83 Degrees Media: Not Your Average Speakers Series

83 Degrees Media presents a series of discussions intended to spark a community dialogue about what’s working in the Tampa Bay region to shape what's next.

The "Not Your Average Speakers'' series will gather thought leaders and 83 Degrees Media readers in one room to foster conversation and exposure to people, ideas, innovations and opportunities that are moving the Tampa Bay region forward.

Panelists -- all "doers'' in Tampa Bay neighborhoods and communities -- will discuss important projects designed to improve livability, mobility and sustainability in attracting and retaining talent, fostering innovation and creating a sense of place.

The first event of the series kicks off on Thursday, Oct. 20, in partnership with Baker Barrios Architects and Leadership Florida. The discussion will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Jaeb Theater at the Straz Center in downtown Tampa. 

"The main uniqueness about the "Not Your Average Speakers'' series is that each event will introduce and engage people who are doing projects that will help shape our region's future,'' says Diane Egner, publisher and managing editor of 83 Degrees Media. "Our goal is to create a forum where people meet and learn from each other, discover opportunities for collaboration and take away energy for engaging in an ecosystem of success.''

Speakers At The Oct. 20, 2011 Event Include:

-- Amalia Bamis, USF student of architecture and urban planning;
-- Christina J. Anton of Anton Castro Law in Tampa;
-- Marvin Scaff, co-founder of Gazelle Lab in St. Petersburg;
-- Mike Kennedy, executive director of Suncoast Community Capital in Bradenton;
-- Robert K. Ledford II, managing principal at Baker Barrios Architects in Tampa;
-- Shannon Bassett, assistant professor at USF School of Architecture and Community Design.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Laura Moody of Fox 13.

“Baker Barrios Architects is taking an active role in shaping Tampa’s future,” says Shanon Larimer, VP of Global Marketing for Baker Barrios Architects. “We’re excited to provide an insider’s look at one of Tampa’s newest communities, Encore, and are pleased to be the first to present this new series with 83 Degrees Media to Tampa’s professional community.”

“Not Your Average Speakers” series discussions are open and free to the public. 

Guests may also continue the conversation and enjoy special beverage menu pricing at Taps Beer and Wine following the event.

About 83 Degrees Media

83 Degrees Media tells the story of what's new and what's next in the Tampa Bay region -- a new narrative for a new economy. 83 Degrees Media produces stories about the creative, innovative, and influential people in and around Tampa Bay who are doing their part to move the region forward. Each week, 83 Degrees Media reports on the people, places, ideas and investments that make the Tampa Bay region attractive locally and competitive globally.

About Baker Barrios Architects

Established in 1993, Baker Barrios Architects’ award-winning global perspectives on architecture, interior design, planning and landscape architecture services deliver economical, sustainable, community enriching design solutions. Baker Barrios is widely recognized for creating world-class cultural arts venues, convention centers, health care facilities and universities, commercial and mixed-use developments.

About Leadership Florida

Leadership Florida takes a statewide view of the conditions and challenges that face Florida. Leadership Florida offers a leadership continuum that expands the impact of community leaders across the state. Created in 1982 by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Florida builds a sense of statewide community by identifying and training individuals with the passion and commitment to help make great things happen.

Additional Partners

Coordination, creative and technical assistance for the "Not Your Average Speakers'' series is being provided by White Book Agency, the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts and Mighty Fine Production in Tampa.

Diane Egner is the publisher and managing editor of 83 Degrees Media and a graduate of Leadership Florida. Comments? Contact 83 Degrees.
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Read more articles by Diane Egner.

Diane Egner is a community leader and award-winning journalist with more than four decades of experience reporting and writing about the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. She serves on the boards of the University of South Florida Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications Advisory Council, The Institute for Research in Art (Graphicstudio, the Contemporary Art Museum, and USF’s Public Art Program) Community Advisory Council, Sing Out and Read, and StageWorks Theatre Advisory Council. She also is a member of Leadership Florida and the Athena Society. A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a BA in journalism, she won the top statewide award for editorial writing from the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors while at The Tampa Tribune and received special recognition by the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists for creative work as Content Director at WUSF Public Media. Past accomplishments and community service include leadership positions with Tampa Tiger Bay Club, USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy (WLP), Alpha House of Tampa Bay, Awesome Tampa Bay, Florida Kinship Center, AIA Tampa Bay, Powerstories, Arts Council of Hillsborough County, and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. Diane and her husband, Sandy Rief, live in Tampa.