Tampa Bay Partnership Launches New Regional Marketing Initiatives

Economic development organization blends cutting-edge technology with hands-on approach

TAMPA BAY, Fla., Sept. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Regional marketing of the Tampa Bay region is one of the top priorities of the Tampa Bay Partnership's 2014 strategy. Through the use of new state-of-the-art technology, a storytelling portal and an individual hands-on approach, the Partnership has the opportunity to reach a broad range of business leaders and site consultants interested in doing business in the Tampa Bay region.

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The first in a series of Partnership asset maps, featuring cutting-edge GIS (geographic information systems) technology, is now available for companies and businesses seeking to relocate or expand in the Tampa Bay region. The Applied Medicine & Human Performance (AMHP) industry asset map, developed by URS and funded in part by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, is the first of four maps that will be dedicated to the clusters of the Tampa Bay Regional Business Plan (RBP).  It currently contains close to 12,000 assets; however, the Partnership is seeking to identify more and encourages companies and businesses in the AMHP industry to suggest assets by visiting: http://map.tampabay.org.

The AMHP map allows users the opportunity to search a range of economic assets, through a number of different filters, including: research institutions, clinical trials, medical device manufacturers, medical device services, AMHP workforce, and hospitals. In addition, it provides details such as enterprise zones, brownfield areas and political districts.

"The asset map's interactive functionality and richness of data is like nothing out there in today's world of economic development," said Chris Paradies, president & CEO of Paradies Law P. A. and chair of the Applied Medicine & Human Performance working group. "Users have the ability to download and export data at the click of the mouse, helping to better assist business leaders and site consultants with making decisions on relocations or expansions."

The AMHP asset map and the three other RBP asset maps to follow are the cornerstone of the Partnership's new marketing strategy that includes not only showing the region's economic advantages and strengths but also telling the vast collection of unique and diverse business stories in Tampa Bay.

The Partnership also partnered with atLarge, Inc. to condense eight different websites into one newly redesigned website: www.TampaBay.org. The website is now both an economic development hub and a communications platform from which to tell the stories of Tampa Bay.

"From the bank executive who relocated to Tampa Bay from Los Angeles to the international student who received a master's degree at USF and landed a job in the region, there are great stories to tell, and the Partnership is excited to share them," said Anand Pallegar, CEO of atLarge, Inc. and Tampa Bay Partnership board member. "In addition, the website now functions as a portal to guests and visitors interested in learning anything about the Tampa Bay region, including information on culture and recreation to K-12 education and institutions of higher learning."

Finally, the Partnership is pleased to unveil its Tampa Bay Ambassadors program, a program which profiles members of the business community throughout the eight-county region, after a recent commissioned research study noted that one of the most important ways business prospects want to be communicated with is through one-on-one conversations. From high-level executives and CEOs to business students and young professionals, these individuals are the "faces and stories" of Tampa Bay, reflecting the diversity and success of the region.

"The best way to tell the Tampa Bay story is through real people who know the power of doing business in our region," said Colleen Chappell, president & CEO of ChappellRoberts and chair of the Tampa Bay Partnership Marketing Council. "We've been blown away by the immediate interest from so many business leaders who want to share their success stories and actively help recruit other companies here." 

"Ambassadors will also be used as a resource to the Partnership as it conducts out-bound and in-bound mission trips and hosts business executives and site consultants at events and meetings related to economic development. Furthermore, ambassadors are encouraged to positively promote their business story and the Tampa Bay story through their professional networks and social channels," said Stuart Rogel, president & CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership. "All in all the Partnership is proud of the robust nature of its marketing strategy and is looking forward to implementing its initiatives and programs in 2014."

The Partnership, which is the economic development organization for the eight-county region, is tasked with working together with local economic development partners and investors for the overall prosperity of the residents and businesses located within the 6,515 square miles that make up West-Central Florida. The eight-county region includes Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties.

About the Tampa Bay Partnership 
The Tampa Bay Partnership is the eight-county regional organization that works with its partners to market the region nationally and internationally, to conduct regional research and to coordinate efforts to influence business and governmental issues that impact economic growth and development.

Follow the Tampa Bay Partnership on social media: Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.           #WeAreALLTampaBay

Tampa Bay Partnership Contact: Jessica R. Aspiras
Marketing Manager
(813) 872-2807 or [email protected]

SOURCE Tampa Bay Partnership