Innovation + Job News

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' Museum of Botany and the Arts in Sarasota is featuring the photography of environmental photojournalist and Clearwater native Carlton Ward Jr. now through November 27.

A gallery walk and talk will be hosted October 17 from 5 to 6 pm. RSVP here for the special tour or call 941-366-5731, ext. 237.

The exhibit will feature 20 original photographs taken during the recent Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition, of which Ward participated along with three other Floridians. The 1,000-mile expedition took place over a 100-day period beginning in January of this year with the goal of raising public awareness and generating support for the Florida Wildlife Corridor Project.

The project connects natural lands, waters, farms, forests and ranches from the Everglades to Georgia to protect the health and welfare of the people, wildlife and watersheds. This ultimately ensures the sustainability of Florida's water supply, as well as agricultural heritage and economies.

"Selby Gardens shares a common mission of environmental conservation with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition. We are invested in the success of the Corridor from the perspective of native plant conservation,'' says Jeannie Perales, director of education at Selby Gardens.

The exhibit promises to provide a unique opportunity to see the beauty of Florida in its many facets, most of which have never been seen by the general public. The vivid images of water, plants and animals will allow viewers to feel as if they are standing in the actual Florida Wildlife Corridor.

The exhibit will also include select images from Ward's Gulf Coast Collection, including shots of the sun setting and moon rising over Tampa Bay.

Writer: Megan Hendricks
Source: Jeannie Perales, Selby Gardens

Young professionals in Tampa Bay recognize that regional cooperation helps advance the strength of our communities and future opportunities for everyone.

In an effort to promote this cooperation and further the conversation, several young professionals groups are coming together for the second annual Tampa Bay Young Professionals Summit on Friday, October 12, from 1 to 5 pm at Hillsborough Community College's Ybor City campus, room 204 in the Ybor Building.

The event is presented by Emerge Tampa Bay and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, with Clearwater Young Professionals and St. Petersburg Chamber Young Professionals.

The interactive Summit will feature a slate of local guest speakers and presenters as well as breakout sessions to energize participants about the future of Tampa Bay.

Presenters and participants will answer questions like:
-- How can we improve the current business climate and encourage rapid growth?
-- How can young professionals take an active role to improve the region?
-- What would be a game changer for Tampa Bay?

The focus will be on five industry sectors: urban growth/environment, medical tech and healthcare research, entrepreneurship and high tech, cultural impact and education.

"The main goal of the Summit is to educate, engage and gather ideas from Tampa Bay's young professionals for improving the regional economy,'' says Brian Seel, public policy chair for Emerge Tampa Bay and chief organizer of the event. "This is a unique collaborative opportunity to advance the priorities of our generation.''

The Summit will produce a 10-item Economic Action List which will serve as a guiding framework for young professionals to continue to contribute to the regional economy in a meaningful way.

A Happy Hour will also be hosted immediately following the event at New World Brewery in Ybor City.

Cost is $25 per person. Pre-registration at this link is encouraged.

Writer: Megan Hendricks
Source: Brian Seel, Emerge Tampa Bay

Novation Companies, Inc., which acquires and operates technology-based startups, plans to create 200 local jobs in the Tampa Bay region through two new small businesses.
 
Novation’s startups are Mango Moving, a residential and corporate mover, and Advent Financial, which provides prepaid credit cards for those without bank accounts. New jobs will be created in both.

"We expect to add approximately 100 employees to Advent Financial, and another 100 or so employees to Mango Moving over the next year,'' says Steve  Haslam, COO of Novation.

Haslam says a majority of the approximate 200 positions will be in the areas of sales, quality control and customer service.

Novation currently operates a home appraisal management company known as StreetLinks, which arrived in Tampa last year and has 200 employees. Haslam expects StreetLinks to expand as well as the housing market rebounds

While Novation is headquartered in Kansas City, MO, the company has two Tampa locations: 9314 E. Broadway Ave. and its most recent addition at NetPark office complex on East Hillsborough Avenue. Haslam credits the area’s pro-business climate for Novation’s expansion in Tampa.

