Thrive
Reimagined Synapse Summit to take over stadium
In many ways, Tampa Bay’s premier gathering of innovators, entrepreneurs and thought leaders became a victim of its own success. The Synapse Summit is now getting back to its roots.
The 8th annual tech-focused conference and expo begins at 8 a.m. Monday in Tampa, at Raymond James Stadium. Dozens of prominent panelists from both sides of the bay will discuss cyber and national security, environmental science and resilience, healthcare and health sciences, financial technology and entrepreneurship.
Brett Maternowski, chair of strategic partnerships for Synapse, said the organization became enveloped by its “sphere of influence.” It has since transitioned to an all-volunteer staff, and he believes there is “more altruism in that.”
“We were bringing people up from Miami, down from Tallahassee and everywhere between because Synapse was this statewide connector,” Maternowski said. “This new iteration of us is going to what Synapse was originally created for, which is the Tampa Bay region.”
Maternowski explained that full-time employees often become “beholden to making the needle move.” Big-name sponsors can exert influence over an event’s direction and speakers.
Maternowski left the organization after the 2023 summit. He credited local business leader Andy Hafer, co-founder of Synapse, with his return as a volunteer.
Hafer sought to reimagine the summit by focusing on key regional industries and community thought leaders. “Not just be everything to everybody,” Maternowski said.
He said the organization would no longer pay people like Sarah Blakely, founder of intimate apparel company Spanx, who built her business in Florida and left, “a bunch of money to be the keynote speaker.”
“I wanted better for Synapse,” Maternowski added. “And my coming back is a testament to what I believe is a wonderful reimagining of how Synapse can be more effective.”
Amelie Arena has hosted the Synapse Summit since its inception in 2017.
The summit attracted over 6,000 people to Amelie Arena annually, which Maternowski called a logistical nightmare. That will change.
Synapse has capped tickets at about 3,000, and Synapse will utilize RayJay’s VIP suites and season ticket-holder areas. Maternowski said he is “super stoked” for a more intimate and elevated experience.
Manufacturing serendipity by “getting the right people under one roof” is a Synapse ethos. However, Maternowski said chaotic crowds mitigate those efforts.
He said attendees will have clear views of stages and the Innovation Hall exhibition area from nearly every conference space. “I think you’re going to see a lot more of bumping into the right person and having that right conversation with a future partner or investor.”
Paul Shoukry, CEO of Raymond James Financial, will join Brian Murphy, founder of ReliaQuest, for a fireside chat to kick off the event. Synapse Summit is one of, if not the first, public speaking engagements for Shoukry since he took the helm at the local financial services behemoth.
“You have someone that build a multi-billion organization in their backyard (Murphy) and then someone representing a much larger enterprise organization (Shoukry,)” Maternowski said. “I think that’s just awesome.”
He is also excited to hear how several organizations are accelerating the area’s marine economy. The presentation, led by Linda Olson, CEO of Tampa Bay Wave, will highlight a new ocean enterprise accelerator program fueled by a $14 million National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant.
Alison Barlow, executive director of the St. Petersburg Innovation District, is one of the summit’s seven local programming chairs who selected and secured panelists due to their regional impact rather than financial considerations.
Maternowski said panels on environmental resiliency and marine technology previously would have surprised some attendees. “But certainly, when you have back-to-back hurricanes and a $14 million NOAA grant – I don’t it’s so much of a secret anymore.”
Additional St. Petersburg speakers include Michael Wiemer, inaugural director of the University of Florida’s Fintech Center; Leslie Norman, chief technology officer for Dynasty Financial Partners; and Jason Mathis, CEO of the St. Pete Downtown Partnership. He will discuss Tampa Bay’s evolving environmental science and sustainability landscape.
Synapse will also release its impact study at the event. Independent consultancy firm Washington Economics Group found that the summit has generated a $31 million economic impact in Tampa Bay over the past eight years.
Maternowski believes Synapse’s local significance will increase with a renewed regional focus and the “full force” of area thought leaders. “I would say Tampa Bay is better connected now than ever before,” he said.
For more information on the Synapse Summit, visit the website here.
