Ybor at Tipping Point?

I was talking to the CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) of our newest high-tech start-up at last night's St. Pat's PM Event.  I was rattling-on about all the great things happening in Ybor City and he said - maybe we're nearing a tipping point.

Hum?  (Cut-away to Tom stroking his beard thoughtfully and reflecting) Let's see what's happened recently? 

·        The Chamber landed its first "Presenting Sponsor" for a major street event with BB&T Bank (thank you David).

·        Our Fiesta Day Committee put together our first "juried art show" Arte de Ybor (thanks to our champion Ken).

·        Our 64^th Fiesta Day brought in 15,000 guests - half from out of the county (hope our TDC Commissioners are reading this).

·        Hosted a first class Mayor's Forum at our March Membership Luncheon (thanks to both candidates for participating).

·        Had a fantastic opportunity to pitch the District at a broker's reception hosted by Centro Ybor.

·        Met with Bob owner of Reality Edit, the 3^rd Digital Production Company to make Ybor home (check - "Media Cluster" growing nicely).

·        The St. Patrick's Day Parade was great fun (not only did I get to ride in it as Alcalde, but I also got to watch it from the De La Grana, Boardman, Bessone balcony (Frank makes an awesome seafood paella).

·        A world-wide organization invested 13 million dollars in one of our most treasured Historic Buildings (congrats on the opening of the Tampa Church, Ana).

·        Membership signed our first top-tier member for the 2011-2012 program year - GTE Federal Credit Union (thank you John).

·        Our newest high-tech start-up just finished their debt financing and is well on their way to achieving their equity financing goals (way to go, Tim & Company).

·        Top Tampa PR Firm, Tucker/Hall, chose the Chamber's Ybor Aficionado Days as the perfect match for their client GM (thank you Emily).

Whether you have read the book The Tipping Point or not, I was indeed at a tipping point - I tipped my glass for another sip of "green beer."  (Cut back to a two-shot, two guys intensely engaged in conversation at a cocktail party - fade to black).  - Tom Keating

Mayoral Candidates Spoke  

at March 8th Luncheon 

 Chamber Happenings

April 9 & 10- The 5th Annual Ybor Aficionado Days, Sat. & Sun.- Mark your calendars now for the 5th Annual Ybor Aficionado Days.  This celebration of the first manufactured cigar in Ybor City will feature a Tapas Trail of Ybor's finest restaurants with an After Party/ Smoker at the Italian Club on Saturday night, and a traditional Spanish brunch on Sunday featuring the Tapas Cooking Challenge at the world famous Columbia Restaurant. 813.241.8838   

April 12- Ybor Chamber Membership Luncheon, Tues. 11:45AM- 1:15PM- Join the Ybor Chamber and guest speaker Wit Ostrenko, President of the Museum of Science and Industry (MoSI), at the April chamber membership luncheon. See what is in store for the museum over the course of this year and what their visitors are saying about them. The April luncheon is sponsored by 5th/3rd Bank. The luncheon registration notice will be in your email by the end of the month.

May 16- The Ybor City Chamber's Annual Golf Tournament, Mon. 11:00AM-  For the golfers in our ranks, get this on your calendar! The Ybor City Chamber of Commerce's Annual Golf Tournament is scheduled for the Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club. Sign up to be a sponsor of this prestigious event or register as a player. By sponsoring this event you will be introducing your company to many local professionals as well as supporting the Ybor Chamber of Commerce and its Scholarship Fund. For more information, call Anna Ramos at 813.248.3712 x22 or email her at aramos@ybor.org.

Events & Announcements

Around the District

March 18- GameTime and Maxima 92.5 hosts Rakim & Ken-Y, 7PM-9PM-  High Schools from around the bay area will text-off (text 52051 to compete) to see if they can win a chance to meet performing artists Rakim & Ken-Y this evening.  The first 100 will meet the performers and the first 200 students from the winning high school will receive 30 minute game cards and dinner from GameTime. 813.241.9675

March 19- Meet the Artist: Tim Parker, Sat. 10AM- 2PM- The Singing Stone will once again feature a live meet and greet, this time featuring Tim Parker.  Tim's art works ranges in styles from Classical Paintings and Tropical Themes to Contemporary Abstract Art.  Be sure to swing by the first Saturday of each month for Arts on 19th. 813.247.2787

March 20- The Ybor Chamber Players in Recital, Sun. 3PM-   As part of the Visual and Performing Arts Series, Hillsborough  Community College Ybor City Campus is pleased to present the Ybor Chamber Players in recital in the Mainstage Theatre this Sunday.  The Ybor Chamber Players is an ensemble made up primarily of music faculty from the Hillsborough Community College School of Visual and Performing Arts in Ybor City.  813.253.7695   

March 23- Ms. Lauryn Hill at the Ritz Ybor, Wed. 9PM- The Ritz Ybor and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts present national recording artist Ms. Lauryn Hill.  The Fugees alum does not tour often, so get your tickets as fast as you can, her fan base still holds strong! Tickets can be purchased at the Straz Center Ticket Office, online at  www.starzcenter.org or by calling 813.229.7827. 

March 23 thru 27- The 9th Annual Ybor Festival of the Moving Image-  The festival explores the cinematic mindscape of independent filmmakers, with a strong focus on Florida filmmakers and artists. Included in the eclectic mix are live performances, art, music and dance-- including exciting new work by NYC performance artist Pat Oleszko, Francesca Talenti installations, and works by Margaret Ross Tolbert. 813-259-6419

March 25- The Women of Ybor: 125 Years of Influence, Fri. 5PM-10PM- The Ybor City Museum Society will launch their newest exhibit in good fashion with a two part event.  They will feature a concert  at Centro Asturiano first followed by a presentation, entertainment, and early viewing of the exhibit at the Ybor City Museum State park Garden.  813.247.1434  

March 30- Ybor Community Meeting and Survey, Wed. 5:30PM- 7PM-  The Ybor City Development Corporation will hold their annual meeting to set priorities for capital improvement projects for the next year. Community input is welcome.  The meeting will be held at the Italian Club in the second floor theatre at 1731 East 7th Avenue. 813.274.7935

April 2- The 10th Annual 5K Race for Sight:Roar Through Ybor, Sat. 6:30AM- Get registered for a race to benefit the Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research. The race will honor males and females in 11 age divisions with awards as well as an after race celebration, and prize, t-shirt and goodie bag give-a-ways. Register online at www.active.com. 813.289.1200

April 2- Man on the Moon: a SQUARE ONE Event, Sat. 7PM- The Spring edition of the bay area's multi-dimensional art exhibit will have attendees questioning what is history and what is fiction.  Each of their events plays on a theme and even encourages audiences to participate by incorporating the theme in their wardrobe. 813.394.0559 

April 2- Grand Opening Reception of the Metro Wellness Center of Ybor, Sat. 7PM- 9:30PM- The event will feature building tours, entertainment, Champaign, refreshments, and a silent auction.  Opening remarks and featured speakers are scheduled at 8 PM. The public is cordially invited to attend.  The agency provides prevention services for at risk populations.  Services include free HIV testing throughout the community, substance abuse and mental health treatment, medical case management for those infected with or affected by Florida's HIV and AIDS and extensive education and counseling programs. 813. 727.321.3854