counter as the company’s first baristas.

Joey Clay Photography

Proudly roasted and packaged in Tampa Bay, Kahwa focuses on blends rather than single-origin coffees in order to bring complex flavors to each cup. The world’s finest 100% Arabica beans are hand-selected and blended before roasting, even though it’s easier and more common to blend after the fact, because not all beans roast well together.

Creating an exquisite blend requires a high level of expertise in both selecting and roasting, but the end result is worth the effort. This traditional Italian technique brings out flavors that wouldn’t appear otherwise.

If the roast is not delivered fresh, those unique flavors can’t shine. A high-quality roast from Italy can take up to six months from roast to cup, but Kahwa has designed an on-demand packaging process that delivers Kahwa Coffee within a week of roasting.

The local roasters expanded into a new warehouse in 2013 to double its output, and added a training center where baristas complete an extensive program.The addition of a mobile storefront, better known as the “Kahwagon,” built inside a vintage French-made Citroen van, also makes surprise appearances locally and around the state, and is a huge draw at Miami’s annual Art Basel.

Joey Clay Photography

Raphael worked his way up to Wholesale Sales Executive and mastered the art of coffee roasting. Sarah became Company Manager of a prestigious dance troupe and developed a passion for running a business. And in 2005, the husband and wife team relocated to sunny St. Petersburg, merging their talents into a business concept called Kahwa Coffee.

Now celebrating ten years of good coffee, nearly a dozen Kahwa cafés can be found around Tampa Bay. The company’s wholesale distribution has exploded to 500 local and national restaurants and five-star hotels across Florida and the entire United States in California, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.

Kahwa is the exclusive coffee vendor of the Nassau Airport with three cafés, as well as the official coffee of Parrot Cay, a private island resort in Turks and Caicos from the COMO Hotels and Resorts Group.

Voted “Tampa Bay’s Best Coffee” by Creative Loafing readers six years running, Kahwa Coffee is becoming a regional and national powerhouse, as noted by Winn Dixie’s enthusiasm to carry the brand in dozens of Florida stores, and its multiple appearances on television retailer HSN, which named Kahwa “the best coffee ever!”

www.kahwacoffee.com

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“He was a wise man who invented beer.”

Plato -Greek philosopher

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Cigar City Brewing in Tampa Bay

Cigar City Brewing was founded in 2007 by Joey Redner, a Tampa native who had always been passionate about beer.

During his college years he used to spend time at a local brew house tasting different beers from around the world.

That passion led him to own a local pub in Davis Island and work as a beer salesman for a brewery in Pinellas county. In 2008, he quit his job and partnered with Wayne Wambles, an award winning brew master. In 2009 they started producing beer and by 2013, ratebeer.com named Cigar City the fourth best brewery in the world.

Today, Cigar City is no ordinary brewery.

This non pretentious state of the art facility features a tasting room, private event rooms, and a Fermentorium. On any given day of the week tourists and locals alike come to Cigar City to tour the brewery and taste the award-winning beer.

There are more than 30 beers on Tap. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of regular release beers as well as seasonal and limited edition brews on tap. Local guest beers add to the diversity and mix of flavors available year round. On certain days of the week guests can enjoy a hand rolled Cuban Cigar and be part of the experience that gave life to Tampa Bay. In addition to producing some of the best beer in the country, Cigar City hosts an annual beer festival called Hunahpu’s Day®. The idea originated in 2009 when Joey wanted to introduce the Hunahpu® Imperial Stout into the market. The beer, brewed only once a year and available only during Hunahpu’s Day® has a 100 overall rating from both Ratebeer and Beer Advocate and has won multiple Gold medals since 2009. The first Hunahpu’s Day® was an immediate success and Joey and his team ran out of beer before the days was over. In 2016 Hunahpu’s Day® was celebrated in a local park instead of the brewery to accommodate all the guests that come to try the beer.

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Jai Alai® Ratebeer: 99 overall BeerAdvocate: A- overall 2010 Best Florida Beer Championship – Gold Medal 2011 Best Florida Beer Championship – Silver Medal

Tickets sell out in record time and every ticket holder is guaranteed a limited quantity of Hunahpu® Imperial Stout.

Cigar City’s new and innovative prize-winning products have brought a fresh supply of local beers to Tampa Bay and given ​ inspiration and ​stability to a market that ha​d​never been properly serviced by a consistently good, small brewery before.

With an initial investment of $850,000 Cigar City quickly became the city’s destination for craft beer enthusiasts all around the world. The popularity of the beers is plain to see​across the entire state of Florida and ​growing fast in​multiple states along the east coast of the US.

Lager 2016 Best Florida Beer Championships, Gold Medal, European & International Beers Category Maduro® 2010 Best Florida Beer Championship – Gold Medal 2011 United States Open Beer Championship – Gold Medal Florida Cracker® 2015 U.S. Beer Open Championships Silver Medal Witbier Category 2016 Best Florida Beer Championship Bronze Medal Belgian/French Ales Category

The success and growth o ​ f the​brewery is driven by Joey and his team’s incredible foresight and imagination. Cigar City is worth more than $60 million with ​an estimated production of over 75,000 barrels a year. This brewery is well ​​ and truly on the map, together with Tampa Bay, as the home of one of the best small breweries in the USA. ​Brewery Tours: Wednesday – Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm

www.cigarcitybrewing.com

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BREW BUS Brew Bus is a one of a kind two-fold business. On one side we are a brewery that produces our very own line of craft beers called Brew Bus Brewing. The other half of our company is a full service transportation/bus company that emphasizes its focus on local craft brewery tours. Our buses are available for private hire for occasions such as birthday parties, corporate outings, bachelor(ette) parties, etc.

On top of our popular brewery tours, Brew Bus also offers round trip transportation services to many local events, both craft beer centered (such as beer festivals or special brewery events) and non craft beer related public events, such as professional sporting games and local monthly “block parties� or festivals. All of our Brew Bus trips come stocked with our complimentary Brew Bus Brewing craft beer and bottles of water.

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www.brewbususa.com

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u.lë.le Spring Brewery and Restaurant

The 2,100-square-foot u.lë.le Spring Brewery – part of the Ulele restaurant in the Tampa neighborhood of Tampa Heights – creates 15 U.S. barrels (465 gallons) per brew.

It offers fresh-brewed lagers using only the finest malted grains, hops, yeast, fresh fruit and locally sourced honey.

Brewmaster Timothy Shackton uses American-made brewery equipment and no artificial preservatives.

Seasonal selections rotate among the staples, which include:

• Rusty’s Red • Water Works Pale • Ulele Light – Silver and Bronze medal-winner in the Florida Beer Championships (2015, 2016)

• Magbee’s Honey Lager • Honeymoon Lager The Brewery’s Buckhorn Black lager, named for Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, is one of the most popular offerings.

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A native of Clearwater, Shackton is a veteran commercial brewmaster with strong roots in the industry. His great-grandfather John was a saloon owner in the thriving downtown Milwaukee area in the early 1900s. Shackton’s uncle James, an engineer working with Reynolds Aluminum in collaboration with Miller Brewing, developed the cost-saving dimple in the bottom of beer cans.

After military service, Shackton took a position with Hops Grill and Brewery as a brewer’s apprentice. Under the tutelage of John Schwarzen of Anheuser-Busch fame, he learned the art of brewing and led a team that built brewpubs throughout Florida.

As part of the Ulele project team, Shackton helped design the Ulele Spring Brewery, which is in a former TV production studio connected to the restaurant building.

Part of the Gonzmart Family of Restaurants, which also owns and operates seven Columbia Restaurants and

Cafes in Florida, Ulele celebrates the vibrant fusion of ingredients from Florida waters and land once home to many Native Americans, including the young Tocobaga princess Ulele. Known for its Fresh From Florida™ steaks, oysters, seafood and fresh vegetables, Ulele opened on Aug. 26, 2014.

Shortly after the restaurant opened, OpenTable named it One of the 100 Best Restaurants in the U.S. and One of the 100 Hottest Restaurants in the U.S. Florida Trend named it one of the best new restaurants in Florida. Ulele occupies a former City of Tampa water works pumping station, which – perhaps not so coincidentally – provided the water for the Florida Brewery, where Columbia founder Casimiro Hernandez, Sr. worked before starting the restaurant in 1905.

Because of U.S. distribution laws, Ulele Spring Brewery products are available for sale only at the restaurant. Brewery tours are available on request by calling ahead or asking a server.

1810 N. Highland Ave. Tampa, FL 33602, United States Tel: +1 813-999-4952 Hours: Open daily for lunch and dinner Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day www.Ulele.com

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Zephyrhills Brewing Company 2014 American Homebrewer of the Year opening brewery and tasting room.

You’ll find Robert Hilferding squarely at the intersection of craft beer and entrepreneurship in Tampa Bay. Zephyrhills Brewing Company, opening in September 2016, will feature 15 craft beers on tap including Robert’s Way Off Kilter, the Scottish Ale that earned Robert the title of 2014 AHA’s American Homebrewer of the Year.

A home brewer since 2012, Robert had no plans to open a brewery until he and his wife, Terry, retired from their previous business in 2015. After three days of retirement, they decided it wasn’t too late to start a new company and began to plan their brewery and tasting room. Entrepreneurship in Tampa Bay is for all ages and Robert shows you can still pursue your passion past retirement.

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38530 5th Ave, Zephyrhills, FL 33542, United States www.zbcbeer.com

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Barley Moe Brewing Company

Joe Malinowski, Chief Seeker of Awesomeness- Tampa Bay is Awesome

Since Tampa Bay continues to grow as a craft beer mecca we wanted to form a collaboration with an awesome local brewer to create Tampa Bay is Awesome, “Awesome Beer!”

Now as much as we love our IPA’s we wanted to have something that was a bit lighter, more of a beach day brew, so both the locals and tourists can enjoy it on any occasion.

There is one beer that always stuck out to us and that is Barley Mow’s “Americana, Golden Ale.” Once we discovered that deliciousness we met with Jay, the owner of Barley Mow, ran our idea past him, told him we liked Americana, and asked if he would be open to creating something similar for TBIA. We shook hands, got to work, and are ready to let “Awesome Beer” loose on the streets!

Jay started BMBC in 2011 and had no idea how awesome the Florida beer scene was about to become. Now, with over 150 breweries in the State and close to 60 in the Bay area alone, Tampa Bay is quickly becoming one of the hottest beer destinations in the country. Centrally located in Largo, we like to think that we are in the heart of Pinellas County and Tampa Bay. Bayley Mow is passionate about their commitment to brewing simple, honest, hand crafted ales and are stoked to add this brew to their portfolio. It’s exceptionally easy to drink and pairs perfectly with our Florida lifestyle.

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Jay and Colleen Dingman- Owners of Barley Mow Brewing

www.barleymowbrewingco.com

SQWIZE

Jodi Hansell Herczeg is the CEO of R2D Beverages Corporation, makers of the SQWIZE line of products – craft natural cocktails in portable pouches.

Jodi has a talent for knowing how to take a product and make it a huge hit for the mass market. With over 20 years of experience starting and advising international businesses, she put together one of the biggest video game deals of all time – Call of Duty, and once landed herself on the front page of the Hollywood Reporter for producing a Stephen King film. Now, she’s directing that talent toward readyto-drink alcoholic beverages and has chosen Tampa Bay as her base.

“It was easy to select Tampa Bay as the location for our headquarters. I’ve always had that instinct for spotting a winner, and this place is going to become America’s most popular bay.

We create fresh, tasty cocktails like our Margarita and Mai Tai. What makes our products unique, is that we place them in portable pouches that are pool and beach friendly – just throw them in your cooler and you’ve got a mobile cocktail bar. And because it has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, and homes where backyard pools are almost standard, we knew that Tampa Bay would be the perfect home for us.

And it’s not just about the sun and sand. Our company embraces the celebration of life. Whether it’s a tasty reward at the end of a hard day’s work or bonding among friends, the people here understand the importance of enjoying life to the fullest.”

www.sqwize.com

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TOUCH Vodka

TOUCH Vodka, a Florida-based distillery that manufactures one artisan, ultra-premium vodka and three citrus-infused vodka selections.

In the spring of 2015, Dr. Ram was approached by business partner Scott Conlon about taking over a craft distillery that had a super premium gin and an Artisan Vodka that was amazing but they were not doing much with the company.

Scott was convinced it was the best tasting vodka on the planet and was keenly aware of its potential.

Touch was the only vodka made from honey. Scott challenged Dr. Ram to consider Touch Vodka and to take it over and to work his magic of creating a brand around it. Soon after sampling the Artisan Vodka he was also convinced, it was the best tasting vodka; before long Dr. Ram was recruiting his longtime college buddy, another Florida State University Alumni and Seminole football standout who was the 30th pick in the 1990 NFL draft, Reggie Johnson about Touch Vodka. Reggie spent 10 years, after retiring from the NFL, working for Southern Wine and Spirits as an executive, he was the expert on spirits. Soon after, Dr. Ram and Reggie were sitting around his pool sampling all the Touch Vodka flavors; they quickly realized they were on to something special.

Local boys sharing their passions for FSU, football and their love for local craft spirits, Dr. Ram was already making his own local craft beers with another partner for his charity events, so embracing the Florida centric component of the Touch Artisan Vodka (using only the best locally sourced honey, key lime, orange & grape fruits) they were convinced that they could make the Touch brand even better by using better ingredients 122

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Carlos Fuente, Sr. & Jeff Lemen

finest, wildflower, blended honey and American grain – all under the careful care of our team of master distillers. It is the only artisan, ultra-premium vodka that is made this way. We utilize traditional, old-world methods and state-of-the-art technology to ensure consistent quality and excellent taste.

Dr. Ram Ramcharran, Reggie Johnson & Raj Patel

and implementing higher standards in the production process.

However, they quickly realized there was a missing piece of the team, Dr. Ram was a turn around specialist and Reggie was an expert in the spirit industry and distribution market but the missing component was the retail liquor market. That’s when Dr. Ram’s other long time friend Raj Patel got the call to come on board to build the retail side. After

tasting the orange and Artisan Vodka he was sold, it took very little convincing. Raj owned several larger retail liquor stores in Florida and was running an online retail wine company. Raj was the trifecta! Now complete their wives referred to their Touch team as the brain, the muscle and the hustle.

TOUCH’s artisan, ultra-premium vodka is known as the “liquid aphrodisiac.” It is not flavored with honey but rather, it is uniquely distilled from Florida’s

TOUCH also produces Key Lime, Valencia Orange and Ruby Red Grapefruit selections that are infused with natural oils of locally-sourced fruit which, results in unique, 80-proof vodkas with no added sugar or coloring. As a result, these vodkas are not overpowering but are easily mixed with any juice or beverage.

www.touchvodka.com

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Sports Teams For all the diversity in the Tampa Bay area – in terms of population, cuisine, cultural offerings and the business sector – sports is where the real smorgasbord exists.

One gaze across the local athletic landscape reveals virtually every perspiration-inducing endeavor, not to mention teams encompassing all talent levels and seasons.

The National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Baseball and Division I college sports all reside in the region. So do Professional Golf Association (PGA) events, pro men’s soccer, arena-style football, and an annual auto race. Even pseudo sports such as professional wrestling have a rich heritage in Tampa.

But long before the area’s sports boom, baseball ruled as the predominant pastime.

The community’s passion for the sport nearly coincides with the growth of the cigar-making industry late in the 19th century. Its hub was located in Ybor City, a multi-cultural neighborhood just northeast of downtown Tampa, and its workforce comprised immigrants from

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Cuba, Spain and Italy, among other countries. A love for baseball emerged as one of their common denominators.

From that love, several competitive leagues were spawned, drawing hundreds to ball fields such as Ybor City’s Cuscaden Park. During this heyday, Al Lopez – the son of Cuban immigrants – made his Major League debut for Brooklyn in 1928, becoming Tampa’s first big-league player. Lopez and another west Tampa native, manager Tony LaRussa, ultimately were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Meantime, a handful of big-league teams would migrate to Tampa for spring training, starting with the Chicago Cubs in 1913. The city’s first bona fide minor league club, the Tampa Smokers, became a charter franchise of the Florida State League in 1919. That same year, burly icon Babe Ruth, then a slugger for the Boston Red Sox, hit what is believed to be his longest home run (587 feet) in an

exhibition game at Plant Field, where the University of Tampa’s Pepin Stadium now rests.

While the community’s romance with baseball persevered, lessmainstream sports – namely wrestling and jai alai – found their niche locally. Professional wrestling surfaced in Tampa midway through the 20th century and spawned Championship Wrestling from Florida, an immensely popular regional promotion showcasing such eventual legends as Jack Brisco, Eddie Graham, “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes and a graduate of Tampa’s Robinson High named Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan).

At the University of Tampa, the Spartans provided fans with a college football fix. UT fielded a team with games against nationally prominent programs such as Florida State University and Tennessee, before folding in 1974.

The following year, the Tampa Bay Rowdies arrived as an expansion franchise in the North American Soccer League, playing home games in now-defunct Tampa Stadium and winning the Soccer Bowl – the NASL’s championship game – in their inaugural season. A year later, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers began play as an NFL expansion team.

Today, Tampa Bay is among only three regions in the South that boasts NFL, NHL and Major League Baseball franchises (Miami and Atlanta are the others). It’s also home to the University of South Florida, which competes at the NCAA’s Division I level in 17 total sports (eight men’s, nine women’s) including football. Even the Rowdies, who have existed in various incarnations through the years, have enjoyed a recent renaissance of sorts in the reconfigured NASL. The smorgasbord stretches farther.

In late February, thousands of runners convene on downtown Tampa’s picturesque Bayshore Boulevard for the Gasparilla Distance Classic, featuring races ranging in distance from five kilometers to 13.1 miles.

Every March, the Verizon IndyCar Series commences its racing season with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, staged through the title city’s downtown streets. Around the same time, the PGA’s Valspar Championship, annually featuring some of the world’s top men’s golfers, is held at Palm Harbor’s Innisbrook Resort.

By then, baseball, the figurative seed from which the area’s sports scene blossomed, is back in full swing.

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“FOUNDED IN 1992, THE LIGHTNING HAVE REACHED THE NHL PLAYOFFS NINE TIMES, WINNING THE STANLEY CUP AS NHL CHAMPION IN 2004.”

Tampa Bay LIGHTNING

For nearly a quarter-century, the bay area has immersed itself in a blissful, puckdropping paradox: a sport staged on ice has flourished in Tampa’s tropical climate.

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Lightning’s first president and general manager, and hired Terry Crisp – who won Stanley Cup titles as a player and coach – as the first Lightning head coach.

By their fourth season of existence, the Lightning qualified for the NHL playoffs. Eight years later, they were hoisting the Stanley Cup before a delirious home crowd following a 2-1 triumph over the Calgary Flames in the decisive Game Seven of the Cup Final.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, among three major pro sports franchises in the area, have evolved into a steady force in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Founded in 1992, the Lightning have reached the NHL playoffs nine times, winning the Stanley Cup as NHL champion in 2004.

Ruslan Fedotenko, a 25-year-old Ukrainian, catapulted himself into local sports lore by scoring both goals in that contest. Teammate Brad Richards, in the meantime, won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs after totaling 26 postseason points.

The franchise’s humble origins included a debut season in which home games were played in a state fairgrounds expo hall. Today, the Lightning – widely known as the Bolts -- routinely play to sold outs crowds of 19,092 fans inside Amalie Arena, a multi-purpose facility in downtown Tampa’s Channelside District that is regularly recognized as one of the busiest arena’s in North America.

Others on the team also became iconic local figures. Forward Vincent Lecavalier, still the franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer, remains beloved in the bay area for his local philanthropic endeavors. Martin St. Louis, the leading scorer for that championship squad, won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2004 as the player judged most valuable to his team in the NHL. And team captain Dave Andreychuk, who had gone 22 seasons without being on a Stanley Cup championship team, finally earned the crown jewel to his glistening career.

The franchise formally arrived in Tampa in December 1990, when it was awarded to a group fronted by Hockey Hall of Famer Phil Esposito.

The former NHL All-Star installed himself as the

Andreychuk remains with the team to this day in a key community and business development role and is one of Tampa’s most recognizable public figures.

In 2010, businessman and philanthropist Jeff Vinik purchased the Lightning and is leading the organization (and the City of Tampa) to new heights. To lead his team on the ice, Vinik hired one of hockey’s all-time greats, Steve Yzerman to be his General Manager. Off the ice, Vinik is spearheading a $2 billion downtown development in Tampa’s Channelside District on land surrounding Amalie Arena.

Today, the franchise continues to flourish behind a constellation of young stars including Steven Stamkos, a two-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner as the NHL’s top goal scorer.

In the 2014-15 season, Stamkos helped guide Tampa Bay to its second appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, where it narrowly fell in six games to the Chicago Blackhawks.

www. lightning.nhl.com

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Tampa Bay ROWDIES The Tampa Bay Rowdies was the first professional sports team in Tampa Bay. Originally established in 1975, the Rowdies made a strong first impression, winning the Soccer Bowl championship in their inaugural year and creating a unique, entertaining and memorable franchise branding their fans Fannies, their pep band the Loudies and creating an unforgettable Kick in the Grass theme song.

Unfortunately the North American Soccer League (NASL) folded after the 1984 season. The Rowdies played as an independent team for two seasons before being purchased by well-known Tampa Bay philanthropist Cornelia Corbett. In 1986 the Rowdies joined the American Indoor Soccer Association, reaching the league finals in their only season in the AISA. In 1988-89 the team played in the American Soccer League, and from 1990-1993 they played their final years of the Rowdies classic era as members of the American Professional Soccer League.

In 2008, a group of investors came together to create a new Tampa Bay franchise for the anticipated return of the NASL. They originally named the new club FC Tampa Bay and played their first season in 2010 at Tampa’s George M. Steinbrenner field, spring training home of the New York Yankees.

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In 2011 the club moved to downtown St. Petersburg’s historic Al Lang Stadium and played their first season in the fully sanctioned North American Soccer League.

In 2012, the club reacquired the name Rowdies and officially became known as the Tampa Bay Rowdies. That year they won the NASL Soccer Bowl Championship, defeating the NSC Minnesota Stars in a penalty kick shoot out to win the trophy at home in St. Petersburg.

Following the 2013 season, St. Petersburg-based businessman and philanthropist Bill Edwards purchased majority ownership in the team, without ever having been to a Rowdies match.

Edwards’ real estate and entertainment companies were already very active in downtown St. Petersburg, managing the Mahaffey Theater performing arts center and redeveloping the Sundial lifestyle center. He had seen video and heard stories of the crowds chanting and cheering at soccer matches, and knew the Rowdies were the perfect complement to the burgeoning downtown scene.

At the press conference announcing his ownership, Edwards vowed to build the best team in American soccer and the best fan experience.

Over the last two seasons Edwards has made good on those intentions.

Edwards took over management of Al Lang Stadium (a city-owned facility historically known for baseball spring training) and invested millions of dollars turning it into a proper soccer venue. The entire stadium was pressure washed and painted, new seats were installed both in the stadium bowl and along the touchline, and the locker rooms and office areas were completely refurbished. A team store was added and a state-of-the-art videoboard was erected in place of the baseball board that permanently displayed innings. On the field he has invested in top talent from across the United States and the world.

Matches are a fun and exciting experience for the entire family. Ralph’s Mob, the club’s official supporter group, marches to the match waving flags and banging drums, and takes over a section of the stadium chanting and cheering for the entire ninety minutes. For families, free face painting is a hit as well as a kid-friendly play zone and player autographs after every match.

More than forty years after taking the pitch for the first time, the Tampa Bay Rowdies are still a kick in the grass.

www.rowdiessoccer.com www.facebook.com/TampaBayRowdies www.twitter.com/TampaBayRowdies www.instagram.com/TampaBayRowdies www.youtube.com/user/RowdiesOfficial/ Snapchat: tbrowdies @TampaBayRowdies #tampabayrowdies

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TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS For more than 40 years, the city’s collective pulse rate has hinged on the performance of its resident National Football League franchise, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bucs have reached the NFL playoffs a total of 10 times and have won six division championships, one conference championship and one Super Bowl Championship.

Three players who spent most or all of their careers in Tampa – defensive end Lee Roy Selmon, defensive tackle Warren Sapp and linebacker Derrick Brooks – are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tony Dungy, arguably the franchise’s most beloved coach (from 1996-2001) is a member of the Class of 2016 inductees.

In January 2003, the Buccaneers defeated the Oakland Raiders, 48-21, in Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego to secure the Tampa Bay area’s first championship by a major professional sports team.

The Bucs were born in 1974, when the NFL expanded to Tampa and Seattle. Their first owner, Jacksonville tax attorney Hugh Culverhouse, was awarded the franchise for $16 million. The first team uniforms featured creamsicle-colored jerseys and a helmet logo of a winking pirate whose image conveyed more flamboyance than ferocity.

Saddled with a roster of castoffs and aging veterans, Tampa Bay finished 0-14 in ’76 – their inaugural season – and lost their first 12 in ‘77 before defeating the New Orleans Saints, 33-14, in the Louisiana Superdome for their first triumph.

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they rolled to a 27-10 victory at Philadelphia in the NFC title game, setting the stage for their Super Bowl triumph.

In August 2006, the Bucs left their original headquarters – a small, nondescript building in the shadow of Tampa International Airport – and moved into a palatial 145,000-square-foot facility directly across the street from Raymond James Stadium. A decade after it’s opening, One Buccaneer Place continues to be recognized as one of the best team training facilities in the NFL. Following Malcolm Glazer’s death in 2014, the team continues to be owned by the Glazer family. Under the family’s direction over the past two decades, the Buccaneers remain very active in the community, with the Glazer Family Foundation and Bucs Care committed to education and improving the lives of the Bay Area’s youth.

game (against the Philadelphia Eagles) before a 9-0 home defeat to the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football Conference (NFC) title game.

Five months after Culverhouse’s death in August 1994, the team was purchased by Malcolm Glazer for $192 million, at the time the largest amount ever paid for a professional sports franchise. The ownership change signaled a new era for the franchise and led to the construction of Raymond James Stadium. To date it has hosted two Super Bowls and college football’s annual Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day. In January 2017, it will serve as host to the second College Football Playoff National Championship.

Glazer hired Tony Dungy as the franchise’s sixth head coach on Jan. 22, 1996, setting off the most prosperous era of the franchise. Behind Dungy, a highly-respected defensive strategist, the Bucs reached the NFL playoffs four times from 1997-2001, coming within a game of the Super Bowl in the ’99 season.

After a six-year tenure, Dungy was replaced by Jon Gruden following the ’01 season.

In Gruden’s first year, Tampa Bay won 12 of 16 regular season games before defeating the San Francisco 49ers, 31-6 in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. A week later,

www.buccaneers.com

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TAMPA BAY RAYS The flashbulbs flickered like a constellation around Tropicana Field on the afternoon of March 31, 1998, as stocky lefthander Wilson Alvarez delivered his first pitch against the Detroit Tigers.

For good reason. When Alvarez’s pitch crossed the plate, a little low and outside, Tampa Bay officially became a big-league city.

A dream that took decades to materialize was realized with one pitch. Although the Tampa Bay Rays— then known as the Devil Rays—lost to the Tigers, 11-6, the area finally had a Major League Baseball franchise of its own.

Eighteen years later, the Rays still play before more than a million fans a season at the Trop, their domed stadium on the western edge of St. Petersburg’s downtown. Fittingly, they are managed by Kevin Cash, who graduated from north Tampa’s Gaither High School two years before their first game.

A wide assortment of household names have worn the Rays uniform during their existence.

Among them: Hall of Famer Wade Boggs; slugger Jose Canseco; home run hitter and Tampa native Fred McGriff; Cy Young Award winner David Price; speedster Carl Crawford; widely hailed managers Lou Piniella and Joe Maddon; and their beloved

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senior advisor, the late Don Zimmer. The Rays became one of the greatest turnaround stories in sports after Wall Street investor Stuart Sternberg took over as the club’s managing general partner in the fall of 2005. Sternberg soon installed Andrew Friedman, a data-savvy, 28-year-old former financial analyst, to preside over baseball operations. That November, they hired Maddon as the fourth manager in team history. Maddon, a wine connoisseur with thick-rimmed glasses, brought to the bench 31 years of experience in the Angels organization as a player, scout, minor league manager and major league coach. The club went 121-197 in his first two seasons before stunning the baseball world in 2008.

Tampa Bay dropped the “devil” from their name and reinvented themselves with a new logo and uniform scheme ahead of the season. Maddon paired empirical data from the analytically minded front office with unorthodox motivational ploys, starting with themed road trips. (Later, the

Nine games behind the Red Sox for the AL’s final playoff spot in early September, the Rays embarked on an improbable surge that included six wins in seven games against the Red Sox during that stretch. Entering the regular season’s final day, Sept. 28, the teams were tied for that final spot. The Rays played host to the Yankees while the Red Sox faced the Baltimore Orioles on the road.

The Rays, who trailed the Yankees 7-0 early in the game, tied the score with two out in the bottom of the ninth on a solo home run by pinch-hitter Dan Johnson.

It was a prelude to the night’s surreal final act. At 11:59 p.m., the Orioles completed their win against the Sox, which included a ninth-inning rally.

manager invited a cast of special guests to the clubhouse including penguins, a 20-foot Asian python and a merengue band.) The result: The Rays finished the regular season 97-65 (a 31-game improvement from 2007) and their first American League (AL) East Division title.

And they were only getting warmed up. After defeating the Chicago White Sox, three games to one, in the AL Division Series, the Rays faced the rival Boston Red Sox in the AL Championship Series. With the series tied at three games apiece, the teams met at Tropicana Field in the decisive contest, with the Rays prevailing 3-1 to clinch the franchise’s only World Series appearance. Righthanded pitcher Matt Garza, who later would toss the first no-hitter in Rays history (in 2010), worked into the eighth inning of Game Seven to secure the win, earning ALCS Most Valuable Player honors.

Six minutes later, with the Rays and Yankees still tied at 7-all in the bottom of the 12th inning, popular third baseman Evan Longoria swatted a pitch slightly over the left field wall, clinching an 8-7 triumph and sending Tampa Bay to the playoffs.

Today, Longoria, a three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, remains the face of the franchise, which conducts spring training in Port Charlotte before heading north to Tropicana Field. In January 2016, the St. Petersburg City Council agreed to let the Rays explore sites for a new ballpark in the Tampa Bay region. For more information about this process, please visit RaysBaseball.com/BallparkReimagined.

The Rays lost in five games to the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series, but made three more playoff appearances over the ensuing five seasons. Aside from the World Series run, the most exhilarating stretch in franchise history occurred in the final month of the 2011 season.

Or more specifically, final minutes.

www.tampabay.rays.mlb.com

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Tim Britt

USF Sports

The University of South Florida supports 19 varsity men’s and women’s teams, most of which compete at the NCAA Division I level in the American Athletic Conference.

Nearly 500 student-athletes train and compete in the athletic district located on the east end of USF’s Tampa campus, benefiting from an enthusiastic fan base across the Tampa Bay region and beyond.

The Bulls’ football team, which reached the No. 2 ranking in 2007, plays in Tampa’s beautiful Raymond James Stadium, also home to the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship. When competing at home in Tampa, the USF Bulls play before exuberant crowds averaging more than 40,000 fans, and often exceed 65,000 in attendance.

The men’s and women’s basketball programs compete in the 10,411-seat USF Sun Dome arena on campus, a facility recently enhanced with $35.6 million in renovations. USF’s baseball, softball, soccer and track and field facilities on campus have all been recently constructed or renovated and are among the top facilities in the nation.

The Bulls claimed eight conference titles in their first three seasons in The American, giving USF 45 total conference championships for football, baseball, golf, softball, soccer and tennis since beginning its competitive sports programs. Coupled with eight NCAA post-season competition wins in the 2014-15 season, USF’s student-athletes posted an 83 percent Graduation Success Rate, with 182 earning conference all-academic recognition.

www.usf.edu

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Joseph Gamble

Travis Pendergrass

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Tim Britt

Combat Sports

Tampa Bay, a world Class Destination for Combat Sports Entertainment.

Tampa Resident and Emmy Award Winning Television Host Jordan Jay Adams has been in television and sports for a long time - thirty two years to be exact. He is the Founder and CEO of United Fight Alliance, producing television sports events all over the globe. He has the career flexibility to live anywhere. He chose Tampa Bay. “I decided to live in Tampa for two reasons, the ten months of remarkable weather and the bay area has one of the richest heritages in combat sports. Whether it’s Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts or Professional Wrestling, we have an over-whelming abundance of world class talent.“ BOXING: Tampa Bay is a veritable boxing factory, cranking out international professional champions like Keith “One Time” Thurman, Jeff “Left Hook “Lacy, Winky Wright, Andre Berto, Edner Cherry and Antonio Tarver. Even super star boxing trainer Angelo Dundee, who trained the likes of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman and Héctor Camacho chose Tampa Bay as his home. World famous Fight Doctor Ferdie Pacheco joined him. Most are Tampa Bay area natives or visited and decided to move here to fight and train directly out of the Bay Area

“I decided to live in Tampa for two reasons, the ten months of remarkable weather and the bay area has one of the richest heritages in combat sports.”

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MIXED MARTIAL ARTS: Many serious Mixed Martial Arts fighters have selected Tampa as their training headquarters. Tampa resident Rob Kahn is a Golden Gloves Boxer and was the first to earn a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from legendary MMA fighter Royce Gracie. The Gracie family essentially invented the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Royce became their first champion. This made it possible for Rob to take his direct lineage anywhere in the country. He chose Tampa and has since opened Gracie Tampa, Gracie Tampa North, Gracie Tampa South, Gracie Tampa West, Gracie Brandon and Gracie Saint Petersburg. Continuing the tradition, two of his black belts have opened Palm Harbor and Clearwater. Rob also landed many of his fighters into the UFC, including Marcus Jones, (who also played for the Bucs from 1996-2002) Joe Wissman, Matt Arroyo, Allen Berube, Corey Hill, Paul Barrow, Brandon Sene, Brian McLaughlin, Shane Primm and many others.

Tampa resident and fight school owner Ralph Garcia possesses a 6th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, a 6th Dan Black Belt in Aikijujitsu, 2nd degree Black Belt in American Jujitsu and a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu. He too, can teach anywhere in the world but set up shop right here in Tampa. Garcia owns World Class Fight League and has recently partnered with American Top Team.

American Top Team (based on fighter contracts in the UFC) is the best MMA school in the world. A.T.T. has 50 to 60 of the highest ranked fighters in the world. Some of their UFC fighters include Welter Weight Champion Robbie Lawler, Glover Teixeira, Junior Dos Santos, Amanda Nunes, Antonio Silva, Mark Hunt, Muhammed Laval, Thiago Alves, Mike Brown, Hector Lombard, Tyron Woodley, Bobby Lashley, Kimbo Slice, Kenny Garner, Carmelo Marrero, Tecla Torres, Charles Rosa, Valerie

Letourneau and Jessica Aguilar. Tampa Bay is already a fight hub but with this new American Top Team partnership we are now sure to see cross training and seminar trips to the bay area from the best the MMA world has to offer. Garcia has just injected nitro glycerin into the veins of the Tampa’s Mixed Martial Arts community.

PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING: Pro Wrestling and Tampa Bay have been synonymous for a long time. Championship Wrestling from Florida was a Tampa brand founded in 1949 and running through 1987. It was staple programming in Florida households in the 70’s and 80’s. The promotion competed against other syndicated shows on Saturday night like The Lawrence Welk Show and Solid Gold for years. CWF featured champions Lou Thesz and Gene Kiniski, Graham, Don Curtis, Sam Steamboat, the Great Malenkos, Johnny Valentine, Hiro Matsuda, Bob Orton Sr., Strongbow, Wahoo, the Funks, the Briscos, Buddy Colt, Barry Windham, Mike Rotunda, Mike Graham, Kevin Sullivan Dusty Rhodes was its most noted headliner and he had an amazingly long run as a top name.

He wore the white hat mostly and took on a bevy of heels including Superstar Billy Graham, Ray Stevens, Ernie Ladd, Ivan Koloff, Ox Baker, Ron Bass, Kamala, Abdullah the Butcher, Ric Flair, his old

Texas Outlaws partner Dick Murdoch and Kevin Sullivan.

Taking the reins from Dusty and Ric as the biggest name in the sport was yet another Tampa Native, Terry Bollea AKA Terry “Hulk” Hogan.

Tampa Bay has dominated WWE and its showcase promotion, WrestleMania since its inception. In at least 22 of the 31 previous WrestleMania events, a performer from the Tampa area has been involved in the match as either defending champion or challenger. The WWE had two different world heavyweight championships defended at WrestleMania from 2003 to 2013 for a total of 41 such matches — and a Tampa area wrestler was involved in at least 29 of them.

More Tampa Bay Wrestling Stars include: The Undertaker – Mark Callaway, The Big Show – Paul Wight, Chris Jericho – Chris Irvine, Edge - Adam Copeland, Batista – Dave Batista, John Cena, Mike Awesome, Randy “Macho Man” Savage – Randy Poffo, Jimmy “The Mouth of the South” Hart, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Jim “The Sandman” Fullington, Dan “Starship Eagle” Spivey, Carl “Mr. Wonderful” Orendorf, “Hercules” Hernandez, Brian “Crush” Adams, Andrew “Test” Martin, The Malenkos, The Rode Warriors and Sean “Xpac” Waltman.

“When I look at the activity of these three combat sports in Tampa Bay and the vitality of their founders, I know I selected the right place to scale my television business and raise my family.

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13 Fishing

Every so often a company will come along and break the status quo. This is 13 fishing. Their philosophy is pretty simple. Enjoy life outside and in, respect your fellow man and women, always honor our precious fishing environment and its resources and always make your own luck.

This story starts in a small town of Iowa, where trailer courts were a way of life, and fishing and hunting were more of a necessity, rather than a hobby.

Raised by blue collar, factory working parents, young outdoorsman, Jim Coble, CEO and Founder of 13 Fishing, realized the passion that surrounds the sport was something more than standing waist deep in a stream, casting a fly, and anticipating a rise. Being able to help feed the family was always a goal; however, the romance of the water was undeniable.

It chased Jim all the way through college, where he realized it could become more than the escape; it could become his reality.

Jim started his career with a company based in Iowa (Pure Fishing), the largest in the fishing industry, family owned… it was almost too good to be true.

Through a few fateful encounters, the next thing Jim knew he was out of the University of Iowa, living in Berkley Bedell’s house on West Lake. Here Jim made inroads with a network of leaders, being sculpted by the likes of Den Stulc, Tom Bedell, Joe Rassat, Pat McIntyre and Gary Morgal.

Being sent to Florida to cut his teeth behind the windshield, around the world to understand sourcing and manufacturing, into the conference rooms of the largest outdoor retailers to close the sale. It was a full-on advance of information that would eventually give him the tools necessary.

Seven years later Jim is being walked out the front door of a newly merged corporation. Seven days later he wrote his first order for almost half-a-million dollars, and a new “corporation” was born.

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Jump to today, and Jim now leads the fastest growing fishing tackle manufacturer in the world.

With a team that has won numerous awards, such as Best of Show at ICAST, Outdoor Life’s Best in Class, and even eclipsed the number one market share in ice fishing (rods/reels) in less than four-years.

Fishing is a universal sport, connecting fisherman around the world. It’s a universal language, once a way to feed villages, now a way we unite with our fellow anglers. When it comes to fishing as a sport, we don’t look at it as another pastime. Fishing is our passion; it is part of our culture passed down from generation to generation. It connects our families with tall tales, it brings us around the dining room table.

Fishing, for those who truly appreciate this sport, offers great potential for expanding our cultural horizons. Let’s take it there. Let’s put fishing on the map as one of the world’s most enjoyable and indulgent pastimes. Let’s finally give fishing the center stage as an outdoor sport through the power of our fishing community.

Today Jim walks around his Tampa headquarters pushing the mantra “Have fun, this is fishing, it’s the outdoors… enjoy the gifts we have all been given in life.”

Born from a pedigree of performance and style, 13 fishing’s rods and reels are more than just a pretty package. While sleek, stylish, and sexy, they, are

loaded with advanced features, elite materials, and high-quality components knowledgeable anglers desire. Their streamlined body fits your hand like a glove, sitting remarkably low on a rod to provide allday comfort on the water. Offered in left and right handed models in four gear ratios, they will excel at any fishing technique and impress you with incredible performance at industry leading prices.

You finally have the freedom and time to explore fishing as the incredible sport it is. Venture out with more than just the coolest hooks, gear, bait and technology. Pack some class in your tackle box, and elevate the status of the world’s most impressive outdoor sport. It’s time to reshape your ideas about fishing.

Participation is a privilege, not a right… represent our sport with honor, on and off the water. Consistently exhibit good character and conduct yourself as a positive role model.

13 FISHING Tampa, FL Tel: (800) 508-6013 www.13fishing.com

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LIVE Watersports

Born of creative and innovative design, and backed by a relentless, hardworking and imaginative team, LIVE Watersports looks to redefine the norm in the paddleboard world.

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Our goal is to create and design boards that help everyone, old and young, big and small, athlete and weekend warrior to find and enjoy their passion.

After all, it all boils down to one question:

WHAT DO YOU LIVE FOR?

“What Do You Live For?” is not just a question, but a lifestyle. Each one of us has an individual passion, hobby, or true calling that drives us to create a life we enjoy. Here at LIVE Watersports, we are inspired by the idea of creating pristine standup paddle boards that are as versatile as your passions - bringing a new way for you to explore these activities. Whether it’s fishing, yoga, windsurfing, racing, or even simply spending time outdoors with family and friends, our paddle boards are created to handle it.

Live Watersports has created a giant leap forward on the progression scale, re-defining the boundary between angler and nature. Fishing from a paddle board puts you completely in control, completely in touch with your surroundings. Though the challenges of paddle board fishing can be great, the rewards are so much greater.

Located on the West Coast of Florida, we utilize a detailed molding process to ensure the highest quality and precision. We incorporate cutting edge marine material technologies to increase strength, durability, and comfort while still minimizing weight for maximum portability. The result of this revolutionary design are LIVE Watersports’ stand up paddle boards: the L2Fish and L2Utility. They are nearly impossible to roll or pearl, yet light enough and comfortable enough for paddlers of all sizes to enjoy.

Paddle Board Accessories Part of the LIVE Experience and the advantage of our paddle board collection is the capability to customize and accessorize your paddle board. The integrated Yak Attack tracks on the L2Fish and L4Expedition allow for the installation of dozens upon dozens of

accessories to fit your needs. From the simple tiedowns providing anchor points for your cooler and seat, to an assortment of fishing necessities like rod holders, fish finder holders, paddle holders and fish wells - your choices are nearly limitless.

LIVE Watersports is the brainchild of head honcho John Cleckner. #LIVE4FITNESS #LIVW4ADVENTURE #LIVE4FISHING www.livewatersports.com

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iTREKKERS

™

Meet the future of outdoor guided adventure.

By now, if you enjoy the outdoors in Florida, you have probably heard about iTrekkers – this new tech company that is taking the outdoor guided marketplace by storm. The concept is a combination of Uber meets Angie’s List; whereby you can find and reserve an outdoor guide for a specific outdoor experience and yet have the reassurance that the guide has been vetted, background checked and is one of the best at what they do. And the best part… they offer the only 100% satisfaction money back guarantee in the industry. And like new tech companies, iTrekkers is embracing the shared economy while looking to drastically change the marketplace from hard core outdoorsman/women to anyone aspiring to explore. iTrekkers is the idea turned into tech platform of Tom Mulliez, it’s founder. The concept is simple: “Unleash the outdoors by enabling guided outdoor adventure to aspiring explorers worldwide.” Starting with Salt Water Charter Fishing guides, Tom was looking for a way to help customers cut through the clutter of Google and find a great guide who would be able to provide the best possible experience regardless of the conditions on the water. Experience and 144

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personality are the pillars of great guiding. The key is building trust with the consumer that iTrekkers offers a gateway to the best possible experience, every time.

While iTrekkers is primarily focused on developing its fishing guide network today (you can book a fishing guide through iTrekkers today in almost every major city in Florida), they are now venturing into other outdoor markets. Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, Camping, Hiking, Scuba Diving, Bird Watching and Sailing are all activities that iTrekkers is working to develop and will be launching by July 2016. In order to really Unleash the Outdoors, iTrekkers must be more than just a fishing platform. They must bring the love and joy of nature, the environment and the outdoors to more people, through more activities.

For iTrekkers, the end goal is to bring the love of the outdoors to those who might not usually participate.

Be it price, or fear and unease, or misunderstood value, iTrekkers is perfecting a platform that answers all your questions while building your confidence that this “awesome activity” is something worth doing.

All customer pain points are being thought of and

addressed in an effort to remove all effort and fear from stopping someone enjoying the outdoors the way it was meant to be.

With the environment continuing to be degraded from development and pollution, iTrekkers is hoping to help drive a mindset change in people. If you have an amazing outdoor experience and discover the true beauty that still exists today, then you are less likely to participate in its destruction. This long term play resonates well with the iTrekkers team and while not a direct focus, remains one of the downstream impacts guiding the company’s employees.

Be on the lookout for this company breaking away in 2016. If you are interested in learning more about this Tampa Bay startup, please see www.itrekkers.com or reach out at info@itrekkers.com.

5700 Memorial Highway #212 A Tampa, Florida 33615 Tel: +1-844-468-8735 www.itrekkers.com

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Reel Deal

Reel Deal Sportfishing is a family-owned, private fishingcharter business in beautiful Clearwater Beach, Florida!

Offering two sportfishing vessels with experienced, local master captains, you are sure to have a great day fishing with us! Owner and Captain Steve Hunsucker runs our newest boat REEL DEAL II - a 34’ Crusader - out of Clearwater Beach Municipal Marina, just steps from Pier 60 and the white, sandy beaches of our Gulf coast. Captain Tucker Reese is at the helm of our flagship vessel REEL DEAL - a 34’ Delta cruiser - just three miles away at Clearwater Bay Marina. We offer halfday, 3/4 day, all day and extended offshore fishing charters for up to six people.

The Reel Deal and Reel Deal II specialize in offshore trolling and bottom fishing. We catch red and gag grouper, spanish and king mackerel, amberjack, barracuda, bonita, snapper, cobia, hogfish, mahi mahi, tuna, sharks, and more! Families and kids are welcome on our charters! Whether you are a newbie or a novice on the water, our crew is there to put you on the fish and make sure you have a great day on the water. Our boats are comfortable and

fully equipped, US Coast guard documented vessels. We provide all licensing, bait, tackle, rods, reels, coolers, ice, and fish cleaning for your charter. Have more than six in your group? We can arrange two boat charters for some buddyfishing or even a little competition between boats (choose who’s in your group wisely, kids and ladies usually get the biggest fish). Have less than six in your group? We offer shared charters as well and work hard to put smaller groups together.

Reel Deal Sportfishing proudly supports other local businesses! Captain Steve is a member of the Charter Fisherman’s Association and has attended mutliple fishery management meetings all along the Gulf coast. Our vessels participate in an Electronic Logbook Program in an effort to improve data collection in the Gulf of Mexico. We are members of the Clearwater Marine Association and Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce and proudly sponsor our local Greater Largo Little League. Give us a call or visit our website and let’s go fishing!

Phone: (727) 906-7749 | www.reeldealsportfishing.com

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WORLD’S BEST FISHING CARTS SeaMule provides land based anglers with a compact fishing caddy, designed to take their gear to where they fish. Whether you fish from a pier, beach, shore, or wade fish, the SeaMule will get you there.

I am often asked, how did you get the idea for and start Seamule? As stories go, it’s a pretty simple one.

I’ve always been an avid fisherman, and all too often, I found myself trying to load a snarly mess of fishing gear into the tiny trunk of my BMW sedan. Wrong car for a fishing nut, right? Sometimes, I would have to take two trips to get all of the gear I needed to my favorite fishing spot.

One day after tripping over a few rods and nets, falling flat on my face and uttering a few choice words, I decided that I had enough! That was the day that instead of going fishing, I decided to grab a pencil and paper and sketched out the original design & concept for what the Seamule would look like. The puzzle still wasn’t complete and I knew that I was far from done, I would need to not only design the world’s best fishing cart, but I would also need to design the world’s best team of business partners to help me take my idea to market.

Today that team of partners and friends include: • myself Brian Taylor - inventor and CEO. • Eric Janes - one of Florida’s most talented craftsmen & designers.

• Anthony Amos Australian franchise entrepreneur and author of the best-selling book “How to Catch a Shark.

• Eric Kennedy - media guru and consultant to many fortune 500 companies which included editor in-chief and director of duPontREGISTRY. com.

• Rob Andrevich - a very successful producer and manufacturer of automotive parts and China import specialist. He possesses the perfect mix of manufacturing, sourcing and management skills we needed to have our Seamules beautifully finished and ready to ship to the United States.

I’m writing this in Late July 2016 and I can’t wait for early September when our first shipment of Seamule Fishing Carts are due to arrive. I’m not only gratified to be the inventor of the Seamule and work with an amazing team but I know our fishing carts will revolutionize the way people enjoy angling with friends and family in a way that was never possible before.

www.seamule.com

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“Tampa Bay is home to Florida’s 2nd largest workforce and is ranked 2nd of Top 10 Best Cities in America for Young Entreprenuers” Forbes Magazine

Original print on display at the Tampa Convention Center as part of the City of Tampa Government Public Art Program collection.

DOING BUSINESS IN TAMPA BAY

Hillsborough County Economic Development

The strength of Hillsborough County’s Economic Development Department lies in its ability to leverage, support and coordinate the expertise and resources of community partners, organizations and other county agencies.

Building upon these substantial connections is how we develop and deliver new opportunities for employment and business growth throughout the region.

Entrepreneurial Support Hillsborough County’s Economic Development Department provides a broad spectrum of services and training for entrepreneurs.

The hub for this support is found at the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center (ECC).

Established by the Board of County Commissioners in the summer of 2014, the ECC serves as a convenient, central location for potential or existing entrepreneurs to discover and explore the resources of local non-profit partners and to receive financial and technical information.

Located in historic Ybor City, the ECC supports the provision of no-cost confidential consulting, workshops, seminars, and general information on marketing, the food industry, getting your business online, SBA loans and programs, bookkeeping, local government vendor applications, the bidding process, and disadvantaged minority/disadvantaged woman business certification.

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Tourism Development The Tourism Development team supports Hillsborough County’s multi-billion dollar tourism industry through the administrative support to the Tourist Development Council and through strategic partnerships. Additionally, the team supports local historic preservation, heritage tourism, and related economic development through the Hillsborough County Historic Preservation Challenge Grant.

Tourist Development Tax Funding Tourist expenditures represent “new” money to an economy and when tourism grows, a number of positive economic and fiscal benefits accrue to the community.

To support the growth of tourism, portions of the Tourist Development Tax may be awarded on a competitive and biennial basis to sports, cultural and events organizations by the Tourist Development Council. Funding awards are recommended by the Tourist Development Council in accordance to the policies, goals, and objectives outlined in the TDC Guidebook.

Strategic Partners • CareerSource Tampa Bay develops and supports employer focused workforce solutions.

• Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development

“Tampa is a fast growing, nextgeneration metropolitan – the 18th largest in the United States.”

• •

•

Corporation markets the County for high wage jobs and capital investment in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Partnerships broader efforts.

Visit Tampa Bay is the official destination marketing organization for Hillsborough County.

Tampa Bay Trade and Protocol Council promotes the County internationally for trade and protocol, connects local companies with opportunities and educates the public on international economy.

We also work closely with our municipal partners in Plant City, Tampa, and Temple Terrace.

Assets and Infrastructure As the business and population center of the metropolitan region, Hillsborough County is proud to be home to an enviable array of enabling transportation, energy, and educational assets making it the hub of a vibrant metropolitan economy.

Businesses and residents of Hillsborough County benefit from an efficient network of roads, transit and energy.

Highlights include: • Three major interstates, providing easily accessible routes throughout the state; • The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) mass transit bus system boasts annual ridership of 14.6-million, serving an area the size of Rhode Island; • Port Tampa Bay – Florida’s largest port, in terms of land area and tonnage – is a major economic engine for Hillsborough County and the region, engaged in a mix of bulk and container cargo, cruise business, warehousing, shipbuilding, and repair; • Award-winning Tampa International Airport offers non-stop service to 75 domestic and international destinations and has embarked on a 20-year, $2.5-billion expansion; • The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority operates three other general aviation facilities throughout the county; • Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas, subsidiaries of TECO Energy, have served the energy needs of Hillsborough businesses and residents since 1899, currently generating more than 4,700 megawatts of electricity from the four power plants.

www.hillsboroughcounty.org

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PASCO COUNTY One of the fastest growing areas in the greater Tampa Bay region, Pasco County features a unique blend of undeveloped, open spaces in close proximity to the modern, vibrant communities that makes it a great location to live, visit, and do business.

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Those living and visiting the area can enjoy a broad diversity of landscapes as they traverse the 745 square miles that makes up the County. Adventure seekers will find abundant opportunities to hike, peddle, and paddle through protected wilderness and well-maintained trails. And those seeking a more urban environment will find the path from Pasco’s Gulf Coast border on the west to the historic county seat of Dade City in the east supports a growing mix of modern communities with unique character, charm, and opportunities for growth.

years. And many more Pasco entrepreneurs are growing their businesses and making their mark on the Tampa Bay region.

Those who have not taken a look at Pasco County in a while may be surprised by the dynamic changes that have taken place over the last decade. Pasco is a flourishing location in the Tampa Bay region where residents and enterprises alike can find a home amid the abundant open spaces and vibrant places.

Located at the apex of the greater Tampa Bay metropolitan area, Pasco County was once dismissed as a sleepy bedroom community for the greater Tampa Bay Region. Increasingly, though, businesses of all sizes are taking notice of the tremendous benefits that come with locating in Pasco County including ready access to major interstate highways, rail lines, air transportation, and a deep sea port as well as a the diverse, skilled workforce that powers businesses throughout the region. Today, high-tech and aviation/aerospace companies are thriving and growing alongside manufacturers and business service providers throughout Pasco—a far cry from the days of old when ranches and orange groves dominated the economic landscape of the area.

And today’s growth is not fueled only by companies moving into the County. Local entrepreneurs are founding award-winning, cutting edge companies throughout Pasco. In the fast-growing Wesley Chapel area, Jorge Brea started a digital revolution in the music industry when he founded Symphonic Distribution, helping independent musicians and producers distribute their music via online platforms themselves. Leading the way in the region’s craft beer industry, Mike Bishop launched Big Storm Brewing in the Odessa area of Pasco County—a brewery which earned the Best Beer in Florida Award in just a few short

www.pascocountyfl.net

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Pinellas County Economic Development Fortune 500 industry leaders Jabil, Tech Data and Raymond James are headquartered in Pinellas.

Anchored by the urban markets of Clearwater and St. Petersburg, Pinellas County has the second largest base of manufacturing employment in Florida.

Fortune 500 industry leaders Jabil, Tech Data and Raymond James are headquartered in Pinellas. The community has diverse, yet symbiotic, industry clusters, including advanced manufacturing; aviation/aerospace; defense/ homeland security; medical technologies; business and financial services; and information technology. An extensive network of suppliers, service-providers and business associations support operations in these sectors.

Businesses can move to Pinellas and expect to begin growing immediately.

Pinellas encourages innovation, and with industry giants Home Shopping Network (HSNi), Nielsen, ValPak, FIS and Catalina Marketing, it is rapidly becoming Florida’s hub for big data. Through relationships with major universities and high-tech institutes, Pinellas has become a center for research

and development in marine science, electronic instruments, medical devices, sensors, nanotechnology and health care. Personalized business consulting services, focused curriculum for growing companies and links to financing options and SBA loans offer companies the tools to finish first in a competitive business environment.

Notable employers include: Home Shopping Network (HSNi), Nielsen Media Research, Jabil, Raymond James, Tech Data, Honeywell, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, ConMed Linvatec, FIS, TransAmerica, Bausch & Lomb, PODS, iQor and Kobie Marketing.

13805 58th St N Suite 1-200, Clearwater, FL 33760, United States Phone:+1 727-453-7200 | www.pced.org

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Tampa Bay Export Alliance The Tampa Bay Export Alliance (TBEA) is a cooperative effort of Pinellas County Economic Development and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, with the cooperation of our regional partners Tampa Bay International Airport and Port Tampa Bay.

The TBEA’s team approach is to work together and leverage resources to support companies in the bi-county region with the fundamental goal of helping them grow their business internationally. The TBEA works closely with federal, state and local entities to offer a seamless network of support and compliments these efforts with the added advantage of focusing on the particular needs of companies and international stakeholders in the bi-county region. TBEA’s outbound trade missions allow Tampa Bay firms that want

to explore and pursue export opportunities to meet directly with potential clients in foreign markets. TBEA partners with the U.S. Commercial Service’s Gold Key Matching Service to provide customized one-on-one meetings for exporters and also helps to offset the cost to participants through state and local grant programs. Each May, the TBEA gathers regional partners and the Tampa Bay business community for an interactive conversation about trade and opportunities for exporters at the International Town Hall.

www.tampabayexportalliance.com

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Photo courtesy of City of St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG CHAMBER

Photo courtesy of City of St. Pete

The sun is shining for businesses in St. Petersburg! With five bustling business sectors primed for growth, the 9,463+ businesses in St. Pete are enjoying a Renaissance of economic growth and prosperity.

With major initiatives underway to further improve the economic development of the region, St. Petersburg’s future is bright. The city’s five key business sectors include: Marine and Life Sciences, Specialized Manufacturing, Financial Services, Data Analysis, and Creative Arts and Design.

Located on a peninsula bordering the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, it’s no surprise that Marine and Life Sciences is a target business sector in St. Petersburg. “Warm, salty, and wet” can apply to both the ocean and the human body, and this analogy highlights the potential for developments across this sector. St. Petersburg’s location is a clear asset that supports its strength in Marine Sciences. The city 156

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even hosts the annual BLUE Ocean Film Festival, attracting the attention of international filmmakers and scientists!

Meanwhile, the Life Sciences have long been developed in St. Petersburg to serve its large population of elderly residents. St. Petersburg has a unique advantage, with major companies from both Marine and Life Sciences located downtown and throughout the city. Some of these include: SRI International, the USF College of Marine Science, the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, All Children’s Hospital (part of the Johns Hopkins Health System), Bayfront Family Health Center, Smith & Nephew, and more.

Manufacturing is an important component of the American economy, and one that has long been a top employment sector in St. Pete. The city’s Specialized Manufacturing Sector includes the production of Electronics Components and Medical Devices. In particular, the St. Petersburg market leads the state in exports of both bare printed circuit board and semiconductor machinery manufacturing.

Some of St. Pete’s notable manufacturing companies include: Jabil, Plasma-Therm, Halkey Roberts, Agora Leather Products, and General Electric Medical Systems, among others.

St. Petersburg is a leader in Financial Services within the State of Florida and the region, with employment

Photo courtesy of City of St. Pete

In fact, American Style Magazine has named St. Petersburg as its “#1 mid-size city for art” for 3 years in a row! Beyond traditional arts, St. Petersburg is also growing in the digital and multi-media markets.

Such new media, gaming, and mobile application development firms include companies such as Apan Software; RDesign, Inc.; and Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc.

Photo courtesy of City of St. Pete

With its pedestrian-scale, walkable, and amenityrich downtown, St. Petersburg is fast becoming the nexus of Tampa Bay’s entrepreneurial economy.

Ranked “12th in the Nation for Small Business”

by Biz2Credit and “8th Best City for Hispanic Entrepreneurs” by WalletHub, St. Pete touts a wealth of resources and incentives for local businesses. The city has consistently been rated by KPMG as one of the easiest and most cost effective regions in the country to conduct business.

in the sector being nearly twice as concentrated as the average American community. In fact, this sector, which includes Securities and Asset Management, Insurance, and Customer Care Services, employs well over 14,500 among 650 businesses locally.

Several major Financial Services Firms headquarters are located in St. Pete, including Raymond James Financial, TransAmerica, FIS Management Services, and American Strategy Insurance. This target sector offers high employment concentration and wages above the local average.

Data Analytics, or “Big Data,” is an emerging sector in St. Pete, which includes data analysis and capture. With a growing amount of digital

information produced globally every day, firms that can make sense of these large volumes of data are becoming increasingly important in the economy.

Experts in the field estimate that the global market for Big Data will grow to nearly $53 billion in 2017.

St. Petersburg already has several top firms that specialize in working with “Big Data,” such as HSN, Valpak, TRIAD Retail Media, and Clarifire.

St. Petersburg’s Creative Arts and Design sector builds upon the city’s long history of strength in the arts. With five distinct arts districts, seven performing arts companies, 25+ top-ranked galleries, eight world-famous museums, and several theatrical venues, St. Pete is a hotbed for the arts.

A top startup community in Florida, St. Petersburg offers support for entrepreneurs and small businesses via The Greenhouse, St. Petersburg’s “front door” to business growth. Comprised of an expert team from the city of St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, The Greenhouse staff is committed to the economic development and business growth of St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay region. Utilizing a wide network of service partners throughout the local community - including universities, nonprofits, and other entrepreneurial organizations - the Greenhouse opens the door to business success in St. Petersburg.

100 2nd Ave N #150 St Petersburg, FL 33701 Tel: (727) 821-4069 www.stpete.com

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Tampa Bay Trade & Protocol Council

The Tampa Bay Trade & Protocol Council is the only one of its kind in the State of Florida. Embassies with dignitaries, such as Ambassadors, Consuls General, Presidents and Ministers are invited to meet with the Mayor of the City of Tampa, Commissioners of the County, Presidents of tourism, port, airport and Universities along with businesses interested in growth.

From left to right are: Deborah Wilkinson, Executive Director of Tampa Bay Trade & Protocol Council; Honorary Consul Juan Sabines Guerrero of the United Mexican States; Honorary Consul Joseph Gergatz of Hungary; Honorary Consul Lisa Mets of Estonia; Honorary Consul Arthur Savage of Denmark & Norway; Honorable Bob Buckhorn, Mayor, City of Tampa; Honorary Vice Consul Jose Vivero of Kingdom of Spain; Honorable Al Higginbotham, Hillsborough County Commissioner; Consular Correspondent Vincent Genovese of Italy; Consul General Adamantia Klotsa of Greece; Honorary Consul Algimantas Karnavicius of the Republic of Lithuania; Honorary Consul Juan Carlos Ibarra of the Republic of Peru; Honorary Consul Jean-Charles Faust of the French Republic; Honorary Consul Norma Henning of the Federal Republic of Germany

The Tampa Bay Trade & Protocol Council is an international organization that promotes the Tampa Bay region internationally for trade and protocol, connects companies and institutions with international opportunities, and educates the public on topics related to the international economy. The Council is comprised of the Presidents and CEOs of the City of Tampa Office of the Mayor; Hillsborough County; Tampa International Airport; the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce; Visit Tampa Bay; the University of Tampa; Saint Leos; and the University of South Florida. The Council is positioned to be a regional partner with the cities, counties, ports, airports, tourism, universities, and chambers to the north and south and across to Central Florida.

The Council receives inbound delegations from various countries seeking clients through government, education, tourism and business.

Research and matchmaking is an important activity for the Council.

The Council prides itself in coordinating these missions and working on their full agenda with important business partners for matchmaking such as Enterprise Florida 158

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and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Council.

The Council coordinates at least one outbound benchmarking mission every other year for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce that includes major partners throughout the region into a foreign country.

These studies and/or benchmarking missions, led by the Chamber, Mayor and sometimes County Commissioner include business to business meetings, meetings with top government leaders, networking events and receptions.

The Council also supports Tampa Bay Export Alliance on all business to business missions that occur twice a year and handles the protocol for such missions. Organizing leadership missions to overseas markets that concentrates on Sister Cities and study missions that may become targeted markets hosting high-level speakers throughout the world for the Tampa Bay region internationally for trade and business organizing educational programming for the public on topics related to international trade and protocol.

Helping firms that are members of the Council achieve

Mayor Buckhorn and Consul General David Prodger of the UK

Deborah Wilkinson, Executive Director Tampa Bay Trade & Protocol Council

IIE President with Deborah Wilkinson (TBTPC)

2015 Dublin Ireland International Benchmarking Mission/Sister City Signing Agreement w/South Dublin

their international business goals by building capacity for the Council’s major funders and other organizations. The Council helps coordinate the Consular Corps that extends to any Consulate in the State of Florida or southern region of the U.S. that may not be in Tampa Bay working together to attract inbound delegations consisting of businesses and government and handling protocol issues as well as visas that enhance the Tampa Bay Region and the State of Florida.

The Tampa Bay Consular Corps has 28 members in total; nine Sister Cities; and five Cooperative Agreements with other countries.

The Council works closely with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and other Chambers in the region to network and attend benchmarking trips around the United States to find solutions for common issues such as talent attraction,

Italian Consul General Gloria Bellelli welcomed by Mayor Bob Buckhorn

maintaining and growing research universities, and building globally competitive cities while conserving scarce resources.

International Business Group The Council convenes representatives of the Greater Tampa Chamber’s international trade and non-profit community to coordinate programming and develop projects to improve Tampa Bay and Florida State’s international climate.

The Council has been recognized as the only organization of its type to have received the Institute of International Education (IIE) “Generational Study Abroad” Award in October 2015. The University of Tampa was very instrumental in working as an advisory board member of the Council in connecting the Council and its efforts to the IIE.

www.tampabaytpc.com

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GREATER TAMPA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Minding Your Business

130th Annual Meeting

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit business membership organization dedicated to providing its members with innovative leadership, influential advocacy, inside access, and increased opportunities. As the largest, most influential business organization in Tampa Bay, the Chamber brings businesses together to grow, connect, and take the lead in shaping the region’s business community.

ADVOCACY The Chamber represents the voice of our members in the legislative process. An integral component of the Chamber’s mission is to communicate the views of the business community to elected officials and to hold government accountable to business. Members have the opportunity to participate in an agenda that influences policy makers.

OPERATION PARTNERSHIP Service members are paired up with local business executives to learn about civilian employment and how their unique skills from military service can be applied in the civilian workforce. Operation Partnership continues to strengthen ties between Tampa’s military and business communities.

INNOVATIVE LEADERSHIP The Chamber continues to steer Tampa’s future growth through a leadership framework that provides for professional development and community research initiatives. Your Chamber membership gives business leaders an opportunity to be an active participant in the growth of the Tampa Bay Region.

BENCHMARKING For 15 years, the Chamber has taken 100 business leaders and elected officials on an annual benchmarking visit to investigate new programs and initiatives in a city similar to Tampa and adapt its best practices to meet our growing needs. Participating Chamber members get an insider’s view of another city’s success and then come home to Tampa and apply these new ideas.

• Emerge Tampa Bay Young professionals develop community leadership skills through this Chamber program that engages over 600 active members between the ages of 21 and 35.

• Leadership Tampa The Chamber provides area executives the chance to experience Tampa in an incredibly in-depth way with the nation’s third oldest leadership development program.

• Leadership Tampa Alumni Leadership Tampa Alumni, serves to support graduates from Leadership Tampa and extends the involvement of those individuals in civic education, social interaction, current events, and issues facing the Tampa Bay community.

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MEMBER ENGAGEMENT The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce annually hosts more than 150 events and programs designed to meet the varied needs of our diverse membership. These events provide members with the opportunity to build business networks, learn from respected industry professionals, and gain insight into pertinent issues affecting Tampa’s future. The chamber hosts five signature events each year.

Signature Events: • Military Appreciation Banquet • Women of Influence Luncheon • Small Business of the Year Awards • Annual Meeting • Emerging with Influence

Emerge Tampa Bay members at their Annual Nonprofit Fair

Leadership Tampa 2016 Kickoff

Small Business of the Year Awards

Vice President Joe Biden speaking to Chamber members

201 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602, United States | Phone:+1 813-228-7777 | www.tampachamber.com

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Jamie Melonie, Katie Krimitsos and Chris Krimitsos

TAMPA BAY BUSINESS OWNERS A Culture of Helping Makes Good Business.

If you’ve ever watched an episode of Shark Tank, you’ve been able to witness a few interesting elements of business occurring. An invention or idea was hatched by someone who could be your neighbor, who has spent the better part of the past few years building it into a business system the best way they know how. And at the moment they can’t handle the volume or get to a sticky point with capital, they enter the Shark Tank, hopeful one of the money players will see the same vision they see and open their wallet.

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These entrepreneurs obviously never encountered Tampa Bay Business Owners. If they had, they would have already discovered that an entire community of resources is at their disposal.

Built on the principle of “business owners helping business owners,” the TBBO community is like no other association you’ll ever encounter. Sure, they have great networking (their connecting opportunities are consistently voted some of the most electric and productive in the area).

Yes, they have phenomenal education (Internet marketing education, all day summits, tours of local business and Keynote presentations by some of the area’s most prominent entrepreneurs add to members’ business knowledge). And of course they have impactful mastermind groups (their Eg3 Mastermind system gives members their own private peer advisory group to brainstorm on their companies and provide accountability for forward moving goals). But the Tampa Bay Business Owner community is so much more than any one of its parts. As one member put it, “This is the best business community I’ve ever been a part of. It’s like nothing else I’ve ever experienced.”

Kenneth Feld of Feld Entertainment. Because of the day of education, speed networking and sponsor and vendor tables, the TBBO Business Symposium attracts over 400 business owners and professionals from all over the Bay area!

What is it that makes TBBO so special? A passion to help.

Chris Krimitsos, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of the Tampa Bay Business Owners, created a living, breathing community of entrepreneurs to fuel his own passion for helping people. That raw passion is backed up by a system to scale the TBBO philosophy.

“When each member is helping their fellow member grow, the economies of scale take over,” Krimitsos explains.

“We’ve woven in intricate systems into our culture that ensure we know exactly what our members need so we can provide that service or connect them to that resource,” says Katie Krimitsos, Chief Operating Officer for Tampa Bay Business Owners. “And our members know the drill.

They understand our culture of ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’ and actively seek out opportunities to help one another.”

The best thing about the Tampa Bay Business Owners is that while they provide immense value to their members, they extend their resources to the larger business community in Tampa Bay. Every year they host the Business Symposium, a one-day business convention featuring speakers like

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been running your company for decades, whether you’ve just made your first dollar or have multi-million dollar revenues, the Tampa Bay Business Owners is home for any entrepreneur who has a passion for their business and who believes in positively helping others.

