A report by economist Joe Cortright, via Ceos for Cities

While predatory lending and sub-prime mortgages have taken the blame for the dramatic decrease in housing prices and the glut of foreclosures nationwide, a new analysis shows that rising fuel costs played a significant role in the collapse of America’s housing bubble. That’s according to a new report released today by CEOs for Cities titled “Driven to the Brink: How the Gas Price Spike Popped the Housing Bubble and Devalued the Suburbs,” by economist Joseph Cortright. The analysis found that while there is overall weakness in housing prices, price declines are generally far more severe in far-flung suburbs and metropolitan areas with weak central cities. Cities and neighborhoods that require lengthy commutes and provide few transportation alternatives to the private vehicle are falling in value more precipitously than more central, compact and accessible places, the study shows. Download the study>>

By William B. Stronge, The Tampa Tribune, April 22, 2008

The Florida Legislature is going through the painful process of cutting the state budget because of the current severe recession impacting our state. All programs are subject to cuts, as they should be, and some programs are being cut more drastically than others. I write to urge your readers to contact their state legislators and ask that the exceptionally severe cuts being imposed in the grants for the cultural programs of the state be moderated because of the importance of this industry to the economic development of Florida. Read more>>

By Larry Halstead, Tampa Bay Business Journal, Apr. 25, 2008

As the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority moves closer to bringing mass transit to the area, board members are looking at other cities for guidance. Richard Simonetta, chief executive officer of Valley Metro Rail Inc., the transit authority in Phoenix, presented an overview to TBARTA board members Friday of how Phoenix got its light rail system. Although Phoenix voters first approved a one-half cent sales tax for freeway expansion in 1985, it wasn't until 2000 that the mass transit movement took off. Phoenix is scheduled to open 20 miles of light rail this fall, and more links are to come in the next five years. Read more>>

The race to attract and keep talent is on. Even in this economy, many companies - and cities - are doing everything they can to make themselves more appealing to college graduates and those who may be seeking new experiences. They can learn a few lessons from David Doepel. It's been David's job to attract people from all over the world back to Western Australia, and he'll talk about the strategies he's used successfully to do so. David is principal policy advisor to the Premier of Western Australia. Jeff Gordinier is the author of X Saves the World. Generation X is turning 40 soon and Jeff says it's time for slackers to rise up and take charge. Jeff is the Editor-at-Large at Details magazine. Listen now>>

Pinellas Living Green Expo Coming to Clearwater
By Heather Shell
Public Information Specialist, City of Clearwater, FL

The Pinellas Living Green Expo, a free and educational event focusing on resource conservation, provides real solutions for people to live better, healthier lives with less impact on the environment. The Expo connects people who are interested in making a positive difference in both their lives and in their communities. Participants will learn how to save money, save natural resources, and protect our environment.

The Pinellas Living Green Expo is a collaboration of government agencies, not-for-profit groups, and businesses seeking to promote sustainability-oriented products and behaviors in Pinellas County. The event will be held in downtown Clearwater at the Harborview Center, 300 Cleveland St., Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 5,000 people attended the event last year. And this year, the event has more to offer than ever!

More than 100 exhibitors will be on hand to provide information or products that reduce environmental impacts in the areas of transportation, energy, home building/remodeling, yards and gardens, etc. Participants also can attend more than 20 different seminars, lectures, and demonstrations that touch on today’s major environmental issues. Jeanne Murphy, Wildlife Biologist and expert on Urban Wildlife, will be among the speakers featured. Information sessions will cover topics such as green construction, stormwater ponds, the Solar Decathlon experience (hosted by Florida International University students), understanding organic food labels, natural and organic skin care, etc. For a complete list of exhibitors and information sessions, visit www.PinellasLivingGreenExpo.org.

Additional space will be set aside for children’s environmental activities. “Kids’ Korner,” a supervised space designated for kids only, allows little ones to learn about the environment through crafts, while their parents explore the expo. Nature’s Food Patch of Clearwater will have all-natural food and beverage concessions available for purchase in the exhibit hall.

Attendees can also pick up one free tree per family, courtesy of Progress Energy. Native trees will be available to the first 1,000 families on a first-come, first-served basis. To get a tree at the expo, visit the Progress Energy booth (#310 on the main exhibition floor), and pick up a voucher good for one tree, which can be picked up in Coachman Park.

