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Inside St. Pete is a one-day welcome to newcomers and long-time residents looking for a deeper discovery of St. Pete. On this multi-stop tour, attendees will get an exclusive view of our city’s history, current events, and institutions. The program is hosted by the Leadership St. Pete Alumni Association and the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR:
8:15 am – 9:15 am | Breakfast at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s waterfront campus with a welcome introduction from:
Chris Steinocher – President & CEO, St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce
Mayor Ken Welch – City of St. Petersburg
Chancellor Christian Hardigree – University of South Florida St. Petersburg
Jason Spears – 2024 St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Chairman & President/CEO Peninsular Mechanical Contractors
Allison McKown – Foley & Lardner (Event Supporting Sponsor)
9:15 am – 10:15 am | Overview of St. Pete History with:
Rui Farias – Executive Director, St. Pete History Museum
10:15am – 10:45am | St. Pete by the Numbers with:
Mike Swesey – CEO, Economic Development Corporation
Caleb Peterson – Senior Business Development Manager, Visit St. Pete Clearwater
11 am – 12:15 pm | Panel on Key Issues in St. Pete with:
Jay Miller – President, J Square Developers
Whit Blanton – Executive Director, Forward Pinellas
Liz Abernethy – Director of Planning and Development Services, City of St. Petersburg
Jason Mathis – CEO, St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership
Kevin Hendrick, Associate Superintendent, Pinellas County Schools
Brandi Gabbard – City Council Member to moderate
12:30 pm | Lunch at Maritime & Defense Technology Hub with:
Gina Driscoll – City Council Member
Rich Lesniak – Manager, Albert Whitted Airport
Dave Wirth – Planning Manager, Enterprise Facilities
1:15 pm | Maritime and Defense Technology Hub tour with:
Alison Barlow – Executive Director, St. Pete Innovation District
2:15 pm | Tropicana Field at the Budweiser Porch with:
Brian Auld – Co-President, Tampa Bay Rays
Alex Shapiera – Director / Project Manager, Hines
Patrick Abts – Vice President, Tampa Bay Rays
3:15 pm | Tour of the Deuces
3:45 pm | Imagine Museum tour & panel with:
Terry Marks – CEO, St. Petersburg Arts Alliance
David Flatt – Executive Director, Imagine Museum
Duncan McClellan – Glass Artist and Gallery Owner, Duncan McClellan Gallery
5:15 pm | Happy hour and networking