Join us at our member luncheon on October 17 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay.  This is a terrific opportunity for members of the local business community to learn more about the Governor's plans to improve the business climate in Florida.  We are expecting a heavy turnout for this event, so please make your reservation early. 

 
Time:  11:30 a.m. - Registration;  Noon to 1:15 p.m. - Luncheon
Cost:  $35 for members; $55 for non-members.
Register at our website by 5 p.m. on October 12
 

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Inaugural Shutts & Bowen Taste of Westshore!

Sunday, October 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. 

Hills. Community College - Dale Mabry Campus.  

Enjoy an afternoon of unlimited tastings from many of Westshore's best restaurants, beer & wine tastings (for those 21 & over!), plus an art display and entertainment.

Get ticket & event information at www.tasteofwestshore.com  

Advance Tickets:  $25 to $50; FREE for children under age 10.  You save $10 by buying in advance!  Group discounts also available!

Florida Orthopaedic Institute has leased a former Borders bookstore location at 909 N. North Dale Mabry Highway, with plans to convert it into a clinic that is scheduled to open in January, 2012.  The 27,500 sf facility will include x-ray, MRI, clinical offices and facilities for physical and occupational therapy.

In a recent study of 40 office markets across North America, Jones Lang LaSalle revealed the most expensive streets* for office space and Boy Scout Blvd. ranked 29th on the list.  (See the full list here).   As further testament to the desirability of the location, two developers have filed rezoning petitions with the City of Tampa for sites along Boy Scout Blvd.  Both are scheduled to be heard on November 10:

• MCRT Investments has proposed a plan for a 300 unit apartment complex on a 3.3 acre site on Boy Scout/Spruce Street, between Trask and Hesperides.  
• Saber Real Estate Advisors has proposed a plan for 40,000 square feet of retail space at the southwest corner of Boy Scout Blvd and West Shore Blvd.  Plans call for three buildings on the site:  a 24,500-square-foot building for The Container Store, and buildings potentially for a bank and another store.  

The City of Tampa's Land Development department produces a monthly newsletter that lists upcoming public hearings for rezonings, wet-zonings, variance requests and more.  You can access the latest newsletter here. 

Football season is in high gear at Raymond James Stadium.  Do you have your tickets yet?  The Buccaneers will take on the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football on October 3 and host division rival New Orleans Saints on October 16.   USF will celebrate homecoming with a game vs. Cincinnati on October 22.  Get ticket and complete schedule information for the Buccaneers at www.buccaneers.com and for USF at www.gousfbulls.com. 

Outback Bowl officials recently announced that the organization will eclipse the $100 million milestone in contributions to higher education over its history with the upcoming 2012 game.  The Bowl will provide a combined $7 million to the twenty-four universities in the Southeastern and Big Ten Conferences this year. The 2012 Outback Bowl will kick-off at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 2.  Priority membership seats are available through the Bowl office at 813-874-BOWL or www.outbackbowl.com.  Individual game tickets are on sale at www.ticketmaster.com. 

Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance offers employers: On-the-Job Training Initiatives, Employed Worker Training Grants, Business Association Paid Referrals, Access to Thousands of Resumes, and Free Recruiting Services - at no cost to the employer! For more information, e-mail employerinfo@workforcetampa.com, call 813-930-7850, or visit www.workforcetampa.com.

Panera is Going Pink on Friday, October 7th!  Join them for the festivities as they kick off their campaign to help raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center!  A portion of every Pink Ribbon Bagel sold throughout the month of October will be donated. Place your pre-orders now.  Find the nearest Tampa area Panera Bakery-Cafe here.   

Dr. Louis Probst, one of the most experienced surgeons in the world specializing in Bladeless, All-Laser LASIK has joined TLC Laser Eye Centers -Tampa. To schedule a free consultation, call 813-639-9747 or e-mail susan.santangelo@tlcvision.com.  Alliance members receive 10% savings and 24 months interest free payments offered. 

Alliance Executive Committee member Enrique Woodroffe of Woodroffe Corporation Architects, was recently recognized as the Hispanic Man of the year by Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc.  Congratulations Enrique!

Creative Sign Designs was recently recognized on the 2011 Inc. 500|5000 list as one of America's fastest-growing private companies.  The company was also named the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce small business of the year for companies with 51 to 250 employees.  Congratulations!

WestShore Plaza will award $12,000 to local schools this fall through its Earning for Learning reward program. Through October 16, shoppers will be able to show their receipts at Guest Services to enter the school of their choice in a $2,000 drawing. The drawing will award six winning schools. Each receipt counts for one entry into the drawing. For more information, visit www.westshoreplaza.com and click on "Earning for Learning."
 

Enter your corporate team today for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Westshore to be held at Jefferson High School on April 20, 2012. Relay For Life is a life-changing event that helps communities across the globe celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. For more info visit www.relayforlife.org or call Bill Obregon at 813-273-8427.