Volunteers are still needed. You can show your support for making Pinellas County a green community by signing up for a shift. Bring a friend, help out, and have a great time. You can sign up online and choose the shift that works best for you. (Please arrive 15 minutes early.)

For more information on the Pinellas Living Green Expo, visit www.PinellasLivingGreenExpo.org.

2nd Annual Tampa Bay Cycle

Tampa Bay will help celebrate national bike month with the 2nd annual Tampa Bay Cycle campaign. The goal is to have 1,001 people ride their bike at least one day during the month of May. Get involved in one of the challenges as an individual or part of a corporate team and be eligible to win bike gear and other great prizes. The campaign kicks off on May 1st with cyclists from Temple Terrace, St. Petersburg and Tampa riding into downtown Tampa for a 10:00am proclamation signing by Mayor Iorio. Please join us at City Hall Plaza to learn what efforts are underway to make our area more bike-friendly at this brief ceremony. The celebration continues that evening at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. They will host an Opening Reception to recognize the winners of the first Tampa BayCycle Photography contest. You are invited to the Museum on Thursday, May 1 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The winning photographs will be on display from May 1-17, so stop by to inspire yourself to “reconnect with your inner child” and go for a ride. The winning photographs are posted at http://www.fmopa.org/tampabaycycle.htm.

Find Out How “Green” Hillsborough County Is

Hillsborough County government in Florida has been making strides for years to protect the local environment and reduce its energy needs. In celebration of Earth Day yesterday, Hillsborough County introduced a “Green Hillsborough” webpage that catalogues these more than 80 projects and initiatives. You can view the webpage by going to: www.hillsboroughcounty.org and clicking on the “Green Hillsborough” link. Here are just a few of the County’s projects and initiatives listed on the site:

• Created a new position of Energy Manager for its facilities in 2000. Programs that have been implemented since then annually save the County more than $1.6 million in energy cost avoidance and eliminates more than 13,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

• Approved a site plan review incentive that allows the County to expedite green development site plans. The County already expedites the building permitting portion for green residential projects.

• Purchased its first hybrid car in 2002, and currently has 13 hybrid vehicles in its fleet.

• Acquired more than 43,600 acres of land through the County’s Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) since its inception in 1987 at a total price of $186.3 million. The County received $76 million of that in joint funding.

• Supplies an average of 20.2 million gallons of reclaimed water per day to more than 15,000 residential and commercial customers. The program begun for residential use in 1994.

• Preserves agricultural land through the Agriculture Stewardship Program, which provides an incentive to landowners in the form of an annual grant, in exchange for an agreement to not convert agricultural land to non-agricultural use for a period of 10 years. Approximately 9,000 acres and 220 properties are currently participating in the project.

• Expanding the County Resource Recovery Facility’s capacity, which incinerates garbage and yard waste, from 1,200 tons to 1,800 tons per day by May 2009. This will divert approximately 200,000 tons of processable solid waste annually from the County’s Southeast County Landfill.

Comprehensive Bicycle Plan Survey

Please take a few minutes to fill out the following short survey:
http://www.hillsboroughmpo.org/getinvolved/foldertakeasurvey

Results will be used in the development of the Comprehensive Bicycle Plan: for prioritizing types of bicycle facilities; where they are needed; and what safety programs would help get more people to try cycling. Bicyclists have diverse cycling skills and experiences, so it would be best to get a large number and variety of survey respondents. Please circulate this survey to your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. The Comprehensive Bicycle Plan is an effort of the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization. For more information, go to www.hillsboroughmpo.org or www.mpotransit.org.

College Green Camp LLC

Wanna see something really hot…really cool…really green? Join us for the College Green Camp and Building Professionals Green Camp Event. Florida’s first Earthship is being built in Manatee County. Designed to be in harmony with the environment and entirely self sufficient, this sustainable structure uses recycled and indigenous materials, generates its own electricity and processes its own waste with NO impact on the environment. We are bringing together College Students, Builders, Government Officials, Architects, Engineers and Vendors representing the best new Alternative Technologies that are available NOW! So come and visit us, let us open your eyes, change your life, and preserve your environment so you can help change the minds and hearts of others. For more information, go to www.collegegreencamp.com.

LEED CI Site Tour
Thurs., May 15, 5:30-8 p.m.