“Soon, one member’s business is booming and they need to bring on more employees and hire on specialized knowledge. This, in turn, brings more business to other members, which helps their companies grow and leads to more people getting hired, and so on and so on.”

Herein lies the true power of such a community. In taking care of its members and cultivating an atmosphere of helping one another, the Tampa Bay Business Owners are positively contributing to the larger economy. Not so small a feat for someone who simply wanted to “help people” in his life.

The Tampa Bay Business Owners community is growing quickly and so is their effect on their members’ businesses and the Tampa Bay economy at large.

To find out more about this organization, contact their headquarters at 813-489-5585 or info@tbbo.org

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THE TAMPA CLUB The Tampa Club has played an important part in everything Tampa through the bonds forged by members in its plush interiors. It continues to stand proudly as the premier business connector in Tampa Bay.

Located at the top of Tampa is the city club favored

by Tampa’s business professionals since 1981. A successful club appeals to a multitude of individuals with varied needs, and the Tampa Club has thrived on that diversity since its founding. It has a progressive reputation, standing out as unique and dynamic in a community with many options for gathering spaces.

Occupying the top two floors of the landmark Bank of America Plaza, no other building in the city provides a more impressive business address. Upon entering the club, members and guests alike are captivated by the luxurious setting featuring expansive views of the city, Old Tampa Bay, Hillsborough River and historic University of Tampa. The Tampa Club is a comfortable place to discuss important matters, an extension of the workplace for lunch with clients, a popular after-work spot for cocktails and conversation, and the place where members connect with each other while taking in the breathtaking panorama available only at Tampa’s highest accessible point.

The Tampa Club is an excellent venue for corporate meetings, social occasions and life’s important milestones. The club’s expert staff ensures every event is flawlessly executed. Each rehearsal dinner, wedding and reception is as unique as the couple getting married, and business meetings yield more when set in the club’s inspiring spaces.

Always popular among business professionals, the decades have seen expansion in the way Tampa Club members use their club. High rise residences soaring from the heart of downtown, the explosive growth of the Riverwalk and the proliferation of arts and cultural venues have brought with them a richer social enjoyment of the club. Today, the Tampa Club is truly the premier place for business and pleasure.

www.thetampaclub.com

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ON POINT

With more than 30 years combined experience in the Virtual Office and Executive Suite industry, we are prepared to listen – accommodate – and serve!

On Point Executive Center, Inc is a Tampa-based shared workspace provider for professionals committed to dropping their overhead while elevating their image.

On Point is ideal for businesses looking for a flexible, comfortable, productive work environment without the hassles of traditional office infrastructure, maintenance and overhead.

Small business owners can’t always afford all of the luxuries of the large corporate entities. By using our shared services, you have access to them when you need

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them, pay for them only when you use them, and leave the management and upkeep to us. From corporate address and mail services, telephonic numbers and receptionists to office space any way you slice it!

We know space! By the foot, cubical style, private office, conference rooms of all sizes, or a full time oceanfront suite. By the minute, day, week, month or year. Short-term, long-term, or roaming packages customized to meet your individual needs.

We are family owned and operated and have been committed to the virtual office industry since 1999. Allow us the pleasure of assisting your business today! Call (813) 350-7800 and join the hundreds of other businesses state-wide, nationwide, and internationally who virtual office #ONPOINT style! We have extensive experience providing service to entrepreneurs, start-ups, small businesses, home-based businesses, satellite offices, service based businesses, teams, boards, cross-country offices, and international companies.

On Point Executive Center, Inc 3030 N. Rocky Point Drive W., #150 Tampa, FL 33607 Phone: 813.350.7800 www.onpointexecutivecenter.com Facebook.com/OnPointExecutiveCenter Twitter.com/VirtualOfficeFL

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THE OXFORD EXCHANGE STORY “Oxford Exchange is where community happens”

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We have a number of functions to support this endeavor. Some functions get the conversation going (our bookstore), some keep it going (coffee and tea) and some pay the bills (a profitable award winning busy restaurant). We also believe that great design helps to put people in a better frame of mind. That we eat with our eyes as much as with our mouths and that our souls can be lifted by a beautiful space. Our favorite past time is exploring the great halls and cathedrals of Europe, where such care was given to every detail and the craftsmanship matched the dedication to excellence. We believe that these spaces are still very much needed, even in an increasingly virtual world.

That no amount of Facebook connections can replace the feeling of seeing and being seen and there is something about being in the presence of real books.

We are social creatures and social media will never quite replace the genuine article. “Likes” may quantify the interest intent but eye contact will always seal the deal. The Oxford Exchange brings some of this Old World feel to the New World Reality. We recognize that technology will continue to make our lives better, our commutes shorter, and we wait with baited breath the day that Amazon can deliver within the hour. Our driverless cars will one day shuttle us to and fro and our children will never know what is was like to have lost the keys. The Oxford Exchange plays a role in our transition, a role where you can come make believe that life is still about real world connections, old world books, and natural sunlight. We hope you will come see for yourself and please take a picture while you do.

After all, if it’s not on Facebook, did it really happen?

www.oxfordexchange.com

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The University of South Florida The University of South Florida System is a dynamic center of learning, research, creativity, and invention at the heart of one of the nation’s fastest rising metropolitan areas.

Matt May

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The three institutions of the USF System – USF, USF St. Petersburg, and USF Sarasota-Manatee – each play a powerful role in the lives of people across the Tampa Bay Region. Collectively, the System is an economic catalyst that nurtures a new generation of highly skilled professionals, as a center of worldclass health care and innovation and as a cultural and artistic hub that adds to the region’s overall quality of life. More than 48,000 students call the USF System their academic home, and USF System alumni number more than 300,000 around the world.

USF has an annual economic impact of more than $4.4 billion, draws a global community of students and faculty from more than 120 nations, and has forged education and research partnerships around the world.

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Aimee Blodgett

The main USF campus was founded in 1956 to serve Tampa’s growing metropolitan core. The university quickly became a leader in the sciences, technology, engineering and cutting-edge health care, and is ranked by the National Science Foundation in the Top 25 of American public research universities. USF St. Petersburg and USF Sarasota-Manatee have emerged as academic centers in their own rights, each independently accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and serving the distinctive needs of their communities while benefitting from the resources of a large public research university.

Since 2000, the USF System has been led by President Judy Genshaft, whose optimistic and energetic focus has built USF’s globally recognized reputation for higher education excellence.

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International Initiatives USF World leads the university’s international involvement, sending students around the globe and also welcoming international students to campus to cultivate cultural diversity. Through

the management of international partnerships, competitively awarding funds for worldwide travel, and providing a broad spectrum of resources for research, and other globally focused endeavors, USF World supports the key mission of graduating global citizens.

Both domestic and international students benefit on campus and across borders with an enriched academic experience alongside peers from around the world, broadening their thinking, and enhancing their development as global citizens.

Research USF’s faculty and researchers conduct groundbreaking research, translating their discoveries into practice, products and companies that make an impact on the world, drive economic growth, and prepare the next generation of scientists and leaders. Areas of excellence include medicine, engineering, brain research, aging, heart health, infectious diseases, drug discovery, robotics, biometrics, big data, cybersecurity, urban

Sim Chi Yin

A major driver of economic development in the Tampa Bay region, USF was named an Innovation & Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities in 2015, one of only 48 in the nation. With a record $440.6 million in research funding in 2015 alone, USF’s research supported an estimated 5,900 jobs and generated $973.7 million in local economic growth, according to economic impact estimates by the

National Institutes of Health. A global patent leader, USF ranks 10th nationally and 13th internationally among universities for U.S. patents granted in 2014 (NAI/IPO), ranking among the top 15 universities worldwide for five years.

USF has become a national leader in changing the culture of academic innovation to recognize and reward inventive and entrepreneurial faculty. USF is the founder and home of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), a non-profit member organization with over 3,000 individual inventor members and Fellows spanning more than 200 U.S. universities, and governmental and non-profit research institutions worldwide.

USF is also home to the Florida Center for Cybersecurity, established by the Florida Legislature in 2014 as a statewide resource to fuel job creation, develop a skilled talent pool, and drive regional and statewide economic development. Industry partnerships are a foundational aspect of the Center’s operations, and it has developed interdisciplinary curriculum to align with the emerging needs in this area. The center, a first of its kind in the state, is helping to make Florida a national leader in this emerging and critical field.

Similarly, USF is also proud to be the host institution of the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO), an Academic Infrastructure Support Organization of the State University System of Florida. FIO was established nearly four decades ago to bring together 27 public and private institutions and agencies from across the state to work collaboratively to maximize marine research and education resources.

Joseph Gamble

Aimee Blodgett

transportation, climate change, coastal biology, veterans’ reintegration, sustainability, and clean energy, among others. The USF Health Informatics Institute, the data and technology coordinating hub for nearly every major Type 1 diabetes clinical trial worldwide, is the epicenter for global juvenile diabetes research.

Headquartered at USF’s College of Marine Science, FIO allows scientists and students from across the state and around the world to work together in conducting science aboard two research vessels and at the Florida Keys Marine Laboratory. The collective power of FIO has been evident in the leading role Best of Tampa Bay

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the institute has played in the scientific assessment of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The future of our oceanic resources requires an educated and informed populace and a new generation of scientists, engineers, managers, and policy leaders to maintain a productive and sustainable environment.

Eric Younghans

USF Health USF Health represents the partnership of the Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, the Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs, and the USF Physicians Group. Together, USF Health integrates research, education and health care to reach our shared value — making life better.

USF Health’s central mission is to prepare highly skilled health care professionals for the workforce, and USF Health students consistently surpass national averages for passing key licensing exams.

USF Health colleges and departments similarly rank high in total funding from the National Institutes of Health – considered a gold standard in research metrics – including a No. 1 ranking by the Department of Pediatrics and a No. 10 ranking by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Leading a trend among universities that are moving medical schools downtown, USF plans to open a new co-located Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute in fall of 2019 in a thriving downtown waterfront district, in close proximity to USF’s primary teaching hospital, Tampa General Hospital.

The new facility is expected to have tremendous appeal to both students and faculty, including top cardiovascular researchers.

At the center of all this activity is a clinical enterprise that offers patients the most current medicines, treatments and cures available. The USF Health faculty practice group – the largest on the west coast of Florida – is defining new and better ways to provide quality and safe health care. More than 600 health care providers in more than 30 specialties across more than two-dozen clinical locations deliver this advanced care to patients and their families from across the Southeast.

Aimee Blodgett

Athletics The University of South Florida supports 19 varsity men’s and women’s teams, most of which compete at the NCAA Division I level in the American Athletic Conference. Nearly 500 student-athletes train and compete in the athletic district located on the east end of USF’s Tampa campus, benefiting from an enthusiastic fan base across the Tampa Bay region and beyond.

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The Bulls’ football team, which reached the No. 2 ranking in 2007, plays in Tampa’s beautiful Raymond James Stadium, also home to the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship. When competing at home in Tampa, the USF Bulls play before exuberant crowds averaging more than 40,000 fans, and often exceeding 65,000 in attendance.

Eric Younghans

Elizabeth Nicole Teal

Eric Younghans

The Bulls claimed eight conference titles in their first three seasons in The American, giving USF 45 total conference championships for football, baseball, golf, softball, soccer and tennis since beginning its competitive sports programs. Coupled with eight NCAA post-season competition wins in the 201415 season, USF’s student-athletes posted an 83 percent Graduation Success Rate, with 182 earning conference all-academic recognition.

Eric Younghans

The men’s and women’s basketball programs compete in the 10,411-seat USF Sun Dome arena on campus, a facility recently enhanced with $35.6 million in renovations. USF’s baseball, softball, soccer and track and field facilities on campus have all been recently constructed or renovated and are among the top facilities in the nation.

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Chen Wang

USF St. Petersburg Situated on a stunning waterfront, USF St. Petersburg (USFSP) provides a distinctive, top-tier higher education option for students and families who want a more personalized campus experience.

Ranked at No. 23 among Southern Regional Public Universities by U.S. News & World Report, USFSP offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs to approximately 4,700 students. USFSP is also ranked among the nation’s “25 Most Exclusive Public Bachelor’s Colleges” by AffordableSchools. net, a ranking based on data reported by the National Center for Education Statistics.

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As a separately-accredited institution within the USF System, USFSP is classified as a Master’s Medium institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education. It has also earned the elective Carnegie Classification of Community Engagement. The USFSP Kate Tiedemann College of Business has earned AACSB International accreditation in both business and accounting, an honor held by less than two percent of all business schools. Its Online MBA is ranked among the nation’s Top 15 by U.S. News & World Report.

USF Sarasota-Manatee Take a small, personalized educational institution with committed, engaged and highly qualified faculty.

Combine it with the opportunities afforded by a high impact, global research university. Add affordability, a commitment to community engagement, a diverse student body and thousands of successful and community-oriented alumni. Welcome to the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (USFSM).

Michael Nielsen

Ericka McThenia

USFSM is the centerpiece of the higher education corridor in the Sarasota/Bradenton area, offering a culturally rich climate ideal for personal growth and intellectual development. As a growing and rapidly evolving part of the USF System, USFSM is small enough to care, but large enough to lead.

USFSM’s 80 resident and 70 adjunct faculty members deliver more than 40 bachelors’, master’s, and certificate programs to approximately 2,000 students annually. The institution emphasizes quality, convenience, and affordability with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, average undergraduate class size of 21, more than 80 percent of the faculty with terminal degrees in their fields, and more than 40 percent of courses online. Its offerings include an honors program, arts-infused teacher-preparation, hospitality, business, and a biology program in partnership with the Sarasota-based Mote Marine Laboratory.

Michael Nielsen

Aimee Blodgett

USFSP also offers unique civic engagement and research opportunities thanks to its numerous partnerships with other leaders in the community, including Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Raymond James and HSN. The institution plays a lead role in the City’s new Innovation District, an effort among key St. Petersburg civic and business stakeholders to revitalize the area under a shared mission of creativity, invention and new energy

www.usf.edu

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION 180

“People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do.”

Steve Jobs

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Foreword by REBECCA WHITE

Ph.D, The University of Tampa James W. Walter Distinguished Chair of Entrepreneurship Professor of Entrepreneurship Director, John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center

With its entrepreneurial history, its rich culture and diversity, its major universities and think tanks, and with its outdoor lifestyle coupled with miles of beautiful beaches, Tampa Bay is a hotbed of entrepreneurial activities and a rich environment for entrepreneurs to live, work and play.

www.ut.edu

When 19th century entrepreneurs Henry Plant and Henry Flagler expanded their rail lines to Florida, they opened the doors for an influx of curious citizens from the northern states wanting to flee the harsh winters back home. Henry Plant constructed Tampa’s most iconic building, the Tampa Bay Hotel, referred to as Florida’s “first Magic Kingdom.” The hotel now stands as Plant Hall, the historic centerpiece of The University of Tampa.

Today St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa have demonstrated their ability to spread their wings and grow beyond their roots to embrace the latest technological developments and build exciting spaces to nurture the expansion of entrepreneurial mindset. This has resulted in the cultivation of great companies that not only serve the needs of the regional population, but also solve some of the world’s biggest problems.

Today, thousands of students come from around the U.S. and the world to study at The University of Tampa. And many of those students create new business ideas and solve real-world problems in the Spartan Accelerator, Contemplation Loft and unique Think Pods in the John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center within the newly constructed Innovation and Collaboration Building on campus.

Creativity and innovation are a direct result of the intersection of diverse thought, practice, cultures, experiences and domains coupled with intellectual curiosity. All strong entrepreneurial ecosystems are built on these principles. With its history of open arms and its resulting rich diversity, Tampa Bay represents the best in entrepreneurship.

But The University of Tampa is only one example of Tampa Bay’s entrepreneurial community. Building a great entrepreneurial region requires both roots and wings. Economic growth in Tampa Bay has long been built upon enterprising small businesses that feed families and provide the goods and services that have helped Tampa Bay grow.

As you peruse these pages you can explore Tampa Bay’s incubators and accelerators, learn about cutting-edge innovation, and meet long-standing small business owners, students hoping to solve global poverty issues, and leaders of progressive corporations. They’re all engaged daily in the practice of entrepreneurship, right here in Tampa Bay.

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Tembo

Photo by Andrew "AJ" Favicchio

Tembo is transforming the way we approach early childhood education. Tembo links home educators to parents, via mobile phones, to make quality education more accessible and affordable to every child in the world.

HOW TEMBO STARTED Tembo Education’s journey began in 2014 when a group of socially conscious students from the University of Tampa convened to respond to the 2015 Hult Prize Challenge issued by President Bill Clinton: “educate ten million children from the ages of 0-6 in urban slums by 2020.”

Together, these ambitious entrepreneurs were able to engineer a full-fledged social enterprise to tackle one of the world’s most pressing challenges, the lack of early childhood education in impoverished regions of the world. Their solution is very simple, yet remarkably innovative. Tembo Education 182

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trains home educators to teach parents so that the parents can educate their children, underscoring the importance of parental involvement in the education process. Then, Tembo assesses the learning process through quizzes via text message to ensure that the child is being educated. The solution is highquality because our education curriculum is derived from evidence-based activities comprised from Harvard University’s Developing Child, LEGO, Pearson, and PBS. It is overseen by a child neuroscience PhD who is a leading expert for Psychology Today, one of the world’s largest education platforms.

The solution is accessible because Tembo

“Tembo Named amongst Forbes Magazine 30 under 30 in 2016.”

Tembo then complements their home educators with mobile phones to make it even more accessible and scalable. And finally, the solution is affordable because Tembo partners with telecommunication companies to send out the education content through text messages using an education-based loyalty program to provide the curriculum at a low cost.

HULT PRIZE COMPETITION Tembo Education quickly climbed to the top of the entrepreneurial pyramid when they became 1 of the top 6 teams (out of 22,000) to advance to the Hult Prize global finals in NYC to pitch their business idea to President Bill Clinton for a chance at $1M in seed capital funding, besting all 8 Ivy League schools to become the only team in the United States to advance.

Photo by Andrew "AJ" Favicchio

is not creating a new distribution channel, they are simply tapping into an already existing channel by training community members to visit the homes of parents they already know.

Photo by Andrew "AJ" Favicchio

AFRICA Though Tembo Education’s genesis was a direct result of its participation in the Hult Prize—the largest social business competition on the planet— its ambitions extend far beyond the circumstances that characterized its inception. Tembo is currently operating in 19 slum communities across Nigeria, the world’s 4th fastest growing population. Key partners and initial customers in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, and Liberia have already been secured.

Its upcoming milestones include hiring 100 home educators and educating 4,300 children, though its grander goal is to reach 10 million children across the world by 2020.

CALL TO ACTION If you are interested in learning more about Tembo Education and would like to support their endeavor of educating ten million children by 2020, please visit GoFundMe. com/Tembo, or follow them on all major social media platforms: @TemboEducationGroup.com.

3050 Pointeview Drive Tampa, Florida 33611 Tel: +1-813-373-2995 www.TemboEducationGroup.com Best of Tampa Bay

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Daniel McDonald UT MBA concentration in Entrepreneurship 16’

UT Entrepreneurship The John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center Spartan Incubator and Accelerator Program.

The Lowth Entrepreneurship Center holds two unique programs that help entrepreneurs in the community and students succeed in a short amount of time. Daniel McDonald is an MBA student at the University of Tampa concentrating in Entrepreneurship and currently working as the liaison of the Spartan Incubator and Accelerator Program. The programs currently holds twenty one startup companies that all operate from the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center and provides them with free office space, mentors, advisors, events and a curriculum.

Daniel serves as the personal consultant for each individual company along with weekly meetings, bringing in mentors and presenters to give personal stories and advice. Daniel also serves the role of connecting companies with investors and the personal pitch coach to help perfect the presentations for investment, competitions or exposure.

Daniel’s passion strives from seeing entrepreneurs and small businesses grow quickly in a short amount of time. The ideologies that the Spartan Accelerator and Incubator program really pushes for are accountability and being able to measure progress to reach goals using a SMART system. The Spartan Accelerator Program is designed for only current University of Tampa students who have an idea and need to accelerate to the next stage of their venture. The following are four companies that Daniel has coached and held accountable on a daily basis to help see the start-ups strive for success.

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Daniel McDonald Like most entrepreneurs, I was presented with a challenge in my personal life.

During March of 2015, I wondered what was I going to do with all of my college possessions while I planned to be out of town for the following summer. The value of my college possessions did not accumulate to the financial cost of storing the items in a traditional self-storage unit, so I took out my brainstorming notebook and wrote down my problem. After my problem was written on paper, I started analyzing what types of business models current investors have confidence in, and wrote down both “Uber” and “Airbnb” in my notebook. Lightbulb Moment.

Let’s bring self-storage to the sharing economy. Individuals could list and rent all types of underutilized space. By providing a mutually beneficial experience, a renter would save money storing their belongings, and a host would make residual income. Not knowing how difficult this concept would be to execute, I searched high and low for qualified individuals who could make this dream a reality. During the summer of 2015, while in Perth, Australia, I presented the business concept to a family friend, who has a strong background in technology development, and was just as excited about the business and came on board.

That week Craig Read-Smith and I spoke for hours discussing the concept, the business plan and all of the technology required. Since then, Craig and I have become an amazing team consistently learning from each other working towards making Storedby a reality.

OptiMrkt A peer to peer marketplace that specializes in high quality products at low prices in the slums of Mumbai, India to empower micro entrepreneurs in earning better wages by cutting out layers of middlemen.

The platform also allows for anyone to invest into these micro entrepreneurs with small loans that are paid back through a percentage of sales. OptiMrkt uses a mobile wallet system to transfer all the money to make transactions seamless and digitizing the currency creating a new safety net for entrepreneurs to operate. OptiMrkt placed third at SEEC and is representing The University of Tampa at the Hult Prize Competition in Boston tackling the challenge on how to double the income of 10 million people living in crowded urban spaces in five years. The team composes of Chenoy Ceil, Monty Berrow, Bay Downing, Luciano Perdomo, Yuliya Chaschina and Jennifer Finney.

OptiMrkt in Mumbai, India: (left to right ) Jennifer Finney, Yuliya Chashchina, Luciano Perdomo, Chenoy Ceil, Bay Downing and Monty Berrow

Lift Sync

Zuloc

A web platform that connects consumers to underutilized space of all sorts for storage. Hosts can rent out their garage, bedroom, closet and even their marina for storage. The company was founded

by CEO John Publicover while attending The University of Tampa. The vision for StoredBy is not just limited to peer-to-peer renting, but also a portal for current storage facilities to list their availability for storage. StoredBy has won pitch competitions placing first in the CREATE Competition and the first Florida Governors Cup along with placing second at the South Eastern Entrepreneurship Conference (SEEC).

In 2015 Lift Sync were crowned winners of Tampa Bay Startup Weekend and Global Startup Battle: Disrupters Track for their idea that they generated in just 54 hours. Their innovative company uses a two wrist band system that helps users keep track of which weights a user holds onto along with how many reps, sets and improper lifting form all hands free registering the data to a phone. The idea was inspired by Matt Philips when he was in high school and had a Division 1 Scholarship lined up to play college basketball but eventually suffered from a high ankle sprain. It was later on that he realized his injury was due to improper lifting form in the gym and lack of attention from personal trainers. Lift Sync enrolled in the Spartan Accelerator Program to start filing for patents and eventually take first place at SEEC.

After exiting their first company in India, Karan started his second company while attending the University of Tampa in the MBA program with a vision to bring back meaningful relationships to professional networking. So Karan created Zuloc, a mobile app along with an algorithm to help pair professionals, based on proximity, with key connections such as human resources directors to help further their career. Professional networking websites have become saturated and filled with spam eliminating opportunities to make connections that will truly impact someone. Zuloc is here to help communities grow by pairing the right connections with each other. Karan placed second at the CREATE competition and has a team of developers in India, allowing the team to work 24 hours a day on accelerating Zuloc forward.

StoredBy winning Florida Governors Cup: (Left to right) Dr. Dean Koutroumanis, John Publicover and Dr. Rebecca White

Lift Sync after winning SEEC: (Left to right) Pat Schroeder, Mariner Cheney, Matt Phillips and Derek Flores

Zuloc: Karan Walia CEO and Founder of Zuloc

StoredBy

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Dr. Hank Hine, Executive Director of The Dalí and Co-Director of Innovation Labs.

Nathan Schwagler, Co-Director of Innovation Labs.

The Dalí

Innovation Labs

The Dalí’s Innovation Labs offers one-of-a-kind programs that carefully combine more than 60 years of psychology and management research on creativity, creative problem solving, and innovation, infused with Dalí’s philosophy and methods to unlock a team’s true untapped creative potential.

SOLUTIONS LABS – Ideation Workshops The design and facilitation of applied creativity workshops that address a client’s specific goal or challenge SKILLS LABS – Skill building for creativity, innovation, and change leadership The design and delivery of proprietary creativity and innovation classes to train the specific skills, and provide the learnable mindsets, of creative thinking and problem solving that drive organizational innovation LEADER LABS – Team building and offsite leadership retreats The design and facilitation of group retreats for senior leadership

©2016–Salvador Dalí Museum, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL.

For more information contact Labs Co-Director Nathan Schwagler at nschwagler@thedali.org Right Image: Image Rights of Salvador Dalí reserved. Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Figueres, 2016.

Left Images: ©2016–Salvador Dalí Museum, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL.

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TAMPA BAY WAVE, INC.

“The WaVE” as it has come to be known, is a focal point of Tampa’s growing tech startup community.

As a “by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs” non-profit, Tampa Bay WaVE’s mission is to help entrepreneurs build, launch and grow successful technology companies right here in Tampa Bay. Through the diligent cultivation of entrepreneurs, technology talent and support from community and business leaders, Tampa Bay WaVE has created a unique ecosystem focused on collaborative pathways to success. The 10,000 square-foot space at 500 E. Kennedy, overlooking the downtown business district, supplies its inhabitants with all they need to focus on becoming Tampa Bay’s next breakout success. Oh, and not to mention the coffee bar, hammocks, foosball and open work environment that supports their distinctive culture.

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History Tampa Bay WaVE began in 2008 as a meet-up of the CEOs and founders of local technology startups. Founder and current President, Linda Olson formed a community of leaders that came together regularly to solve problems and share ideas. The group continued to grow as they became more effective at providing solutions and resources to its members.

In 2011, after instituting some programming and organizing around a few key initiatives, Tampa Bay WaVE formally established itself as a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a focus on enabling Tampa Bay to support great technology startups.

In 2012, Tampa Bay WaVE moved into downtown’s iconic Sykes Building while simultaneously raising $1M from the business community to support its efforts. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) matched these funds with a federal grant that same year.

In 2015, the EDA followed up on their commitment with a second grant that allowed the WaVE to continue their mission of helping entrepreneurs build successful technology ventures. Later that year, Tampa Bay WaVE relocated to their current space in the Sunshine Bank Building.

This new home effectively supports Tampa Bay WaVE’s mission by providing resources for coworking, workshops, a mentor network, as well as, a home for the FirstWaVE Venture Center and Accelerator Program.

The FirstWaVE Venture Center Today’s startup founders require a growing number of resources to support their success.

Close proximity and collaboration with other founders and CEOs is an invaluable part of this mix. The FirstWaVE Venture Center provides coworking opportunities with flexible, open office space along with the access to resources and the community support that entrepreneurs need.

With the added value of workshops and networking events, the Venture Center is an affordable and valuable asset for businesses at any stage of growth.

The FirstWaVE Accelerator Tampa Bay WaVE’s FirstWaVE Accelerator delivers a hands-on program that moves startups from an idea to an investment-ready business in just ninety days. This program offers founders the counsel, connections, and the confidence of commitment that will allow them to thrive. This accelerator program is different by design and allows the bootstrap entrepreneur the chance to focus on their idea while maintaining 100% of their equity. With a nominal fee for participation, these founders invest in their idea without divesting their ownership.

The FirstWaVE Accelerator provides many additional support resources after the program like meaningful peer relationships built during the program along with beneficial connections to customers and capital.

Community WaVE is one of the closest entrepreneurial communities in the Tampa Bay area - and growing more expansive every year.

Because helping entrepreneurs is at the heart of Tampa Bay WaVE’s mission, they will continue to

expand their services to assure they are contributing value to the Tampa Bay entrepreneurial community.

Whether it is more education, leadership and/or capital investment opportunities, Tampa Bay WaVE is committed to building companies and growing the Tampa Bay area’s ability to support a thriving technology business community.

www.tampabaywave.org

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The HuB

There was a time when startups and entrepreneurs were restrained to working in home offices or scavenging for space at the local coffee shop.

Thanks to coworking, the lives of entrepreneurs have changed – and it’s definitely for the better.

Coworking is much more than resources and a place to do business. It’s a community – and it’s the future of how business is going to be done.

People are not interested in working in tiny cubicles anymore. Working from home can be be stagnant to creativity – and coffee shops are overcrowded.

But when you cowork, the inspiration is through the roof. You are immersed in passion and you can feel the ambition in the air.

Coworking spaces have increased by 400 percent in the last two years because they offer what forward thinking entrepreneurs are 190

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looking for – community and collaboration.

The HuB, located in Sarasota was founded in 2009. We started out with one person, a warehouse and an open door. Today we are a community of about 200 spread out across 40,000 square feet.

We started our journey in the unknown. We didn’t have a plan. We just wanted to do something different, creative and organic.

After seven years we are amazed by what our community is today.

We have seen startups grow, luminaries emerge and Sarasotians embrace the entrepreneurial culture of the HuB. Between the pristine white sand beaches, the turquoise waters, the lively cultural scene or the cosmopolitan big city feel with

a friendly small town atmosphere, Sarasota felt like an ideal space to grow our idea.

At the HuB we thrive on mutualism.

We know that coworking is a symbiotic relationship and each HuBster plays an integral role to sustain the ecosystem.

Our mission is to facilitate a space that harnesses the potential of the entrepreneurs. We only exist due to the undying drive of our HuBsters. And we strive to ensure that the HuB remains an undefined space with limitless

www.hubsarasota.com

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While many financial professionals provide executive services in their day-to-day jobs, it takes a certain level of passion to work with companies of many different sizes in multiple industries, where levels of internal expertise vary significantly and where learning is an everyday experience.

The Nperspective team is built with professionals who have a passion for learning new businesses, applying years of knowledge and expertise, and building companies. Each member of our team brings a portfolio of experience over a wide range of industries and companies, from start-ups to some of the largest companies in the world. This diversity of experience fosters a “best practices” environment that is easily deployed throughout Nperspective’s client base.

THE TEAM Gary Colbert, President In 2008, Gary Colbert joined Nperspective to establish an office and bring much-needed financial expertise to the small business community in the Tampa Bay area. Gary brings 35 years of experience that began in the Fortune 100 world, primarily in international business, and transitioned into the middle market in more recent years. Possessing the requisite educational background (MBA in Finance/Marketing), professional certifications (CPA, CMA) and having developed sophisticated business management skills in companies that are worldwide market leaders allows him to assist smaller companies in understanding how they too can operate successfully in many different business environments.

Bill Long, Partner In 2010 Bill Long joined Nperspective. Bill is a Florida CPA and senior level financial executive with over 35 years of experience in both public accounting and private industry. Bill leads the firm’s litigation support practice and has been involved in various financial capacities for numerous civil litigation and bankruptcy cases in the Middle District of Florida. He

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Putting it all

Pictured left to right are Keith Blackman, Bill Long, Gary Colbert and Sergei Galeano.

has been engaged to provide expert witness testimony, financial consulting to Trustees and Liquidating Agents and Chief Restructuring Officer services and has also assisted clients that have successfully resolved their financial issues without needing a bankruptcy filing.

Keith Blackman, Principal Keith Blackman has over 25 years of experience in business finance, much of it spent as a senior financial executive for companies of varying sizes, from small domestic entities to large multi-national organizations, both public and private ventures in a myriad of industries. Keith joined Nperspective in 2014 with the aim of leveraging his experience as a CFO for the benefit of clients in the small to mid-sized space. As a CPA, CMA and also certified as an M&A advisor, Keith believes that he has the right blend of experience and training to assist clients as part of the Nperspective team.

Sergei Galeano, Principal Sergei Galeano brings over 25 years of experience in the small to mid-size business market in industries ranging from steel service, distribution, manufacturing to bioscience. Sergei has dealt with all aspects of the business cycle including growth, turnaround and liquidation. Having worked in both public accounting and private industry, Sergei understands both the internal and external expectations for financial reporting. Sergei’s key to success has been his ability to serve as a business partner and trusted advisor to ownership and executive management, which means not only understanding the financial and accounting needs of an organization, but also understanding the strategies necessary for success.

Kevin Snyder, Principal (not pictured) Kevin Snyder joined Nperspective in January, 2016 to respond to increased demand for the firm’s services and to add capabilities to assist business owners with operational and business transition issues. Following a successful career as a Vice President with Verizon, Snyder sold a successful business in the manufacturing services sector after ten years of ownership. Snyder earned CPA certification in Indiana in 1986 and earned his MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in 1988.

www.nperspective.net

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THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A Building Your Florida Business on a Healthy Foundation As you build your business from the bottom up, it’s important to have a solid foundation in place. Each building block strengthens the structure; if one or more blocks are missing, your business may not collapse, but it will be more vulnerable and less valuable. Hunter Business Law encourages you to build your business on a healthy foundation so you can be rewarded with the maximum return on your investment of time and money.

Be Your Brand Focus on Profits as well as Revenue Engage in Strategic Planning

Develop a Business Succession Plan

Resolve Disputes Prior to Litigation Whenever Possible

Secure More Funding Before it is Essential for Survival

Keep Detailed Company Records

File Annual Reports for your Entity on Time

Monitor Your Financials Monthly, Quarterly and Annually Comply with Employment Laws

Prepare an Employee Handbook and Job Descriptions

Develop Operations Manuals for Your Business

Have an Attorney Prepare Written Contracts to Use with Partners, Customers, Vendors, Contractors & Employees

Obtain Insurance to Manage Your Risk Open a Business Bank Account

Understand Your Federal, State and Local Tax Obligations

Obtain your Federal Tax ID (EIN)

Protect Your Intellectual Property (file patents, copyrights)

Obtain Required Federal, State or Local Business Licenses

Have a Business Plan

Set Up an Accounting System

Form the Most Suitable Business Entity

Select and Protect (Trademark) Your Company’s Name Create a Budget

Obtain Start-Up Funds

SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS “After 20 years of working with hundreds of small business owners, I know the value of building a business on a healthy foundation. The attorneys at Hunter Business Law act as outside general counsel to our clients, working with entrepreneurs throughout the lifecycle of their business, guiding them from start-up to buy-out. We are committed to the smart, strategic growth of the clients we serve.”

Sheryl Hunter, Esquire

Five Aspects of a Healthy Business 1. Well Maintained Business Entity.

All new and existing business entities which conduct business within Florida must register with the Florida Department of State and file an annual report between January 1st and May 1st of each year. Company records should be maintained securely and important decisions documented.

2. Protected Intellectual Property.

The value of a business includes its brand and good will and is significantly impacted by its intellectual property and protection thereof. IP should be protected by trademark and copyright registration, having confidentiality agreements in place and, when an option, obtaining patents.

