Invest: Tampa Bay 2022 welcomes packed house for in-person leadership summit

Invest: Tampa Bay 2022 welcomes packed house for in-person leadership summit

2022-08-26T11:59:38-04:00August 25th, 2022|Press Releases, Tampa Bay|

Writer: Joshua Andino 

3 min read August 2022 — Invest: Tampa Bay 2022 kicked off its in-person launch conference yesterday afternoon at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC. After a breakneck two years marked by robust growth, numerous relocations and a swelling population, leaders shared not only their excitement for the future but the challenges that lie ahead.

In her opening remarks at the launch conference, Capital Analytics’ CEO Abby Melone said it was an exciting time for the region. “Despite the uncertainty that looms over the national economy, here in Tampa there are many reasons for optimism. The region has positioned itself for both near-term and future growth, and one reason for that is its economic diversity,” said Melone. ”While some might think that tourism is the leg that Tampa Bay stands on, the fact is there is so much more to this economy. Sectors like healthcare and education, finance, technology, construction and the maritime industry emerged from our interviews and research as important drivers across the Tampa MSA.”

One of 18 annual business intelligence reports produced by Capital Analytics Associates, Invest: Tampa Bay 2022 is a holistic overview of the trends, challenges and opportunities in the local economic landscape.

Opening the event as keynote speaker was Mayor of Tampa Jane Castor, who rattled off success after success for the city and wider region, from Champa Bay’s Stanley Cup and Super Bowl wins to the economic diversity of the region and its rise to global prominence. Transportation, housing and workforce development, underscored by an emphasis on sustainability, are crucial to the region’s future growth. “We’re going to make our growth very intentional, very thoughtful and very inclusive as well. It’s a great time to be in the city of Tampa and in Tampa Bay.” She ended the conversation with a spotlight on the region’s business community, thanking them and saying, “Tampa is dancing on the world’s stage right now.”

Castor was followed by the event’s first panel, “Health is Wealth: How education and healthcare are driving innovation and investment across Tampa Bay,” featuring: John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital; Linda Mignone, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Ultimate Medical Academy; and Tonjua Williams, president of St. Petersburg College. The panel was moderated by Cynthia Johnson, Pinellas County’s economic development director. Collaboration emerged as the central theme, and further integrating the partnerships across the region would be key towards further development and answering healthcare’s workforce needs in Tampa and across the country, as well as the role and impact of TGH’s developing medical district.

“If you go across the country and see world class cities, one of their common aspects is their medical districts,” said Couris. “A medical district is a concentration of clinical activity, research activity, biotech, clinical research, venture capital, and the list goes on. We’re bringing that to Tampa.”

Following the discussion, the second panel was introduced by Peoples Gas President Helen Wesley. “Building the Bay: What smart growth looks like and how it will change Tampa Bay” included speakers from a number of developers and financiers, discussing the evolving real estate needs of Tampa and how both real estate and construction would play a key role in the city’s growth and sustainability goals. Moderated by Dave Bevirt, EVP of Corporate Leasing & Strategy for Strategic Property Partners, the conversation inluded: Brian Katz, CEO of Katz Capital; Joe Girgenti, president of Wilson & Girgenti; Kristen Band, Tampa managing partner of Hancock, Askew & Co.; and Brian Robbins, project executive for DPR Construction. The impacts of redevelopment, sustainability in construction and the tax incentives and levers that could be used to help direct investments were touched upon.

On tax incentives, Brand explained that while Florida and Tampa get many things right, more could be done. “The levers that we need to look at are more targeted, incentive based. The state and localities have their own programs, or the ability to create them. Targeted programs that incentivize job growth and capital creation are the biggest levers we can pull.”

The afternoon’s final panel centered on Tampa Bay’s financial success. “Financial Future: What an evolving wealth landscape looks like for Tampa’s investors and businesses,” was introduced by Older, Lundy, Koch & Marino’s Managing Partner Michael Lundy, who detailed how Tampa’s explosive growth fuelled the diversification of his own firm as well as the benefits of being in such a strong market.

The panel, moderated by TCM Bank’s CEO Damon Moorer, featured a discussion on growing venture capital for startups and new businesses, as well as SBA lending’s role in providing further resources for small businesses. Panelists included: Joel Stevens, senior managing director at Bernstein Private Wealth Management; Brooke Miranda, president of Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation; and John McDonald, senior managing director at Hyde Park Capital. The business-friendly climate and Tampa’s evolution into a thriving business center were discussed. The panelists particularly agreed that the future of attracting early stage and venture capital to the region was particularly bright.

“The sea change is happening,” agreed Stevens, remarking how Florida would evolve from the Sunshine State to the Startup State as a number of investors and businesses begin opening Florida chapters. “These are all organizations that are succeeding. They’re thriving and growing. They’re becoming some of the strongest chapters in the country, all with the idea of providing this platform of capital,” said Stevens.

The closing address was provided by Invest: Tampa Bay Executive Director Shain Collins who thanked the business community. “After two years of meeting and working with the leaders of this region, it makes me that much more proud to help tell the story of what makes Tampa Bay so special… I can’t wait to get started on the fifth edition of Invest: Tampa Bay!” said Collins.

Capital Analytics recorded approximately 300 attendees at the event.

For more information, visit: https://capitalanalyticsassociates.com/

To watch the Invest: Tampa Bay Conference in full, please visit our Youtube Channel.

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About Capital Analytics & Invest: Tampa Bay 2022

Capital Analytics is an independent and integrated media platform that produces in-depth business intelligence through its annual print and digital economic reviews, high-impact conferences and events and top-level interviews via its video platform, Invest:Insights.

Invest: Tampa Bay 2022 is a deep analysis of the economic trends and leaders that are shaping the future of Tampa Bay’s economy. Featuring over 200 exclusive insights of local leaders and thinkers, Invest: provides unbiased investment research for readers. All the Invest: reports seek to provide comprehensive investment knowledge to local, national and international investors, and to promote our markets as places to do business.

Every report dissects each industry that composes the economic puzzle of market economies. The Invest: series covers professional services, real estate, construction, infrastructure, banking and finance, legal, healthcare, education and tourism. Invest: provides its readers with a trustworthy source of information regarding every major trend and development in the economy of the markets it covers.

For more information, contact:

Max Crampton-Thomas
Regional Editor
Capital Analytics
305-523-9708 Ext: 233
mcthomas@capitalaa.com

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