Join the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter for a Informative & Fun Filled Evening. The evening will kick off with a brief presentation by the owner of the Rustic Grill, on the adaptive reuse of an old packing house building reborn as a very cool and innovative restaurant! Representative Keith Fitzgerald will speak on the state of Sustainability in Florida, as it relates to the recently concluded legislative session. Immediately following the program, Carlson Studio Architecture (CSA) will be open for tours for those who are interested. CSA offices are the adaptive reuse and renovation of a 1934 Grocery Store that received LEED CI certification in December 2007, and is the third LEED CI certified project in the state. CSA is one block from Rustic Grill. Catering by the Rustic Grill, hor d'oeuvres will be served before the program begins, soft drinks, beer & wine (cash bar for cocktails). Cost for chapter members $30 pp; non-chapter members $35. Registration & seats are limited - please register early! For more information, go to www.sustainabletampabay.org.

CreativeTampaBay has assembled a sampling of some of the regions offerings for creative camps this summer. Scroll to the end to find a short list of camps offered around the state. Overviews of the offerings are provided; contact each provider for more details on dates, times, cost and age groups. From tots to teens, our local institutions, big and small, offer such a wide variety of fun that you’ll want to be a kid again! We’ll run this list once more next week. If you want to add a camp to the list, email information to dmanion02@aol.com. Have a creative summer!

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS >>

Who is a Downtowner? Results from the 1st-Ever Downtown Census
Wed., Apr. 30, 7:30-9 a.m.

Who is a downtowner? What are the demographics of a downtown worker? What do downtown residents like to do? Where does everyone shop? What do they like about downtown and what do they want to see changed? These are a few of the questions the Tampa Downtown Partnership looked to answer in its first ever Downtown Census. Now it’s time for the results to be revealed. The Tampa Downtown Partnership contracted with HCP & Associates, Inc., a local market research firm, to conduct the study. Mr. Patrick Hill, president, will present the findings and explain what the results mean. Mr. Hill will also share with the audience where downtown workers and residents are similar and how they differ. Who should attend? Developers, real estate professionals, bankers, retail owners, restaurant owners, corporate leaders, government officials and anyone who has an interest in understanding what a Downtowner thinks and does while in the urban core. St. Pete Times Forum - 401 Channelside Drive; $20.00 - TDP Member; $25.00 - Potential TDP Member; $160.00 - Corporate Table (8). Register online at: http://events.tampasdowntown.com/. For more information call 221-3686.

Race and Reconciliation: A 620 Round Table on Social Justice
Wed., Apr. 30, 6 p.m.

The Studio@620 presents "Race and Reconciliation"; 620 Round Table on Social Justice / 2007-2008 Series, a forum for Tampa Bay community leaders to discuss social justice issues affecting our community. Panel discussants include Rev. Charles McKenzie, a public schools educator; Rev. Ted Lockhart, a retired United Methodist minister; and Graham Shaffer, a Stetson Law School student whose work is focused on the topic of race and reconciliation. This event will be April 30, 2008 with a reception at 6:00 pm and remarks and discussion at 7:00 pm. Space is limited and RSVP is required. The location is 620 First Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida. Learn More: http://www.thestudioat620.org/p_rt-sj_07-08.htm.

Anna In the Tropics
May 1-3, 7:30 p.m.

HCC Ybor Campus Studio Theatre presents Anna in the Tropics, a Pulitzer Prize winning play by Nilo Cruz, directed by Dr. Sybil Barnes-Johnson. Ybor City's cigar rolling heritage is being brought back to life with the HCC Ybor Campus production of "Anna in the Tropics.” The lyrical story is set against the steamy backdrop of an Ybor City Cigar factory perched on the brink of the Depression. The characters have tried to create, "a little city like the ones they left behind," but the scenerio has turned into a world of fear and betrayal. Into this evocative setting comes a man known as the "lector," who reads aloud in the tradition of the time. His chosen book is Anna Karenina, and the emotions it unleashes change the destiny of everyone who listens. The play will be the first production in the Black Box Theatre in the new performing arts building, Studio Theatre HCC Ybor Campus, at Palm Ave and 15th Street in Ybor City. The remaining performance dates are May 1, 2, and 3 at 7:30 pm. Admission is FREE!

The Language of Leadership
Fri., May 2, 7:30-9 a.m.

