October 2006
2006 TBTF Entrepreneur Boot Camp, October 23-24.  Ready to launch your new company?  Take two days to learn valuable tips designed to ensure your business’ success from local experts in sales, finance, law, marketing, and management.  Whether you’re starting a business, seeking help navigating the international marketplace, or preparing to raise capital, this intensive workshop, presented by the Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF), will give you the tools you need to succeed.  The workshop will take place at the University of South Florida Research Park, 3802 Spectrum Blvd., Tampa, 33612.  Click here to register.

WorkNet Pinellas Presents Recruiting and the Internet, October 24. Has your recruiting strategy stayed up-to-date?  Join Angela Rosario from Jobing to explore and understand the behavior of today’s job seekers and the impact the Internet has on recruitment.  This free seminar will take place from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the EpiCenter, located at 13805 58 Street N., Clearwater.  To register, contact Kristin Dailey at kdailey@worknetpinellas.org, or call (727)507-4300 ext. 3004.

Sun Coast Industry Expo IV, November 8.  The Sun Coast Industry Expo brings together Florida’s manufacturers and regional suppliers for new business opportunities.  Specifically geared to Florida’s manufacturing community, the Expo can help you build your supply chain and create a stronger manufacturing base in Florida.  The Expo will be housed at the Sarasota Bradenton International Convention Center.  Registration includes a 10’x10’ booth, an exhibitors’ brunch, complimentary guest passes, an Expo directory, and an exhibitors’ reception.  For more information, contact: Ronnie Meurs at (941) 309-1200, ext. 203, rmeurs@edsarasotacounty.com; or Lauren Kratsch at (941)748-4842, ext. 134, LaurenK@ManateeEDC.com.

MEDICA 2006, November 15-18 in Düsseldorf, Germany.  Enterprise Florida has secured space for a Florida Pavilion at MEDICA, the world’s largest medical trade show.  Booths in the pavilion will be offered to Florida companies.  MEDICA 2005 featured 4,190 exhibitors and 137,000 visitors from nearly 100 countries.  Suggested exhibits include: electromedical equipment; rescue and emergency equipment; disposables; medical devices; physiotherapy, orthopedics and rehabilitation technology; pharmaceuticals; information systems; diagnostics or equipment and furniture; hospital supplies and textiles; and emergency medicine.  Contact Micheal Schiffhauer at (407)316-4730 or email mschiffhauer@eflorida.com for more information.

Girl Scouts and Pinellas County’s Brownfields Program – A Winning Team.  Pinellas County, in collaboration with the Suncoast Council of Girl Scouts, has developed a Brownfield Spotter Patch program for all age levels of Girl Scouts.  Each scout level will participate in age-appropriate activities designed to facilitate Brownfield identification, explore land-use related careers, and encourage active participation in public meetings and community interaction to promote environmental improvement through recycling Brownfields.  To learn more about Girl Scouting, visit www.girlscoutsofsuncoastcouncil.org.  Click here to learn more about the Pinellas County Brownfields Program.

Join Enterprise Florida’s Export Sales Mission to Honduras and El Salvador, November 12-16.  Honduras and El Salvador were among the first nations in Central America to implement the DR-CAFTA trade agreement, and they are both among Florida’s top 25 Merchandise Trading Partners.  Joining this mission will provide you with a cost-effective way to identify and initiate business relationships with buyers in each of these countries.  The $1,395 fee includes: transportation and logistics assistance; two and a half days of personalized, one-on-one business appointments; country briefings; and two ambassadorial cocktail receptions.  For more information, contact Kathleen Good at (727)464-7332 or email kgood@pinellascounty.org.

October 2006 Pinellas County Success Story

Pinellas County: An Easy Decision for Tower Cloud, Inc.  Tower Cloud, Inc., a leader in wireless access infrastructure solutions, has chosen St. Petersburg, Florida for an expansion that will create fifty new jobs with wages paying 200 percent of the state’s average wage.  Governor Jeb Bush applauded the company, saying, “The expansion of Tower Cloud in St. Petersburg is a victory for Pinellas County and Florida’s vital information technology community.”  The Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development worked with Enterprise Florida (EFI), Pinellas County Economic Development, and the City of St. Petersburg to assist Tower Cloud, competing with California and Illinois for the company’s expansion.  “With a diverse workforce skilled in technology services, Florida is the ideal location for our growing business,” said Tower Cloud CEO Ron Mudry. “The state’s pro-business environment and excellent teamwork between local and state economic developers made this an easy decision.” 

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