Tampa Bay's Latest Business News

August 2010

Pinellas County Success Story: JSKaraoke Expansion Aided by Full-Service Capabilities of Pinellas Economic Development.  Illustrating the full-service capabilities of Pinellas County’s Department of Economic Development, client Emerson Karaoke utilized the agency’s resources to expand their Pinellas County operations.  Says Jack Strauser, CEO and President of Emerson Karaoke, “We approached Pinellas County Economic Development for assistance with financing our growing business and gained so much more than that.  With their aid, we applied for and received an Economic Gardening loan, were connected to hiring assistance, and developed a new marketing strategy.”  Continue this story here: http://www.pced.org/?ltid=5828.

Oct. 29, Meet Potential Business Partners as you introduce your company’s products, services and technologies to a powerful audience.  Now in its 4th year, Pinellas Technology Business and Innovation Exchange (PTBIE) annually draws 50 exhibiting and sponsoring companies that directly benefit from exposure to selectively invited business development and supply chain representatives from nearly 25 of our nation’s leading defense firms.  Past attendees have also included senior Department of Defense personnel and Congressional staff.  Visit www.pinellastechnology.org for more information and to register.

Small Business Lending Fair – Aug. 26.  Pinellas County Economic Development’s annual Small Business Lending Fair will assist business owners in identifying capital for business growth and expansion, as well as new business ventures.  Celebrating its 6th year, this year’s event will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the EpiCenter, 13805 58th Street N., Clearwater.  Opportunities are available for both exhibitors and participants.  Advanced registration is preferred, but walk-ins are welcome.  Visit www.pced.org/lendingfair to register.  Finance counseling and assistance is available year-round through the Pinellas County Business Development Center at (727) 453-7200.

Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, Aug. 17 – 20.  The 18th Annual Tampa Bay MED Week Conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Tampa Westshore Hotel, 5303 West Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa. The theme for this year’s conference is: “Strategies for Growth and Competitiveness in the Global Economy”.  For more details on the event visit the Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Corporation of Tampa Bay, Inc. on the web at www.medcorp-tb.org/default.asp?PageID=10005829 or contact Pinellas County’s Business Development Center at (727) 453-7200.

Ask the Experts at the Pinellas “Surviving the Storm” eTownHall, Hurricane Q & A, August 26, 7:00 p.m.  Join Pinellas County online at www.pinellascounty.org/eTownHall to ask your hurricane questions to a panel of experts. The blog opens for questions on Monday, Aug. 23, and the eTownhall starts on Aug. 26, at 7:00 p.m.  Details at:
http://www.pinellascounty.org/etownhall/pdf/etownhall-hurricanes.pdf

4th Annual Business and Education Summit, Sept. 24.  WorkNet Pinellas is hosting this no-cost event to develop and promote partnerships between education and business. Each year, over 200 of Tampa Bay’s top executives and educational minds gather to discuss the needs of industry and collaborate on ways to further develop and retain a quality workforce.  Details about the event are available by contacting Marilyn Browne at mbrowne@worknetpinellas.org or (727) 507-4300 ext 2420.

FMMC Executive Briefing.  The Florida Medical Manufacturers’ Consortium will present an Executive Briefing on Sept. 21, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Feather Sound Country Club in Clearwater.  Register at http://www.flamedmfg.org/.

TEC Talk, Aug. 3: Top 10 HR Issues Facing Business Owners Today.  This event will help participants understand the impact of laws, the levels of regulations, the impact of having four generations in the work force, social media and assumptions made by you and your employees. Whether you have 1 employee or 1000, you will leave with a better understanding as to what is happening and what to do about it. Free resources will be shared.  Learn more and register at http://tectalk.eventbrite.com.

Present Your Pinellas Business to the 2010 Florida Venture Forum Early Stage Capital Conference:  This is a unique opportunity for 10-12 early stage private Florida companies to present their case for funding before a group of VCs, angel investors, private equity groups and service providers. The Florida Venture Forum is accepting applications for presenters at its Early Stage Venture Capital Conference, to be held on Oct. 5, at the Omni Orlando Resort. Details for presenters and sponsors are available at http://www.floridaventureforum.org/subpage.asp?navid=0&id=33.
The final deadline for presenters is Aug. 31.

2010 Pinellas Business Survey – We Want to Know!  Please complete PCED’s 2010 Online Business Survey, and let us know what is most important to you. The results will be posted at the Pinellas County Economic Development web site, www.PCED.org/results. With your help, we can improve our services to meet the needs of the entire Pinellas County business community.