3. Good Contracts. Strong businesses have written contracts for internal and external use, between and among owners, investors, employees and with vendors,

customers, and strategic partners.

Good contracts clearly identify the expectations of the parties, including what each party will do and by when, for how much compensation.

4. Risk Management. All businesses face risks but they can be mitigated.

Healthy businesses comply with applicable laws, including tax, licensing and employment laws; obtain commercial insurance; and consult with legal counsel to help resolve disputes before lawsuits erupt.

5. Know the Numbers. It’s not enough to know how much money is in the company’s bank account. Healthy businesses make budgets and track financial data including revenue, expenses, profits and losses, and the costs of all goods and services. The ability to run reports on a monthly basis and use this data to make smart decisions is crucial.

119 S. Dakota Ave., Tampa, FL 33606 813-867-2640 • hunterbusinesslaw.com

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Vistage Where do you find the most successful business leaders in Tampa Bay? VISTAGE! VISTAGE is the World’s Leading Chief Executive Organization, and is almost 60 years old.

Tampa Bay Chairs From Left to Right: ●● Russ Van Zandt: BA, MBA, DBA (dnf), an experienced CEO and C-Suite executive in the Medical Device Industry and prior VISTAGE member, 5 years as a VISTAGE Chair. ●● Mack Devine: 38 years’ experience in crisis management, turnarounds and start-ups, in private and public sectors, 10+ years as a VISTAGE Chair and Business Leadership Coach. ●● Dick Pellegrini: Global experience as CEO/Pres of private and public companies in the manufacturing space, a VISTAGE Chair for 11 years. ●● Cindy Hesterman: C.P.A., Financial executive experienced in strategy, acquisitions and innovation, former VISTAGE member, 14 years as VISTAGE Chair. ●● Randy Greene: MBA, CFP, Served as CEO of two public companies and numerous private companies, has coached over 50 CEOs in the past twelve years as a VISTAGE Chair. ●● Not Pictured: Rolfe Arnym: BS, MBA, author, eclectic career to include over 20 years as a CEO, VISTAGE Chair for over 13 years. R. A. “Art” McNeil: PhD, founder of Achieve (now part of Achieve Global), one of the nations largest organization and leadership development companies has coached CEOs and senior executives all over the world, a VISTAGE Chair for 11 years.

In Tampa Bay there are 7 VISTAGE Chairs who work with over 200 local CEOs and top executives. These Chairs have significant leadership backgrounds in business as CEO’s, consultants, coaches and entrepreneurs.

Recent annual surveys by The Wall Street Journal and Dun & Bradstreet show that VISTAGE member companies consistently outperform the rest of the American business community by 3 to 5 times in revenue growth and profitability.

During monthly full day confidential group meetings, Vistage members are exposed to a cadre of world class speakers on all aspects of business activities. The focus of the member groups is to work with each other to become better leaders, make better decisions and achieve better results.

Each member has a monthly one-to-one session with his or her Chair.

In those meetings the member and the Chair delve into the significant decisions, opportunities or challenges facing the member. These issues are then presented to the group for input and recommended next steps.

You will find the Tampa Bay members of VISTAGE in community leadership roles, typically among the “Best Of” categories of the Tampa Bay Business Journal and focused on making our area among the best places to live and work.

The groups consist of non-competing companies with no supplier relationships, which fosters an environment of total confidentiality and candor. The members are able to give and receive unbiased input to the issues that are brought to the group. As a result, these members have the benefit of a true peer group. What happens in VISTAGE stays in VISTAGE. In Florida, members stay for an average of 8 years, and in Tampa Bay there are members who have been in Vistage for more than 25 years.

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The Tampa Bay Chairs are: • Rolfe Arnhym • Mack Devine • Randy Greene • Cindy Hesterman • Art McNeil • Dick Pellegrini • Russ Van Zandt

Email: marketing@vistageflorida.com Tel: 904 636 0770 ext 110 www.vistageflorida.com

The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Kunal Jain Brings Silicon Valley Connections to Tampa

by Founding TiE Chapter in Tampa.

TiE is the largest network in Tampa Bay of entrepreneurs whose mission is to achieve entrepreneurial success and help others like them to inspire, provide a platform for dialogue with other peers or mentors, ask questions, and give answers – mutually educate. If you or your next generation is planning to start their own business, you want to introduce TiE to them. If you are an investor, you want to know where to invest your wealth to get maximum ROI and be connected to the other successful investors and entrepreneurs globally.

The largest differentiator between TiE and other entrepreneurship organizations is TiE’s global network. TiE Members are connected to a vast network of entrepreneurs from around the world.

By joining TiE, you can use our Global Networking platform to connect, chat, video chat, share documents, and form communities with anyone in the network, anywhere in the world.

Kunal Jain, an Indian Immigrant and Healthcare IT entrepreneur, brought TiE chapter to Tampa in the

year 2013 along with Dr. Kiran Patel. Their firm belief and conviction to provide global support to Tampabased startups lead to this initiative and today after three years TiE has had more than 25 events and invested $3 million into more than seven startups and memberships for 300 active entrepreneurs.

TiE organizes the largest conference in Florida on entrepreneurship in the month of September every year when TiE Global Charter members visit the city and inspire startups by mentoring, speaking, and engaging themselves with the community.

Kunal Jain runs a Healthcare IT and Revenue Cycle Management Company, which he cofounded along with his wife in Tampa by the name Practiceforces for the last 13 years. This company has approximately 300 employees globally and clients in 8 states. Kunal is very active in the startup community of Tampa Bay. He has just launched another company called Eatwell.kitchen which is an online marketplace for fresh, non-frozen meals, and they deliver meals to homes. Meals are tagged by health conditions to support the mission of healing the world by feeding the right meals.

Kunal Jain is an alumni of the Harvard Business Innovation program in Health Care, year 2015. He is currently pursuing his passion for philanthropy and is actively involved in his foundation in India which helps to build skilled communities.

His passion is to support and mentor startups in the local community, and he is committed to staying in Tampa to continue that passion.

www.tampa.tie.org

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MESPOKE IS REVOLUTIONIZING THE RETAIL INDUSTRY

User generated content is the basis of social media. Not only does it influence the way people think, it motivates people to act. And billions of people participate.

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While most brands & retailers have a social media presence, they have underutilized their most important asset - their consumers. To address this, MeSpoke has created a digital community that revolutionizes the way brands & retailers do business. And it is democratizing the industry by placing the power of advertising and brand popularity directly into the hands of consumers. It has, in effect, created a viral marketing platform.

MeSpoke, the brainchild of Sid Khurrum Hasan, empowers the consumer. It gives them a voice and allows individuals and their communities to define fashion trends. Further, according to Mr. Hasan, “it will offer brands & retailers an option to take advantage of a new business model, which enables a costeffective, elastic and scalable advertising alternative unlike any before it.” MeSpoke follows the groundwork laid by the innovators that came before it, yet the goal was to create a new form of consumerism.

MeSpoke observed that b2b commerce is waning, while consumer to consumer is on the rise.

Unlike certain music sharing sites, however, MeSpoke does not facilitate infringement of anyone’s rights. It does this by allowing consumers to post content as always, only this time by allowing their community to click on the content and purchase it directly from

brands & retailers. MeSpoke is effectively creating the world’s largest department store – without owning inventory. And the popular items will be determined by the consumers through digital communities, and not through paid endorsements and advertising.

Hasan adds: “the notion of Black Friday and the need to spend millions of dollars on paid endorsements is a joke and not a guiding principle to generating revenue.”

Hasan came to this realization while residing next to a professional football player, who was paid millions of dollars to serve as a brand ambassador simply because of his social and professional capital. He was, in essence, a walking billboard.

For this reason, MeSpoke created a MobileCommunity Platform that connects consumers directly to brand & retailers and relies upon the explosion of online user generated content, rather than paid celebrities. Consumers can now be connected directly to brands, retailers and one another (c2c) on an unprecedented level.

MeSpoke allows users, known as “Speakers”, to upload pictures, tag apparel and accessories, and provide a direct connection to those stores through its platform. This allows

a seamless buying experience for the Speaker, while creating an organic digital community.

MeSpoke then values its Speakers, and aggregates their social capital. Speakers will, therefore, benefit from a game-changing shopping experience; while brand & retailers will benefit from a new form of consumerism.

MeSpoke alters the marketing paradigm.

Hasan extensively researched online trends and the value of social media and user generated content. He developed a method to directly connect consumers to retailers and brands, allowing Speakers to become brand ambassadors. Brands and retailers, in turn, capitalize on positive word of mouth and an organic digital community. This is a revolutionary process that will allow the marketing industry to adapt to people’s online habits and needs.

MeSpoke currently remains in development and has a provisional patent on its technology.

The application became available on the Apple App Store in July, 2016. Its team is comprised of Sid Khurrum Hasan (marketing expert), Candice L. Hasan, Tamer Osman, Christopher T. Blowers (retail expert), Rupen S. Philloura, Bay Downing, Brent C. Britton (IP and technology lawyer) and Sam Adams (technology expert).

MeSpoke, LLC | 101 S. Franklin St. | Ste 200 | Tampa | FL 33607 www.MeSpoke.com

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What is Kyngo? With Kyngo you can share fun, local experiences and events via photo or video and display them on the “Kyngo Beat� as interactive content for up to 24hrs. Share and show what your city has to offer to the entire Kyngo Nation without the need for followers or friends.

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Courtesy of Andrew Machota/New Town Connections

Kyngo makes it easy to connect with locals, discover new places and make new friends. Be the heartbeat of your city with Kyngo - the App for right now.

wanted information at the push of a button, or in more technical terms knowledge on demand via real time messaging.

The origin story of the Kyngo App is at the heart of what the three Neuert brothers want to create with their new service to connect with locals and find out what’s happening right now.

But before they could turn their idea into reality, they first had to figure out how to start a startup. With practically zero technical experience and no prior exposure to the venture capital world, the three brothers set out for Silicon Valley to learn how to become Founders. A flight, an Uber ride and an AirBnB later, they arrived in Silicon Valley and started treating it like an open University, hopping from founder meetups to pitch sessions to venture capital seminars to gain an understanding of this new world.

In parallel, they started interviewing technical talent to help them get a prototype off the ground. After six months of eating, drinking and breathing the Valley’s startup culture, they returned to their US home base in Tampa, FL with a demo prototype and a sixfigure

It was during the 2014 Soccer World Cup in Brazil, that the foundation for Kyngo was laid. While following the German team crisscrossing Brazil from game to game, Thomas and Andreas kept asking themselves the same question: “Wouldn’t it be great if we could connect with locals to show us around, instead of falling into tourist traps and wasting time looking for places to eat, drink and party?” They wanted relevant local insights in real time from actual people or businesses with the right answers. They

VC investment in their pockets. Now, development on Kyngo could start in earnest.

On February 1, 2016, they released their 1.0 version to test their internal processes and technical requirements for App Store submission. Five months later on July 8th, 2016, the redesigned and improved 2.0 version hit the App Store for the public to use.

This started a new chapter in their lives. They could now call themselves Startup Founders with a fully functioning App in the iTunes App Store. From now on, the task would be to figure out how to run a startup with a brand new set of challenges. But if their next chapter is a succesful as their first, they should have little to worry about.

www.getkyngo.com

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Marbel is revolutionizing the way that we commute by introducing the world’s lightest ever electric skateboard. What started as a fun solution to a common problem, has transformed itself into a transportation trend that is causing excitement all around the world.

Where it All Began City living can be extremely stressful for commuters. The constant traffic and lack of parking spaces can make even the shortest of drives a nightmare. Marbel founder Matt Belcher found this out the hard way when he moved from the quaint suburbs of Indianapolis to the heart of Downtown Tampa.

Matt did not only get his first encounter with the hassle of downtown driving, but also with the famous Florida sun, which made walking or biking anywhere during the heat of the day simply unbearable.

He knew there had to be a better way. After two years of hard work, Matt introduced Marbel, the world’s lightest electric skateboard, to the streets of Tampa.

The following year, Marbel was accepted into the Tampa Bay WaVE Accelerator Program, a resource center for entrepreneurs in early stages of their startups. The program provided Matt with the necessary tools he needed to grow his company from the ground up. While Marbel was making noise on the streets of Tampa, it was their successful Kickstarter campaign that launched them into the national spotlight.

Through the popular crowdfunding website, Marbel was able to raise over $365,000 dollars from 542 backers around the world, surpassing their initial goal of just $90,000 in a matter of days. Marbel currently produces their advanced skateboards 202

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in a facility just east of Downtown Tampa, with plenty of room to test-ride their future products.

The Board Weighing in at just 10 pounds, the Marbel board is revolutionizing the way that we commute by providing the world with an innovative and intuitive mode of transportation. The board’s deck, which is made entirely of carbon fiber composite, encases and hides a powerful lithium-ion battery. Not only does this give the board a beautiful, thin design, but also makes it completely weatherproof. The weight and power of the board allow for an impressive 16 mile range off of a single, 90-minute charge. The Marbel board is also the fastest electric skateboard on the market, with top speeds reaching upwards of 25 mph. The speed of the board is controlled by either the included wireless handheld remote, or through the board’s very own smartphone application.

The App From day one, Marbel’s primary focus has been user experience. The Marbel smartphone app literally puts the control in the hands of the riders, allowing them to completely customize the board’s speed, acceleration, and even braking to their liking. Riders can also use the Marbel app as throttle control, giving them the option to leave the handheld remote at home. The application also collects endless amounts of data about the usage of your board, recording stats such as top speeds, longest rides, average ride distance, and even the amount of gallons of gas saved by riding an electric skateboard. Marbel even went so far as to included a theft protection component to app. To protect the board from being stolen, riders are able to remotely lock and unlock the board’s wheel by entering their own, unique passcode.

As time goes on, the app will continue to be updated with more exciting and helping features. The app can even update the software directly onto the skateboard, allowing riders to always have the latest features.

www.ridemarbel.com

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Luma Stream

®

LumaStream is an LED lighting systems company that has focused on designing a more efficient, more innovative and longer lasting solution for LEDs. The result: low-voltage, DC remote power distribution.

the texture and color of the food, and meet the most stringent energy efficiencies. Their use of custom designed fixtures including seltzer bottles fixtures, metal piping LEDs and a canoe chandelier were all lighting designs created by Lumastream’s creative lighting designers.

LumaStream recognized a fundamental flaw in the way that lighting manufacturers were designing LEDs. They were designing them to fit a high-voltage infrastructure by having each LED manage the power conversion. LumaStream decided to look past the “bulb” technology fad for a solution that would fit in the future.

LumaStream’s engineers developed a digital power conversion and low-voltage distribution technology that has revolutionized the lighting industry. By removing the onboard electronics from the LED fixtures and powering them from a remote driver capable of powering 24 LED fixtures over 200 ft.

LumaStream’s system increases the life expectancy, increases the energy efficiency and reduces fire and shock hazards of LEDs. Simple. Efficient. Reliable. That is the LumaStream way and why companies including U-Le-Le, PDQ, C1 Bank, Dunkin Donuts and McDonald’s are flocking to use LumaStream’s system in their lighting designs.U-le-le chose LumaStream for their energy

efficiency standards, their control capability and their creative custom designs.

“We knew we wanted a low-voltage system because we wanted to be as energy efficient as possible. U-lele’s menu has a focus on sustainability with locally grown, fresh foods. The LumaStream system is just a part of our commitment to reduce our environmental impact.” Said Keith Sedita, a Managing Partner of U-le-le.

LumaStream worked with U-le-le to design a lighting system that would accentuate the space, highlight 204

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“Not a day goes by without a guest commenting on the quality of lighting in the restaurant.”

Tel: +1 727 827 2805 Email: info@lumastream.com www.lumastream.com

Foreword by Wayne Rasanen President Tampa Bay Inventors Council

Without a doubt, instituting a new method for protecting and encouraging innovators in our Nation’s founding document, the US Constitution, created the most innovative nation the world has ever known.

Inventors have made the United States a powerful and benevolent country, lifting millions out of a dark and cruel existence with the wonders of the new age. Technology seeded here has taken root all over the world and that’s why the Tampa Bay Inventors Council encourages people to think about what comes next.

community is filled with companies ready to take advantage of lost inventors so we teach how to not be a victim, saving them thousands of dollars. The Tampa Bay Inventors Council is here to support our community and is another example of why Tampa Bay is a great place to live, grow a business, and create some awesome new technologies!

Established in 1983 by IP attorney Ron Smith, Tampa Bay inventors have been gathering for the semi-monthly meetings (2nd & 4th Wednesdays) for over 30 years. More than just a networking opportunity, inventors can get answers on what to do, and most important, what not to do next.

When creative minds gather, the shared experience lifts us to help face new challenges and think of new solutions. The Tampa Bay Inventors Council (www.tbic.us) is a part of the Tampa Bay ecosystem, encouraging start-ups and promoting innovation at events like BarCamp Tampa, Makercon, in schools and on the web. We know that very creative people live here and we want to help them grow amazing businesses here.

Inventors come in all shapes and sizes with different levels of interest and experience. TBIC tries to help them find their path, or at least help them think about the journey. Some people aren’t cut out to be product developers and manufacturers so they might look at different options such as licensing or selling their intellectual property. The inventor

www.tbic.us

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BioMatch

For about five hundred years golf club makers have searched for a way of matching golf clubs so that the golfer can apply the same swing to all the clubs in the set.

Gisle Solhaug, the founder of Rational Golf LLC, has come up with the solution, named BioMatch.

The patented BioMatch system is the only scientific method of matching golf clubs so that the golfer can apply the same swing to all the clubs in the set. This is a breakthrough in golf technology, a real game-changer. As your subconscious mind, now only has to learn one swing, the game will be easier to play for all. Your game will automatically improve without any efforts from your side.

BioMatch involves making a biometric model of the golfer swinging each of his clubs. These calculations have been incorporated into the Rational Golf website. Any golfer can enter his personal data and the properties of his golf clubs

online. The personal data is used to build an anthropometric model of the golfer. The website will make a model of the golfer swinging each of his or her clubs and thereby determine the optimum weight of each club. After paying a small fee, the golfer can download the BioMatch report. A set of weights tailored to you can then be ordered by a click of a button. The golfer easily installs the weights after receiving them. After the installation, it is advisable to forget about the weights and let your game improve effortlessly as your mind now only has to concern itself with one swing. This will offer higher accuracy in both distance and direction and, as the wrists no longer need to steer the club, the club will release effortlessly causing slightly more distance. The game of golf will be more fun for all.

About Gisle Gisle Solhaug, from Norway, moved to Florida in August 2013 together with his wife Rita and now 13-year-old son Gregory. Gisle studied for his MBA at Keiser University while setting up his company, Rational Golf LLC. The family lives at the IMG Academy, located in Bradenton, at the entrance to Tampa Bay. Gregory is in the Golf program at the IMG Academy.

Before moving to Tampa, Gisle spent twenty years in the Marine and Offshore industry as a Naval Architect and Project Manager. His interest in the science of golf came to life as he was fitted with a set of golf clubs over ten years ago. With his background in physics, he realized that the clubs were not matched within the set nor to his body and that he would, therefore, have to learn a different swing for every club.

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Rational Golf, Bradenton, FL Tel: 941-524-9330 Twitter: @RationalGolf www.rational-golf.com

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Clearly Agile

Born in 2014 to co-founders Fred Mastropasqua and Edmund Gorski, Clearly Agile is working hard on building the “baddest” software on the planet.

With 40 years of combined experience in software development focused around healthcare, security, and retail, and a love for building highperforming teams, Clearly Agile’s focus is building partnerships with their clients and working with them to build products that fulfill their needs.

Headquartered in Tampa Bay and with a strong connection to the agile community, Clearly Agile focuses on cloud based software development and mobile applications in which the client is involved each step of the way.

In addition to software services, Clearly Agile has developed a proprietary software called Site Tracker Pro. After co-founder, Fred Mastropasqua noticed the hurdles that his wife experienced in her directorial position in restaurant development he created a multi-faceted software that tracks all aspects of site development for, not only restaurants, but for any business that is looking to expand with multiple units. SiteTracker has received great feedback from community groups like 1-Million Cups and corporate Franchise companies.

“Our focus at Clearly Agile, is to make our clients happy while working in a joyful environment with high performing team members. Spreading knowledge and building up everyone in the company to exceed their own expectations. We spread the corporate power among our people and empower them to make decisions on behalf of the company with given guidelines.” – Fred Mastropasqua, Co-Founder of Clearly Agile, Inc.

www.clearlyagileinc.com

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Drinking Kombucha has been known to help relieve many health conditions such as acid reflux, acne, anxiety, diabetes, hangover, headaches, indigestion and much more.

Born into a family of entrepreneurs in the island of Puerto Rico, Adolfo Luis Lopez founded Kombucha Tampa in 2013. In 2015 he passed on the small business to his mother Wanda Lopez who had been running a very successful catering business in Puerto Rico.

KOMBUCHA TAMPA Kombucha is a nutritionally alive drink that, through the power of fermentation, alkalizes and nourishes your body with compounds that detoxify, energize, support your immune system, streamline your digestive system and your skin, prevent disease and elevate your mood.

Today Kombucha Tampa has become a staple at many local farmer’s markets and events throughout Tampa Bay. They are serving raw, organic and locally micro-brewed Kombucha in flavors such as Hibiscusberry, Fire Apple, Blueberry, Lemongrass Ginger, Apple Mint and many more. They are taking their concept to another level and distributing through local venues and organic stores in Tampa Bay. In addition, Kombucha Tampa is opening their own brewery in Drew Park and will be the first Kombucha brewery and Tasting Room in the area.

Wanda and her family recognize the importance of giving back to the community that has supported them through the initial phase of their business. They are often seen donating their time and Kombucha drinks at local events such as Startup Weekend.

“After many years, many gains, many failures we have never given up trying.

For us failure is not an option.” – Wanda Lopez Get Freshly Brewed “Kombucha Tampa” on tap at these stores: • Nutrition Smart Natural Organic Grocery • Chuck’s Natural Fields Marketplace • Rollin Oats Market & Cafe • The Attic On Kennedy • Kara Lynn’s Kitchen

www.facebook.com/kombuchatampa www.kombuchatampa.com

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Ella Bing

Created in the summer of 2012, in order to help bring our family together, due to the unexpected death of my brother, Matt.

You see, my brother had an uncanny ability to light up a room and instantly become the center of attention, in a genuine and natural way.

We took talents that each of our family members and along with a unique obsession of bow ties and style

by Matt, we brought Ella Bing to life. Based out of Tampa Bay, FL, we handcraft every single product we produce. No item we sell, is mass produced, all items are made with care and the utmost detail. To provide to you the very best product in a small batch, limited edition format.

From the presentation in a vintage wood cigar box, down to the hand written card, people like the effort we put into creating an experience. This of course is no accident, we go above and beyond to ensure

each and every bow tie is just right. There are no short cuts at Ella Bing, we believe in doing things the right way, every time, it’s who we are, it’s that simple.

In an effort to raise awareness we proudly donate 10% of every sale to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.

www.ellabing.com

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Djimo Serodio

Djimo Serodio was born and raised in Mozambique. He came to Tampa to study entrepreneurship at the University of Tampa where he graduated in May of 2015. shift behind food production - “Reducing water consumption by more than 90% is not only possible but desperately needed if the world is to feed around 10 billion people in the next 30 to 40 years.”

Djimo finds it unfortunate to be amongst the few to think that the current farm model is broken.

“Food production shouldn’t involve wiping out the most biologically rich and sensitive parts of our planet. In a world where space and fresh water are limited resources, it makes more sense for our invasive species to feed itself with as little environmental impact as possible”.

He considers current agriculture practices the single most environmental threat facing our planet.

His long-term ambitions are to bring innovation to the commercial scale of food production. However, he knows he can’t do it alone and therefore is first focusing on promoting his message through consumer products and education. He founded Just Grow three weeks after graduation and has since developed the most innovative garden in the world. Named after an old lake in the great rift valley of Africa, Malawi allows anyone to grow edible and decorative plants without the mess of traditional soil gardening. Requiring watering only once a month, Malawi also reflects the necessary paradigm Although farming on deserts or on artificial floating islands might sound ridiculous to some, it is Djimo’s dream to help make it a reality More of what he does can be found in his book Agriculture 2.0 or on justgrow.com

www.justgrow.com

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EARTH TECH

What if workable answers could easily be found? What would you call that?

I would call it truth. If something is so simple that it is easily understood and it works it must contain truth.

In my many years as a forensic (scientific methods and techniques to the investigation of crime) accountant I have been able to discover the truth in all my cases. In twenty-seven years I have never lost a case of the eighty-two cases I represented.

The basic truth that I follow is my own quote “Observation is your greatest tool, perception is your validation, investigation is your confirmation, truth is your goal and freedom.”

In late 2013, after my mother had three consecutive congestive heart failures, I knew she had a few months to live. I needed to find the truth about her condition. I found Biomedic Center in Como, Italy that seemed promising. Why would I drag my mother on a wheelchair with oxygen tanks and extreme body pain to Italy?

Because my mother and I both agreed there was something true about this bio-resonance (BIO - related to living organism) Plus (Resonance - In physics, resonance is the tendency of a system to vibrate with increasing amplitudes) treatment that just made sense. The treatment over a thirty-three day period proved true and today my mother Aurora Arlia is well and enjoying her grandchildren in Brooklyn, NY.

For all the details you will need to visit www.organicearthtech.com and watch some very interesting videos. I will give you a very simple explanation here. Fulvio Balmelli, the medical researcher behind the Biomedic Center’s success, over the last twelve years had discovered and decoded the communication system of the plant world. This is something that many scientists before him have known existed but never decoded. He did this in an effort to improve the health of plants and further solve the problems of the agricultural and horticultural industries.

Today and every day, my job is to get this technology into the hands of our farmers and growers. I love what I do every day. I decided to move to Clearwater, Florida as I have developed a group of likeminded people here that are passionate about helping farmers and growers of America.

Among many projects, we recently started working with the citrus industry to solve the problem of a very vicious and aggressive disease attacking citrus crops.

What does any of this have to do with Organic Earth Tech LLC and the KYMINASI® brand that is providing the world with the most advanced bio-resonance agricultural technology that is revolutionizing the agricultural and horticultural industries you ask?

www.organicearthtech.com

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Wish Farms The history of Wish Farms, a family-owned business based in Plant City, Florida, is as rich as it is sweet.

The third generation grower-shipper started from humble beginnings in 1922. Over the years, the company has grown considerably since the days of trading fresh produce at the farmer’s market.

Now a year-round supplier of strawberries and blueberries with farming operations throughout North and South America, Wish Farms offers conventional and organic berries to consumers around the world.

It was back in the early 1900’s when Harris Wishnatzki, the founder of what is now Wish Farms, emigrated from Russia to New York City and began selling fruits and vegetables from a pushcart where he met fellow pushcart merchant, Daniel Nathel. The two friends grew their businesses to large pushcart fleets selling produce on the streets of New York City and eventually decided to join forces as Wishnatzki & Nathel.

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Around the 1920s, Plant City, Florida, was a hub for agriculture because of the railroad. “My grandfather had a buyer in Plant City,” says Gary Wishnatzki, third generation and current owner of Wish Farms.

“He first came down to Florida in 1929. Shortly after, he made the area his winter home to coincide with the Florida growing season.”

fresh produce for independent growers and began its own Florida growing operation in 1987.

Jumping to 2001, the Wishnatzki and Nathel families mutually agreed to split the companies with the Wishnatzki’s overseeing the Florida division.

The company was named Wishnatzki Farms

and focused on growing and shipping produce.

“In addition to strawberries, we dealt in many vegetables over the years — cucumbers, peppers, squash, eggplants, and tomatoes were all crops we handled.” In 2007, Wishnatzki Farms entered into the strawberry processing business and opened a processing facility to supplement production

In the 1930s, there were thousands of small family farms. Most growers would go through the State Farmer’s Market Auction to sell their crop to wholesale buyers. “In those days, farms would typically be around 1 to 2 acres. Larger farms were about 5 to 10 acres. The size of the farm was dictated by the size of the family,” says Gary.

“The more kids a grower had, the larger the farm, because the kids were the pickers.” He explains that Eastern Hillsborough County had what was known as “strawberry schools.” “Children went to school all summer and were out during the winter, so they could pick strawberries.” Since the early days of the Wishnatzki produce business, strawberries were always a signature crop. The company marketed Best of Tampa Bay

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capacity. When there was a flush of fruit, growers now had a secondary market. Fresh strawberries are processed to make juice and frozen products.

Nationally recognized for quality and innovation, Wish Farms utilizes How’s My Picking?™, a patented technology that traces its produce from the field to the grocery store shelf. The system ensures quality by tying consumer feedback to specific information from each day’s harvest. “Part of the way you survive is that every so many generations, you have to reinvent yourself,” Wishnatzki says. “You have to see trends, stay with the time, and recognize what’s going on around you.”

In 2009, the company launched its consumer brand Wish Farms featuring Misty the Garden Pixie with the hope to connect with families and encourage brand recognition and loyalty. By 2011, the company made its official name change to Wish Farms, and the company’s main headquarters is still located in Plant City — one of the world’s major growing areas for strawberries also known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.

Third generation family-owner, Gary Wishnatzki, takes great pride in continuing his family’s legacy while upholding the company’s core values of quality, integrity and responsiveness. Wish Farms believes that being an industry leader, means taking an active approach to help educate consumers, retailers and law makers.

Through communication, agritourism and philanthropic efforts, we can work together to feed the world.

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For more information on Wish Farms and the company’s community involvement visit www.WishFarms.com.

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FRANCHISING Often people overlook our City’s thriving franchising industry. But franchising has roots that run deep in Tampa Bay. It has brought us some of the iconic brands that define our city and our nation’s consumer culture. It’s one of our greatest exports.

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Scott Weber’s franchising journey with so many of Tampa’s best franchisors started long before he founded his namesake law firm, Scott Philip Weber, PA - Franchise Legal Solutions. Since 1997, he has represented franchisors and franchisees and helped many businesses decide when franchising is right for them. After graduating Vanderbilt Law School (and University of Florida undergrad), Scott knew he wanted to be much more than just a lawyer. His first step into franchising was when he started working his way up the ladder in the franchise practice group for DLA Piper. Soon he became a partner and head of the franchise practice group for Phelps Dunbar, LLP. In 2011, Scott left the “big firm” life, formed Scott Phillip Weber, P.A., and began his direct involvement in franchisor companies, he is now the owner of significant interests in numerous growing and incubation stage franchisors.

Tampa-based or born restaurant franchises like Hooters®, Checkers®, Blooming Brands (Outback®, Carrabbas®, Bonefish®, Roy’s® and Lee Roy Selmons®), Melting Pot®, Salem’s Gyros & More®, First Watch®, Westshore Pizza®, Beef O’Brady’s®, Brass Tap®, EVOS®, World Of Beer®, and Ker’s Winghouse® have helped define how we and most of the world eat and drink. Our cutting edge healthcare and professional franchises like Medi-Weightloss®, Lap Of Love Veterinary Hospice®, Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America®, Ideal Image®, and Open Palm/ The Peace Center® have allowed professionals to expand and offer entrepreneur opportunities to those seeking to invest in the healthcare and mediation sectors. Even CAMLS, USF’s Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation, uses a franchising/

licensing type model to expand. Tampa’s service and publication franchises like PODS®, Perfect Wedding Guide®, Arthur Rutenberg Homes®, College Hunks®, and Liberty Pest Control® offer opportunities to entrepreneurs in the trades and sales. And, Tampa Bay area specialty store franchises like Nuts-Nuts® and Spice and Tea Exchange®, bring new products to new markets. These are just a few of many franchises that call Tampa Bay home, got their start in Tampa or was started by Tampa natives. Throughout his career, Scott Weber has worked with nearly all of these franchisors or their franchisees.

How did franchising – the idea of turning a business model into the product itself – become one of the hidden gems our city has to offer? Scott credits a great talent pool, and the willingness of those in Tampa’s franchise industry to mentor others and help them get their start.

Tampa Bay is home to visionaries who see opportunity and provide others the chance to participate in their success. Visionaries, like Ed Kaloust, the founder, franchised Medi-Weightloss® Clinics who turned his understanding of the growing consumer need for medically assisted weight loss into the largest medically assisted weight loss franchise in America.

Others, like Vince Julien, founder of Shapes Fitness for Women®, had the foresight that there is always a market for gyms that allow women to enjoy a social and fitness-minded environment with other women: A place where they do not have to worry about running into co-workers or other males while they work out; Pete Warhurst, founder of PODS®, envisioned and satisfied the need for modular mobile

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self-storage. And of course, there are those like Chris Sullivan and his partners who have used their vision to turn the simple but brilliant idea of an “Aussie” themed bar and grill into a multi-billion-dollar empire that Outback® is today.

Other notables have capitalized on the ideas of others to create new franchisors. Our locals, Nick Vojinovic and Charles Winship, former owners of Beef O’Brady’s® expanded on the founder, Jim Mellody’s base, grew the brand, and even helped launch new franchises such as Nick’s current “Little Greek®” concept. Bob and Mark Johnson of Melting Pot®, bought an existing founder restaurant and expanded to an international franchise chain based in Tampa and created new brands (like Grillsmith® and Burger 21®).

Still, other Tampa Bay franchisors have moved their franchise companies to Tampa to enjoy the great atmosphere and talent pool. Notables include Greg Muzzillo, founder of ProForma®, the largest business-to-business marketing franchise, who just moved ProForma®’s world headquarters to Tampa. The Wanek family, founders of Ashley Furniture®, and the Ashley Home Store® licensing system, just moved significant headquarters operations to Ybor City.

Sometimes it’s not the founder, but a team of Tampa’s skilled franchise leaders who see and develop a new brand’s potential. Tampa has its own “Shark Tank” type group who help evaluate and launch franchisors.

Franchise Venture Partners, a team that includes Kevin Harrington (As Seen on TV® and Shark Tank®), Greg Muzzillo (ProForma®), Scott Weber (Franchise Legal Solutions, Shapes Franchising, Moon Mountain®, and Hydrodog®), Anthony Amos (Hydrodog®, Cross Creek Wedding Bells and Bathe To Save) and Evan Hackel (Ingage.net® and Tortal.net®) seek out, evaluate and invest in new brand concepts as well as mentor prospective new franchisors.

Scott also works closely with Entrevo – Key Person of Influence®, to help local business leaders learn skills needed to expand, as well as to understand when, or if, it is time to “productize their business model”.

While expanding beyond the practice of law, Scott has served as a franchisor, multi-unit franchisee, direct investor, board member of numerous franchisors and franchise consultant. Scott has also identified, targeted, raised funds for, and spearheaded the acquisition of numerous companies. Among them is local favorite, Winghouse® Restaurants (recently purchased by the Wanek family’s investment vehicle), for which he led the purchase, serves as outside general counsel and helps oversee new restaurant development.

Among his numerous new ventures, Scott has invested in and serves as General Counsel of the Shapes Fitness For Women® franchise system (www.shapesfitness.com). Similarly, Scott has been instrumental in the re-launch of the Hydrodog® mobile dog washing concept in the US. Recently, he teamed with two other Tampa Bay area franchise celebrities, Anthony Amos, its founder, and Kevin Harrington, of Shark Tank® and As Seen on TV® fame. The three formed Frantank, LLC and purchased the Hydrodog® System worldwide (for all areas other than Australia and New Zealand). One of Scott’s latest projects is developing and investing in the Moon Mountain® Vapor Lounge concept (www.moonmountain.com). It combines a beer, wine and coffee shop with a vapor lounge and vapor shop. It’s primary supplier, Moon Mountain Distribution, is one of the largest distributors of e-liquids in the US.