As President and Founder of Tye Maner Group, Tye Maner is a renowned trainer of leadership development and sales skills in addition to being an inspiring motivational speaker. Mr. Maner has more than 20 years experience in sales and management and his company works with a list of Fortune 500 companies. Don't miss the opportunity to hear from this dynamic speaker. Your registration includes a plated breakfast, opportunities for networking and a speaker presentation. The cost is $20 in advance for Emerge Tampa Bay participants or $30 at the door. The cost is $30 in advance for non-Emerge Tampa Bay participants or $40 at the door. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. The location is Maestro’s at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. To register, click here.

Radical Careering
Fri., May 2, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Tampa Bay Advertising Federation and the American Advertising Federation - Fourth District welcome Sally Hogshead, industry superstar and author of Radical Careering as a very special guest lunch speaker at the AAF - Fourth District Annual Conference in St. Petersburg at the St. Pete Hilton on May 2nd. Growing up with the last name Hogshead would give anyone an unconventional point of view. Today, after surviving years of harassment on the playground, Sally Hogshead is a speaker, author, and marketing expert, leading companies on all areas of branding and innovation. Sally's insights have been profiled by The New York Times, NBC, ABC, CBS and MSNBC. She's been described by the press as "intrepid" and an "advertising mastermind." She leads keynotes for companies such as Starbucks and Microsoft, as well as innovation seminars for as many as 4,000 participants. Location: St. Petersburg Hilton, 333 1st Street South, St. Petersburg. How Much: Members $35, non-members $45, corporate members $0. Walk-ins add $5 Major credit cards accepted. No-shows will be billed. RSVP by Tuesday, April 29. Call 813-879-8223 or click here.

Third Annual Community Building Luncheon
Fri., May 2, 12-1 p.m.

Please arrive early. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m. A La Carte Pavilion 4050 Dana Shores Dr., Tampa, FL 33634. To all our Table Captains: Please send your guest list as soon as possible to Rocky Cusseaux at rcusseaux@communitytampabay.org or Gerri Bradley at gbradley@communitytampabay.org. To all our donors, partners and friends: If you are not a Table Captain and would like to attend, please RSVP to Rocky Cusseaux at rcusseaux@communitytampabay.org or Gerri Bradley at gbradley@communitytampabay.org as soon as possible. Website: www.communitytampabay.org.

Aztec Two-Step
Fri., May 2, 7:30 p.m.

The Studio@620 presents "Aztec Two-Step", an evening of fine, folksy, progressive acoustic music with the critically acclaimed group Aztec Two-Step. Aztec Two-Step is a stunning two man acoustic group known for intelligent songwriting, creative collaboration, ethereal harmonies, and remarkable guitar work. With a career spanning 36 years, Aztec Two-Step has proven to be one of acoustic music’s most popular and enduring groups. This event will be May 2, 2008 at 7:30 pm. The location is 620 First Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida. Learn More.

Platform 5
Sat., May 3, 6:30-9 p.m.

It's time for our mini-Platform showcasing youth. The same five elements of Platform will be used at Platform 5: the visual arts, film, fashion, sound & performance. Date: Saturday, May 3rd. When: 6.30pm to 9pm. Where: Oasis Community Church, 3330 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland - Across from Traviss Technical School, Lakeland. Platform Florida is non-profit 501(c)(3) organization made up of a community-conscious collaboration of artisans and art lovers whose ultimate goal is to showcase new and exciting talent, while providing a supportive and social atmosphere. Each Platform embraces unique and innovative work from art's multi-layered mediums, and is dedicated to stimulating emotion, conversation, inspiration, thought and fun. Want to know more? Contact Ann Wilson, Executive Director of Platform at 863-688-1543 or go to www.platformflorida.com.

7th Annual Sea Grapes Wine Tasting
Sat., May 3, 7-10 p.m.

Get into the swim of things at the 7th Annual Sea Grapes Fine Wine and Food Festival on Saturday, May 3 from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Florida Aquarium. Enjoy a special evening to benefit the Aquarium’s youth education and conservation programs, while sampling fine wine, savoring food from premier restaurants and becoming immersed in a uniquely aquatic environment: a decadent evening at The Florida Aquarium. Take a moment to bid on items like original artwork, handmade jewelry and excellent wine during the silent auction and enjoy live jazz entertainment for a true night of delightful fun. At The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602. General admission ticket is $85, Aquarium members $75. VIP Connoisseur’s Club tickets are $150 and include early admission at 6 p.m. and a VIP room all evening. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.flaquarium.org or call 813-273-4030.

