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4 weeks ago | 
tbbwmag.com | Jo-Lynn Brown |David Krakow
Visit St. Pete-Clearwater has partnered with PTG Consulting to expand its tourism marketing efforts in Mexico. The partnership is aimed at increasing Mexican tourism to the region and adds to Visit St. Pete-Clearwater’s existing international representation in the U.K., Ireland, Scandinavia, Brazil, Germany and Central Europe. PTG Consulting, a travel and hospitality marketing agency with more than 50 years of experience, will lead outreach efforts in Mexico.
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4 weeks ago | 
tbbwmag.com | Jo-Lynn Brown |David Krakow |Megan Kostner |Michael Connor
The Pinellas County Commission has adopted a new ordinance aimed at increasing oversight and accountability for short-term rental properties in unincorporated areas of the county. The ordinance establishes a certification process for rental owners, sets safety and occupancy requirements and outlines rules on parking, noise and inspections. The goal is to preserve quality of life in residential neighborhoods, while supporting responsible short-term rentals.
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1 month ago | 
tbbwmag.com | Jo-Lynn Brown |David Krakow
Pinellas County is seeking public input on how to allocate an $813 million federal grant, aimed at long-term recovery efforts from recent hurricanes. This funding, awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will assist communities impacted by Hurricane Idalia, in 2023, and Hurricanes Helene and Milton, in 2024.
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2 months ago | 
tbbwmag.com | David Krakow |Jo-Lynn Brown
St. Petersburg flood insurance provider Neptune Flood is already one of the nation’s largest, with around 227,000 customers. But if threatened cuts to the country’s top program come to fruition, that number could rise, along with the region’s heightened hurricane risks. This week, staffers at the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced hundreds of job cuts, continuing a reduction of the federal workforce, since President Donald Trump took office a month ago.
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2 months ago | 
tbbwmag.com | David Krakow |Bridgette Bello |Jo-Lynn Brown |J.C. Barrott
Gerene Keesler’s parents were told she would not live past the age of two. She grew up having seizures and her parents were told it meant there was a 98 percent chance she had epilepsy. But, for most of her childhood, she was shepherded along the standard path. “They could not handle having a differently wired kid,” says Keesler. She did her K-12 education and was taken off anti-seizure medications when she was around 12.
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Jan 15, 2025 | 
tbbwmag.com | Jo-Lynn Brown |David Krakow
The Tampa Bay area is poised for significant economic developments in 2025, with key industries like technology, real estate and tourism leading the charge. As the region continues to attract investments and talent, these sectors are set to shape the local economy in unique ways. Tampa Bay’s technology sector is on a robust growth trajectory, with significant developments anticipated in 2025.
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Jan 9, 2025 | 
tbbwmag.com | Jo-Lynn Brown |David Krakow |Megan Kostner |Valerie Ellis
Hillsborough County’s tourism and hospitality industry surpassed $1 billion in hotel taxable revenue, in 2024, marking the third consecutive year the county has reached this milestone, according to Visit Tampa Bay. Through November, the county recorded $1,052,883,894 in hotel taxable revenue, fueled by record-breaking performance during the fall.
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Dec 10, 2024 | 
tbbwmag.com | Jo-Lynn Brown |David Krakow
AIC Architecture has named Andrew Matson as its new president, as part of a leadership transition marking the firm’s 35th anniversary. Matson succeeds Mike Puckett, who will remain a senior partner until 2027. Matson, who joined AIC Architecture in 2004, after earning a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Florida, has been a partner since 2013. He has served as an architect of record, focusing on production and quality control while fostering client relationships.
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Dec 6, 2024 | 
tbbwmag.com | Jo-Lynn Brown |David Krakow
TICE Florida, which operates Popeyes restaurants across Florida including locations in Tampa, Clearwater and Largo, has named Thomas Stager its chief executive officer. Under Stager’s leadership, TICE Florida has begun converting 80% of its locations to easy-to-run kitchens, designed to streamline employee workflows, increase order accuracy and enhance speed of service, according to a statement.
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Dec 4, 2024 | 
tbbwmag.com | Jo-Lynn Brown |David Krakow
The South Tampa Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration on Dec. 11, 2024, at the Centre Club, in Tampa, presented by Tampa General Hospital. The theme of the annual meeting, “Making Waves for 99 Years,” celebrates the Chamber’s role in fostering economic growth, and collaboration, since its founding. Attendees will witness a ceremonial passing of the gavel as 2024 Board Chair Tara Moody hands leadership to Tanya Cielo, the incoming board chair for 2025.
