Stakeholders from the public and private sector commit to unprecedented cooperation to unleash the area’s potential
TAMPA – The Tampa Innovation Partnership (!p) hosts the 5th Annual Innovation Gathering on October 17th. This year’s theme, Uptown United, celebrates an unprecedented commitment on the part of the public, private, and non-profit sectors to work together toward formulating a development plan for the area built on a common set of guiding principles.
USF President Steven Currall, author of “Organised Innovation: A Blueprint for Renewing America’s Prosperity”, will deliver the keynote address and is expected to be joined in the program by Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Lesley Miller, Jr.
The event will also serve to introduce the Community Enrichment Lab (CEL). This organization is focused on solving the most difficult challenges in the district by harnessing the talents and resources of the area. The directors of the CEL will announce the vision of the entity as well as initiatives that are either underway or will be launched shortly.
The Innovation Gathering will culminate with the presentation of the 2019 Community Impact Awards in partnership with the University Area CDC.
Doors open at 5:15 p.m. at the Sam & Martha Gibbons Alumni Center on the main campus of the University of South Florida. The first hour will feature the Taste of Uptown, a sampling from some of the hottest restaurants in Uptown, and an Innovation Showcase featuring the latest research, technology and bright ideas from some of the area’s research institutions, start-ups, and businesses from a diverse set of industries.
The Taste of Uptown will include Chicken Salad Chick, Fuzzy’s Tacos, Jerk Hut, Quickly Boba Cafe USF, Unique Dining, World of Beer, and Yummi Foods. The Innovation Showcase will include AMRoC Fab Lab, Entangle Media, James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, MOSI, Nilogen Oncosystems, St. Pete Tampa Aerial Transit, TechHire, Verapy, Twisted Logix, WellBuilt Bikes, and the West Wing Boutique Hotel. Meanwhile, stilt-walkers from Busch Gardens and a band from CANDO (Caribbean Americal National Development Organization) will entertain guests.
Tickets to the Innovation Gathering may be purchased through Event Brite or by emailing Bonnie@TampaInnovation.com.
Tampa !p is a partnership dedicated to innovation in Uptown Tampa. The organization has more than 230 members including anchor institutions: University of South Florida, AdventHealth, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Busch Gardens, James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, and RD Management, LLC, owner of University Mall. Tampa !p prioritizes business development, job creation, transportation, community engagement, and place-making.
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