Theo Wujcik and Jay Giroux: New Paintings and Installations
Through June with a reception Sat., May 3, 7 p.m.-2 a.m.

Artists Theo Wujcik and Jay Giroux have joined creative forces to bring the next exhibit to St. Petersburg’s newest up and coming gallery, NOVA 535. Theo Wucjik and Jay Giroux: New Paintings and Installations will open on May 3rd at 7:00pm and run through the end of the month. New Paintings and Installations opens at NOVA 535, located at 535 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Street N in gorgeous downtown St. Petersburg, Fl. Exclusive viewings available upon request; please contact NOVA 535 owner Michael S. Novilla at Michael@nova535.com or curator Vanessa Fernandez at vanessafernandez79@yahoo.com.

2008 Israel Independence Day Community Festival
Sun., May 4, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

In celebration of Israel’s 60th birthday, the Tampa Jewish Community Center and Federation will present its annual Israel Independence Day Community Festival, this year at Al Lopez Park in Tampa. The festival will feature entertainment by Kolot, a dynamic group of four young Israeli singers from Israel’s National Army Band, and local favorites The Mike Eisenstadt Band; Maccabi Games and relay races; walk-the-Land-of-Israel tours; arts and crafts; Israeli dance and self-defense demonstrations; and food vendors. Official welcome ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. at Al Lopez Park, 4810 North Himes Avenue, just off of North Himes Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Blvd. Parking for the event is free, and available in the park on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event of rain, the rain location for this year’s Israel @ 60 event will be the Tampa JCC, located at 13009 Community Campus Drive in Tampa. Call the Tampa JCC at 813-264-9000 on the weekend of the event to hear a recording about the status of the event location. The event is free and open to the community. For more information, go to www.jewishtampa.com.

Sicilian Dialects Survive in Tampa
Sun., May 4, 2 p.m.

Dr. Susan M. Taylor will present a lecture entitled "The survival of the Sicilian dialect of Tampa, Florida" on Sunday, May 4, 2:00 p.m. at the Italian Club in Ybor City. Dr. Taylor will discuss some of the historical and linguistic reasons that people continued to speak Sicilian in Tampa. Dr. Taylor, of the Department of Languages and Linguistics at The University of Tampa, is an accomplished linguist who specializes in Italian dialectology. The lecture is part of the program series developed by the Ybor City Museum Society to accompany Sicilians in Tampa – Unfolding the Journey, a new exhibit at the Ybor city Museum State Park. It is presented in partnership with the Italian Club, located at 1731 E. 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605. For more information, go to www.ybormuseum.org.

Pops Concert Featuring The Fanfare Concert Winds
Sun., May 4, 3 p.m.

The Carrolwood Cultural Center presents a pops concert featuring The Fanfare Concert Winds performing blues, Broadway, marches and pops standards. An art exhibit will feature different artists from the North Tampa Arts League. Exhibit opens at 2:30pm. Tickets are $10 for members of the Friends of the Carrollwood Cultural Center and $15 for general admission, free for students. The mission of the Center is to offer cultural programs, services and events that encourage individual exploration and promotes a sense of community. The Center is supported by the Friends of the Carrollwood Cultural Center, a volunteer organization. For more information visit the Center website at www.carrollwoodcenter.org.

Cameron Gainer: Impact Sight
Through May 24 with a reception Sun., May 4, 4-6 p.m. at the USF Botanical Garden

Visiting artist Cameron Gainer will present a new solo exhibition in summation of his residency with USF’s School of Art & Art History for the Spring 2008 term. Cameron Gainer is a New York based artist whose work explores the presence and power of photography in contemporary culture, particularly how a photograph can catalyze belief and disbelief. The exhibition brings together three large-scale sculptural works including a new commission on view at CAM, and installations at the USF Botanical Gardens and USF Riverfront Park. The outdoor works are based on 20th Century alleged hoaxes that Gainer sites and models from photographic sources; often the only form of evidence that sightings actually occurred. For more information, go to www.cam.usf.edu.

