Featured Stories

ArtHouse3: Creative's Dream Becomes Visual Reality, Tampa

By Matt Spencer Tuesday, October 23, 2012

A keen interest in Florida art grows from hobby into career for Katherine Gibson, a Polk County native who now lives in downtown Tampa and travels frequently around Florida to find visual gems she can share with others.

Arts, Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Talent, Tourism

Bartow, Plant City, Tampa

Designing For Disaster: The AbleNook Story, Tampa

By Christina Barron Tuesday, October 23, 2012

University of South Florida alumni and architect Sean Verdecia is almost done with his first masterpiece. After years of planning and prototypes, his "multiuse portable dwelling,'' AbleNook, is planned for mass production in 2013. The journey from idea to reality has transformed the project from a local university assignment to a highly anticipated, fully functioning living module in the global marketplace.

Architecture, Construction, Entrepreneurship, Housing, Innovation, International Trade, Talent

Tampa

"Not Your Average Speakers'' Engage On Innovation, Tampa

By Diane Egner Tuesday, October 23, 2012

The I-4 Corridor stretching from Tampa to Orlando is already seen from afar as a hotbed for designing and developing new technology. So what will it take to nurture startups and retain the talent already here while attracting others to help shape Florida's economy as well as the nation's? Join the conversation as 83 Degrees Media's "Not Your Average Speakers'' talk innovation.

Connections, Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Higher Education, Innovation, Manufacturing, Technology, Workforce Transition

Tampa

Bar/Code Camp Attracts Florida Entrepreneurs

By Diane Egner Tuesday, October 23, 2012

At Bar/Code Camp 2012, about 850 people gather at the USF College of Business in Tampa to share ideas, make connections, consider collaborations and talk about what more is needed to nurture a vibrant yet fledgling startup community in the Tampa Bay region.

Connections, Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Talent, Technology, Workforce Transition

Tampa

Toasting Tampa: Women Find Power In Harmony

By Christina Barron Tuesday, October 16, 2012

The Toast of Tampa, an internationally recognized women’s chorus group, celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a Standing Room Only Show on Oct. 20th at the Straz. Members of the group, from ages 8 to 80, cherish time singing together and the lasting relationships they build along the way.

Arts, Connections, Diversity, Talent, Tourism

Plant City, Clearwater, Lakeland, Tampa, Temple Terrace, Sarasota, St. Petersburg

New Bradenton Riverwalk Revives City's Sense Of Place

By Sandra Caswell Hice Tuesday, October 16, 2012

About 50 miles south of The Tampa Riverwalk, a new mile-and-a-half ribbon of fun, frivolity and fancy gives residents and visitors alike good reason to carve out a day (or two) to experience the emerging scene in downtown Bradenton and along the mouth of the Manatee River. The Bradenton Riverwalk defines what "placemaking'' is all about.

Architecture, Arts, Construction, Environment, Government, Neighborhoods, Reuse/Rebuild, Tourism

Bradenton

Tampa Bay Trains, Nurtures Emerging Opera Stars

By Janan Talafer Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville might be the music narrative for Florida, but opera has a passionate following in the greater Tampa Bay region. Professional opera companies in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Tarpon Springs draw many ardent local fans. People with a talent and passion for this dramatic art form can find numerous opportunities to study at local colleges and train and perform at local venues.

Arts, Connections, Diversity, Talent, Tourism

Clearwater, Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg

Local Actor Brings Titanic Exhibition To Life, St. Pete

By Janan Talafer Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Since St. Petersburg businessman Bill Edwards took over The Mahaffey in 2011, the downtown St. Pete arts center has kicked up its image big time. Now the theater hopes to reach an even wider audience with its new exhibition of Titanic artifacts. Local actor Lowell Lytle brings the exhibition to life in his realistic portrayal of Capt. Edward J. Smith.

Arts, Diversity, Environment, Talent, Tourism

St. Petersburg

HARVST Project Pops Up Fine Art In Downtown Tampa

By Matt Spencer Tuesday, October 09, 2012

The HARVST Project brings together more than 20 musicians, sculptors, dancers, painters and photographers for a multisensory celebration of Tampa Bay talent for a pop up exhibit at the downtown offices of Tampa-based ad agency PP+K for one night only on October 13.

Arts, Diversity, Environment, Innovation, Neighborhoods, Retail, Reuse/Rebuild, Talent, Tourism

Tampa

Mobile App Designers, Developers Do It In Tampa Bay

By Chris Kuhn Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Mashable ranks the Florida High Tech Corridor among the top and fastest-growing tech centers in the nation. Meet four experienced innovators who contribute to that narrative as mobile app creators and builders in Tampa Bay.

Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, International Trade, Talent, Technology, Workforce Transition

Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg

Graduate Tampa Bay: The College Advantage

By Megan Hendricks Tuesday, October 02, 2012

What's the best investment you can make in yourself, your family and the local economy? Earn a college degree. That's what motivates participants in Graduate Tampa Bay as the region pursues the Talent Dividend.

Higher Education, Talent, Talent Dividend, Workforce Transition

Lakeland, Dade City, Tampa, Sarasota, Bradenton, New Port Richey, St. Petersburg

Opportunity Knocks: Not Your Average Speakers, Tampa

By Matt Spencer Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Shared risk-reward are key to successful P3s -- public private partnerships -- agree panelists representing both sides of the equation at 83 Degrees Media's latest "Not Your Average Speakers'' event. As the local economy rebounds, lots more opportunities for such partnerships will emerge in downtown Tampa and surrounding neighborhoods.

Architecture, Arts, Connections, Diversity, Environment, Government, Innovation, Talent, Technology, Transportation

Tampa

Moving To Downtown Tampa: The Workout Scene

By Juliette Cassistre Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Non-conventional workout options -- think spinning classes ala virtual reality tours and running up a replica of the Santa Monica Stairs -- contribute to the popularity of Powerhouse Gym Downtown Tampa, which is already in expansion mode after only three years of operation.

Connections, Diversity, Environment, Health, Neighborhoods, Retail

Tampa

North Tampa Neighborhoods Attack Poverty Through Partnerships

By Megan Hendricks Tuesday, September 25, 2012

A group of nonprofit organizations in North Tampa is transforming neighborhoods around I-275 and Fletcher Avenue into a vibrant, sustainable community where safety is paramount and the workforce nurtures its residents.

Diversity, Environment, Government, Innovation, KidsBay, Neighborhoods

Tampa

InVision Tampa: Reshaping Your City For The Future

By Alexis Quinn Chamberlain Tuesday, September 25, 2012

InVision Tampa is researching and inviting suggestions on how to improve the city's urban core and surrounding neighborhoods, ultimately incorporating that feedback into a master plan that will shape Tampa's future for the next 25 years.

Architecture, Connections, Diversity, Environment, Government, Housing, Neighborhoods, Retail, Reuse/Rebuild

Tampa, Temple Terrace