Downtown Partnership Luncheon showcases Innovation District’s recent success

Last week, our Leadership Luncheon was all about highlighting the many remarkable projects that have recently come out of the Innovation District – and there was a lot to discuss.

Held in the heart of the Innovation District at the Poynter Institute, Tuesday’s luncheon was attended by local business leaders and had a strong city council presence. Councilmembers Ed Montanari, Gina Driscoll and Robert Blackmon (who’s also a mayoral candidate) were in attendance. The University of South Florida St. Petersburg is across the street from Poynter, and popular Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock was there to represent the campus and support USF Interim President Rhea Law, who was also a featured speaker.

While there are many endeavors fueling the growth of St. Pete coming out of the Innovation District, the one garnering the most national headlines is the brainchild of the day’s last speaker, Tonya Elmore. Elmore, President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Innovation Center, was instrumental in bringing Cathie Wood and her ARK Investment firm to the Sunshine City.

“We really feel like it’s a game-changer,” said Elmore of Wood’s decision to relocate her headquarters and team to St. Pete. “A game-changer that will be ongoing for generations in our community.”

Read more about the transformation projects going on in the St. Petersburg Innovation District on the St. Pete Catalyst.

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