November 4, 2019 - Tampa Downtown Partnership

Florida to host the International Downtown Association’s Annual Conference & Tradeshow for the first time in nearly three decades The Tampa Downtown Partnership announced on October 30th that it will host the International Downtown Association’s (IDA) 2020 Annual Conference & Tradeshow. The three-day event is expected to attract nearly 1,000 business leaders, urban planners, and elected officials from around the world.

“We are thrilled and honored to host this international event,” said Tampa Downtown Partnership CEO Lynda Remund. “This will be a tremendous opportunity to showcase the transformational projects currently underway in our downtown core like Water Street Tampa and the growth in Tampa Heights, while also highlighting projects like the Tampa Riverwalk and Curtis Hixon Park that have helped create a live, work, play environment in Downtown Tampa.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to have the International Downtown Association’s annual conference here in Tampa,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “Tampa’s a world class city with a booming urban core and we look forward to hosting downtown associations from around the globe. Whether you’re riding the Pirate Water Taxi, cruising the Riverwalk, enjoying our incredibly diverse cuisine, or watching a show at Tampa theater there is truly something for everyone.”

The conference is billed as an opportunity for inspired leaders shaping cities from around the globe to convene and discuss emerging trends in urban place management and walk away with solutions to apply in their respective cities.

“With a beautiful waterfront and the state’s most diverse and exciting activities to experience, Tampa’s downtown is a magnet for millions of visitors every year and a showcase of the best the hip, urban heart of Florida’s west coast has to offer. We are proud to share the treasure found in our downtown every day with travelers from across the country and around the world. We’re thrilled that the members of IDA will be able to discover it for themselves.”

“IDA members are always excited to gather, share trends, inspiration and innovative solutions to emerging challenges facing their downtowns and commercial neighborhoods,” said David Downey, President and CEO of IDA. “We are honored to co-host IDA’s 66th Annual Conference & Tradeshow with the Tampa Downtown Partnership where attendees from cities all over the world will explore exceptional projects throughout downtown Tampa’s district while being inspired by today’s top urban thinkers.”

The 66t^h Annual IDA Conference & Tradeshow will take place October 14-16, 2020.

About Tampa Downtown Partnership:

Tampa Downtown Partnership fosters Tampa’s vibrant and diverse multi-use downtown neighborhoods and plays a key role in creating a 24-hour urban center where people can learn, live, work and play. Programs such as our Clean and Safe team and our placemaking and transportation initiatives make accessing and navigating downtown an easy and enjoyable experience.

As a membership organization, we are driven to serve the downtown business community and are empowered by what each member brings to our organization. Together, we strive to improve the collective downtown community, to be an active conduit of information and resources, to promote a shared vision for Tampa’s Downtown, and create and implement the plans that support that vision. For more information, visit: TampasDowntown.com.

About IDA: The International Downtown Association is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. Our members are downtown champions who bring urban centers to life, bridging the gap between the public and private sectors. We represent an industry of more than 2,500 place management organizations, employing 100,000 people throughout North America and growing rapidly around the world. Founded in 1954, IDA is a resource center for ideas and innovative best practices in urban place management. For more information, visit: downtown.org.

Tampa is one of the hottest cities for millennial entrepreneurs, but there’s a key step to take next: Recruit Gen Z to boost the momentum.

These are the 20-something college juniors and seniors who saw the first iPhones as toddlers and don’t know a world without the Internet or social media. With Gen Z already responsible for $143 billion in spending, their insights and fast-paced skills will become invaluable to businesses.

Tampa Bay’s startup scene is now a $450 million industry, as more entrepreneurs and millennials move here for the good weather, affordability and culture. By 2027, Tampa Bay Lightning owner and investor Jeff Vinik estimates over 30,000 people will live downtown, tripling the current population.

As a millennial entrepreneur myself, this new energy drew me back to Tampa after college. But to keep this growth going, we must diminish the talent gap. The competition is stiff. The Tampa Bay metro area placed 13 out of 20 peer cities in attracting 25- to 34-year-olds, according to the latest regional competitiveness report from the Tampa Bay Partnership. Here are five ways our business community can step up to attract new talent.

1. Spread the good news. We must create a stronger marketing brand for the Tampa Bay region, so college students hear about exciting things happening. Organizations like the Tampa Downtown Partnership are playing a key role with their Instagram, showcasing vibrant events and experiences downtown. Tampa entrepreneurs must also promote their business culture online, as 40 percent of Generation Z checks YouTube and 37 percent Instagram to research companies.

2. Use millennials to recruit Gen Z. But s tudies show the top way Gen Z finds jobs is asking someone they already know who works at the company. Tampa’s startups must use millennial employees to mentor recruits. Make them aware of job openings and consider an employee referral program as an incentive.

3. Boost partnerships with universities. Nashville’s startup success is tied to Vanderbilt University’s Accelerator that connects students to local companies. With the University of South Florida and University of Tampa, partnership opportunities are endless. One example is ReliaQuest, which committed $1 million to USF to train students in cybersecurity – one of Tampa’s fastest growing markets.

4. Grow the Job Market. Tampa has an impressive collection of incubators and resources for entrepreneurs, including Tampa Bay Wave, Embarc Collective, Urban Tech, and Synapse to name a few. These programs will have an immense impact on creating jobs for Gen Z over the next decade.

5. Keep innovating. Companies that seek out new technologies to streamline workplace demands will stand out. According to Forbes, college grads are turned off by antiquated process in task management and reporting. Gen Z is set to become the most educated generation. In 2017, 59 percent of them enrolled in college, compared to 53 percent of Millennials and 44 percent of Gen Xers.