"We chose a present and future expansion strategy in Tampa because of the positive hiring environment, positive facilities pricing and availability,'' Haslam says. "The Florida Economic Development folks worked with us closely as well, and we felt very welcome here by Governor Scott and his economic team.''

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Steve Haslam, Novation

Tampa International Airport (TIA) is no longer just a place to pass through on your way in or out of Florida. A new monthly event titled "Friday Flight'' aims to make the airport an entertainment destination for locals and travelers alike.

"It's a public space,'' says Kari Goetz, public affairs manager for TIA. "We want people to see it for that, as well as a place they can just come and enjoy.''

The idea was spurred, in part, by the positive response to the live music at TIA that greeted travelers during the Republican National Convention. The goal is to provide a warm welcome to newcomers, as well as bring in locals who want to enjoy the space.  TIA plans to host the events once per month, though not on the same Friday each time, allowing flexibility to work around major holidays or events.
 
The inaugural event takes place October 5, with a 1950s feel and performances by local band The Vodkanauts. A special vodka menu will be available. You'll find the entertainment on the third floor of the main terminal, between gates A and C. Short term parking at the airport is free for the first hour, and $4 for up to 80 minutes.

"It's another opportunity for people to be wowed by Tampa,'' says Goetz.

Writer: Megan Hendricks
Source: Kari Goetz, Tampa International Airport

A Sarasota-based company, Bonitas International, creator of BooJee Beads ID jewelry, is listed as one of Inc. magazine’s 500/5000 fastest growing private companies. As the business continues on its growth trajectory, five new jobs will be created.

Bonitas was founded in 2003 and is best known for its BooJee Bead lanyards. The fashionable jewelry dresses up workplace ID badges with beads, ribbons and charms. Customers can choose from a wide variety of colors and prints, as well as designs. Customers work in various fields including medical, education, transportation and government. BooJee collections are sold through the company’s website, as well as at 4,000 retail partners throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Kimberly Martinez, co-founder and CEO of Bonitas, says the million dollar business she created with her sister 10 years ago is going strong and plans additional growth.

"We are aggressively growing about 30 percent this year over last year’s performance,'' Martinez says. "Our new philosophy is that we need to spend every dollar we can afford on marketing; therefore we plan to expand our marketing team.''

Martinez says the company was created after she was laid off from her executive position in the travel industry. Her sister, who was a nurse at the time, was making specialized necklaces out of her basement with her kids and selling them on the side. Martinez immediately saw the sales potential and convinced her sister to go along.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Kimberly Martinez, Bonitas International

The City of Tampa Mayor's Hispanic Heritage Committee celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with its 24th annual celebration, taking place Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 11 am. at the Tampa Theatre.
 
"Our goal is to promote awareness of Tampa's Hispanic roots and diverse population, as well as raise funds for the USF Latino scholarship fund,'' says Israel Segarra, contract management officer for the City of Tampa and chairman of the Mayor's Hispanic Heritage Committee. "It's a great event, and we'll have a lot of fun.''

Entertainment at Tampa Theatre will include performances from the Showstar dance team from Tampa Gym and Dance and Marina Orosco from the local singing duo Latin Fun Singers.

Keynote speaker Lissette Campos, director of Community Affairs and Emmy Award-winning journalist at ABC Action News, will offer her personal story of trials and accomplishments and an inspiring message for local youth. Some 150 to 200 elementary school students are expected to attend, along with senior citizens groups and other members of the community.

Tedd Webb from 970 WFLA radio will serve as emcee.
 
Mayor Bob Buckhorn will present a proclamation recognizing Tampa’s Hispanic roots and diverse population.

Formed in 1988, the Mayor's Hispanic Heritage Committee is a grass-roots, volunteer committee comprised of city employees and retirees.

The group preserves and celebrates Tampa's Hispanic culture and promotes the importance of education to local Hispanic youth through mentoring and scholarships. Other events include Latin Fest and an annual gala event.

The event is free and open to the public. The first 200 guests will enjoy a light lunch.