Sweeney Todd
May 6-11

Tickets are currently on sale for Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which makes its St. Petersburg premiere at Progress Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater for a limited engagement May 6-11, 2008. This exciting and innovative new production features a multi-talented ensemble of 10 talented actor/musicians, five from the 2006 Tony Award winning company. Sweeney Todd will be presented, Tuesday through Sunday, May 6-11, at the Mahaffey Theater, 400 First Street South; Tuesday through Thursday evening performances at 7:30, Friday and Saturday evening at 8 pm and matinee performances Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets ranging from $30 to $70 to accommodate all levels of affordability, are available through www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com, at the Mahaffey Theater Box Office or by calling Ticketmaster (727) 898-2100 or (813) 287-8844. Groups of 20 or more should call (407) 423-9999 x17 or (800) 950-4647. For information, call (727) 892-5798.

TBTLA Quarterly Meeting: IT Backsourcing
Thurs., May 8, 7:30 a.m.

Please join the Tampa Bay Technology Leadership Association on May 8 for our quarterly meeting. While IT outsourcing continues to be a steadily growing phenomenon, a recent study by Deloitte Consulting reported that 70% of outsourcing clients had negative experiences with outsourcing and 25% of outsourcing clients brought originally outsourced services back in-house. IT backsourcing is a business practice in which a company takes back in-house assets, activities, and skills that are part of its information systems operations and were previously outsourced to one or more outside IS providers. We invite those who have experienced IS backsourcing in their companies or oversaw a backsourcing transition to share their experiences and expertise. Dr. Natasha Veltri is an assistant professor of information systems at The University of Tampa. Mr. Mark Agustin was appointed Chief Financial Officer of PMSI in June 2006 and has overall responsibility for PMSI’s fiscal and administrative functions as well as the development of its corporate strategy. TBTLA meetings begin with a networking reception at 7:30 a.m. on the first floor of Plant Hall on the University of Tampa campus and the meeting will begin at 8:00 a.m. To RSVP, please reply to Dale Hempel of Jagged Peak, TBTLA Membership Chair by email at dalehempel@earthlink.net, or by phone (813) 220-5332.

The Patel Conservatory presents the Orlando Ballet School in Rumpelstiltskin
Wed., May 7, 7 p.m.

Watch the lovely fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin come to life as danced by the Orlando Ballet, Orlando Ballet II and students from the Orlando Ballet School at the Patel Conservatory. Featuring original choreography by Peter Stark, the ballet shows how a young woman outsmarts the clever gnome Rumpelstiltskin, who has the magical ability to turn straw to gold. A great introduction to classical ballet, with dynamic dancing and spectacular sets and costumes. Tickets: $10-$20. For more information, go to www.tbpac.org. Free ballet classes for Grades Pre-K3 to 12 in May with the Orlando Ballet School at the Patel Conservatory. Call 813-222-1263 to R.S.V.P. or for more information.

22nd Annual Government Small Business Conference
May 7-8

The conference presents a unique opportunity to meet with buyers from federal, state and local government agencies as well as large corporations. $100 for both days if registration submitted by May 1. This event takes place at Dr. Blaise F. Alfano Conference & Banquet Center, 11606 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa. For more information and registration, visit www.tradeconference.coba.usf.edu.

TBTF and SRI Open House
Wed., May 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

To celebrate the conclusion of an intensive day of mentoring emerging companies from around the region, the Tampa Bay Technology Forum and SRI cordially invite you to join us for a networking reception at the University of Tampa. Come network with fellow entrepreneurs, enjoy a cocktail, and learn about this exciting new partnership between TBTF and SRI. You'll also learn more about the services the Emerging Companies Academy (ECA) provides to start up companies to assist with building and launching new products, competing in global technology markets, and attracting other essential resources for growth. Please Note: Startups or individuals wishing to apply for the one-on-one mentoring with SRI & TBTF must apply separately for these sessions. Please send a 1 - 2 page executive summary to kevans@tbtf.org no later than May 5th to be considered. For more information, go to www.tbtf.org.

You may subscribe/unsubscribe to this newsletter by clicking here. Email Megan Voeller voeller@gmail.com with questions, comments, etc.

Special thanks to this week’s BUZZ volunteers:
Editor: Megan Voeller
Creative Contributors: Donna Manion and Deanne Roberts.
Design and Distribution: Sean Kelly