In each of these opportunities, Scott evaluates: (1) founders and their team; (2) the strength of a brand and need to modify it for franchising; (3) business model and economics; (4) the interest of others in owning this business; and (5) the concept’s “secret sauce” – what makes it stand out and get customers to come back for more. If those key factors are right, then franchising can be in the brand’s future.

If you are wondering if it is you, or you want to learn more key factors and tips, Scott posts them on www.franchiselegalsolutions.com/ franchisetips.

If you are wondering if it is you, or you want to learn more key factors and tips, Scott posts them on www.franchiselegalsolutions.com/franchisetips

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The Peace Center Changing the Way the World Resolves Disputes

When most people imagine resolving disputes today, they picture process servers banging on the door, lawyers and expert witnesses battling it out in court, and a judge or jury making decisions that will impact the parties for years. In divorces, especially, this unhappy paradigm plays out repeatedly, destroying families instead of restructuring them.

The court system often fails its participants. But for those who bear witness to the toll litigation takes, a paradigm shift has emerged: collaborative dispute resolution. Open communication is at the heart of collaboration. Instead of retaining trial attorneys, the clients work with each other and a team of lawyers and neutral specialists. Together, they facilitate setting client goals, communicating their concerns, brainstorming options, problem-solving, and, most significantly, choosing their solutions. Collaborative practice succeeds because the clients work together 220

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sterile law firm. When a client enters The Peace Center, he is greeted by a warm and friendly staff and a calming ambiance, generated by hardwood floors, live plants, luxurious furniture, relaxing artwork, and soothing waterfalls or comforting fireplaces. The first floor houses spacious conference rooms for

full team meetings, as well as smaller sitting rooms for more intimate get-togethers. The kitchen, dining area, resource center, reading room, and playroom are also located here.

The second level houses administration, as well as offices for Peace Center members, dispute resolution service providers, such as lawyers, mediators, arbitrators, child specialists, facilitators, coaches, financial neutrals, and the like.

transparently, and address their emotional welfare, as well as their legal and financial issues.

Joryn Jenkins has championed collaborative dispute resolution for over 14 years, having observed firsthand the magic this process manifests. Ultimately, a fundamental question confounded her. “Why aren’t collaborative services provided in a collaborative environment, a stress-free venue that fosters trust and transparency?” Imagine opting for this peaceful form of dispute resolution, wherein vulnerability and openness are valued, brainstorming and problem-solving skills are optimized, and emotional well-being is paramount, yet you must perform the tasks required in the same stressful atmosphere used by warring lawyers, a forbidding and

So Joryn solved the first problem, putting the clients first with the same attention to detail and comfort offered by the finest hotels. Then the next vital question confronted her: “Why is there no single entity that effectively and harmoniously synchronizes the efforts of all collaborative professionals involved, the entire team?” Having already accomplished this in her own practice, how could she replicate the desired result while managing all of the teammates in a manner most beneficial for the clients?

The Peace Center offers and oversees all forms of dispute resolution services under one roof, from answering the initial call for a consultation to scheduling the final signing of the clients’ agreement.

Furthermore, while one set of staffers administers the services selected by the clients, another focuses solely on marketing collaborative and other dispute resolution services for the professional service providers who are Center members.

The Peace Center is changing the way the world resolves disputes.

www.openpalmlaw.com

Joryn Jenkins is a trial attorney with 36 years of experience in the courtroom, now at Open Palm in Tampa, where she concentrates on the practice of family law. She received her bachelor’s degree from Yale when she was just nineteen and, later, her J.D. from Georgetown.

She’s received an award given to just one person annually at a ceremony performed in the Supreme Court of the United States. And the Federal Bar Association bestowed The President’s Award on her, its highest honor.

Joryn is the former editor-in-chief of both The Federal Lawyer and The Bencher magazines.

Years ago, she authored Florida Civil Practice Motions, and, more recently, War or Peace (Avoid the Destruction of Divorce Court), I Never Saw My Father Again (The Divorce Court Effect), and Open for Business, Changing the Way the World Gets Divorced, among others.

Joryn helps people divorce without destroying their families or their savings. Her mission is to “change the way the world gets divorced,” to enlighten folks as to their choices when it comes to the process of divorce, and to help them choose the process that best suits them.

She is known for restructuring families, not destroying them.

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COLLEGE HUNKS Hauling Junk June 2005, college friends Omar Soliman (CEO) and Nick Friedman borrowed an old cargo van from Soliman’s mom the summer before their senior year of college.

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During that summer they made $8,000 hauling people’s “junk”. Two years later they had gone from one truck to eight trucks and over $1 million in revenue. Since then, the company has grown exponentially.

In 2008, when the company started franchising, Friedman and Soliman, drawn by Tampa Bay’s entrepreneurial spirit, moved the company headquarters from Washington DC to Ybor City.

Two years after they made the bold decision to the Bay, the dynamic duo appeared in the very first episode of the ABC hit show, Shark Tank.

During the show episode Nick and Omar declined all funding offers and decided to keep full ownership of their brand. Today College Hunks stands with 52 franchises

nationwide and more than $25-million dollars in revenue.

From the beginning the college friends decided that they would disrupt the industry and made the bold decision not to hire standard “junk haulers”. Most of the “hunks” are college students, future entrepreneurs, doctors and business professionals. Some of the “hunks” have become franchisees or corporate employees. Their business model?

Train each employee to become a small business owner. Each “hunk” learns how to own his own small business.

They drive the trucks, haul the junk, answer phones and much more.

This type of collaboration is what Soliman credits their success to.

Today, COLLEGE HUNKS HAULING JUNK® AND COLLEGE HUNKS MOVING® is a dual brand company and the only national moving company that offers home movers, office movers, junk removal, donation pick-ups and moving labor services across the United States and Canada. Every College Hunks franchise location, truck and team member is fully licensed, bonded and insured.

College Hunks Moving is an INC 500 Company that has appeared on NBC, TLC, Nate Berkus, in the New York Times, TIME Magazine, CNN and beyond!

www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com www.collegehunksfranchise.com

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Bathe To Save Tour Anthony Amos, an Australian business man and former professional Rugby League player in Australia (who owns HYDRODOG, The Big Blue Dog Mobile Dog Grooming franchise he has brought to the US), together with his wife Rachel and their three children, Isabella, Austin and Aria have embarked upon a 50 state, 150+ city tour around the USA to raise money and awareness for animal rescues and the benefits of animal adoption. Their tour is called Bathe To Save.

They are traveling around the US in a sixty-five-foot motor train consisting of a huge touring RV and towing the big blue Hydrodog mobile pet grooming vehicle, called Bubbles. It’s the Bathe To Save National Tour!

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The Bathe To Save Tour was the brainchild of our incredible kids, Bella, Austin and Aria, who saw a need and decided they wanted to work hard and create a massive impact with a unique solution.

Our family has taken a year and a half off from ‘normal’ living, crossed continents and embarked upon a 50 state, 150+ city tour around the US to raise money and awareness for animal rescues and to expose benefits of animal adoption spreading the message: “Don’t Shop… Adopt.”

We are visiting shelters and rescues, hosting events & fundraisers, bathing dogs, promoting animal adoption, saving lives and giving back 100% of our event proceeds to animal rescue organizations across the country!

Every 26 seconds, a dog is euthanized in a shelter somewhere in America. Someone’s companion.

Someone’s protector. Someone’s best friend.

The ASPCA estimates 3.9 million dogs enter animal shelters in the United States each year. It is also estimated that 1.2 million adoptable dogs are killed simply because there was no one to adopt them. Many shelters do not have enough funds or resources to meet the needs of these adoptable animals.

Our mission is to save the lives of those 1.2 million dogs that never find a home each year by raising money and awareness for animal rescue.

In an effort to give them a fighting chance to find their new home, our big blue tour bus wrapped with our sponsors and other corporate supporters is towing the big blue dog around the country and at each of the shelters we visit in the more than one hundred and fifty cities on the Bathe to Save National Tour, we will be hosting events, fundraisers and bathing dogs!

Bathe to Save has partnered with The Greater Good, who amongst many other charitable causes supports thousands of animal shelters

and rescue groups all over world through various programs and initiatives. We have also joined forces with Wahl, John Paul Pet, Rileys Organics Dog treats and have national support and promotion from our partner Kevin Harrington of the acclaimed television show SHARK TANK as well as celebrity pet trainer Harrison Forbes.

As our Bathe to Save 60-foot motor train rolls across the nation, our family, together with Kevin Harrington and The Greater Good are reaching out to build relationships with individual animal rescues and organizations that support our missions. We are also the tour’s media spokespersons and responsible for delivering key messages to help thousands of rescue animals, while promoting the sponsoring organizations through our events and extensive national media coverage.

If you would like to support us at the highest level, you can become one of our sponsors. Sponsors get their company names and logos in the big bubbles on the side of our RV as we travel around the country. They also appear at the forefront of all of our marketing efforts, both online and offline. They are the backdrop for everything we do during the Bathe to Save campaign. We still have a few bubbles left to fill and would love to have your company with us on this journey that has already gone viral! Go to BatheToSave.com and click on “Be a Sponsor” to claim your spot on our RV and help us save over one million lives!

www.theanthonyamos.com www.hydrodog.com www.bathetosave.com

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MOFFITT CANCER CENTER

Marks Three Decades Devoted to Prevention and Cure of Cancer.

H. Lee Moffitt was just shy of being 30-years old when cancer first entered his life. The bothersome knee pain he’d passed off as an old baseball injury turned out to be a tumor that might have cost him his leg. Instead, he opted for surgery that left a huge hole in his knee.

It was the hole in his heart, however, that would nearly swallow him. Shortly after his election to the Florida House of Representatives in 1974, he watched three close friends – all in their 30s - succumb to cancer after traveling out of state for the sophisticated care

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they needed. Their deaths and the high incidence of cancer in the state led him to fight to establish a major comprehensive cancer center in Florida.

Securing legislative funding took several years, but he finally prevailed.

On October 27, 1986, as a celebratory crowd dedicated the facility that bears his name, it’s unlikely he could have imagined how high the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute would rise in its first 30 years.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS Moffitt Cancer Center opened as the first free-standing cancer treatment and research center authorized by the State of Florida and the only center in the nation directly funded by a tax on tobacco.

Fifteen years after opening its doors in 2001, Moffitt became one of the youngest organizations to earn Comprehensive Cancer Center status from the National Cancer Institute.

This prestigious designation denotes exceptional scientific innovation in research, training and education. Moffitt is one of only 47 NCI Comprehensive Centers in the country, and the only one based in Florida.

Today, Moffitt is a leading cancer center, focused on rapidly translating research discoveries to benefit people with cancer. Moffitt is Florida’s top ranked cancer hospital and #6 in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report, which has recognized Moffitt in its rankings since 1999. As the nation’s third largest cancer center based on outpatient volume, Moffitt’s clinical services are uniquely organized into disease-oriented multidisciplinary programs. Care is expertly provided by Moffitt’s 260 physicians, over 500 residents and fellows, and more than 1,000 nurses whose excellence earned Moffitt the prestigious Nursing Magnet® designation in 2015.

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Located on the University of South Florida Tampa campus, Moffitt houses 15 operating room suites and a five-story outpatient clinic building, complete with digital imaging center, state-of-the-art radiation therapy department and infusion center. Moffitt’s blood and marrow transplant unit, with 36 of the hospital’s total 206 licensed beds, is among the busiest in the Southeast, performing more than 400 transplants a year. Moffitt has drawn patients from every Florida county, every U.S. state and more than 100 countries internationally. Over 346,000 outpatient visits annually led to the development and 2015 opening of the Moffitt McKinley Outpatient Center near Busch Gardens. It became Moffitt’s second satellite facility, joining Moffitt at International Plaza near Tampa International Airport which opened in 2011.

Researching Tomorrow’s Cures - Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Moffitt’s research prowess, acknowledged by its NCI designation, is a tribute to its 850 research faculty, post-doctoral fellows and support staff.

Its grant funding totaled nearly $52 million in fiscal year 2015, including $40 million in peer-reviewed grants from the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute and other organizations. This includes an NCI Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant in skin cancer. Moffitt is the only Florida recipient of SPORE funding, which promotes interdisciplinary research. It is one of only five nationwide to obtain NCI’s Physical Sciences in Oncology Center grant, recognizing the pioneering work of Moffitt’s Integrated Mathematical Oncology (IMO) Department with mathematical models to better understand cancer progression and treatment.

Tomorrow’s cancer breakthroughs may come from within – by harnessing the body’s immune system against malignancy. Moffitt’s Immunology Research Program, a national leader in immunotherapy, seeks to define the mechanisms by which tumors evade 228

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the immune system and to develop strategies to thwart them. Its fundamental discoveries already have led to novel immunotherapy trials. Moffitt participates in more than 350 clinical trials to test new therapies, many of which are designed by Moffitt physician-scientists.

Innovation is a core element of Moffitt’s strategic plan. By 2016, Moffitt research had produced 66 United States patents, more than 150 license agreements and nearly $30 million in industry alliance funding. Moffitt’s Office of Innovation and Industry Alliances has also overseen development of many start-up businesses advancing new technologies against cancer and other diseases.

Moffitt’s wholly owned subsidiary, M2Gen®, is an informatics solutions company that advances precision medicine by integrating and analyzing clinical and molecular data, partnering with the nation’s leading cancer centers via the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN) to deploy Moffitt’s Total Cancer Care® Protocol. This innovative ORIEN project is part of the national “Moonshot” to accelerate cancer research and improved treatments.

Moffitt’s Total Cancer Care ® initiative encompasses quality patient care and innovative research.

Consenting patients participate by donating information and tissue. Researchers use the information to learn about issues related to cancer and how care can be improved. Physicians use the information to better educate and provide personalized care for patients.

In education, Moffitt trains more oncologists than any other institution in Florida and more oncology students than all other Florida institutions combined.

As a Comprehensive Cancer Center, Moffitt’s research enterprise offers training and education in numerous areas key in the fight against cancer. By providing access to modern research facilities and a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment, Moffitt produces strong, successful candidates for research positions throughout the national scientific community.

True to its mission, to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer, Moffitt is committed to lowering cancer incidence and deaths through research and education. Important ongoing prevention efforts center on tobacco control, vaccines, genetic screening to determine cancer risk, colorectal cancer screening and sun safety.

Moffitt generates more than $2.1 billion in direct economic output, with a payroll of 5,200 professionals. All share founder H. Lee Moffitt’s philosophy that “each person can make a difference.”

The many thousands of patients who’ve passed through Moffitt’s doors in its first 30 years can attest to its excellence. The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute has become a jewel in Florida’s crown.

1-888-MOFFITT (1-888-663-3488) www.moffitt.org

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Morphogenesis, Inc. A company of firsts. For instance, Morphogenesis was one of Florida’s first biotechnology companies and one of the University of Florida Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator’s first tenants. Morphogenesis was also one of the world’s first companies to work on developing immunotherapy products and the world’s first and only company to provide personalized wholecell cancer vaccines to pets with cancer.

It’s not easy nowadays to be the first at anything, but the Morphogenesis Team has its aspirations set high. The team is passionate, dedicated, committed, motivated and driven, and realizes that as the business of science evolves, maintaining the status quo is not an option. Commitment to leading the charge into the scientific unknowns for the betterment of people’s lives and the determination to continue being pioneers leading the way is what keeps them going. True to the Company logo’s tagline, “change is the way of life,” the Team continuously seeks to embrace changes, adapt to them and influence them.

In addition to aspiring to create a device that will find and isolate extremely rare cells, such as stem cells and circulating tumor cells from blood and bone marrow, the Team is looking to create banks of cells that can replace damaged cells and tissues without having to use immunosuppressive drugs that can be extremely debilitative over time. This technology holds extreme promise for diseases such as diabetes, cancer and sickle cell disease to name a few.

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The Team has also developed a way to treat many types of cancer in a patient-friendly manner for a fraction of the cost of current therapies. The Company’s direct DNA cancer vaccine can be freeze dried and shipped anywhere in the world. Once on site, the vaccine can be reconstituted and injected directly into the patient’s tumor.

This sophisticated, cutting-edge, side-effect-free treatment could easily be available to patients in developing countries where even therapies that are considered outdated in most of the developed world are either unavailable, unaffordable or both. The sideeffect-free part is not only patient-friendly but also adds to the affordability because there is no supportive care necessary to treat the toxic side effects associated with the majority of current cancer therapies.

As of this writing, the Morphogenesis cancer vaccine is about to enter human trials for the first time. However, the Morphogenesis Team is not concerned about safety or efficacy issues when the study gets underway. This may seem rather unusual, but the way the Team figures it, their vaccine has been used to treat so many animals of different breeds of different species with different types of cancer, that they are fairly certain that it will perform similarly in people.

In fact, Morphogenesis has created a subsidiary that does nothing but prepare a personalized form of the vaccine for pets with cancer. Veterinary Oncology Services works with veterinarians across the U.S. to help dogs, cats and horses (”Heroes”) with many different types of cancer. Morphogenesis is also expecting its veterinary form of the Direct DNA vaccine to be approved shortly for use in treating horses with melanoma—a first.

Dedicated to the Company’s mission to “end needless suffering,” this Team is starting here at home in Florida, in Tampa, to make sure their community is first when people around the world think about home-grown innovation accomplished with compassionate heart!

www.morphogenesis-inc.com

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Lions Eye Institute for Transplant and Research Mission: To improve visual outcomes and quality of life for those who are blind or visually impaired through innovative ocular endeavors.

The Lions Eye Institute for Transplant and Research (LEITR) was founded as a non-profit organization in 1973 through the inspiration of Lions Club members as an eye bank dedicated to evaluation and distribution of eye tissue for transplantation.

LEITR’s unique model—one of the only combined eye banks and ocular research centers in the world—empowers researchers to conduct realtime studies of healthy and diseased ocular tissue.

This breakthrough approach answers a critical need by providing normal and diseased human eye tissue to advance our understanding of events that lead to blindness.

Donated eye and cornea tissue is necessary to restore sight and is used for transplantation, research and education. A cornea transplant is 232

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the surgical procedure that replaces a disc-shaped segment of an impaired cornea with a similarly shaped cornea from a donor. 95% to 99% of the cornea transplant operations performed each year successfully restore vision to persons suffering from cornea problems. Cataracts, poor eyesight or age do not prohibit eye donation and everyone is considered a potential donor.

We obtain, medically evaluate and distribute corneas donated by caring individuals for use in transplantation, research, and education. Over the course of our 42 years, our commitment has remained steadfast – an unwavering devotion to clinical excellence and a passion for providing care and service delivered with compassion and respect.

We serve 61 of the 67 counties in Florida with satellite offices in Orlando, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Gainesville and Fort Myers.

We understand that every victory in the fight against blindness and visual impairment comes at the price of another human being’s life. We have a deep respect and the highest regard for cornea donors and their families. It is through their loss that the precious gift of sight is possible. We offer support for our donor families 24/7, answering questions and providing comfort and caring consultation. Our compassionate team members help balance their loss with the assurance that their loved one’s donation has changed a life or advanced scientific research.

Since the opening of our Ocular Research Center in 2009, we conduct research on glaucoma, retinal disease, eye complications of diabetes and other sight disorders. This research is helping advance the discovery of the cause and effects of these conditions, leading to new treatments and cures.

By uniting our Eye Bank with our cutting-edge Ocular Research Center and Foundation, the institute has brought the “Gift of Sight” to over 67,000 men, women, and children worldwide and has provided over 50,000 eyes for invaluable, sight-saving research. Our 12,000 square foot

state-of-the-art research center is one of the largest in the world. It provides investigative and collaborative opportunities for domestic and international researchers.

Sleep suites allow researchers 24-hour access to their studies as well as fresh tissue as it becomes available. We are developing a repository of normal

and diseased tissue, combining tissue with a database of clinical and familial information – it will be the only comprehensive database of its kind.

We are cultivating highly characterized cell lines so researchers can have confidence in the cell origins of these age-matched and disease-specific cells. We offer high volume, high quality human ocular tissue for study, collaboration, and clinical advancements.

Our Foundation was established in 2005, assuring that any person who needs sight-saving/sightrestoring surgery will have access to care, regardless of their ability to pay. The Foundation supports the efforts of the Ocular Research Center, so scientists can understand the complexities of eye disease and help find solutions that will ultimately lead to ending blindness. Additionally, the Foundation assists local charitable organizations that serve the blind and visually impaired.

To become an eye donor, tell your family of your wishes. All states require that families be offered the option of donation when a loved one dies. You may also sign a donor card or include donation on your driver’s license. Eye donation is the gift of a lifetime.

Visit www.LionsEyeInstitute.org for more information on how you can get involved in the fight against eye disease or to learn more about eye donation.

1410 N. 21st Street, Tampa, FL 33605 Tel: 813 289 1200 | Fax: 813 242 7025 Email: info@LionsEyeInstitute.org www.lionseyeinstitute.org

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The BONATI SPINE INSTITUTE Alfred O. Bonati, M.D.

World Leader in Advanced Spine Surgery.

As a young, passionate orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Bonati was disillusioned with the low success rate of “traditional open spine” surgery. He became disheartened with the heavy failure rate and was upset that a lifelong dependency on narcotics became the final solution for most patients.

As a dedicated surgeon, Bonati could no longer participate in what he felt was a dangerous cycle of unsuccessful spine surgeries and narcotics addiction.

Universally, these were the standard and acceptable solutions within hospitals at that time. Although new techniques were being introduced incorporating fusions and hardware, the success rate of “open invasive” spine surgery still remained astoundingly low. In fact, hardware itself created a new set of problems for patients to deal with immediately and over time. At that point in Dr. Bonati’s surgical career, he chose to step back and re-evaluate his participation in those “textbook methods” that have little or no lasting benefit to the patients who are suffering with debilitating spine pain.

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Still concentrating on seeking out new innovations in orthopaedics he was one of the first orthopaedic surgeons to be trained in knee arthroscopy at Wake Forest University. After mastering that technique Bonati became re-energized.

Excited about the success of his arthroscopic joint procedures, he believed that if he could apply the same knowledge and technique to spine surgery he could finally help millions suffering with chronic pain.

Determined, he set out to do just that.

Truly inspired by the new arthroscopic technique with its minimal scarring, shortened patient recovery time and less anesthesia, he founded, “Gulf Coast Orthopedic Center” (DBA - The Bonati Spine Institute), the first orthopaedic ambulatory spine center in the U.S.

Surgeon Bonati became an inventor, creator and pioneer. He started to change and advance spine surgery forever. His greatest creation to date: “The Bonati Spine Procedures”.

His primary practice did not only focus on arthroscopic knee surgery; Dr. Bonati expanded his technique to resolve joint disease and problems in other areas. His new facility featuring an ambulatory center became the first in the nation to offer minimally invasive surgery for feet, ankles, hips, elbows, wrists and shoulders. At that time no medical professional had even considered this technique for use on the spine.

While other facilities interpreted and incorporated their own version of “minimally invasive” spine surgery and proceeded in their own direction (with less success), Dr. Bonati stayed his course and invented the precise tools that improved his own procedures’ success. He remained passionate about perfecting his procedures to offer true patient resolve.

Dr. Bonati’s spine procedures are consistently improved, which is evident by the soaring success rate.

The Bonati Spine Institute was the first to gain FDA approval for the use of the Holmium-YAG laser in spine surgery (due to their research and development). Prior to the Bonati Spine Procedures, “open invasive” spine surgery was the only option available to patients. Our Institute is consistently at the forefront of new and innovative surgical spine procedures to ensure unmatched precision, faster recovery and greater success.

The evolution of his expertise combined with over 30 years’ experience in orthopaedic surgery along with neurological training and insights speaks for itself.

Our select surgeons at The Bonati Spine Institute have a level of expertise unmatched by any other spine facility. Advancing over the past three decades, the Bonati Procedures have been skillfully performed more than 50,000 times. All procedures have been performed exclusively at our location.

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aware, alert and in constant communication with the surgeon. This interactive approach allows the surgeon and the patient to locate, address, and eliminate the true root of the problem.

A recent 10-year survey reflects a 98.75% success rate with true patient satisfaction and pain resolution.

Our success rates always include the most challenging medical cases. These cases include patients who were turned away by other surgeons and were given no hope to resolve their problems. In addition, over 65% of our patients come to us after having received failed spine surgery at other facilities.

BONATI SUCCEEDS where OTHERS FAIL. At The Bonati Spine Institute, all of our surgeries are done with a specific purpose; true patient resolve without “CON-fusing” our patients (by badly confusing patients into “traditional metal fusions” and other invasive procedures). We never fuse metal screws, plates, cages or wires into patients’ spines.

“Minimally Invasive”? Let’s clarify that overused term. Dr. Bonati patented the exclusive Bonati Spine Procedures which were the first advanced “minimally invasive” laser spine surgeries. Our success rate was so high utilizing those procedures that other surgical

The Bonati Spine Institute, Las Vegas, 2016

centers tried to perform our procedures themselves but without a healthy rate of success. In addition, the terms “minimally invasive” spine surgery and “laser spine surgery” have become buzzwords employed by medical marketers.

However, “laser” is just one of many tools we use.

The term “minimally-invasive” only describes an approach, it does not fully describe our exclusive, patented and targeted precision procedures.

Needing to distinguish ourselves from imitators we typically refrain from the use of the term we helped create.

Under the watchful eye of Dr. Bonati, the caring staff and team of skilled surgeons are trained to become proficient in their fields and dedicated to the individualized needs, care and comfort of our patients. Heartfelt compassion, dedication and success is what makes the Bonati Spine Institute a worldwide leader in advanced spine surgery.

Bonati innovates never imitates. He obtained seven patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for his methods, hardware removal and medical tools.

The Tranquil Bonati Atmosphere Arriving at our beautiful pristine 11-acre facility patients immediately know they’ve come to the right place. The open outdoor tranquility surrounds them and continues as they are greeted inside the modern main building. Because our campus grounds and building are so modern and open, patients

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are relaxed and never feel crowded. Everyone at The Bonati Spine Institute treat patients with the utmost care, comfort, respect and consideration.

We also welcome patients’ loved ones who may accompany them throughout the process. Since we are committed to never overbooking, Bonati patients comfortably receive the individualized attention they deserve in a timely manner. Our patients actually meet their doctors who always treat our patients with warmth, compassion and professionalism.

Over the years, patients have rated our staff as “excellent” (dedicated, knowledgeable and friendly).

Our staff’s dedication stems from: satisfied longterm employment, training and true patient empathy.

Bonati staff is committed to ensuring all patients are comfortable while awaiting their appointments. Our main lobby and building offer: free Wi-Fi, coffee/ snack bar and an auditorium. In addition to the comfort of the main building, the Institute features on-site clinics, three operating rooms and our own Imaging Center.

At the Bonati Institute, patients are not known by numbers but respectfully addressed by their names. The same consideration is always given to our patients whether it’s their initial visit or subsequent visit. Patients and their loved ones can always count on feeling welcomed at The Bonati Spine Institute.

The Bonati Institute is proud to announce our expansion into Las Vegas, Nevada as of August 2016.

Visit bonati.com Or call 855-267-0483

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Gentle Dentistry

Gentle Dentistry is a friendly and modern dental practice that has been serving Tampa Bay for almost 35 years!

34 YEARS

OF CREATING BRIGHT SMILES

From left to right: Matthew, Marc, Angela, Rick, Kirstin, Sarina, Tanner (the dog) and Rick III Meet Dr. Angela Rasmussen and her daughter, Dr. Kirstin Rasmussen. This mother-daughter duo (Drs A & K) are part of a six-member family of dental professionals (actually seven including her daughter-in-law!) The Rasmussen family is dedicated to providing the highest standard of care in a technically advanced and relaxing environment.

Gentle Dentistry is a private practice established in 1982 by Dr. Angela Rasmussen.

She built her practice on treating her patients the way she would like to be treated.

Dr. Rasmussen has been practicing cosmetic and restorative dentistry in Tampa for more than 30 years. This Former Mrs. Florida, USA founded “Project I Can” in 1992, a program teaching middle school children in Hillsborough County how to set and reach their goals. She has been the recipient of many honors throughout her career, both in the professional arena and community involvement. Some of these awards include the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Award, the Hillsborough Education Foundation Business Partnership Award, and the Italian-American Women of Excellence Award.

Dr. Kirstin Rasmussen is a second generation dentist. Born and raised in Tampa she currently practices along with her mother at Gentle Dentistry. While pursuing studies at UF College of Dentistry she received the prestigious Quintessence Award for Excellence in Restorative Dentistry. After completing her Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree she pursued an additional year of training in anesthesia, 238

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AFTER

BEFORE

BEFORE

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general and emergency medicine at Loyola University in Chicago. This advanced training, pursued by a select number of dentists, allows her to provide the best care possible to her patients. She enjoys volunteering her time and skills abroad, having travelled to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica to serve those in great need of dental care.

At Gentle Dentistry we believe that dentistry is not just about restoring teeth; it is also about improving the lives of their patients and potentially saving them from systemic problems rooted in the mouth. As ‘Dr A’ says “we are not in the tooth business, we’re in the people business”. This belief has led the staff at Gentle Dentistry to apply the most advanced technologies in conjunction with the most thorough examination.

only beautiful teeth, but also includes the surrounding tissues that frame the teeth. At Gentle Dentistry it is their mission to provide you with the finest quality cosmetic and restorative dental care with unsurpassed customer service.

They continually challenge themselves to being leaders in their field. They are dedicated to giving you something to Smile about. But above all else, they want you to know how much they care!

Using Digital X-rays, taken with sensors instead of traditional film, reduces the radiation exposure to their patients by 80%.

This technology combined with a cavity-detecting laser that picks up changes in the density of tooth structure and decay at its earliest, incipient stages, allows the Drs. Rasmussen to protect and preserve tooth structure.

In addition, they use the latest adjunctive technology in early cancer detection, which allows them to see tissue changes before they’re even visible to the eye, giving their patients the best chance for a great outcome.

The Drs. Rasmussen are dedicated to building beautiful smiles. For this reason they have advanced training in the aesthetic and cosmetic treatment of the face, offering Botox, Dermal Fillers and an array of anti-aging treatments in a very comfortable and trusted setting. They believe a gorgeous smile is not

Dr. Angela Rasmussen

Dr. Kirstin Rasmussen

Start your journey to a beautiful smile at www.gentledentistrytampa.com

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Edward Kaloust, Founder and CEO pictured with David Feeman of the Bank of Tampa

Medi-Weightloss

®

You’ve heard of Medi-Weightloss® — the physician-supervised weight loss provider known as The One That Works!®

2014

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TH

CLINICAL RESEARCH

WINNER

2013

E

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EARLY CAREER INVESTIGATOR TH

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PRESENTER

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The Clinically-Proven Program has been featured on Good Morning America and in the Wall Street Journal and Entrepreneur, to name a few. But what you may not know is that this company, with locations across the U.S. and internationally, is headquartered right here in the Tampa Bay area. It’s a local jewel that proves that the Tampa Bay area is home to some of the country’s best and most innovative entrepreneurs.

Counted among those innovators is Edward Kaloust. When he first conceived of Medi-Weightloss®, Kaloust didn’t have anything to prove. He’d already had a very successful business career and could have easily remained retired.

But his greatest success yet was still to come. While working to lose a few pounds, he realized the need for an evidence-based medical weight loss program that focused on not just helping people lose weight, but helping them keep it off.

“I just knew my idea was a winner,” Kaloust says. “I really saw it as an opportunity to positively impact people’s lives and battle the obesity epidemic. I don’t know many people who have never tried to lose weight, but I did know lots of people who had lost weight only to regain it. My goal was to stop that cycle.”

AWARD 2013

A FT FTE ER

AFTER AFTE R

A FT FTE ER

BE FO RE

Mallory, actual patient, lost 50 pounds.†

Sonia, actual patient, lost 30 pounds.†

BE FO RE

BE FO RE

Jose, actual patient, lost 46 pounds.†

† On average, patients compliant with the Medi-Weightloss® Program lose 6.4 pounds the first week and 14 pounds the first month. Rapid weight loss may be associated with certain medical conditions and should only be considered by those who are medically appropriate. © 2016 Medi IP, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

He enlisted longtime friend and consummate businessman James Edlund and Carol Balkcom, now Chief Brand Officer, to help bring his vision to fruition. Medi-Weightloss® was born.

“In 2005, when our headquarters opened with just five employees, I could see that Medi-Weightloss® was

destined for greatness,” Kaloust recalls. “Now the Corporate Office has more than 50 highly qualified professionals in franchising, business operations, finance, marketing, strategic development, information technology, and training in addition to a stellar medical team that leads clinical outcomes research, product development, and compliance.”

And greatness was in the cards. Since 2005, it’s been success after success — for patients, who’ve lost more than 3 million pounds combined, and for franchisees, who are able to improve lives while filling an enormous need in the marketplace. “Franchising was a natural expansion vehicle, and we’re fortunate to have experienced growth, even while operating in a highly competitive industry and battling external forces, including the economy,” Kaloust notes. “Even more fortunate is that our growth has been primarily organic, through our own referrals and networks, and through our growing brand recognition.”

small part to Kaloust’s keen eye for growth and addressing customers’ ever-changing needs. This has helped to make Medi-Weightloss® one of the most comprehensive weight loss programs ever developed.

“Medi-Weightloss® is not a diet. It’s a lifestyle

change,” Kaloust says. “Our program is clinically proven and our patients receive one-on-one support and counseling, 24/7 access to healthy recipes, educational articles, ability-specific workouts, and our Signature Supplements & Products, which are all researched and developed specifically for the program to help patients achieve

and maintain their weight loss goal.”

Today, Kaloust is keeping his eye on the future and is grateful for all that Medi-Weightloss® has brought into his life.

“During my travels and even when I’m just out running errands, people often come up to me to share how the Medi-Weightloss® Program has changed their lives. I’m always pleased and excited to hear their journeys because my ultimate goal when I started Medi-Weightloss® was and still is to help people transform themselves inside and out.”

*Not an offer to sell a franchise. Disclaimer: See Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document.

Currently, there are 87 Medi-Weightloss® locations across 25 states and one location in Dubai, with many more opening this year. “Medi-Weightloss® is among the most exciting investment opportunities available today,” Kaloust says.

In 2015, the top one third of all reporting Franchises in 2015 generated $1,139,735 in Gross Revenue.* Medi-Weightloss® is also among the most exciting weight loss programs available today, thanks in no

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Photo Credits: Ben Bradley (MEGA Inc.)

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TECHNOLOGY & MEDIA

“Creativity is Intelligence having fun.”

Albert Einstein

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A custom software engineering company that prototypes, designs, and develops for cross-platform application.

Sourcetoad Development Studio On an average workday, you will more than likely see the majority of Sourcetoad employees at their desks, writing code and flicking between various programs across multiple monitors. You may also find someone walking on the treadmill desk, working on the couch, writing on a whiteboard, throwing a NERF football, or maybe even playing a game on the customized company arcade machine. This is a place where geeks feel at home. This is a place where technology always has that new Apple-smell, but artwork usually portrays vintage video games. This is a place where young talent thrives and has collectively become a team of world-class, cross-platform developers. This is a place that has a wall shelf dedicated entirely to the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures.