Writer: Megan Hendricks
Source: Israel Segarra, City of Tampa Mayor's Hispanic Heritage Committee

The Tampa Bay region has been chosen among other selected metro areas in the U.S. to participate in the prestigious Brookings Metropolitan Export Exchange. The Brookings Institution initiative helps local economies come up with their own export plans that target growth through market intelligence designed to increase the region’s exports and create jobs.

"The real impact of the selection will be increased business opportunities and jobs,'' says Betty Carlin of the Tampa Bay Partnership. "Tampa Bay makes up 25 percent of the state’s economy, yet we represent only 15.6 percent of Florida’s merchandise exports. We see that gap as an opportunity for real growth that a customized export plan could help us bridge.''

Tampa Bay exports increased more than 18 percent in 2011 compared to 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Carlin says that some of the area’s major exports include computer and electronic equipment, chemicals and transportation equipment.

The Brookings Metropolitan Export Exchange, part of the Brookings-Rockefeller Project on state and metropolitan innovation, is a six- to 12-month program that involves training, and regional team work assignments.  Tampa plans to prepare an export market assessment, export strategy, as well as an implementation plan and policy memo as part of the exchange project.  Tampa leaders involved in the project expect to be completed with their export plan within six to nine months.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Betty Carlin, Tampa Bay Partnership

A $1 million dollar federal grant has been awarded to USF and its regional partners as part of the U.S. Commerce Department’s i6 challenge. The purpose of the grant is to support new web and mobile app startups, with the goal of creating high-wage jobs.

USF along with Tampa Bay WaVE, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the Tampa Bay Technology Forum, the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, the University of Tampa and other private companies have come together in a partnership to support local tech entrepreneurs in their efforts to get their ideas and products to market.

"We are partnering with Tampa Bay WaVE and working with them to provide participants of our program with educational workshops, mentoring and access to existing programs here at USF,'' says Tracey Swartz, assistant director of the innovation and incubation program of USF Connect. "We will also be working with Tampa Bay WaVE to develop educational content for the program.''

With the money from the i6 Challenge grant, the partnership expects to help at least 50 Florida-based startups secure funding and grow into viable tech companies, creating an estimated 245 high-wage jobs. The grant money will also be used to open and operate the FirstWaVE Venture Center, which will be an innovation and incubation facility headquartered in downtown Tampa.

The next step for the partnership is to attend a one-day conference for all i6 Challenge winners in Washington D.C. on Oct. 2. USF President Judy Genshaft has also been invited to participate in a panel discussion hosted by the Department of Commerce at the White House the day before. President Genshaft will be a panelist discussing student and faculty innovation and entrepreneurship.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Tracey Swartz, USF Connect

The Center for New Media and Citizen Journalism plans its grand opening Friday, Sept. 28, in St. Petersburg. The Center is the creation of Karhrman Ziegenbein and a team of volunteers who aim to provide a local educational facility for those interested in learning more about media.

The Center, Ziegenbein says, will be a place of training for individuals, nonprofit organizations and businesses. The facility, which features a computer lab and training area, will begin offering free workshops covering topics such as social media, grassroots journalism, web analytics, SEO and Google ad words.  

"We have been offering online training for some time, we already have 900 people in over 100 countries participating,'' Ziegenbein says. "The training facility in St. Pete can accommodate groups of 20-25 at a time. Our long-term goal is to create a larger training center.''

Ziegenbein, president and editor-in-chief of the Toonari Post, and his team want to help nonprofit organizations in Florida as well.

"Another goal is to provide services for nonprofit organizations,'' he says. "We want to provide them with free workshops on paid search engine optimization, online email marketing and web analytics.''

In celebration of the center’s opening, individuals and groups interested in touring the new center can do so on Friday, Sept. 28, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The center is located at 780 Fourth Ave. S. in St Pete. Guests must register for the event here. The event will feature artwork presented by Creative Clay and a painting auction sponsored by Gallery’s Woo Bill Correira.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Karhrman Ziegenbein, Center for New Media and Citizen Journalism

Polk State College in Winter Haven is increasing the number of degrees awarded, as motivated by the Graduate Tampa Bay initiative.