As business leaders, we must show Gen Z the opportunities in Tampa’s under-saturated market. It’s big enough, yet small enough, where they can actually make a difference.

Aakash Patel is president and founder of Elevate, Inc. and chair of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County.

“5 ways to attract Gen Z to Tampa” –Tampa Bay Times (subscription required)

The Cross Bay Ferry is cruising in Tampa Bay waters once again and officials are hoping the service will be expanded.

Operated by HMS Ferries, the Tampa-St. Petersburg ferry has been touted as a transit option to help alleviate the congested roadways that link the two metros.

The new season will run from Nov. 1 through April 30, 2020 for the public.

Local officials and media boarded the vessel on Wednesday for a sneak preview.

“I often joke we are so far behind in transportation that we think we are first, but transportation is not a joke around here. We have got to look at all forms and all modes of transportation,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said along the Riverwalk at the Tampa Convention Center, which is serving as the Tampa terminus this season.

“The ridership [for the ferry] has increased every single year. The favorability is off the charts and it connects our communities together … and not only have this seasonal service once again for the third time but to expand that also as a form and mode for everyday transportation,” Castor said.

The North Yacht Basin just north of the Museum of Fine Arts is the St. Pete terminus for the third season.

“What an opportunity this is to take advantage of a resource that has been ignored for far too long and that is our waterway,” St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman said, stating how it’s a way to commute without having to get behind a wheel. He added he wants to see a permanent ferry service.

There will be more weekend service this season. Fridays and Saturdays will have a four-stack departure from each destination. Sunday service will start earlier at 11 a.m. with three departures from each direction. The trip is roughly 50 minutes.

The ferry will also run for every Tampa Bay Lightning game, including Mondays and Tuesdays, and will depart 30 minutes after the game so riders will have enough time to catch the ferry.

There will be additional service on New Year’s Day.

Prices remain the same as last season’s: $8 per adult; $5 for seniors, military and college students; $3 for youth; and free for children under 4 years old.

During the trip from Tampa to St. Pete, Tampa attorney Ed Turanchik, who represents HMS Ferries, pointed out the Mosaic site and MacDill Air Force Base to riders; he is working to connect southern Hillsborough County to MacDill as well as St. Pete and Tampa.

On Wednesday night, officials and media members will board the ferry and travel the proposed routes for permanent South County passenger ferry service. Passengers will leave Tampa Convention Center at 6 p.m. and run to South County to check out the proposed ferry terminal location at Mosaic’s Big Bend location and then will make a simulated run over to MacDill Air Force Base.

“Tampa, St. Pete officials tout Cross Bay Ferry as new season kicks off” –Tampa Bay Business Journal

John Howey, FAIA

January 13, 1932 – October 26, 2019

John R Howey (87) distinguished Tampa Bay architect passed away October 26, 2019. A highly regarded architect with designs that include Tampa City Hall Plaza, Village Presbyterian Church Carrollwood, the former Louis Pappas Riverside Restaurant Tarpon Springs, Williers Residence, Bay Park Place and Bay Villa townhomes. Howey’s architectural innovations include the St. Petersburg Bus Shelter design with Carl Abbott, FAIA, which received a patent in 1980. His work extends beyond Florida to Georgia, North Carolina, and international competitions where his firm planned, built or remodeled buildings with a focus on design to complement the environment.

Mr. Howey was born in New Haven, CT at Yale University Hospital where his father Joseph taught physics, then raised in Atlanta where his father served as chair of the Georgia Tech Physics Department. Howey became an Eagle Scout and following high school graduation in 1950, attended Wooster College, in Ohio for two years, and then transferred to Georgia Tech where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and received his Bachelor of Science (1956), and Bachelor of Architecture (1957) degrees. Following graduation, he served honorably with the US Army of Corps of Engineers, then worked for several architectural firms in San Francisco, New Orleans, and Atlanta. In 1963 he settled in the Tampa Bay area to establish his practice and in 1973, his firm became John Howey Associates located in a historic 1898 brick building that he renovated at 101 South Franklin Street.

Recognized nationally, John was a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), recipient of AIA Florida’s Award of Honor for Design Excellence, and recipient of AIA Tampa Bay’s Medal for Architectural Excellence. He was a long-term member of the AIA National Committee of Design, served on local and regional AIA committees, and was active in helping to organize annual state design competitions. John was active in his community serving on the initial University of South Florida development committee for its school of architecture; Tampa Museum patron; Exchange Club member; Sertoma Life member; past board member, Downtown Tampa YMCA, and served as a member on several City of Tampa boards. John was also a founding member of the Sarasota Architectural Foundation.

John is the author of The Sarasota School of Architecture, 1941-1966 (1997) and co-author of Florida Architecture: A Celebration (2000). He was selected by Images Publishing of Australia for John Howey Associates (Master Architect Series VII) (2006) a book covering his career. Numerous other published works on his architectural designs include the book, A Pocketful Of Houses (2006) featuring his Williers house that is showcased with 30 internationally known homes.

John is survived by his wife of 51 years, Maria; sons, Andrew McDermott of Reston, VA, John McDermott (Karen) of Rockwall, TX; daughter, Dorothy Howey Bardin (Matt) of Tampa; grandchildren, Richard and Benjamin McDermott, Natalie and Charles Bardin, James Bishop (Christine) of Orlando. The family are longtime members of St. John’s Episcopal Church in South Tampa where Funeral services will be held on 11 November 2019, at 11:30 am with reception immediately following in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of John Howey made to the Downtown branch of the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA or the Sarasota Architectural Foundation.