May 2006

Get Ready to Launch Your New Creative Enterprise, May 3-4 at the EpiCenter.  In order to succeed, you’ll need much more than a great product or service – you’ll need to master solid business fundamentals.  The 2006 Creative Business Boot Camp, presented by the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, will provide an intensive two-day program designed to provide you with the skills, resources and support network you’ll need to thrive.  Meals and course materials will be provided.  To register, please contact Jeanne Creech at (727) 461-0011, or email jcreech@clearwaterflorida.org.

Pinellas by Design Named Winner of 2005 Charles A. McIntosh, Jr. Award of Distinction.  Pinellas by Design: An Economic Development and Redevelopment Plan for the Pinellas Community was honored with this most prestigious award at the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s Annual Future of the Region Awards competition.  The Award of Distinction recognizes outstanding achievement in the community.  Past award winners include Rebuilding Community: Tampa Heights (2004); North Greenwood Transformation, Clearwater, FL (2003); and the Pinellas STAR Center (2000).  Visit www.PinellasByDesign.org to learn more about redevelopment in Pinellas County.

Get Rid of That Stuff.  Pinellas County’s next Quarterly EnviroBusiness Hazardous Waste Collection Day is on Wednesday, May 10, from 9:00am to 4:00pm, at the Household Electronics & Chemical Collection Center, 2990 110th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. To drop off chemicals, businesses must qualify as small waste generators (producing less than 25 gallons, or 220 pounds, of chemical waste per month).  Any business may drop off hazardous electronics.  Businesses pay the contractors directly, at the County’s reduced contract prices.  For many electronic items, the price is either “no charge” or “minimal charge”.  For more information, call (727) 464-7500 or click here.

Intellectual Property Law, at the Pinellas Business Development Center.  On Tuesday, May 9, Brent Britton, P.A. will lead a lively discussion about the best ways to legally protect your good name, creative ideas, innovative products, and hard work through patents, copyrights and trademarks.  The free seminar will run from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at the EpiCenter in Clearwater.  Call (727) 453-7200 to register, or email businesshelp@pced.org.

Marketing Your Total Package to Recruit the Best and Brightest, Presented by WorkNet Pinellas. WorkNet invites you to this free seminar on Thursday, May 18, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, at the EpiCenter, 13805 58th St. N., Clearwater.  The discussion will help you discover features your business can offer to set you apart in the competition for great talent.  Learn how to market your total package and expand your opportunities to recruit the best and brightest.  Seating is limited; to secure your reservation, contact Kristin Dailey at kdailey@worknetpinellas.org, or call (727) 507-4300, extension 3004.

3rd Annual Florida Tech Transfer Conference, May 22-23 in Sarasota.  The Florida Tech Transfer Conference is the premier event for the exhibition of the state’s top research university technologies available for commercialization and licensing.  Join hundreds of industry executives, university tech transfer specialists, researchers, and related professionals at this informative event.  Explore significant business opportunities in these fields: pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceutical; engineering and materials sciences; medical devices and other biotechnologies; and information and communication technologies.  Register online at www.flatechtransfer.org.

May 2006 Pinellas County Success Story

Alps South – Improving Lives in Pinellas.  Alps South Corporation, based in the Lealman community of Pinellas County, is a growing medical device company manufacturing prosthetic liners that allow users greater comfort and increased durability.  “Alps’ intense efforts in research and development have lead to 44 new patented products.  The launch of these new products poised us for enormous growth and we needed to expand our existing manufacturing space to manage this increase in demand,” shares Diane Plomatos, Project Manager.  In 2005, Alps successfully competed for and purchased a site adjacent to its current location in Lealman.  This parcel, owned by Pinellas County, was offered to expanding companies through a competitive process focused on bringing not only a return on investment to the County, but creating jobs for Pinellas citizens.  In total, the company campus now sits on over 6 acres of land and with the expansion, Alps will retain 72 current jobs and add 100 new positions over the next five years.

Click here to read more of this success story.

Visit www.easyliner.com to learn more about Alps South and its product line.