The Lakeland-Winter Haven MSA is one of three in Tampa Bay competing with over 50 other metropolitan areas in the national Talent Dividend Competition. A $1 million prize will be awarded to the area that sees the largest increase in college degrees by the year 2013.

Led by the Tampa Bay Partnership, Graduate Tampa Bay focuses on people who have started college but haven't finished their degree. 

"Getting their foot back in the door is a scary thing,'' says Naomi Boyer, associate VP for strategic initiatives at Polk State College. The College is making it less scary with some innovative ways to help former students finish school.

For example, they are removing barriers by graduating students who received enough credits but have not completed certain administrative steps required to graduate. They are also creating a "fast track'' online option for general education courses to help those who have completed some courses.

Another possibility being considered is reverse degree completion. Some students take courses at the College and then transfer to a four-year institution for the additional classes. These courses can be reversed back to Polk State College's system to show that the degrees were completed, providing students with the credential they earned.

The College is also reaching out to local businesses to provide services tailored to their employees, such as on-site advising. College reps  recently participated in a community event hosted by Polk Vision, where this idea, among other things, was explored with local businesses and other universities.

"We're dialoging with the businesses to help them conceptualize what's even possible within their scope of reference,'' says Boyer. The group plans to continue meeting on a monthly basis to explore other creative ways to increase college attainment.

Writer: Megan Hendricks
Source: Naomi Boyer, Polk State College

Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll will be the featured luncheon speaker today [Tuesday, Sept. 18] at the Federal Defense & Technology Showcase presented by Tampa Bay Innovation Center. She will speak on the defense industry in Florida, its importance and what the state is doing in terms of support.

The Tampa Bay Innovation Center’s (TBIC) annual reverse trade show event runs through Wednesday [Sept. 19] at the Sheraton Sand Key on Clearwater Beach. The event is in its sixth year, and is presented by TBIC along with the Florida Federal Contractors Association.

“This event has been very successful in the past,” says Danielle Weitlauf, manager of TBIC. “We have moved to a new location this year, which enables us to accommodate a larger audience.”

The annual three-day event includes a reverse trade show, a luncheon featuring Carroll and a golf tournament. The trade show is the most unique aspect of the event in that the exhibitors are defense subcontractors presenting their products and services to industry contractors looking for suppliers.  

Weitlauf says U.S. Congressman C.W. Bill Young is very involved in the event, and plays a vital role in showing contractors the capabilities of defense companies in Florida. She explains that the event is great for local suppliers in the defense sector to get exposure to various contractors and federal officials, regardless of their current size.

“About 80 percent of the exhibitors are local,” Weitlauf says. “Exhibitors range from early stage companies to large contractors within the defense sector.”

 In addition to the reverse trade show, there is a matchmaking event that matches contractors with specific suppliers.
 
“Attendees fill out a matchmaking form in advance of the event and then we are able to set up appointments based on the information provided,” Weitlauf says. “Local companies have increased their sales as a result of the trade show and matchmaking event.”

Click here for more information on the 2012 Florida Defense and Technology Showcase.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Danielle Weitlauf, Tampa Bay Innovation Center

New York City Entrepreneur Frank Scozzafava found success on the reality TV show, Shark Tank, and is now seeking further success in the Tampa Bay market as he opens new stores selling his innovative bikinis. MiX Bikini offers customers the unique opportunity to create their own bathing suits online, assembling the pieces themselves to become their own fashion designers.

While customers can access the website from home to design and purchase their swimsuits, the stores offer shoppers the ability to try on their creations and purchase them on the spot.

"Coming off of Shark Tank I was itching to get into malls,'' says Scozzafava. "When I was on Shark Tank I said that my plan was to open up at malls, franchise and license the product. The Westfield Mall chain made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, and we are opening up five stores in Florida.''

There is already one MiX Bikini store at Westfield Brandon Mall in a kiosk out front of Abercrombie and Fitch. Later this year stores will open in Westfield Countryside and Citrus Park Mall. Plans are also underway to open additional stores in Sarasota and Broward.

In addition to creating quite a buzz at local malls, the stores will also create jobs.

"Right off the bat I hired a regional manager to oversee all of the stores in Florida,'' Scozzafava says. "At each location we will have six part-time sales positions as well, creating approximately 30 jobs in the area.''

