Visit Tampa Bay is increasing its presence in the German-speaking markets with the appointment of AVIAREPS as its official agency in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, according to a Tuesday announcement. AVIAREPS is a leader in the tourism, aviation and hospitality industries, boasting 67 offices across 61 countries around the globe. With the partnership, AVIAREPS will create a 360-degree sales, marketing and public relations plan that will help drive visitation from Germany, Austria and Switzerland to the region through industry trade shows, familiarization trips to the destination, press office activities and advertising campaigns.
St. Petersburg-based Duke Energy Florida filed its projected Hurricane Idalia storm recovery costs Oct. 16 and asked the Florida Public Service Commission to reduce the rate charged for previous storms. If approved, Duke officials said a typical residential customer’s January 2024 bill would be about $11.29 less than their December statement. Commercial and industrial customers would see a 6.8% to 7.2% decrease next year.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies will face the Birmingham Legion in the United Soccer League’s (USL) Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Al Lang Stadium Saturday, Oct. 21. The playoff match between the two rivals kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Individual, group and specialty tickets remain available. For more information, visit the website here.
Creative Pinellas, the county's umbrella artist support organization, has named the recipients of it 2024 Emerging Artist grants. Each will receive a financial grant of $2,000 and a professional artist mentor, and will be part of the Emerging Artist group exhibition. The grantees are Kaitlin Crockett, Vanessa Cunto, Thomas Sayers Ellis, Fran Failla, Tyler Gillespie, Antonia Lewandowski, David McCauley, Harriet Monzon-Aguirre, Gabriela Rosa and Luci Westphal.
The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport has experienced its busiest month of September in its history. The airport welcomed 143,196 passengers, representing a 9% increase in domestic travel compared to the previous September. To date, the airport has served 1.9 million passengers.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is now part of a unique global network of zoos and sanctuaries that will continuously stream its animals on zoolife. CMA is the first aquarium to join the zoolife platform and the first facility to showcase dolphins. Viewers watch live feedings, training, enrichment sessions and animal rescues from CMA and dozens of zoos.
The St. Petersburg City Council passed a resolution supporting the State of Israel and condemning Hamas and Iran during their Oct. 12 meeting. Councilmember Ed Montanari introduced the measure. The council passed the resolution 6-1, with Councilmember Richie Floyd the lone “no” vote and Councilmember John Muhammad absent.
Treasure Island and Pinellas County officials are pleading for the public’s help in protecting a multi-million-dollar emergency sand dune restoration project in Sunset Beach. The area remains closed, yet people continue walking over the newly created dunes “and destroying them in the process.” Officials warn that trespassing in the designated construction zone - which should open Oct. 30 - is unlawful.
Blake Casper, co-owner of Tampa hospitality company Oxford Commons, has donated $1 million to Jesuit High School to go towards the private school's expansion and renovation plan. Casper is an alumnus of the all-male Catholic high school. Casper, and his sister, Allison Casper Adams, founded The Library restaurant in St. Petersburg, as well as the Oxford Exchange event venue, The Current Hotel and The Stovall House social club in Tampa.
The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce’s annual tasting tour of Pinellas County’s coastal restaurants began Oct. 7 and will end Sunday, Oct. 15. Tickets are still available, and sales benefit the PARC Center for Disabilities. Tickets are redeemable for a specialty meal at over 50 restaurants from Tierra Verde to Clearwater Beach. For more information, visit the website here.
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) received myriad state and national recognition this week at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and Florida Public Transportation Association’s (FPTA) annual conferences. Both organizations named PSTA as 2023's Outstanding Public Transportation System. The agency also won an APTA marketing award. Marcus Kincaide is FPTA’s Bus Operator of the Year, and Derrick Brown placed second for Technician of the Year.
For a third consecutive year, ZooTampa at Lowry Park broke its attendance record, welcoming 1,171,319 people this fiscal year. Zoo officials said they have amplified their leadership in wildlife preservation by sending staff to various countries to participate in field conservation and education projects. By next year, the zoo will be bringing new attractions and experiences to guests, including an expanded manatee care center, a new interactive stingray habitat and a reimagined "Australia" area of the zoo.