This is also the realized vision of Greg Ross-Munro, founder of Sourcetoad Development Studio. The company’s roots reach back to 2008 when he was working at an investment bank, building business intelligence software. One day, the bank’s impressed CEO met with Greg and told him he needed to get out of the finance business. He also told him to take investment capital he was offering and to go start a technology company.

The playfully named software engineering firm has since become a twocontinent, 23-employee organization focused on prototyping, designing, and developing cross-platform software applications. Sourcetoad has partnered with Fortune 500 companies such as Procter & Gamble, Jackson Hewitt, Honeywell, and even US Central Command. More recently, they have partnered with Viking Cruises to build an entire suite of technology solutions that include TV systems, tablets, desktops, and kiosks.

Collaborating with these large organizations allows the software engineering firm to work closely with small and medium-sized businesses, which are often passion or equity projects.

“Sourcetoad has become a key player in the startup community of Tampa Bay,” says Mitch Neff, Global Director for Startup Bus. “Greg and his team contribute a great deal of time and resources to ensure the local startup community thrives. We can always count on Sourcetoad as a key supporter of our growing startup economy. Over the past few years, Greg has represented Tampa as a sponsor, mentor, conductor, and even a Masters’ Bus reality show participant on various StartupBus trips.”

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In addition to their Tampa office, Sourcetoad has a team in Perth, Australia.

The two cities are separated by a 12-hour time difference, which ensures that clients and partners receive support, development, and QA on a 24hour cycle. As Sourcetoad has grown, they have become a leader in the software development industry, working with companies around the world.

But no matter how large the company grows, you will always find a wall shelf dedicated entirely to the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures.

www.sourcetoad.com

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Level 6

Level 6 Marketing, LLC is a full-service brand performance firm headquartered in Clearwater, Florida.

In 2005, Level 6 CEO and Founder, Ben Wieder, set out to create a marketing agency that took a more holistic approach to business. Knowing that over 90% of many organizations’ business revenue comes from activities other than traditional advertising, he emphasizes the importance of identifying all customer touch points.

Level 6 takes the time to fully understand an organization and develop a brand performance plan that best suits its needs.

They work with clients to build solid, long-term strategies, such as full-service salesperson incentive programs, custom e-Learning programs, customer loyalty programs, along with the websites and mobile apps that bring these initiatives to life. They understand that educated employees are more likely to sell a product they’re well-versed in, and educated consumers are more likely to hit that “Add to Cart” button.

Eleven years later, Level 6 is still helping organizations foster strong, lasting relationships with their customers to drive ROI year after year.

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BRAND PERFORMANCE REIMAGINED. â„¢

www.level6marketing.com

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absolute MARKETING SOLUTIONS

Headquartered in Tampa Bay, Absolute Marketing Solutions is a full-service, award-winning digital marketing agency founded in 1999.

The company was founded by Alfred Goldberg, a Tampa native, and Dumitru Vlad, who moved to Tampa pursuing a better quality of life. The mission of the company was simple: to help small and medium sized businesses utilize the latest digital technology to achieve business objectives. There was no office space, no advertising budget, nothing but two entrepreneurs who saw an opportunity for growth in a budding Internet age that would dramatically change the way businesses would operate in the new millennium.

Since those early days, the company has grown to have more than forty employees in three countries worldwide. Pioneers in mobile app development and mobile marketing, the agency has developed a superb reputation in many aspects of digital marketing from helping clients craft strategies to providing successful SEO, social media marketing, advertising campaigns, web design and more.

Absolute’s mission, since its inception, has been to deliver digital marketing solutions for its clients by leveraging technology to build unique solutions for businesses and organizations. Most recently, Absolute has become a thought leader in 360˚ video, virtual reality and other emerging video technology platforms. Tampa’s own 2016 Gasparilla Interactive Festival featured Mr. Goldberg on a panel alongside leaders from Facebook and HD Interactive to discuss the future of digital marketing with the 248

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advent of virtual and augmented reality. The desire to continually grow and innovate is a trait required by any agency wanting to succeed, and being located in Tampa gives many opportunities to collaborate in professional settings.

Despite having offices in other countries around the world, Absolute Marketing Solutions has kept its North American headquarters in Tampa. With a skilled labor force emerging from the top ranked universities and colleges, there is an abundance of bright young minds who are both innovative and creative. Absolute Marketing Solutions has been able to develop lasting and meaningful relationships with other businesses and brands in the city by fostering a company culture that embraces the community.

Absolute Marketing Solutions has worked with national brands such as Tyson Foods, Bayer, and

Bosch. Absolute has also worked with notable Tampa Bay brands, such as Pepin Distributing Company, the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Florida Holocaust Museum and also Ciccio’s Restaurant Group, a popular family of restaurants scattered throughout the Bay area. The agency has won many awards throughout the years, some of its most prized being for those projects which gave back to the Tampa Bay community.

In 2015, Absolute launched a 1:1 Match Program where it pledged to cover 50 per cent of development costs for non-profit community projects. In the same year, the company won multiple awards for the Florida Holocaust Museum website, and for Pepin Academies, a non-profit school with campuses that accommodate and encourage alternative forms of learning.

With access to both domestic and international markets, Tampa is an ideal location for establishing or relocating businesses, offering up all the necessary requirements for fast growth. Additionally, the openness of its community allows for individuals to easily connect with influencers, decision makers and members of organizations who can help them succeed in their chosen fields.

Tampa also has many incentives for entrepreneurs and skilled workers to set up shop and do business here. It offers a tremendous quality of life without the hustle and bustle of other cities like New York and San Francisco, without giving up the international and cosmopolitan influences that the people bring. The weather is an attractive benefit for many people who elect to move here and pursue their business endeavors while living in everlasting summer.

500 East Kennedy Blvd. Suite 401 | Tamap, FL 33602, US Tel: 813 908 6862 | www.absolutemobilesolutions.com

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NITRO SOLUTIONS

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Nitro was founded in 2009, although the vision developed in 2007 when Steve Jobs announced the iPhone at the World Wide Developers Conference. At that moment, founder and CEO Pete Slade knew the world was going to change and he wanted to lead the innovation.

Molly was an experienced entrepreneur as well, having owned her own small business — doing her own budgeting, bookkeeping, business analysis and planning — for years. So what do you get when you mix that business savvy, entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for technology? You get Nitro Solutions.

Pete’s entrepreneurial spirit started long before Nitro.

At age 13 he already had a software development business under his belt. By 18 he owned an independent consulting firm in the United Kingdom.

In 1993, Pete moved to the United States where he met his wife, Molly.

“The reason we started Nitro is simple — we’re passionate about business process optimization through technology and software solutions,” Pete said. Nitro started in a home office, but it didn’t stay there for long. Pete now leads one of the fastest growing privately-held businesses in the Tampa

businesses connected with NitroServer®, its unique solution to diverse business systems. By sitting on top of disparate systems to consolidate data, NitroServer captures all necessary business logic — creating a common view that delivers actionable, real-time business intelligence.

Nitro is ideal for businesses looking to digitize, then mobilize, the intellectual property of their day-today operations to gain a competitive advantage through technology. Their expert technology and business consultants have worked with small organizations to Fortune 50 companies to help them realize their vision, streamline operations, reduce expenses, align solutions with their larger business

Metro Area, headquartered in 9,000 square feet of office space in downtown Tampa. Behind him stands a team of passionate, innovative “rockstars” whose mission is to make your workforce more productive and your business more efficient.

The software development company specializes in designing complete technology solutions, with endto-end development services that connect its clients directly to their users. Across smartphones, tablets, desktops, and the Internet of Things, Nitro keeps

objectives, and access new channels of revenue.

Throughout its growth, the technology firm has earned titles such as “Small Business of the Year” from the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, “Technology Company of the Year” from the Tampa Bay Technology Forum, and has twice been named one of the top 100 small businesses in the nation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The company is also a member of the “Inc. 500,” having been recognized by Inc. Magazine for a three-year growth rate of 1,797 percent.

Nitro Solutions, LLC 501 East Kennedy Blvd., Suite 910, Tampa, FL 33602 | Tel: 1800.833.2993 Email: info@ContactNitro.com | sales@ContactNitro.com www.NitroSolutions.com

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Priatek

Standing tall on the beautiful St. Petersburg skyline is Priatek Plaza, home of the groundbreaking prize promotion company Priatek. They have the distinct honor of being the only technology startup company with a Class A office tower bearing its name.

Priatek is the first company to offer performancebased digital signage. They have built a revolutionary platform for advertisers to interact, engage, and sell products in the marketplace. Their patented technology is the only solution for managing serverbased prize promotions simultaneously across multiple locations.

The Priatek team builds turn-key prize promotions which operate on their network of digital kiosks, a custom mobile app, and across social networks under their in2win brand. Prize promotions advertised on the digital kiosks engage consumers in a unique and fun way. Consumers select the advertised products they want to win, and always receive a prize or coupon that can be used to purchase the products directly from the in2win kiosk, mobile app, local retail stores, or online. Industry-changing innovations include the only free-to-play prize kiosk and a platform that bridges the gap between the retail space and online.

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Priatek makes it easy for advertisers and retail locations to create and manage prize promotions.

It’s convenient for consumers because they can access promotions from multiple advertisers in a single location. What makes Priatek compelling for advertisers is that the company doesn’t charge them for impressions. Instead, advertisers are only charged when a consumer selects and registers for their prize promotion. Each promotion is measurable and cost-effective.

The in2win kiosks are designed for public venues such as malls, retail stores, restaurants, airports, hotels, sporting venues and movie theaters around the world. Currently the company’s kiosks are placed in malls around the Tampa Bay area and will soon be seen in locations across the country.

Priatek has introduced a 55-inch multi-touch screen kiosk that includes advanced software upgrades and interactive games. Priatek technology is very scalable to the needs of any organization interested in new, exciting ways to reach their target audiences.

Consumers can also interact with promotions through the in2win mobile app. They can play to win all of the same great prizes and coupons, and keep up with all of the latest promotions in their specific area or even while traveling. Priatek was founded in 2009 by its President, Milind Bharvirkar. “Priatek is proud to be part of the growing technology sector

in the St. Petersburg area,” he explained. He leads a management team with a wealth of expertise in digital advertising, point-of-sale, game development, online tournaments, location-based operations, technology development, and manufacturing. In 1998, long before Priatek existed, Mr. Bharvirkar founded Global VR, a Silicon Valley-based gaming company. Their products grossed over $150 million in sales. In 2002, Mr. Bharvirkar was well known for the EA Sports PGA Tour online golf tournaments. The company administered online tournaments for cash and prizes in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, and South Africa. In the US alone, the company awarded $1 million in prizes annually. The product and online tournaments were a huge success.

Through their ecosystem of products, Priatek technology benefits every strategic partner involved including consumers, game developers, retail locations, distributors, and advertisers. Strategic partners receive access to data analytics showing detailed real-time results of their promotions. Using this powerful information their partners receive important data to improve future prize promotions.

This bright star in the St. Petersburg technology community is redefining the market with its ability to measure and deliver cost-effective prize promotions for its customers and strategic partners.

200 Central Ave, Floor 23 St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Tel: (727) 375-5616 | Fax: (727) 375-5484 Email: info@priatek.com | www.priatek.com

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Riley Animation Studios Sometimes you have to leave something before you realize it’s true value and beauty.

Such is the case with Kevin Riley; the Owner & Creative Director of Riley Animation Studios, located in the exploding Channelside Arts District in Tampa Bay. As a native of Florida’s West Coast, Kevin grew up drawing Florida’s wildlife of the bays, beaches, and estuaries he actively fished; as well as cartoons, or anything he could dream up. Like any budding artist /animator in the late 80’s and early 90’s, he had visions of working at Walt Disney Feature Animation, and attended the University of South Florida’s School of Fine Arts, with a minor in Business.

“My mother was a teacher and a creative, my father a banker with a tireless work ethic” say’s Riley, “so I was genetically coded with just the 254

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right balance of artistic and business acumen to succeed. Well, that and a little Irish luck along the way.”

USF was primarily focused on Fine Art at that time, with little concentration on commercial art.

But USF had recently acquired a Silicon Graphics supercomputer that could perform animation tasks. While rudimentary by today’s animation standards, Riley seized the opportunity to dive in to the new technology. “The first time I saw my drawings move, I was absolutely hooked.

The first time I saw my computer animations come alive, I knew that was the future. I spent more nights in that computer lab than they were

market for his craft. “I knew the work I was doing was high end, and I knew that the need for design and animation would explode with more TV networks emerging every day, alternate media, social media, and mobile apps and interactive games – and that there would be a want for it at a reasonable nonHollywood price.” It was a very good decision.

Fast forward 14 years, and Riley is at the helm of a studio that has multiple divisions that create everything from original animated series for broadcast and online networks, to national campaigns for major brands with the top advertising agencies in the world, to interactive experiences for Fortune 500s. The studio created one of the top rated and selling game apps on iTunes. They’ve created Global Training interactives for some of comfortable with. But it worked. It was a very good time to graduate if you could draw, and you could animate with that system.”

Kevin enthusiastically moved to Hollywood to successfully work in both feature films and the video game industry, rubbing shoulders and learning from some of the best animators and creatives in the field; and while fun, something was missing.

“It was exciting, but wasn’t really what I’d hoped.

There was just too much hustle and jockeying in LA. Everybody was sprinting around 24/7 with a big plan – and you either dive into that lifestyle, or you stay a small fish.” But another emerging technology in the global internet driven marketplace gave him the idea to return to Tampa and attempt to create a the top pharma companies in the world. He even returned to Hollywood in 2009 to accept an Emmy Award, and won another again in 2012.

“I’m just blown away at the incredible opportunities that continue to fan out in front of us. Every day a new technology or delivery method for media opens up. But consistently, regardless of the delivery method, it’s always about the same thing: PRESENTATION. We want our work to stand out, be different, be innovative. We strive to create design, characters, themes, or emotional stories that are unlike anything that’s been created before, in some way, in every project.”

You could say it’s that initial Fine Arts training or genetic pedigree, or simply the natural inclination of an artist to be innovative. But Riley also attributes the success to location, because he sees what he didn’t before about Tampa Bay, in the early part of his career.

“It’s gorgeous here. Clients WANT to come to the West Coast of Florida and shoot, or sit and brainstorm their vision. It’s a vacation for them. And if they can get the same Hollywood/LA/NY/Chicago product at a fraction of the price, why wouldn’t they?” Riley passionately boasts. “After all, story sessions are a lot more fun during a sunset surf, or over a boat drink with your toes in our sugar white sand”.

Riley Animation Studio’s work can be found at www.rileyanimation.com

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DIAMOND VIEW STUDIOS

At Diamond View Studios, these cats are anything but normal.

Being in the movie business, their company thrives on creativity, and they do all they can to foster a collaborative and engaging work environment.

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From group brainstorming sessions in the morning, to outings on the weekends, they believe a close team delivers engaging and cohesive videos. If you visit, don’t be surprised to see them riding a scooter from office to office or delivering notes via paper airplane. This isn’t your usual nine-to-five.

The majority of their office – both inside and out – was built with reclaimed materials. In fact, the entire exterior brick facade was salvaged from a historic road in Virginia. It’s one thing to create an office space that’s comfortable and looks “cool” — it’s another to create one that sends a resounding message which boldly showcases their passion for creativity and forward thinking. One of the most important aspects of the company’s new space is “future proofing.” When they purchased their new facility, the ground floor was nothing more than weed-infested dirt, and as the concrete was poured, they installed high speed fiber-optic cable for the building-wide network and brand new cameras. This was done with the foresight that there would be technological advances in the near future, and these were the decisions that would make Diamond View Studios the most forward thinking studio space in the area. “We’re proud to tell our clients that we are embracing technology that doesn’t readily exist yet, so they know that we are here for the long-term and will continue to be on the cutting edge,” says Founder Tim Moore.

In 2016, Diamond View was voted the Coolest Office Space in Tampa Bay by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. They were also nominated as one of the Best Places to Work in Tampa Bay, and they’ve won 25 National Telly Awards in over a dozen categories.

When you watch their work, you realize that it’s more than just a visual experience – it’s video you can feel. So be on the lookout for them as they continue to grow not only in Tampa, but nationwide.

1616 E. Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL 33613 Phone: 813.972.5400 WWW.DIAMONDVIEWSTUDIOS.COM

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MEGA® A boutique production studio and creative agency operating in the heart of downtown Tampa, MEGA helps companies craft compelling brands and experiences.

A Fresh Spin on Traditional Business Branding MEGA is home to a talented group of experts in areas ranging from research to design/development to digital marketing to copywriting and more. With a passion for creation, the MEGA team helps companies discover and create the tools they’ll need to connect with their audience, meet company objectives, and seize opportunities for growth. The creative agency offers results-driven branding and marketing strategies that hinge upon the company’s motto of “Think. Create. Be.” Partners in Collaboration From the initial planning and research phases to final delivery and ongoing support, MEGA is focused on working one-on-one with companies to reach and exceed goals. By thoroughly getting to know each client, MEGA takes what they’ve learned to produce ideas and execute concepts through a multifaceted marketing approach. MEGA then equips companies with the tools they’ll need to reach their customers and grow their brand, such as a website, mobile app, social media presence, and more. The downtown agency has worked with clients such as NASA, SEER Analytics, USF Health, iTrekkers, Grilling Companion, MamaBear App. and more, but businesses of all sizes can benefit from the agency’s innovative initiatives and ability to breathe life into branding and marketing campaigns.

Find out more about MEGA at www.megainc.com.

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500 E Kennedy Blvd Office #304 Tampa, Florida 33602 Tel: +1-813-702-3844 www.megainc.com

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WONDERMENT Wonderment Creative House first began due to the longing of a young designer, Jason Liggitt, who was always striving to create something unique.

He had a dream to one day start an agency that was totally different from the ones he had worked in previously. Liggitt’s vision was to launch an agency that not only delivered exceptional creativity, but one that could also justify the delivery through analytics, strategy, and data.

Twenty years gone and Liggitt was armed with awards, success, a mass amount of experience, and a quick hop over the pond.

Being the right brained, creative person that he is, he then set out to find the missing piece to his master plan: a ‘left brain.’

Then and only then could he bring his vision ‘Wonderment’- to life.

While working as the creative director for a fortune 100 company in Florida, Liggitt stumbled upon a left brain like no other. A highly motivated, articulate, and intelligent marketing director, Carolyn Ruby.

Today, the Wonderment team has a thorough list of exciting clients which rely on them for all creative and marketing aspects of their businesses. Ready to bring back the neglected idea of Guerilla Marketing with a fresh and inventive technique, Wonderment is focused on projects that are guaranteed to bring the ‘Wow factor’ to the Sunshine City.

Wonderment believes in the entrepreneurial spirit, embraces philanthropic ideals, and gets excited about local and global economic development. Their overarching mission is to provide support to businesses to help accelerate their growth - from entities with a global footprint in need of a brand refresh, to a local start-up company looking to ignite a dream.

An extremely creative, talented, and mutual friend of Carolyn and Jasons, Matt Risley, joined the two of them and they all set out for adventure.

Another three years pass and the Wonderment brand has fully come to life. The Wonderment Theory is defined as:

“The moment when the left and right brain connect. Where logic meets innovation, when water and fire collide, where strategy combines with creativity and becomes a total solution to a challenge.”

With the innovative team working towards success, Wonderment quickly attained a list of global and local clients of all diversities.

The team of three were then offered an opportunity that allowed them to move to the U.K. to continue and expand their agency journey. After moving back to the U.S., Wonderment expanded and situated in the heart of downtown St. Pete, a thriving and creative city.

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Our unique ecosystem of creative, marketing, analytic and technology provides you an unrivalled competitive advantage needed for your business, both today and tomorrow.

www.wondermentcreative.com

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Tampa Bay BUSINESS JOURNAL

The Tampa Bay Business Journal’s history dates back to 1981, when it first began to serve the local business community with its weekly print edition.

A look at those early editions shows that the focus of the news coverage established then remains intact today: a heavy emphasis on commercial real estate, banking and financial services, technology and people. While those coverage areas remain a focal point, the TBBJ of “now” is a cutting edge, digital news organization, reporting multiple times per day online, while still maintaining a weekly print edition with a growing audience and influence. We work to be the go-to source for exclusive local business news, and more broadly to help the business community grow, and business professionals simplify their professional lives and advance their careers. This intense focus on people is more than lip service – at the TBBJ we believe that businesses don’t make business news, people do. We strive to make connections with high-level executives and to develop tomorrow’s next C-Suite through the connections and information we provide, which cannot be gotten elsewhere.

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Bridgette Bello, Market President and Publisher TBBJ

2015 Annual BizWoman Summit Nonprofit of the Year, Up & Comers and Top Corporate Counsel. Sponsors work with the TBBJ team to develop customized events that focus on continuing education and learning, or hot topics in the news.

On the advertising side, the Business Journals are the premier media solutions platform for companies strategically targeting business decision makers.

As part of our national presence, we deliver a total business audience of over 10 million people via our 43 websites, 64 publications and over 700 annual industry leading events. We have more journalists, publications and websites covering our nation’s business than any other business media organization.

Alexis Muellner, Editor TBBJ Daily morning and afternoon editions provide readers the latest breaking business news, updated throughout the day. The TBBJ website, which commands well over 1 million page views per month, is deep with relevant content, including this week’s top stories, reader polls and surveys and premium content for subscribers.

The TBBJ news team, which wins awards for its coverage every year, is comprised of talented and experienced journalists, many of whom have been with the company for a decade or more. As a digital newsroom, TBBJ news content is distributed and widely shared across multiple social media platforms, with nearly 40,000 Twitter followers and a huge following on Facebook and Linkedin.

Connecting people through our news content is just one part of the TBBJ value proposition.

The organization organizes more than 50 events annually, ranging from the 600+ black-tie Business Woman of the Year gala and Bizwomen Summit, to other industry and career-focused award programs including CFO of the Year, Best Places to Work,

One of the TBBJ’s most sought after products, The Book of Lists. The meticulously researched ranking data enables business professionals to benchmark their local industry and competitors, identifying people, threats and opportunities so they can develop strategic plans and create a competitive advantage.

The Business Journals are a division of American City Business Journals. American City metropolitan business newspapers reach 4 million readers each week with exclusive, in-depth coverage of their business communities. The loyalty of these readers testifies to American City’s commitment to top-quality journalism, unsurpassed service for advertisers and readers, and active business community involvement.

In addition to its business newspapers, American City operates Sporting News, Street & Smith’s Sports Group, which publishes motorsports periodicals, Sports Business Journal, Sports Business Daily, and five sports annuals.

American City also publishes specialty publications, which include a high-tech business newspaper, a law journal, and Hemmings Motor News, the “bible” of the collector-car hobby. American City is a unit of Advance Publications Inc., which also operates Conde Nast Magazines, Parade magazine, Fairchild Publications, the Golf Digest companies, Newhouse Newspapers and cable television interests.

2015 Disruption Day at District 3 in Tampa

4890 W Kennedy Blvd #850, Tampa, FL 33609, United States Phone: +1 813-873-8225 | www.bizjournals.com

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The Times is Florida’s largest newspaper and has been part of the Tampa Bay community for more than 130 years.

Paul C. Tash became the chairman and chief executive of the Tampa Bay Times in 2004. He came to Tampa Bay in 1978 as a very young reporter, eager to work at a good newspaper. Over the years, he has held many different roles at the Times, including executive editor and president. Tash continues the legacy of Nelson Poynter, the newspaper’s most influential owner who helped shape the Times into the news leader it is today. Poynter’s obituary in the Times of London described him as a man “who built a remarkable newspaper in an otherwise unremarkable city,” St. Petersburg.

But the Times and the Tampa Bay area have changed.

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years and would be unrecognizable to any person from that time,” Tash said. “The region started out as individual towns, which have grown together. For that reason, the St. Petersburg Times expanded from its original roots of Clearwater and counties to the north and, in the late 1980s, to Tampa and Hillsborough and the region as a whole. The newspaper saw the advantage it would bring to unite the region under one Tampa Bay media brand. Collectively, we are so much stronger.

The newspaper was a fundamental driving force in bringing the cities and towns together. It is a wonderful place to live. Today the Tampa Bay region is widely regarded as a remarkable place!”

Poynter understood that at the heart of democracy is an independent and free press. He demonstrated this belief by transferring ownership of the paper to a nonprofit journalism school, which today is known as the Poynter Institute, a mecca for professional media practitioners worldwide.

In 2012, the Times opened another chapter in its rich history. The newspaper changed its name from the St. Petersburg Times to the Tampa Bay Times.

The new name reflects the newspaper it had already become and the larger region that it serves.

The Times Publishing Co. owns a strong portfolio of brands that combine to create west-central

Florida’s pre-eminent information source in print and online. The company’s portfolio includes the Tampa Bay Times, tampabay.com, PolitiFact. com, tbo.com and tbt*, a free daily tabloid.

The Times became the region’s sole metropolitan daily in 2016 when it acquired the Tampa Tribune.

The newspaper has won 12 Pulitzer Prizes as of 2016, including six since 2009. The Times and all its brands contribute meaningfully to the growth and prosperity of the region by providing trusted and authoritative news to readers while helping advertisers convey their messages to consumers in traditional and innovative ways.

Locally owned and independent, the Times has long been celebrated for its outstanding journalism and continued commitment to excellence. It is widely regarded as one of the top ten newspapers in America, both in size and quality.

www.tampabay.com

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TAMPA IMAGE FACTORY

When you first walk into Tampa Image Factory you instantly feel the space itself is ready to produce something great. The cool air inside the 3,000 square foot studio awakens the senses.

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Slowly you begin to notice the lights, cameras, soft boxes and diffusers standing at attention, while paintings and other background elements await their moment in the spotlight. Then you meet Joe... and you realize that Joe loves what he does.

Joe Sale, owner and professional photographer at Tampa Image Factory, is happiest creating memorable and lasting art through his photography. He specializes in capturing his one-of-a-kind perspective on people, places, businesses, and products, by translating their stories through his camera lens and onto prints.

Joe explains, “I created Tampa Image Factory, not only for my own studio needs, but to build a place where other photographers can grow, utilize the space and create. My goal is to create the “go-to” place for photography needs in the Tampa area.”

Born and raised in Tampa, Joe feels an intimate bond with the city of Tampa and its people. “I have always felt an immense desire to create, to innovate, to help people, to give and to grow.” He continues, “It took me 35 years to figure out the perfect way to fulfill my passion, through photography.”

In 2013, after a life-changing decision to quit drinking and partying, Joe traded his career in real estate for a used Nikon DSLR and began learning the ins and outs of composition and lighting. It was his drive to find a creative outlet, as well as his ability to help people, that lead him back to art and to developing deeper connections with people. Today, Joe continues his passion for photography, and is creating lasting, memorable images for people and businesses.

Through his dedication to photography and his love for the craft, Joe has successfully built a photography career in a relatively short period of time.

Most of the work that comes out of the Tampa Image Factory is commercial photography. This is where Joe is able to capture, translate, and tell the stories of businesses and its people. His goal is to make them look their best while also sharing a message that reaches the intended audience.

“I love working with people, whether it’s executives, realtors, attorneys, doctors, or anyone that needs a professional look,” says Joe. He loves, “seeing their satisfaction and happiness with the look and feel of the photographs I provide for them.”

Joe also applies his creative eye to complex building structures, captivating landscapes, or simple ordinary objects. He values the quiet, solo time photography affords him to continue to develop and perfect his craft. Joe says, “I try to do something other photographers aren’t doing, whether it’s a different perspective or a unique technique, I like to stay in my own element when it comes to photography, create

my own style, and build a demand for it.” Although he never formally studied photography, his self-taught journey has been extremely satisfying. By not limiting himself to one type, or look, or feel, Joe has been able to happily - and creatively - choose his own adventures.

Joe accredits the positive interactions with his as what keeps him motivated to do more with his art.

Having one of his artistic creations become a part of a family’s home, for it to hang on their wall, evoke emotion, and for it to be seen daily, is what drives Joe to create and continue his photographic endeavors.

“I can’t wait to see what opportunities lie ahead and where photography may take me in the future.” www.tampaimagefactory.com | @jsalephotography

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Born in Tela Honduras, Rick’s family migrated to New Orleans, LA in 1960 where he met his wife of 36 years and eventually settled in the Tampa Bay FL area in the late ‘90s. Photography has been his passion for about 16 years. It started in May of 2000 when he went on a vacation to Cairns Australia and was disappointed that he had a cheap Kodak disposable camera... the images were horrible.

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From that moment on, he was determined to photograph the color of life as best as he could.

After his retirement from the postal service, Rick turned his passion into a professional photography business and has done work for companies that include: Valpak, Tampa Bay Times, Bright House Network, Besito Mexican Restaurant, Chappell Roberts and many more organizations throughout the Tampa Bay region. In addition, he donates his photography skill to local non-profit organizations such as Kids Place of Tampa, Foundation for Caring, Sister Dulce Foundation and Tampa Homemakers.

As a freelance photographer, his mission is to capture those timeless moments of life, document important events and places, portray people in beautiful light and create corporate images that compel one’s attention. Rick is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and enjoys travel to other countries to experience their beauty through his lens.

@Rekardo | #RicksLens Tel: 813-493-2489 | www.ricktauceda.com

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Weatherby

PHOTOGRAPHY John Weatherby is a Tampa born and raised photographer who, it could be said, discovered his love for photography while working as a waiter in college.

After landing a side role managing the restaurant’s social media pages, John bought his first DSLR and began taking pictures of the beautiful food, as he pursued his undergraduate degree from the University of Tampa.

Venturing away from the restaurant, John began taking photos throughout the Bay Area, developing his eye to find unique perspectives, often playing off of reflections, light, and color. When friends and professors began taking notice to his work, and inquiring about purchasing and hiring him to take photos, it was all the confirmation needed to propel John to turn his “passion” into a career.

John earned his degree in Advertising at the University of Tampa, and formed his company Weatherby Photography within weeks of graduation. Today John has a studio located at Red Door No.5, one of Tampa’s premiere art galleries and venues.

Capturing moments may be John’s career, but if you ask him, he’ll tell you it doesn’t feel like work at all. John is most known for his vivid Tampa pictures, showcasing an “outside of the box” perspective of the city. Aside from his fine art work, John’s specialties also include commercial, and architectural photography “I think the ultimate satisfaction is discovering something you’re passionate about and finding a way to make a living out of doing it. I feel very fortunate to have received recognition for my Tampa photos. Being born and raised in the Bay Area, it is the highest honor to help represent this beautiful city I call home.”

Studio is at Red Door No.5, 1910 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33602 @weatherby.photography | www.weatherbyphotography.com

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DIGNITARY CARD When it comes to movers and shakers in the Tampa Bay area, no name resonates more than Ian Beckles. Beckles presence can be felt in the sports world and on the social scene.

A nine year NFL veteran, he spent seven years in the orange and white creamsicle colors of the Bucs as an offensive lineman. After his career in the NFL, Beckles shifted into the media space where he was the publisher and co-editor of ‘What’s Hot Tampa Bay’ Magazine and followed that up as the preeminent voice of the highly rated Ron and Ian show on WDAE for 12 of his 15 years on the airwaves in the Bay area. Beckles influence is also making a positive impact on the children of Tampa Bay. In 2014, he established the Ian Beckles Foundation which provides mentorship and financial support to area kids, empowering them to build a better

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future, and pave a way for successful lives. Now Beckles is on a new mission parlaying those relationships he’s built over the last two dozen years in the Bay area into Dignitary LLC, a concierge (VIP) card for influencers in and around Tampa Bay that gives them access to the hottest local products and places in town like Seminole Hard Rock Casino, Square One, Jaguar of Tampa, Touch Vodka, and others. Dignitary LLC is known to throw the best events in town and that is why Beckles compiled this underground society, a society that is taking over Tampa Bay, and is well on it’s way to sweeping the nation.

www.dignitarycard.com

I Love the Burg Founded in 2009 by two former New Yorkers, Brian Bailey and Dexter Fabian.

After visiting, and subsequently falling in love with St. Petersburg on a business trip, the two decided to relocate their lives and their creative agency to the area in 2006.

Several years later, when Facebook was just becoming “a thing,” the two set out to create a page about what was going on in “the Burg,” as this city is often referred to by locals.

“We wanted to showcase our creative talents without having it be all about us,” said publisher and RKC.me president Brian Bailey. “It was easy to see that the city we call home made the perfect subject matter.”

By 2010, that Facebook page blossomed into thousands of followers across multiple social media platforms and a website

with fresh daily content. Today, resident “Burgers,” snowbirds, and tourists alike rely on the site to keep them up-to-date on events and news that doesn’t always make the headlines, but everyone wants to know about.

Fast forward to 2014 when the duo expanded their media empire with the launch of That’s So Tampa, I Love the Burg’s companion site across the Bay. In just a couple of years, it’s already become the source of all things related to Tampa’s recent renaissance and downtown transformation.

Today, the two sites and social media channels make up what’s become the largest independent social media network in Tampa Bay – Reaching thousands of daily readers locally and around the world.

www.ilovetheburg.com

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C O N S T R U C T I O N

“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.”

Winston Churchill

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ewi

Construction

The city of Tampa is undergoing a major facelift and EWI is right behind it.

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Casey Ellison and Anthony Italiano founded EWI in 2007. In 2014, Sam Ellison, a leader in the industry, joined EWI, bringing his extensive expertise and experience to an already successful and creative team.

Together they have been raising the bar and setting new benchmarks in the commercial construction and real estate development industry in Tampa Bay. Their combined experience with construction and real estate development made them a strong team to build a company based on high quality construction services for their customers.

EWI’s unique holistic approach to working as a team yields the highest quality products in the industry. The team manages construction projects in various sectors, providing input at key project stages including but not limited to financing, pre-construction planning, scheduling and estimating.

Our skills also include quality process, interfacing with designers and consultants, project close outs and owner move in.

EWI’s strong development background, combined with knowledge of the design process affords a valuable skill set that raises the level of the discussion for all construction projects.

EWI not only believes in providing the highest quality products but they also believe in building strong community relationships. Since its inception, EWI has been involved in various community outreach programs throughout Tampa Bay. They have helped raise funds and are involved with various charities such as Boy Scouts of America and the American Cancer Society. With iconic buildings like the Oxford Exchange, the University of Tampa Athletic Center, The Paxton Building and the Hyde Park Village renovation as part of their portfolio, EWI is right behind the city of Tampa bringing creativity and innovation to the infrastructure of one of the best cities in the US. Best of Tampa Bay

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Casey Ellison

Sam Ellison

Anthony Italiano

EWI Chief Executive Officer Casey Ellison is a University of South Florida graduate. His skills and experience range from construction and development to architecture and the design process; cash flow management to contract execution; dayto-day management to full business operations.

With 40 years’ experience, construction icon and EWI Chairman Sam Ellison is compared to the allknowing IBM supercomputer, Watson. But there’s nothing artificial about Sam’s intelligence. He’s seen it all.

When not quoting Seth Godin, Andrew Carnegie or Monocle, EWI Chief Strategic Officer Anthony Italiano directs strategy development, corporate financial affairs, marketing and branding initiatives.