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Frank Scozzafava, MiX Bikini

1Brick, LLC, an insurance and financial services customer relationship management company, is opening a new office in Pasco County creating an estimated 200 jobs. The company, which is a virtual insurance agency and financial consulting firm, is licensed to operate in multiple states servicing mobile consumers over the phone and through mobile apps.
 
1Brick, LLC, recently received county tax incentives, which helped seal the deal for the company’s expansion in Pasco. While the company did look at other U.S. locations in the Midwest and on the West Coast, Florida seemed to be the best fit.
 
“We felt Florida was very competitive, not only from a tax perspective, but for its location and workforce as well,'' says Sam Bloomfield, executive VP of 1Brick, LLC. "We attended a local job fair last week and were very impressed by the resumes we received.''
 
Bloomfield says the company will be filling various positions including licensed insurance agents, IT professionals, quality assurance and supervisory managers. The salaries associated with the new jobs are expected to exceed current average wages in Pasco by as much as 115 percent.
 
"We could be hiring up to 40 people in the next 30 days,'' Bloomfield says. "We have a number of clients and relationships built that need us to get going, so we have a good reason to start hiring very soon.''
 
Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Sam Bloomfield, 1Brick, LLC

The Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) hosts a release of the film “Unfinished Spaces” October 5 at 7 pm at the Cuban Club in Ybor City.

The film documents the struggles and passion of three young, visionary architects commissioned by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara to build a National Art School in Cuba in 1961. Their radical, pioneering designs attracted dancers, musicians and artists from across the country. Construction was abruptly halted with the onset of the Cuban Revolution, and to this day the project remains unfinished.

The film includes archival footage from 1960s-era Cuba, including Fidel Castro discussing his plans for the national art schools. It offers a unique window into the history of the arts in Cuba that is not often available to American viewers.

Woven within the historical presentation is a social message about the importance of art in Cuban culture -- and in any culture.

The architects offer an inspiring message about the power of the arts and the need for artists to push forward and create beauty in the face of adversity, be it censorship, oppression or political setbacks.

"We hope the film will offer a new perspective on the role the artist plays in society, and the way art can shape history,'' says Alysa Nahmias, the film's New York-based co-director and co-producer.

Tampa is one of five U.S. locations chosen to showcase the film during its public release in October, partly because of its large population of Cuban-Americans and Latinos. The producers aim to forge new dialogue with creatives, designers and anyone interested in learning more about Cuba's preservation and history.  The film is part of AIA's Archtober, a month-long set of events designed to get the public thinking about the impact of architecture and design.

Other events include an architectural walking tour of downtown Tampa on October 5, a Design Mixer on October 11, a screening of the film Design & Thinking on October 18, a Photography Awards Reception on October 25 and the annual Celebrate Design event on November 1.

Writer: Megan Hendricks
Source: Alysa Nahmias, "Unfinished Spaces''

Star2Star Communications in Sarasota, one of six local companies featured on Fortune Inc.’s 500 List of Fastest Growing Companies, plans to add more than 100 jobs by September 2013.

The IT company that provides phone over the internet services to businesses has had tremendous success including growing sales, which boosted revenues to $18.2 million in 2011.  The company plans on continued growth, including hiring additional staff.

“We’ve doubled our revenues every year since we started, and we intend to continue on the same course,” says Les Freed of Star2Star Communications. “We expect to roughly double our employee count over the next 12 months.”

The company currently employs approximately 110 employees and is actively recruiting new talent.

“We have several openings in our sales, development and operations departments,” Freed says. “A list of openings can be found on our website.”

Star2Star Communications, which was founded in 2006, sells its integrated communication solutions through various distributors and dealers. Its internet communication systems are available and installed in both small and large businesses across North America.

 The company’s headquarters is located at 600 Tallevast Rd., Suite 202, in Sarasota, near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. The headquarters, which are housed in a state-of-the-art building constructed to withstand a category five hurricane, is quite large with several areas including development and testing, order fulfillment, a customer support floor and a training facility.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Les Freed, Star2Star Communications