June 2006
Export Financing Solutions.  An executive briefing will be presented by the Export Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) and BB&T on June 7, from 8:30am to 11:45am at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, 12600 Roosevelt Blvd. in St. Petersburg.  Registration begins at 8:00am.  This free event will cover topics such as pre- and post-export financing, and short- and long-term financing solutions to help you expand export sales using proven export financing tools.  To register, please contact Joe Davila at (727) 791-2249 ext. 5545 or email joe.davila@bbandt.com.

TBTF Business Briefing, June 8, 5:30pm – 7:30pm at TECO Plaza, Tampa.  The Tampa Bay Technology Forum presents A Case for Convergence: Get Ready for IP Communications, with speaker Wayne Ianurio, Relational Technologies Product Manager and Director, Converged Technologies Division.  The briefing will begin with a review of the drivers, enablers and risks associated with making the move to IP communications.  Wayne will then discuss topics including the applications and how they work; the return on investment; and best practices.  Learn more and register for this event by clicking here.

Maddux Business Report Presents Insights From 30,000 Feet, June 14.  Listen to a premier panel of Tampa Bay entrepreneurs talk about their ascent to the top and share their insights to assist your climb.  Panelists include: January Dennison, CEO, Technology Research Consultants; Dr. Carl M. Kuttler, Jr., President, St. Petersburg College; and Kurt Long, CEO, EpicTide.  Located at the Renaissance Tampa Hotel at International Plaza, the lunch event runs from 12:00pm to 1:15pm, with registration and networking beginning at 11:30am.  Tickets are $40 each.  Click here to register, or call (727) 823-4394, extension 308.

Selling to the UK National Health Service Market.  On June 15, the Florida Medical Manufacturers Consortium will hold an executive briefing titled Selling to the British National Health Service with speakers Marilyn Steane and Robbie Muirhead of MIDAS Manchester’s Investment Agency.  The presentation will help with understanding this key European market and will provide an opportunity for confidential follow-up discussions.  Advance registration is required by June 12 and the event will be held at the EpiCenter in Largo from 8:00am to 9:30am.  For more information and registration, call (727) 464-8123 or email Rcaruso@pinellascounty.org.

The Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTC) Thinks the Department of Defense Should Be Giving You Big Contracts.  The FHTC is building a network of manufacturers to team on military procurement projects and is sponsoring a series of roundtables to help manufacturing companies find, prepare and team up for procurement opportunities.  The free roundtables will be held in conjunction with the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Advanced Planning Briefing to Industry (APBI) conference as follows:
    • June 20: Small Business Roundtable.  Content will include federal 
      certification, site clearance, teaming agreements, matching grants, and
      Supply Point (a free federal solicitation matching system).
    • June 22: Partnering Roundtable.  Content will include success stories
      and facilitated partnership building between subcontractors, primes,
      mentors and technology providers.
Both events will be held at the Tampa Marriott Waterside, beginning at 3:00pm, ending at 6:00pm.  RSVP’s are required and can be sent via email to info@defenseconnection.org.  Visit www.sofapbi.org for more information on the APBI events.

Focus on Ability Job Fair, June 21, 8:30am – 2:00pm, WorkNet Pinellas, 4140 49th St. N., St. Petersburg.  This free seminar and job fair will identify the advantages of, and how to eliminate specific employment barriers to, hiring individuals with disabilities.  Space is limited; to secure your reservation, contact Paula Boenig at pboenig@worknetpinellas.org, or call (727) 791-5807.

June 2006 Pinellas County Success Story
OneSimpleLoan® Finds One Simple Solution in Pinellas County.  OneSimpleLoan® (OSL), a nationwide student loan solutions company, plans to expand its corporate headquarters in Oldsmar, Florida, adding 52 new jobs paying above the average wage and retaining more than 30 existing positions.   Key to OSL’s business expansion plans was Florida’s Qualified Target Industry (QTI) incentive, a tax refund program through the State of Florida, Pinellas County, and its local municipalities.  “Pinellas County Economic Development’s (PCED) staff worked closely with us to ensure we understood all of the business incentives available to eligible companies creating new jobs.  The assistance we received from PCED was a motivator for OSL to grow and expand in Florida,” explains Paul Simino, founder and president of OneSimpleLoan.

Click here to read more of this story.

For more information on OneSimpleLoan®, visit their website at www.onesimpleloan.com, or call them directly at (877) 663-7467.