Chief Executive Officer

“Having a broad industry background certainly benefits EWI customers,” says Casey, also an EWI co-founder.

“There’s a bit of Renaissance in everyone at EWI,” Casey adds. “We share an unquenchable curiosity and inventive imagination.”

Chairman of the Board

Chief Strategic Officer

“The years have only fueled my passion for the construction industry,” says Sam, “whether it’s preconstruction, project management… or the entire construction process.”

A former chairman of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce, where he led various international business missions, Sam also provides leadership, counsel and advice to the EWI executive committee.

“It’s true – you can’t create experience,” Sam adds, “you have to undergo it. Unless you’re Watson.”

“Creative minds have a restless energy,” says Anthony. “We’re a restless company - it feeds our need to be a construction innovator.”

Anthony has developed in several commercial and residential sectors, including healthcare, hospitality, foodservice and education markets. Before cofounding EWI, he worked with Italiano Development Company.

“I’m an unapologetic fan of classic comic books and superhero movies,” Italiano added. “There, all things are possible.”

Creativity can defy gravity. Bend light.

Make Possible.

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EWI Construction 1717 E 9th Ave., Tampa, FL 33605 Tel: 813-964-3885 www.ewiconstruction.com

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Smith & Associates Real Estate Proud to represent a new era in downtown St. Petersburg

It’s got a colorful past, a bright future & a little something for everyone. It’s no wonder that people from all over the globe are drawn here to enjoy its arts, culture, entertainment, delectable dishes & crafted beverages. Who wouldn’t want the world at his front door? Welcome to Downtown St. Petersburg. The demand for housing in this utopia has been challenging to meet, but one developer out of West Palm Beach, The Kolter Group, has answered the call - in a truly remarkable way.

The tallest building ever to be built in downtown, ONE St. Petersburg is a condominium tower unlike any other. Towering 41 stories, the building will contain 253 homes, 17,000 square feet of ground level retail space & almost an acre of amenities.

But wait, there’s more… Not only 41 stories of luxurious living, this city block will also be home to a 175 room Hyatt hotel being constructed simultaneously. This complex will truly be the “ONE”.

What is life like in such a place? Residents can lounge in any one of three clubrooms- the Splash Lounge on the 7th level, the Game Room, or “Club ONE” for a more sophisticated setting. The 40,000 SF private elevated resort deck is home to such amenities as a 75-foot lap pool graced by poolside cabanas, a 5,000 SF free-standing fitness center, a Whirlpool spa, ample lounge areas & gas grills. Residences offer only the finest appointments with gourmet appliances, quartz countertops, porcelain tile & luxurious, spa-like bathrooms.

Many residences offer direct, unobstructed water views from sprawling balconies with glass railings. Service personnel such as valet, concierge & an activities director are on hand to add luxury & convenience to everyday life.

In addition to ONE St. Petersburg, downtown St. Petersburg offers many other options for various personalities & lifestyles.

The Salvador, for example, is a smaller, green certified community of 74 residences inspired by the art of Salvador Dali. Many

ONE St. Petersburg from the West with the 7th floor Amenity Deck 280

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Robert Glaser, President/CEO Smith & Associates Real Estate

Eastern view of the Bay from ONE St. Petersburg

elements throughout the tower reflect both the art of Dali and an environmentally conscious lifestyle. Just as walkable to all that downtown has to offer, The Salvador provides a more intimate setting with residences ranging from one to three bedrooms.

If more exclusivity is the need, the Bliss condominium tower is the answer. This boutique high-rise is 18 stories tall and only holds two residences per floor for a total of 29 residences in the entire community.

Smith & Associates Real Estate specializes in bringing new luxury communities to the market. One of the few real estate companies in central Florida to have a division dedicated to new construction, the Developer Services Division works with developers throughout

The Salvador Condominiums

The Salvador Amenity Deck The Developer Services Team in front of the downtown St. Petersburg Smith & Associates Real Estate Office- (L to R) David Moyer- Director of Sales, David Traynor- Vice President, Deanna Vesey- Business Manger

3801 W Bay to Bay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629, United States Phone: +1 813-839-3800 | www.smithandassociates.com

the construction process from conception to delivery to bring luxury new construction condominiums & townhomes to the Tampa Bay area.

Downtown St. Petersburg is in the spotlight today, but the future is bright for both sides of the Bay! More luxury communities are planned in the near future in Tampa as well. Life is good in Tampa Bay and Smith & Associates Real Estate is excited to help pave the way to an even better tomorrow!

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Joe Sale Photography

Invest Florida

So many people have come to Tampa Bay from other parts of the USA and from around the world that in any group situation, it often feels that local born folks are a minority. Tampa Bay is a melting pot.

That is a recipe for growth. People come to Tampa Bay to enjoy the sunshine and realize their dreams.

As evidence of this, look no further than Pinellas county which is the most densely populated county in Florida. In the early 1900’s the industries that dominated this county were sponges in the north, citrus in the middle and tourism in the south. 100 years later, that has all changed.

Today, St Petersburg is a vastly different city from what it was even 15 years ago. The vision of former mayor Rick Baker turned St Petersburg into an energetic live-work-play environment. Former Mayor Baker told me at lunch one day that his vision was to have so many outdoor tables in St Petersburg restaurants that from each table one would see another table. At the same time, he encouraged upscale multi-family, commercial and mixed use development and placed emphasis on the arts museums parks and bike trails. He succeeded. St Petersburg has transformed into a “cool” city.

Tampa today, is where Atlanta was 25 years ago.

It is all about growth. The city already has downtown projects in work that total over $4 billion. $2 billion of this is from Jeff Vinick’s Channel District project. Just a few years ago nobody actually lived in downtown Tampa. That is all changing. Tampa is transforming into an uptown and downtown district and urban living will become a feature of Tampa life. St Petersburg and Tampa are just two examples, but other cities in the region are following suit. No doubt about it, 282

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the national trend of urbanization is alive and well in Tampa Bay. Hand in hand with redeveloping the urban core, the region is experiencing tremendous housing construction in the suburbs and lifestyle centers are springing up to serve local communities.

Folks may travel to Orlando to visit Mickey Mouse, but Tampa Bay is where Mickey Mouse comes to swim. We are all connected.

Tourism continues to play a major role in the local economy. Surrounded by water and world renowned beaches, Tampa Bay is a tourist magnet which has a huge impact on the local economy. One statistic to evidence this is that Tampa International Airport with 1,500,000 car rentals transactions is the 9th largest car rental location in the United States.

Floridians, in the spirit of friendly competition often draw imaginary lines on the map to separate regions from one another. Visitors to Florida don’t see these lines. They come to Florida. Tampa International Airport offers international connections and for those travelers who require even more global access, Orlando Airport, a major international hub, is only just over an hour away from Tampa.

As someone who has traveled extensively and lived in many parts of the world I can state without hesitation that Tampa Bay is emerging as one of the best places to live, work and play.

Steven Silverman, Broker, earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from NYU Stern School Of Business. He also has achieved the CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) Designation which is recognized as the premier Education designation in Commercial Real Estate.

Less than 6% of commercial Realtors have attained this designation. Steven was the 2015 President of the Florida Gulf Coast Commercial Association of Realtors (FGCAR) and currently sits on the Board of Directors of FGCAR. For several years he sat on the State Board of the Florida CCIM Chapter. Steven has won numerous awards for achievement in commercial real estate brokerage.

Tampa Commercial Real Estate Greetings from Florida, “The land of sunshine”. www.TampaCommercialRealEstate.com Tampa Commercial Real Estate is a real estate brokerage firm that specializes in commercial real estate and it has a solid track record of experience in the Tampa Bay markets. The firm networks extensively with local and national real estate organizations in order to stay current and add local knowledge, so as to guide clients in making sound investment decisions. The firm belongs to all the major commercial listing services. This means that clients that are selling their property or are landlords receive superior exposure to their properties, which helps them fetch higher prices. Clients who are purchasing real estate or who are looking to lease, see more properties and have more options. As a member of the National Association Of Realtors, the firm subscribes to the rigorous code of ethics mandated by the National Association Of Realtors. If you are considering selling, buying or leasing commercial real estate in the Tampa Bay Area, Tampa Commercial Real Estate is the call that you must make.

Tampa Commercial Real Estate

Invest Florida Show (Podcast) – www.investfloridashow.com If it is real estate education that you are looking for, the Invest Florida Show podcast provides a wealth of information for real estate investors interested in investing in Florida. Thousands of people listen to Steven Silverman and Eric Odum each week as they interview investors and experts in the Florida market who explain their strategies and techniques for successful real estate investing. There is no selling on the show. It is all about education. While some listen in on their computer, many listeners have downloaded the App and listen to the Podcasts on their Android or iphone. It’s a wonderful way to get free education and stay current. Archives of past podcasts allow listeners to access a wealth of information specific to investing in Florida real estate that cannot be found anywhere else.

FIRE - www.florida-investment-real-estate.com Florida Investment Real Estate focusses on the sale and acquisition and disposition of investment properties that produce an income to investors. (FIRE) is a turnkey real estate brokerage firm that also offers property management. FIRE’s principals, Steven Silverman and Eric Odum draw on decades of experience to assist their clients in meeting their investment goals.

Steven Silverman | Steven@TampaCommercialRealEstate.com | Tel: (813) 785-3665

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2Bayshore Luxury Apartments Prime Waterfront Location in the Heart of Downtown Tampa.

Since opening its doors in 2014, 2Bayshore has provided a waterfront enclave in Tampa Bay. A refreshing escape where residents are greeted on a first name basis while reveling in an urban lifestyle close to the arts, fabulous dining and chic shopping. It’s clear that the bar on apartment living in Tampa has been set.

2Bayshore is professionally managed by Greystar and located at 101 West Beach Place at the cross streets of Bayshore Boulevard and Beach Place. It is Bayshore Boulevard’s only professionally managed rental apartment community. Nowhere else along Tampa’s famed Bayshore Boulevard will you find another opportunity to enjoy the convenience and perks of carefree living like this. Step outside your front door and enjoy a sunrise jog down the boulevard or stroll through the 284

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elegant tree-lined streets of Hyde Park for a breakfast at a local sidewalkcafĂŠ. When the sunsets and the local energy livens, take in dinner in the eclectic SoHo district or a performance at the Performing Arts Center in downtown Tampa. The weekends are also full of options when the Tampa Convention Center and Amalie Arena are just steps away.

The luxurious 367-unit boutique apartment community offers a variety of one, two and three-bedroom apartment homes ranging in size from 550 to 1,566 square feet of living space. Interior finishes include twotone designer wood kitchen cabinetry, prep islands, stainless steel GE Energy StarÂŽ appliances, granite countertops, subway tile backsplashes, under mount sinks and wood style plank flooring. Floor plans incorporate features such as nine-foot ceilings, spacious walk-in closets, washers and dryers and private balconies and patios.

The smoke free community includes a two story state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga studio, business center with video conferencing, rooftop terrace, entertainment lounge and an expansive dining and living area overlooking the waterfront. Residents can enjoy the resort-style salt water swimming pool with sundeck, private cabanas and outdoor kitchen with gas grills. The pet friendly community also features recreational green spaces, courtyards and bike storage.

To learn more about 2Bayshore, visit www.2bayshore.com 813-515-6937. For Greystar visit www.Greystar.com

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architect larry ladelfa Architect Larry LaDelfa has been providing quality architectural services to the Tampa Bay Area for over 37 years.

He offers a wide range of services for residential, commercial, educational, medical, recreational and religious projects. The process for each client is unique. Larry will take the time to sit down and discuss each step and deliver the best course of action for each individual project. The firm’s designs are well thought out; the drawings are thoroughly detailed and he communicates well with any general contractor that is selected for a project. It is easy to see that he has dedicated his life to the art of architecture.

Larry has completed over 575 projects in West Central Florida, including 142 newly renovated residential projects, 21 medical projects, 335 commercial projects, and 25 projects for Pinellas County School Board. In 2015, he was chosen for continuing services contracts with the City of St. Petersburg (4-year contract) and the Pinellas County School Board (3-year contract), giving him a total of 8 years of service with the City of St. Petersburg and 35 years of service with the Pinellas County School Board.

During his 8 years with the city, he has been one of seven architectural firms to provide outstanding service to different city projects, designing 21 City facilities (16 are complete, 3 are under construction and 2 are in the design phase). city architect, Raul Quintana, has expressed his complete satisfaction with Larry’s services several times.

Mr. LaDelfa graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1974, and became a registered architect in the state of Florida in 1977 (AR 7435). From 1974 through mid 1977, Larry gained valuable experience in a wide variety of project types working for 5 local architectural firms.

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During the next 18 months, Mr. LaDelfa was an Architect and Managing Director of Architect Lee Scarfone’s office in Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia, overseeing a staff of 9 and construction projects totaling $20,000,000.

Besides being a busy Bay Area Architect, Larry is very active in different community-based groups.

He is currently a member of the St. Petersburg Public Arts Commission, as well as a close-knit group of Bay Area Entrepreneurs, the Rainmakers. In the past, Larry has been a member of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, the Chairman of the Leadership St. Pete Committee, the Chairman of the St. Petersburg

Planning & Historical Commission, and many other noteworthy committees. He received a key to the city from the Mayor in 1980 while participating in the Community Improvement Project Committee. As a longtime St. Petersburg native, it is easy to see his love and passion for this beautiful city. In 2015, Larry joined Key Person of Influence (KPI) based in Tampa, where he increased his skills in marketing, social media and how to pitch his business to potential clients.

In his spare time, Larry loves to go fishing and stroll through local art shows, searching for pieces to add to his ever-growing art collection.

790 4th Ave S, St. Petersburg FL 33701, United States Tel: +1 727-821-5779 Fax: +1 727-821-3399 Email: larry.ladelfa@verizon.net www.architectlarryladelfa.com

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Tampa Steel Erecting Company Founded in 1945. Bridge Fabricator, Category III, Certified by the American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc.

Tampa Steel Erecting Company was founded in 1945 and began with a used truck and one welding machine. More than seventy years later, it is now a major force in the economic development of Florida, and in steel bridge construction nationwide. The 200,000 square foot manufacturing plant is situated just south of Tampa, Florida, on 35 acres.

The business is family owned and operated and prides itself on maintaining a family atmosphere at work. Founded in 1945 by Robert J. Clark, Sr, the firm is guided today by Bob Clark Jr., President, his brother John, Vice-President, son-in-law Jeff, VP-Operations, and sister Donna, Office Manager.

Some employees have been with the company for more than 30 years.

Tampa Steel Erecting Company has been recognized for outstanding work on the following projects: Epcot Center’s Spaceship Earth; the Veteran’s Expressway; Tampa International Airport Airside C and F; NASA’s Atlas 11 and 13 Rocket Towers; One Tampa City Center; Walt Disney’s Big Thunder Railroad; Tampa Electric Big Bend Unit 4 Power Plant; Jacksonville Convention Center; Shamu Stadium at Sea World; and the Florida Aquarium.

Since the early 1990’s, Tampa Steel Erecting Company has focused on fabrication of steel bridge structures. The Company has received

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prize bridge awards for fabrication of the Casco Bay Bridge in Portland, Maine; the Storrow Drive Connector Bridge, in Boston, Massachusetts; 48th Street Entrance Ramp to FDR Drive, in New York, New York; the Garden State Parkway interchange 159, in New Jersey; and the 17th Street Bridge, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Recognized at the 2012 and 2014 World Steel Bridge Symposiums, Tampa Steel received awards for the Estero Drive and the Dixie Highway Flyover bridges.

“Topping out Disney’s Spaceship Earth at EPCOT Center – July 22, 1981. Fabricated and erected by Tampa Steel Erecting Company, the 160 foot diameter geodesic sphere, raised 14 feet above ground, symbolizes the global impact of technology, while containing the ride and show structure.”

Tampa Steel Erecting Company was recently awarded a multi-year contract to build twin arch bridges over the Trinity River, in the heart of Dallas Texas. Tampa Steel was selected due to its long history of successfully completing challenging and complex projects. The bridges are 300 feet tall and 1125 feet long, suspended by steel cables from octagonal-shaped arches. Designed and engineered by world-renowned Santiago Calatrava Valls, a Spanish architect, sculptor and structural engineer, and Huitt-Zollars Inc., the bridges will be a signature landmark for the Dallas City skyline.

Other awards include the 20 Year Award, Florida Transportation Builders’ Association, Inc and the Tampa Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award.

In the words of Bob Clark, Jr., “The Company really is all about the people who are working here. We have a lot of good, dedicated employees. That is what we really are all about.”

5127 Bloomingdale Ave, Tampa, FL 33619, United States Tel:+1 813-677-7184 | www.tampasteelerecting.com

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Jim Rohn

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SUCCESS IN THE CITY

“Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do. Don’t wish it were easier; wish you were better.”

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Ferman Motor Car Company

The Ferman name is synonymous with Tampa. Serving amongst those who founded the Tampa Board of Trade in 1885, Ferman has been at the forefront of the Tampa Bay Area’s innovation and growth.

Long before there were gas-powered automobiles on Tampa’s dusty streets, there were horsedrawn carriages and wagons, and before the end of the 19th century something new and exciting appeared. The bicycle. The craze swept the manufacturing and retail industry.

W. Frederick Ferman, grandfather of current Ferman CEO James L. Ferman, Jr., formed a partnership and started Tampa Cycle Company, building and selling bicycles in 1890. By July 1895, 292

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Fred, just 21 years old, had bought out his partner and become the sole owner of a family business that would operate and prosper for more than 120 years.

Tampa was a booming city. Its population grew. Ybor City and the cigar factories drove the economy. At the same time the internal combustion-engine motor vehicle was patented, a new industry was born and Fred Ferman recognized that the automobile, not the bicycle, was the transportation of the future.

In 1899, Fred Ferman and Tampa Cycle Company employee Victor James crafted two vehicles from bicycle parts, one of them powered by steam, the other by a French-made gasoline engine. The latter was the first gasoline car driven in Tampa.

By then, Ferman had made a decision that would change his future forever.

By 1902, Ferman was awarded a pioneering sales agency to sell the famous Olds Motor Works’ Curved Dash Oldsmobile and became Tampa’s first automotive dealer. Soon after, when the Dodge Brothers produced their first automobile, Ferman became one of their first distributors, assuming responsibility for an eight-county Florida region of dealers. These were the first of many brands that would eventually display the Ferman name.

In 1931, during the Great Depression, approximately one-third of the nation’s dealers closed their doors.

During this time Fred Ferman, Jr. completed his studies and joined the family’s dealership. The same year, Ferman was awarded a Chevrolet franchise with a letter of recommendation that stated, “good name and reputation… this is the best connection we can make in Tampa”.

Ferman is recognized by the National Automobile Dealers Association as an NADA Century Award dealer for America’s new car dealers that have been in the transportation business for more than 100 years, and is currently one of the largest family-owned dealer organizations in West Central Florida.

The generations that have followed Fred and Fred, Jr. have each contributed significantly to the expansion of the Ferman Motor Car Company.

Returning from U.S. Navy sea duty after World War II, James L. Ferman, Sr. joined the family business and successfully led it through the second half

Jason Mize Photography

At the turn of the century, entrepreneurs and inventors like the Dodge Brothers, Henry Ford and Ransom Olds – founder of the City of Oldsmar – were at the forefront of transportation and Fred was poised to lead the automotive industry in the Tampa Bay Area.

of the twentieth century. Today, the Ferman organization continues to grow, and prosper, through the leadership of CEO and President James L. Ferman, Jr., Chief Operating Officer Preston L. Farrior and Vice President & Corporate Counsel Stephen B. Straske, II. Fred Ferman’s bicycle shop has grown into one of the nation’s largest automobile dealers with more than 1,200 employees. Ferman dealerships serve Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties representing 14 new car brands including Acura, BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Jeep, Mazda, MINI, Nissan, Ram and Volvo.

During the 1990’s Ferman added Harley-Davidson Motorcycles to its brand portfolio and now operates dealerships in Tampa, Brandon, New Port Richey, Panama City Beach and Tallahassee.

Since 1895, the Ferman organization has proudly embraced the values of good corporate citizenship and a passion for giving back to the communities they serve through the Ferman Community Partnership. Ferman’s philanthropic efforts help serve organizations involved in education; healthcare, medical and human services; arts, cultural and history groups; civic and community events; amateur youth sports and related activities.

Moving into the new Millennium, Ferman Motor Car Company is poised to meet the exciting changes taking place in today’s automotive marketplace to successfully navigate through the next 100 years.

www.ferman.com

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Csenge Advisory Group “Csenge Advisory Group was founded with a vision to improve the quality and scope of financial advice.”

John Csenge, Founder & Managing Partner John Csenge started his career in financial services in 1979. At that time, most individuals were limited to investing in savings accounts and CD’s at their local bank. Access to the stock market was reserved for the ultra-wealthy, with mutual funds still in their infancy.

The focus at the time was on educating investors about Money Market accounts, which most people had never heard of before.

In 1982, John relocated to Clearwater to open a branch office for a regional brokerage firm. Starting anew, he began developing a client base, all the while unsatisfied with the limited amount of products and services his clients had access to. He committed himself to procuring a better solution. By 1994, he made the brave move to go independent, almost two decades before most of the profession understood its

Investors should note that there are risks inherent in all investments, such as fluctuations in investment principal. Past performance of any index, investment, or strategy cannot be relied upon as a guarantee of future results. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Securities offered through FSC Securities Corporation, Member FINRA/SIPC. Csenge Advisory Group, LLC is a registered investment advisor not affiliated with FSC Securities Corporation.

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benefits and implications. In going independent, the focus shifted away from the brokerage firm and to the customer’s needs. By being product agnostic, he could truly provide unbiased financial advice while allowing his clients customized access to virtually any product or service.

In 1997, Eric Caisse moved into the independent financial planning realm and teamed up with John.

As a life-long student of the markets, Eric was determined to educate investors on the shortcomings of the investment strategies currently available to them. The most common of these strategies being the “buy and hold” approach which fails to address each individual’s emotional reaction during times of market crisis. This strategy unfortunately continues to be the foundation on which most investor portfolios are built and a major reason Eric

decided to create a new solution. Drawing upon both fundamental and technical disciplines, Eric created an innovative fusion analysis process. The focus of this proprietary approach is to measure, manage and mitigate investment risk and guide investment decisions toward optimal returns.

John and Eric formed Csenge Advisory Group in 2000 and have since earned their reputation as a premier asset management firm. They have helped thousands of clients establish concrete financial plans and investment strategies to help ensure they reach their financial goals. Their approach requires that portfolios and investment decisions are analyzed and re-evaluated every day, and they remain diligent and proactive in this process, so that their clients don’t have to be.

Tampa History Center

As word of the company’s innovative process and culture began circulating, professional peers in Florida and beyond inquired about joining the group to better serve their own clients. Today, Csenge Advisory Group has offices and affiliates in 8 states.

Their network of over 30 advisors operate in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Memphis, Nashville, Newport Beach and throughout Florida. They currently manage over 1.2 billion dollars in client assets.

“Our accomplishments have been the direct result of our enduring commitment to serve as true financial fiduciaries and put our clients’ interests above all else.”

Eric Caisse, Chief Investment Officer

4755 E Bay Dr, Clearwater, FL 33764, United States Phone: +1 727-437-6000 www.csenge.com

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Greiner’s Clothing

The way you feel about the way you look ultimately affects your professional and interpersonal relationships, as well as everyday poise and confidence. We help you strengthen confidence through the selections in your wardrobe. We help you develop a relationship between you and your style; one garment at a time.

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Since 1981 Greiner’s Fine Men’s Clothing has served the people of Tampa Bay with updated classic clothing for both dress and casual occasions. Proudly serving doctors, lawyers, bankers, and entrepreneurs, to name a few, people have sought out Greiner’s for high-quality clothing of great value and for unparalleled service. Our staff collectively has over 70 years of experience in the clothing industry. Greiner’s works hard every day to exceed our customer’s expectations. Our buying team searches the fashion world looking for the latest trends.

We bring to downtown Tampa the best of North America and the best of Europe. From our luxury “handmade” clothing tailored in Sardinia, Italy to our largest clothing vendor in Montreal, Canada, we seek out manufacturers whose commitment to excellence and appreciation for the relationship mirrors that of our commitment to the relationship with our Greiner’s customer.

Our valued collections: Sartoria Castangia; Samuelsohn, LTD; Nikky Capri; Byron Clothing; Robert Talbott; David Donahue; Scarpe DiBianco; Allen Edmonds; Nettleton Footwear; Mason’s; Gardeur; Hiltl; Mac Jeans; Jacob Cohen; Zanella; Ballin and many others…

Expert Tailoring & Made-to-Measure Services Our lead tailor, Israele Damiano, brings 50 plus years of experience to work with him every day. Born along the Adriatic Sea in Pescara, Italy, Israele was taught the art of tailoring as a young teenager. After a 3 year apprentice program he earned the distinction of Master Tailor. He only knows one way of sewing and tailoring, “the right way!” Never a short cut, Never a missed stitch. We feel every garment he takes apart

is either put back as it was made or better because he worked on it. Greiner’s is committed to making sure the customer is properly fitted in his clothing.

Because of that commitment, we have studied and developed an extensive “made-to-measure” offering.

Both made-to-measure suits and sport coats, along with custom dress shirts, Greiner’s ensures the fit of your clothing will be proper and its quality will exceed your expectations.

Giving Back to the Community: At Greiner’s, we know we’ve been blessed with great customers and a great place to serve them.

We appreciate our customer’s commitment to the community and assist with many charities thru gift certificates and additional resources. We serve as Board Members of alumni associations and invest every year in our main partnership with the Academy Prep Center in Tampa. We have employed three graduates over the years, and continue to be in their lives thru their college years. Walk into Greiner’s any day of the week and you are likely to run into an Academy Prep graduate.

Greiner’s Store on the West Coast: Greiner's Fine Men’s Clothing’s 2nd store resides in downtown Beverly Hills, California. Located in the Golden Triangle of Beverly Hills at 310 North Camden Drive @ Wilshire Blvd. Being one block off the exclusive Rodeo Drive, our competition is every worldwide luxury brand within four blocks of our store. When in the Los Angeles area please plan to stop in Greiner’s of Beverly Hills.

www.greinersclothing.com

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Continental Wholesale Diamonds is so much more than Tampa’s Diamond Destination. It is where the community’s love, for both each other and our wonderful city shines.

Discerning buyers understand the value of a reputable brand. A brand can speak volumes, guaranteeing quality, craftsmanship, style and professionalism. So it works for jewelry, and so it works for diamonds, one of the most beautiful, sought after and mysterious stones known to mankind. When considering a diamond, ask yourself: Where does the stone come from? How was the stone selected? Where and by whom was it cut? How do I know the stone is what it is claimed to be? Is it really unique? Enter Continental Wholesale Diamonds, where they believe in education and that making an informed purchase will enhance your diamond buying experience.

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Andrew Meyer has been involved in the diamond trade and fine jewelry manufacturing for more than four decades. He is a graduate gemologist and a certified appraiser with a vast knowledge and love for diamonds and fine jewelry. This knowledge is a knowledge that he loves to share with all of his clients. It is his goal to become your trusted jeweler and source for buying and caring for the treasures that commemorate the important milestones in your life.

When all is said and done, diamonds and jewelry are a people business. Trust is key, and only companies who nurture relationships with their clients and operate with the highest standards of integrity, offer quality service and merchandise, as well as, honest advice and education survive. Continental Wholesale Diamonds is an outstanding example of such a company.

Continental Wholesale Diamonds has become a place of uninhibited possibility for custom creation, offering an incredible variety of certified loose diamonds and gemstones in different sizes, colors and qualities. As a wholesale jewelry manufacturer who had previously sold exclusively to fine jewelry stores across the country, Continental Wholesale Diamonds offers you the opportunity to purchase certified diamonds, engagement rings, wedding bands, diamond stud & hoop earrings as well as gold and silver designer jewelry at wholesale prices, direct from the manufacturer.

Diamonds accompany their wearer throughout their lives. This idea of enduring eternity is reflected in the quality of Continental Wholesale Diamond’s

creations, and the pride and love for what they do.

Continental Wholesale Diamonds was named Small Business of the Year by the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce in February 2016. “It’s truly humbling to receive this recognition among so many incredible businesses that make Tampa a wonderful place to live”, said Andrew Meyer.

Continental Wholesale Diamonds is proud to be a part of and to give back to the Tampa Bay Community. The business thrives on the happiness of the community, and year after year Andrew and his team support local organizations such as, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Tampa Museum of Art, The Wounded Warrior Project, and Big Brothers Big Sisters, amongst many others.

Whether you are the savviest of diamond shopper, or are looking for the first time for the perfect diamond ring, the jewelry specialists at Continental Wholesale Diamonds will make sure you make an informed purchase that will last forever.

Choose Continental Wholesale Diamonds – Tampa’s Diamond Destination

Westshore Center Building 1715 N Westshore Blvd. 1st floor Tel: 813-282-7375 www.continentalwholesalediamonds.com

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Key Person of Influence

We are a global corporation with offices in London, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Singapore. Our first office in the United States was established in Tampa in 2013. Why Tampa? So many reasons!

First, from a quality of life position, you really can’t beat it. The cost of living is below the national average but the quality of living far exceeds any average standard.

Where else can you live that is conveniently close to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, worldrenowned theme parks, and tropical islands with epic deep-sea fishing? And that’s just the beginning.

Demographically, Tampa is almost an exact replica of the national average in percentage splits among nationalities.

If a product or service succeeds in Tampa Bay, it will likely be in demand nationally. This is one of the reasons why we are home to the majority of national franchises.

Economically, Tampa is a magnet for some of the best investors and business icons (many featured in this book) in the country. With our major sports teams, untapped land, and easy access to other major cities like Orlando and Miami, we consistently land in the top 10 most desirable cities in America to do business. And at the heart of every successful economic community is the small business owners. Tampa Bay loves small business owners and truly embraces the collaborative spirit of entrepreneurship.

Do we have talent? With two major, award-winning universities within walking distance of downtown, this place is a hotbed of innovative young minds looking for work in Tampa Bay. If you are looking for a city with the brightest and best young minds, you need look no further than Tampa Bay. All this leads to one over-arching reason why we chose Tampa as the place to open our U.S. headquarters: It’s surrounded with key people of influence who are the force behind all the recognition this city is receiving.

Our business revolves around fostering the relationships of people of influence. We help business leaders who have remarkable solutions to their community’s very real 300

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problems get recognized -- not just locally, but nationally and, in some cases, globally. With our efforts and the support of other growth accelerators and incubators, many of Tampa’s already successful business leaders are being transformed into recognized thought leaders in their industry. As we continue to grow with the evolution of Tampa Bay, we have become known for hosting some of the most innovative and influential leaders in America. Who wouldn’t want to headquarter their company in such a melting pot of talent?

Just like any other city, Tampa Bay has its challenges. Sure, we have a few traffic jams during rush hour from time to time. But in Tampa Bay, if you are stuck in rush hour, just look to your left or look to your right, and in most cases you’ll be looking out over the relaxing coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Look closely, too, and you might just see a dolphin jumping in the water. We have them everywhere in the bay.

All of this potential. All of this beauty. However, our strong economy would mean nothing without the Tampa Bay’s best asset: The friendliness of the people. It’s what compelled me to move here personally 15 years ago and never look back. Wherever you go, you will encounter the best of humanity right here in Tampa Bay. We are a community that cares for everyone. The people of Tampa Bay are some of the nicest you’ll meet anywhere in America. They will help out, give you directions, offer a smile and a “good morning,” and make an effort to get to know you.

If you visit Tampa, my prediction is this: Before you leave, you’ll say to yourself, “These people are really lucky to get to live and work in a place like this.” And you’re right. We do consider ourselves very lucky, and you can, too. Pack your bags, buy a one-way ticket, and become our next great key person of influence in Tampa Bay. We will welcome you with open arms.

www.keypersonofinfluence.com

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Lutz Learning Center This 2nd generation business is already preparing the 3rd. “I want my daughters to have the same access to extraordinary education that I had. At our school, we make the statement; In classrooms with no walls we offer education with no ceiling.�

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Kimberly Wilson’s Perspective: You might say Tampa is in my blood. I was born here, just down the street at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, raised here and wouldn’t think of raising my children anywhere else. Admittedly, I’m biased, because as the Director of Innovation for Lutz Learning, where my daughters are enrolled, I feel there is no better place for early education and we have the history, reputation, and results to prove it.

Of course, my bias is on multiple levels. I’m also a graduate of Lutz Learning’s prekindergarten program over 30 years ago. My mother, Elaine Peverell started this school because she wasn’t satisfied with the status quo. She wanted her daughter [me] to have the best quality education possible. (I guess being an only child sometimes has its advantages.)

I want my daughters to have the same access to extraordinary education that I had. At our school, we make the statement; “In classrooms with no walls we offer education with no ceiling.” What this statement ties together is how we never limit the amount a student can learn in any given year and strive to deliver the best education through hands on experience. This is why Tampa Bay is so perfect, because our learning style takes us beyond just the outer walls of our school - Tampa Bay is a classroom in itself.

Elaine Peverell’s Perspective: I first came to Tampa in 1967, from Ft. Lauderdale to attend the beautiful sprawling campus of the newest state university, USF. Little did I know at that time that Tampa Bay would become “home” for my family and me for the next 49 years. Tampa has provided an environment where women in business can thrive.

In 1980, I left the public school system to establish Lutz Learning Center, which I launched as a private preschool program. The school’s philosophy was based on the education I wanted my 2 year old Kimberly to experience. I became proactive for quality child care including serving on the newly created Hillsborough County Child care Licensing Advisory Board, helping to create training opportunities for child care teachers, and lobbying Tallahassee for needed reforms.

Because our city is so rich, we can inspire the artist in our next generation by visiting The DALI Museum, we can drive home our concepts learned in science at MOSI, and we can ignite their inner zoologist at Busch Gardens. With the new Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center opened at the University of Tampa I know when our kids want to become the next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates, we can pass the torch to our local award winning universities. What more could a family want in a town to call home?

Today, Kimberly is one of the best marketing tools I could ever have! Our innovative approach to learning builds competent leaders. Together we have expanded our school to include preschool through 8th grade and are working on adding our second campus. Tampa Bay embraces innovation and provides a wealth of resources. We can always find an amazing business to share their expertise with our children. It does take a village to raise a child and we have an amazing village!

621 Sunset Lane, Lutz, FL 33549 Tel: (813) 949-3484 www.lutzlearning.com

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Be BOLD, Be BRAVE, Be YOU

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn frequently states, “It is our time.”

Elevate, Inc. wholeheartedly agrees with the Mayor’s statement and is committed to telling the world why #TampaHasSwagger! introverted.

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Tampa stands on the precipice of becoming America’s next great city thanks to the people of this amazing town who are propelling the city to new heights. Residents and business professionals are inviting, collaborative thinkers who truly embody Elevate, Inc.’s values of Be Bold, Be Brave, Be You. It is an exciting time to live, work and play in the powerhouse that is Tampa.

As a business consulting firm in Tampa, Elevate, Inc. is tremendously committed to the continued growth of the city. We envision Tampa as a vibrant town, teeming with innovation and intrigue. Our mission is to

help our clients learn about the community, connect with others, and grow their bottom line using our creative service offerings and existing relationships.

Client Shawn Rhodes, President of Shoshin Consulting, recognizes the integral role Elevate, Inc. plays in the local business community: “As a consultant getting my start in Tampa, I needed connections and clients - and I needed them fast. Aakash and his team plugged me into the community and immediately expanded my social circles with targeted introductions to high-level prospects.”

We accomplish our mission by differentiating ourselves in Tampa as the team that believes in the power of a firm handshake, being present, and having a genuine interest in others. Client Copeland More, 4th generation owner of La Segunda Central Bakery, recognizes the impact Elevate, Inc. has on the community and its clients: “We contracted Elevate, Inc. to help celebrate our 100th anniversary and they exceeded expectations.

Their success came from using an innovative process, different from the standard public relations firm that gave the bakery a constant presence in the eyes of the community.”

Tampa is a flourishing community, expanding and developing in more ways than one. Elevate, Inc. has the pleasure of witnessing the area’s growth firsthand. Tampa’s urban core is being transformed to an exciting place for residents and visitors alike.

Restaurants are relocating to the area, nightlife is becoming more vibrant, and public spaces continue to grow in beauty and use. A once disjointed downtown Tampa is now seamlessly connected by the Tampa Riverwalk which has opened public

access to the waterfront, numerous outdoor gathering spaces, hotels, museums and restaurants.

Entrepreneurs and technological innovators have transformed the region into a hotbed for innovative startups. A new age in tourism and accelerated commerce will soon be ushered into the region by a one billion dollar airport expansion and Tampa Bay Lightning Owner Jeff Vinik’s waterfront project.

Needless to say, Tampa is catching fire!

#TampaHasSwagger

Our vision is that by strengthening the ties among regional businesses and communities through networking and relationship building, our city will continue on its path of development. Tampa is on track to become a more united community offering endless opportunities for all who seek a fulfilling life, both personally and professionally, under the Florida sunshine.

4115 W Spruce St, Tampa, FL 33607 Tel: (813) 364 4769 www.elevate-inc.com

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RICHTER PUBLISHING REVOLUTIONIZING TAMPA’S PUBLISHING SCENE

Tara Richter always had a creative passion for writing since a young age and dreamed of becoming an author. She acquired a degree in graphic design and went on to work in the copy and print industry in the Silicon Valley. Tara wrote and published her first book in 2011 after moving to the Tampa Bay area. She was featured on CNN, ABC, BBC and other media outlets all over the world.

While navigating the intricate world of writing and publishing, she discovered that the traditional industry was archaic. Tara not only was creative, but had an analytical mind. Her philosophy is that there is always a better, faster way utilizing modern day technology. And that’s exactly what her publishing house does.

“Write Your Book, Leave a Legacy.”

Richter Publishing has distributed multiple books, which include numerous Amazon best sellers. The company specializes in helping business owners write their non-fiction stories in four weeks and publish their books in order to become an expert in their field. Celebrity entrepreneurs are on their list including Kevin Harrington, Shark from ABC’s “Shark Tank” & Anthony Amos with their joint book, “How to Catch a Shark.”

Ms. Richter has received many honors including; Finalist for Tampa Bay’s Business Woman of the Year, Local Shop’s Best in Biz & Fulfill Your Destiny’s H.E.R.O Award. She’s an individual who thrives on challenge and defying the odds.

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In an instant, your life flashes right before your eyes as you’re catapulted the distance of three football fields down the interstate. You’ve been hit by a drunk driver traveling over 100 miles per hour. Once your car finally stops sliding, you become trapped by the stillness of your fate, confined by four doors of hot metal and the smell of burning rubber.

Drunk driving crash survivor and Lt Col (Ret), United States Air Force, Karen Mertes, describes this fateful car crash in her groundbreaking book, “Plaintiff 101.” The co-authored book with attorney Michael Harvey, gives an in-depth look inside the courtroom at the legal and technical issues that may arise in any personal injury litigation. “Plaintiff 101” provides 50 takeaways and checklists to save you time and money.

After winning her case, Karen developed her non-profit Fulfill Your Destiny with the hope of helping people whose careers have been altered by injury or other unforeseen circumstances like herself. Karen achieved #1 Amazon best seller, as a first-time author, when the book was released September 2015. Karen donates all the proceeds of “Plaintiff 101” directly to Fulfill Your Destiny helping people in greater Tampa Bay. Sought-after professional speaker, Karen Mertes, can be contacted for events on her website www.fulfillyourdestiny.org, by phone 813-481-9895, or by email karen@fulfillyourdestiny.org.

Life can be terribly ironic and filled with many unexpected turns. It takes sadness to know happiness; absence to value presence; and noise to appreciate silence.

And what can be more ironic and unexpected than a doctor learning her hardest lesson as a patient?

Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Melissa Bailey, gets the last laugh in her flaming, comedic memoir, “Pink Hell: Breast Cancer Sucks,” as she shares her story of breast cancer survival.

Dr. Bailey has the antidote to counteract your worst fears, so you don’t become silenced by your pain amid your toughest battles. She provides medicine for the soul using her Seinfeld-like sense of humor to inspire women to be hopeful and laugh out loud in the face of hardship.

“Pink Hell” was instantly torched by success, becoming an Amazon Best Seller when it was released October 2015 during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The same month, Dr. Bailey won the Overall Best Book Award at Richter Publishing’s 2nd Annual Author Award Ceremony & Book Gala.

Dr. Bailey can be contacted on her website at www.drmelissabailey.com

It’s been said, time and time again, that we get the same 24 hours as any celebrity. Yet, our production levels seem far from star-studded status. Not to worry! Dr. Uhuru Smith and Dr. Tracy Smith have teamed up to bring one of Hollywood’s best kept secrets to Tampa Bay: IV Hydration Therapy. In their first book, “Modern IV Wellness,” Uhuru Smith, MD and Tracy E. Smith, PhD, dish on all the IV therapy facts and Uhuru’s spa-made remedies. Their Kindle version made Amazon’s Best Seller list when released in 2015.

Dr. Uhuru Smith, an anesthesiologist, opened RENEW, a spa that specializes in IV drip therapy to cure illness, fatigue, and even jet lag and hangovers. IV vitamin and nutrient drips have been around for decades as a popular remedy among celebrities and other high-end clients. Now you can have the spa experience on-the-go or right from the convenience of your home, with their new mobile service, The HangIVer Bar. The menu includes a variety of cocktails, ranging from increased metabolism to tissue repair, to help you look and feel your best.

Check out their facilities at 3415 South Manhattan Ave, Tampa, Florida 33629 or call (813) 835-4264. Set up an appointment online here: https://www.thehangiverbar.com.

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Karen Rowe

Karen Rowe is a collaborative writer, book strategist and No. 1 international best-selling author.

She runs a full-service writing firm known for helping elite alpha male business owners get their books written in three days or less. Her clients include a retired FBI Agent, a reality TV star, a motion picture actor and some of the top self-help leaders in the industry.

Karen was living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada when a business trip to Tampa changed her life forever.

Her client told her, “We need ghostwriters here. Our company’s clientele all need a book, but they are too busy to write one themselves.”

Nine months later, Karen moved her life and her business to Florida. She realized she could work from anywhere with an internet connection, so… why not Tampa?

“I had never met a ghostwriter until I moved here,” Karen says. “Ghostwriters by nature are introverts and it’s rare to run into them at networking events. Since I

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have lived here, I meet them all the time.” Tampa is a hot bed for writers. The weather attracts clients and authors alike to break away from their everyday lives.

The sun, sand and breeze are splendid for creativity and inspiration and the strong, thriving business community supports talented people wanting to share their knowledge”.

Karen offers writing packages where business owners can bring their families. While the future author is working, his family gets to enjoy the wonders of Florida beaches. Every break, every meal, every evening, he is free to go to the pool, kiss his kids, tuck them in at night and have dinner with his wife. And his book gets written without him having to sacrifice his family time.

“It’s not a hard sell to get them to come and write a book in Florida,” she grins.

Prestige Leadership Advisors

I have made Tampa Bay my home now since 1996. I built my PR company, published my first international best-selling book “No Fear Speaking� here and established wonderful relationships throughout our very aesthetic region. I find it very easy and natural to thrive here.

I have experienced the fortune of traveling to numerous countries to promote my multi-lingual books and materials, to speak at many international events and consult leaders in business and government. I came to realize a common thread among the diversity of these nations is the willingness to learn from each other, to strengthen their success potential and gain the edge to service internationally.

I consistently invite my U.S. and international clients and colleagues abroad to come to Tampa Bay and visit the beaches, feel the friendly culture while they receive PR, Leadership and Public Speaker training at my facility in Largo. It is a perfect environment to combine professional learning with an opportunity to exhale in a beautiful paradise-like setting.

My wife, Elisa, born in Venezuela, relishes the Hispanic influence here. And now, I have become a Rays, Bucs and Lightning fan and so easy to convert since the fan base enthusiasm is so very hard to resist and the teams have built such a winning attitude.

I must admit that after a long speaking tour through multiple countries with numerous events and client sessions, the idea of returning home really clicks in at the precise moment I leave the airport crossing the Courtney Campbell causeway with water surrounding me on both sides.

“Thank God, I am home!!

As my company purpose is to advise and develop business and community leaders to become highly respected and widely recognized authorities in their industry, I cannot help but feel that Tampa Bay has consistently achieved this high standard as a state region where other communities around the nation, if not the world, look at Tampa Bay as an aspiring ideal to set the gold standard for.

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Where Business Becomes Show Business!!

Jamie Meloni is a radio Show host that works with business owners to get them on the air. In the past year alone, Jamie has hosted hundreds of live interviews and helped business owners get their message across the airwaves.

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Business and entrepreneurship is the backbone of the American economy and the Tampa Bay region is now home to many of these business owners and entrepreneurs. Jamie feels that many of these individuals do not have an outlet to get their message, product, or service across in a clear and personable manner and lack a broad enough audience to appeal to.

Guests on That Business Show are personalized to their audience via a structured interview that clarifies who they are and the product or service they are offering in a fun, personable and entertaining manner.

Jamie is a native of West Virginia and has spent the last 19 years in the Tampa Bay region.

He is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a degree in Finance. After more than 7 years working in Real Estate, Jamie developed a wealth of knowledge and experience that he wanted to share with the community and felt there were too many business owners and entrepreneurs that share the same sentiments. With that in mind Jamie took on the airwaves and has not stopped since then.

“That Business Show represents what is right with our Tampa Bay community. “ Every day Jamie, along with the business owners and entrepreneurs of this city, come together to share success stories and share the knowledge and experience.

That Business Show with Jamie Meloni! Airs Weekdays from 7am to 9am on 1250WHNZ Watch live stream every morning!!

www.TampaBayRadio.com

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“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.�

Photo courtesy of MacDill AFB

Elmer Davis

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Various aircraft sit on the MacDill Field flightline during the World War II era.

MacDill AFB Seven miles south of mainland Tampa, Florida, on the southwestern most edge of the interbay peninsula, lies the massive militarized gates hosting the acclaimed MacDill Air Force Base.

During the Spanish-American War, the land was occupied for use as a military staging area, however it was not until 1939, when the property, chosen by the War Department, was slated to be the site for new military air fields.

On April 16th, 1941, MacDill Field was made officially active. The name MacDill was chosen to honor Colonel Leslie MacDill, a U.S. Army aviation pioneer and World War I veteran. When first opened, the base served as a training ground for World War II Airmen learning to fly and master the operations of bomber aircraft. From 1942-1945, thousands of America’s military pilots and their crewmembers traveled to 314

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MacDill to train with the acclaimed B-17 “Flying Fortress” or B-26 “Marauder.” Once their training was completed, they journeyed to the inevitable deadly battle that was booming over Europe’s skies.

As the war in Europe came to an end, air crews on MacDill began training from 1945 through 1953 on the B-29 “Superfortress”. In January 1948, during the early Cold War era, MacDill Air Base grew into an operational base for Strategic Air Command, and undertakings began to train for a war of uncertainty.

As 1960 approached, MacDill Air Base was confronted with an unclear future. With the dawn of the “missile age” bomber planes began to be

considered less essential, and the Department of Defense announced it would close most of the base by 1962. In the early 1960’s, conflicts with Cuba reemphasized the significance of MacDill’s strategic location, and the planned cutbacks were remitted.

In 1961, MacDill accepted yet another significant role, providing support for the acclaimed unified command, U.S. Strike Command (STRICOM).

STRICOM was established in order to respond to global crises, and unified the American-based forces of the Army’s Strategic Army Corps and the Air Force’s Composite Air Strike Force and Tactical Air Command.

Photos courtesy of MacDill AFB

In 1963, air bombers moved aside for air fighters, and MacDill became a Tactical Air Command training base. All through the Vietnam War and up to the first Gulf War in 1991, Tampa called itself home to the F-4 “Phantoms,” followed by the F-16 “Fighting Falcons.” Roughly half of all F-16 pilots were trained at MacDill Air Force Base between 1979 and 1993.

In 1991, MacDill began yet another major transition.

With military budgets being cut, downsizing was unpreventable, and the base was required to cease all flying operations by 1993. More than 100 F-16 fighters were transferred to Like Air Force Base in Arizona. In 1994, MacDill no longer had a single

active duty aircraft, and was now called home to the 6th Air Base Wing, supporting and housing U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command.

In 1994, MacDill once again proved its significance, playing a noticeable role in U.S. the operations that helped to reestablish Haitian President JeanBertrand Aristide and his government after an attempted military rebellion. This led to MacDill’s new mission in the refueling of aircraft.

In 2008, MacDill welcomed the Air Force Reserve’s 927th Air Refueling Wing to be stationed on the

base. At present, both the 6th Air Base Wing, and the 927th Air Refueling Wing work together to be more efficient and effective. Today, the 6th Air Mobility Wing performs aerial refueling, airlift, and contingency response missions for U.S. and allied forces around the world. The wing in control of 16 KC-135 “Stratotankers,” 3 C37A aircraft, over 2,700 personnel, and provide direct support to U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, and 39 other units.

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Air Show, Mac Dill AFB Every year, MacDill Air Force Base hosts one of the largest air shows in the United States called ‘Air Fest’.

The festival highlights missions, traditions and the heritage of the military services. Each year, approximately 750,000 people pack the flight line for ‘Air Fest’. The two-day event includes multiple civilian and military aerobatic demonstration shows, often including aerobatic teams like the famous Thunderbirds.

If you are a fan of loud, roaring engines and spiraling acrobatics, ‘Air Fest’ is definitely for you. The event is always free and open to the public and is friendly for the whole family. There are plenty of vendors for food, drinks and memorabilia.

‘Air Fest’ is the single time each year, when the base gates are opened to the public, offering Tampa Bay an opportunity to see first-hand, the extreme power and overwhelming capabilities of our armed forces. The public is invited to walk right up to, and even get inside of some of Americas most advanced aircrafts. Military members in uniform are spread out throughout the base, eager to talk to visitors and explain and answer any questions about the base, the planes and the history of MacDill Air Force Base.

There are only two days per year to experience ‘Air Fest’, and it is an event that people from all over the country travel for. The incredible air show and the amazing sunny skies of Tampa Bay make MacDill Air Force Base’s ‘Air Fest’ one of the biggest events in the country.

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Photos courtesy of MacDill AFB

www.macdill.af.mil

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Economic Impact of MACDILL AFB The economic impact that MacDill Air Force Base has on the Greater Tampa Bay area is enormous. Between the more than 15,000 military personnel, roughly 4,000 civilians and 23,000 military dependents that consider MacDill their home, the total annual payroll adds up to over $1 billion.

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Photos courtesy of MacDill AFB

In addition, over 24,000 additional jobs are created in support of MacDill generating well over $1 billion. MacDill’s local expenditures, ranging from construction to healthcare, total more than $700 million annually. In whole, the base’s total economic impact ranges approximately $3 billion.

The economic impact of MacDill continues… Florida is home to the third largest veteran population in the United States and well over 70,000 military retirees and surviving spouses call Tampa Bay, their home.

Tampa’s military retiree payrolls total nearly $2 billion a year.

The economic impact of MacDill Air Force Base, including military retirees and spouses was $4.7 billion in fiscal 2014 and that year, MacDill pumped $2.94 billion into the local economy.

All throughout Greater Tampa Bay, the community openly expresses their pride for MacDill Air Force Base and the enormous financial impact it has its city.

www.macdill.af.mil

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Post 9/11 Veterans

Post 9/11 Veterans Corp. is a local, Tampa Bay based, 501(c) (3) nonprofit, with a mission to unite returning veterans with their communities through social outreach while educating future generations.

The nonprofit was founded and is currently run by two post 9/11 veterans who are the same demographic they are seeking to help. The organization’s President, John Robinson and Vice President, Marc Wolfson, are both Tampa Bay natives.

They served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps and between John and Marc, they hold under their belt four combat deployments and over thirty months on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Post 9/11 Veterans Corp. offers returning military veterans and their families an array services. They provide professional resume design, employment, free dress clothes and emergency financial aid. They also focus on social outreach programs including holiday toy drives, school supplies for children, and food for those in need.

Unlike many other organizations, nearly 100% of all Post 9/11 Veterans Corp.’s proceeds go directly back into their local communities. They have been consistently recognized in the news for their work in the Tampa Bay community and they relentlessly strive to unite military veterans with as many community members as possible.

Post 9/11 Veterans Corp. believes that early reintegration is key to a military member successfully transitioning back into their community. The organization provides a platform, and a starting point for veterans and their communities to meet one another, which helps to eliminate negative stigmas before they have a chance to begin. From sports events to dinner groups, Post 9/11 Veterans Corp. provides opportunities for communities to unite.

www.post911veterans.org

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Stay In Step

Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center Founded in Tampa as a result of a life changing spinal cord injury sustained by Warrant Officer Romulo “Romy�

Camargo during a deployment to Afghanistan in 2008.

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During a firefight, Romy was shot in the back of the neck and his C3 vertebra was shattered. With his wife Gaby always by his side, Romy endured through several surgeries, soon to learn that he was paralyzed from the shoulders down. For most, this would have been a diagnosis of despair. But for the Camargo’s, this was the diagnosis that began a journey of hope, inspiration, and faith, motivated by their spirit of giving back to the Tampa Bay community.

As the primary caregiver for her husband, Gaby took on the responsibility of learning all that she could about spinal cord injury and rehabilitation. Over time and through the peril of extensive rehabilitation five days a week at the nearest facility in Orlando, they observed Romy making gains that were previously said to be highly unlikely for someone with his injury.

Most extraordinary was when Romy acquired the ability to breathe on his own for several hours a day without the use of a ventilator. Driven by this focus on recovery and the knowledge that most local SCI patients did not have access to rehabilitation options outside of acute hospital care in the immediate Tampa area, Gaby decided to create the Stay in Step Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center.

Upon entering the front doors to the state of the art facility located just down the road from the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and the University of South Florida, visitors and community members can get a sense of the family- friendly environment that has been created by the Stay In Step team.

Understanding that community and family support is an integral component to rehabilitation and recovery, the facility is much more than just an area where the clients come for their therapy sessions. It has a kitchen and dining area, a kid’s room with toys, books, computers and gaming units, and a family room where loved ones can relax while the clients are completing their sessions.

It was Romy’s dedication and commitment to serve that carried him through over twenty years of honorable military service in the US Army. In speaking with him, it becomes apparent that this level of dedication and commitment to serve others has not waned but intensified after his injury and through his rehabilitation process. Romy and Gaby are using their personal experiences and reality of living with spinal cord injury to change the landscape of SCI rehabilitation.

Romy has made remarkable strides with his therapy at SIS. This has kept him out of the hospital and has ultimately saved the taxpayers money. He and others undergoing continuous activity based rehabilitation at SIS are living proof that the therapy works. Through the process of personalized activity based restorative therapy coupled with advanced technological applications that utilize electrical stimulation, Stay In Step is helping each one of their clients take a step towards recovery every day.

The opening of Stay In Step has been a team effort since day one. With Gaby and Romy at the helm and with the support of its Board of Directors and community partners, the non-profit has now been providing services to the SCI community in Tampa for over a year. Although SIS was originally

established for military veterans, it is open to all in the community with mobility impairment as a result of spinal cord injury and/or traumatic brain injury.

Treatment for Romy and all people living with spinal cord injury is an ongoing process for the life of the patient. To learn more about Stay in Step and how you can contribute to this wonderful organization, please visit our website at www.stayinstep.org. Join Stay In Step as they continue their journey of hope and inspiration while working towards recovery for spinal cord injury.

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VetCor

Founded in Tampa, Florida on Veteran’s Day, 2013, VetCor, LLC is a restoration company focused on creating employment opportunities for veterans of the U.S. Military.

VetCor has made an immediate positive impact in the Tampa Bay region and south Florida, recognized as the 2016 Bright House Networks Start-up of the Year in the Tampa Bay Region, and as finalist for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce similar recognition. VetCor’s team of U.S. Military veterans provides 24/7 emergency services in water damage restoration, mold remediation, and related services in Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Manatee counties from their Tampa Bay Regional office and corporate headquarters.

VetCor also serves Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties from their Gulf Coast Regional office in Punta Gorda, and opened its most recent office in Davie, FL in December 2015 to provide services to Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Additionally, VetCor maintains a partnership with BCPeabody Construction and serves as a subcontractor to perform all the demolitions work for Lowe’s kitchen and bath remodeling projects.

VetCor is a Florida state certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business(SDVOSB), and an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) certified firm. They were recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal (TBBJ) as one of the top Veteran Owned Businesses in 2014, their first year in business, and again in 2015. VetCor team members have been recognized for two consecutive years as Heroes at Work

by TBBJ, and VetCor has been featured in The Business Observer (“Mission Clean,” June 13, 2014), and a WFLA News report (Gayle Guyardo, July 16, 2014). They have also received two DoD Patriot awards from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Program.

VetCor’s mission is to provide exceptional service to their customers while delivering great value to their corporate partners, and creating meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities for our Nation’s heroes - Sustaining a Legacy of Service! VetCor is a company built upon values and aligned with a purpose beyond simple business success, with a razor sharp focus in assisting veterans in their transition to civilian opportunities. VetCor has employed over 50 veterans since inception, and aided countless others through their efforts assisting individual veterans in transition, as well as organizations throughout the community that support veterans and their families.

VetCor has a vision of even greater expansion, first across Florida, and then franchising across the United States. VetCor’s goal is to become the brand known for timely, reliable, and exceptional service to those in need, and to become the premier private employer of veterans in the U.S., in order to close the enlarging gap between society and those who have served to protect and defend it.

VET COR

www.VetCorServices.com

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13 Ugly Men

The 13 Ugly Men is comprised of an eclectic mix of 31 individuals from all walks of life including, established businessmen, entrepreneurs, doctors, real estate professionals, attorneys and more. Their commonality? They are very successful, highly energetic and extremely social individuals that enjoy a good time. However, most importantly, they enjoy partying with a purpose.

“Party for a Purpose”. This concept was born from the desire to benefit local charities out of every 13 Ugly Men Event. The men market, scout entertainment, and secure the right venue for each event. The charities are always local and are vetted and researched by the members to ensure they meet quality standards. As a group that raises money, they get plenty of requests on a regular basis. They typically donate to causes that support children and women, but of course have selected many great causes throughout the years.

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Since their inception in 1990 The 13 Ugly Men have hosted some of the best parties in Tampa Bay. Their most popular events highlight holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year’s, 4th of July and St. Patrick’s Day to name a few. In partnership with the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa & Casino, the White Party has become their annual signature event and is considered by many the best party of the year. In addition, The 13 Ugly Men support the local tradition of Gasparilla by participating in the Knight Parade and Ye Mystic Day Parade on their own branded float.

Voices for Children, The Children’s Cancer Center, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay, Hands Across the Bay, Alpha House, & Southeastern Guide Dogs are amongst the local charities that the 13 Ugly Men have supported throughout the years.

New members continue to carry the torch and the future of the organization.

The 13 Ugly Men aim to achieve the mission they set out years ago, and have built a small empire of annual events, and larger donations.

The list is long of whom they have helped. They are known around the community as people who always lend a hand. Although they wear the name The 13 Ugly Men, they have all done beautiful things for people in need in Tampa Bay. 13 Ugly Men Contact List Paul Albert Acosta; Rob Albergo, Bob Churney; Ben Dachepalli; Roof Douglass; Randy Feldman; Chris Goolsby; Dan Gorda; Scott Grebler; Brian Wexler; Charlie Lambert; Hank Langee; Andy Lehrer; Jordan Levy; Augie Mauser; Ean Mendelsohn; Matt Loyd; Lee Mezrah; David Moyer; Lance Ponton; Niven Patel; Michael Stewart; Tim Watson; Matt Winn; Ernie McDowell; Patrick Smith; Brian Wolstein; Frank Myles; Jason Downey; Anthony Rickman; Jay Taylor.

13 UGLY MEN FOUNDATION, INC.

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Social Venture Partners

TAMPA BAY At Social Venture Partners Tampa Bay, all we see is potential to build an even better community.

SVP TAMPA BAY

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Our Unique Approach Social Venture Partners goes beyond the normal philanthropy of giving funds to nonprofits. We also give the time and expertise of our partners to build the strength and capacity of nonprofits so that they can grow to the next level and produce desired outcomes.

The SVP approach is about connections‌ connecting people to the community’s needs; connecting people

with each other to pursue innovative solutions; and connecting individuals with their own purpose and passion.

Our Partners Our partners offer broad expertise to nonprofits, working closely with staff and boards. Many partners are executives and professionals in accounting,

banking, law, real estate, communications, and more.

Other partners have nonprofit expertise in social work, strategic planning and board governance. We also have parents, soccer moms and retirees.

Our Investment Focus Our investment focus is Youth at Risk… youth who are less likely to transition successfully into adulthood.

Youth may be at risk for many reasons including poverty; victims of abuse, abandonment, or addiction; or lack of basic reading and math skills. A successful transition to adulthood would include the ability to complete high school and pursue additional educational, vocational, or career opportunities; to develop independent living and social skills; and to be prepared to be productive members of the community.

Our Nonprofit Investments Since our beginning in 2014, Social Venture Partners Tampa Bay has selected two investees: Community Tampa Bay and Ready for Life… Beyond Foster Care.

Community Tampa Bay has the vision to end all forms of discrimination. One of their key programs is ANYTOWN™, which is a nationally recognized conference for teens providing youth leadership and diversity education.

As one teenager noted, “I did not think I could do anything worthwhile in the community. I have grown as an individual. ANYTOWN™ makes you realize you have to take charge of things.”

Ready for Life… Beyond Foster Care serves youth who have been released from foster care whether they have a place to live or whether they are ready to be on their own.

Ready for Life offers mentoring, assistance with basic needs, Life Skills Classes, an on-site GED Program, a Ready for Work Certificate, “Mommy & Me” support groups and other programs. As one youth said, “Ready for Life has helped me to have a second chance at life… from employment to housing to sobriety.”

Our Local and Global Collaborative Partners Our local partnership with Community Foundation of Tampa Bay promotes collaboration on local issues and provides financial oversight of our donor-advised fund. Community Foundation of Tampa Bay has been growing philanthropy in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando Counties since 1990 and is recognized has a major philanthropic leader in Florida.

Social Venture Partners Tampa Bay is an affiliate of the global SVP Network which provides shared knowledge, tools and programs. The SVP Network is now over 3500 people strong and in 39 cities in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan and Korea.

Together the SVP Network has worked with more than 700 investees and contributed more than $54 million dollars, and hundreds of thousands of hours of skilled, strategic support.

For More Information or to Become a Partner. Please contact Devorah Kermisch, Executive Director, at exec@svptb.org or visit the website at www.socialventurepartners.org/tampa-bay/.

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March of Dimes About 380,000 babies are born premature every year in the United States. The March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit for pregnancy and baby health, works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

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Babies born before 37 weeks may have more health problems or may need to stay in the hospital longer than babies born later. The March of Dimes focuses on researching the problems that threaten healthy pregnancies and finds ways to prevent these issues.

According to the annual March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card, released in November 2015, Florida earned a “C” grade with a 9.9 preterm birth rate. Tampa earned a “D” with a 10.9%. Through fundraising events and local initiatives, the March of Dimes works tirelessly to raise awareness of the 1 in 10 babies born too soon each year.

Every spring, the Tampa community comes together to raise funds and awareness at March for Babies, the top fundraising event for the March of Dimes. At walks in Tampa, Sarasota, Safety Harbor, Wesley Chapel and Lakeland, thousands of supporters march to give every baby a fighting chance.

In the fall, the city’s top toques and restaurants join forces at the annual Signature Chefs Auction. The culinary benefit features a wide selection of delectable bites from the best chefs and an impressive array of silent auction items. The money raised supports programs and research in the community to help those who are born sick or too soon so they can survive and thrive.

For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs. The March of Dimes is recognized as the foremost champion for babies, renowned as a great nonprofit for volunteer leaders and certified as a highly effective and efficient philanthropic organization.

www.marchofdimes.org/florida | 813.287.2600 Facebook/Instagram: @marchofdimesflorida | Twitter: @marchofdimesfl

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Participators Index Welcome to Tampa Bay 1 Publisher’s Foreword 1 Credits and Chapter Content 2 Mayor Bob Buckhorn 4 Mayor Rick Kriseman 6 Mayor George Cretekos 8 Tampa Bay at a glance 10 Why Tampa Bay ?

12 Tampa International Airport 14 Port Tampa Bay 16 Enterprise Florida 20

TOURISM & ATTRACTIONS 22 Visit Tampa Bay 22 21 Things to love about Downtown Tampa 28 Ybor City Visitor Center 30 History of the Cuban Sandwich 32 20 Love Notes from Tampa Bay 34 Beaches of Tampa Bay 36 Florida Aquarium 38 MOSI - Museum of Science and Industry 40 Sundial 42

HOTELS 44 Don CeSar Hotel 44 Mainsail Lodging and Development 46

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT 50 Tampa Bay is Awesome 52 Festivals & Events 54 Gasparilla Parade 56 Gasparilla Music Festival 60 Everything Gasparilla 61

ARTS & CULTURE 62 Dali Museum 62 Mahaffey Theater 64 Tampa Theatre 66 Tampa History Center 68 Marilyn Binder Silverman 69 Graphicstudio 70

MEET THE PEOPLE 72 Judy Genshaft - University of South Florida 74 Rhea Law - Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney 75 Paul Anderson - Port Tampa Bay 76 Joe Lopano - Tampa International Airport 77 Bill Edwards - The Edwards Group 78 Jeff Vinik - Strategic Property Partners 79 Chuck Sykes - Sykes Enterprises 80 Joey Redner - Cigar City Brewing 81 Alfred Goldberg - Sister City Program Ambassador 82 John Barger - Barger Builders 83 Kevin Harrington - Celebrity & Entrepreneur 84 Aakash M patel - Elevate Tampa 85 Antonio de Sousa - Hilton Downtown 86 Yvonne Yolie Capin - City of Tampa 87 Karl Kaliebe - World Trade Centre Tampa 88 Sven Boermeester - GlobalVillage.World 89 Steven Parker - stevenjparker.com 90

RESTAURANTS 92 Tampa Bay is for Foodies 92 Jackson’s Bistro 94 Columbia Restaurant 96 Bella’s Italian Cafe 98 Yeoman’s Cask & Lion 100 Ford’s Garage 102 Square 1 Burgers 104 Goody Goody 106 Kahwa Coffee 108 332

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BREWERIES & DISTILLERIES 110 Brews of the Bay 110 Cigar City Brewing 112 Brew Bus 114 Ulele Spring Brewery 116 Zephyrhills Brewing Company 118 Barley Moe Brewing & Awesome Summer Blonde 120 Sqwize Cocktails 121 Touch Vodka 122

SPORTS TEAMS 124 Sports Teams of Tampa Bay 124 Tampa Bay Lightning 126 Tampa Bay Rowdies 128 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 130 Tampa Bay Rays 132 USF Bulls 134 Tampa Bay Combat Sports 136

FISHING 138 13 Fishing 140 Live Watersports 142 iTrekkers 144 Reel Deal 146 Sea Mule 147

DOING BUSINESS IN TAMPA 148 Hillsborough County Economic Development 150 Pasco County Economic Development 152 Pinellas County Economic Development 154 Tampa Bay Export Alliance 155 St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce 156 Tampa Bay Trade and Protocol Council 158 Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce 160 Tampa Bay Business Owners 162 The Tampa Club 164 On Point Executive Center 166 Oxford Exchange 168

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA 170

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION 180 Foreword by Dr. Rebecca White - University of Tampa 180 Tembo Education 182 University of Tampa Entrepreneurship 184 The Dali Innovation Labs 186 The Wave 188 The Hub 190 Nperspective CFO & Strategic Services 192 Hunter Business Law 194 Vistage Florida 196 The Indus Entrepreneurs - TIE 197 MeSpoke 198 Kyngo 200 Marbel Skateboards 202 Luma Stream 204 Tampa Bay Inventors Council 205 BioMatch 206 Clearly Agile 207 Kombucha Tampa 208 Ella Bing 209 Just Grow 210 Organic Earth Tech 211 Wish Farms 212

FRANCHISING 216 Franchise Legal Solutions 216 Open Palm Law 220 College Hunks Hauling Junk 222 HydroDog - Bathe To Save 224

B E S T HEALTH & WELLNESS 226 Moffitt Cancer Center 226 Morphogenesis Inc. 230 Lions Eye Institute 232 The Bonati Spine Institute 234 Gentle Dentistry 238 Medi-Weightloss 240

TECHNOLOGY & MEDIA 242 Sourcetoad Development Studio 244 Level 6 Marketing 246 Absolute Marketing Solutions 248 Nitro Solutions 250 Priatek 252 Riley Animation Studios 254 Diamond View Studios 256 Mega Inc 258 Wonderment 260 Tampa Bay Business Journal 262 Tampa Bay Times 264 Tampa Image Factory 266 Rick Tauceda Visual Photography 268 Weatherby Photography 270 Dignitary Card 272 i love the ‘burg 273

CONSTRUCTION, REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT 274 EWI Construction 276 Smith & Associates Real Estate 280 Invest Florida 282 Tampa Commercial Real Estate 283 2Bayshore Luxury Apartments 284 Architect Larry LaDelfa 286 Tampa Steel Erecting Company 288

SUCCESS IN THE CITY 290 Ferman Motor Car Company 292 CSENGE 294 Greiner’s Clothing 296 Continental Wholesale Diamonds 298 Key Person of Influence - KPI 300 Lutz Learning Center 302 Elevate 304 Richer Publishing 306 Karen Rowe 308 Prestige Leadership Advisers 309 That Business Show 310

AIRFORCE 312 MacDill Air Force Base 314 MacDill Air Force Base - Air Show 316 MacDill Air Force Base - Economic Impact 318 Post 911 Veterans 320 Stay in Step - Spinal Cord Recovery Center 322 VetCor LLC 324

NOT FOR PROFIT 326 13 Ugly Men 326 Social Venture Partners Tampa Bay - SVP 328 March of Dimes 330

Participators Index 332 Special Thanks 333

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TAMPA BAY

The “Best of Tampa Bay” Team would like to give a special thanks to all the participants and the following companies for their support and assistance in making this project a reality.

MEGA® Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.

Photos courtesy Tampa History Center

“Tampa Bay, a region where people flock to dream, create, build and play.”

Sven Boermeester, International Group Publisher