The market in Manatee County boasts a median age of 44.69 percent, according the numbers from The Nielson Company released by the Manatee County Economic Development Corporation. 

A new social media campaign seeks to let residents envision the Sarasota Bayfront's future. Using the hashtag "#CanYouSeeIt", Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 will solicit input as part of an ogling visioning process over social media networks like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

The media campaign, launched Friday, is just the most recent part of an information-gathering exercise for the organization to shape a cultural district in the area of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Municipal Auditorium and surrounding regional assets. Fifteen organizations, most recently the Sarasota Opera, have signed onto the effort. “There are so many organizations looking toward the future with a vested interest in how this initiative progresses that there is tremendous opportunity to work together and hear the voice of the community,” said Michael Klauber, chairman of the Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 coalition.

The social media effort encourages interested individuals to share their ideas for the Bayfront and to share pictures of public images shared from around the world. The effort will be carefully targeted on residents of the Greater Sarasota area, said spokeswoman Candice McElyea. On Facebook, where in less than two days the project garnered 600 likes, ads are specifically directed toward users who live within 50 miles of the city.

Of course, the effort is continuing with traditional public meetings as well, including public forums on Oct. 27, 6-7:30pm, and Oct. 28, 9-10:30am, at the Sarasota Garden Club. Organizers say information is being gathered through a multi-pronged approach so that all demographics of area residents are represented.

Organizations signed onto the effort at this point include the Coalition of City Neighborhoods Association, Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Visit Sarasota County, Rosemary Association, Sarasota Garden Club, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, North Trail Redevelopment Partnership, Sarasota Orchestra, Van Wezel Foundation, The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, The Players Theatre, Tahiti Park Neighborhood Association and most recently the Sarasota Opera.

“Like many of the other arts organizations, we are bursting at the seams and looking to grow over the next few years,” said Monica Slater Van Buskirk, president and CEO of the Van Wezel Foundation. “While none of us know the outcome this process will produce, we know we want to be part of it in a positive, forward-thinking way." 

Sarasota Bayfront 20:20

Already one of the most celebrated restaurateurs in Venice, Steve Harner, owner of the Crow's Nest Marina Restaurant, was elected in September as the new board chairman for Sarasota-Manatee Originals. We spoke to him about the significance of the organization and his plans there.

What is the most important task for the Originals this year? We want to continue to raise the profile of independent restaurants in our market and emphasize that we are members of the community. We are parents and involved business people, volunteers and board members for other organizations. We are local in that we have locally sourced much of our food, whether it be shellfish, produce or even meats now. The money we make goes back into community. The jobs we provide are jobs here. We want to remind folks about that, and while there certainly is a change in town as far as the market, we want to make sure people are aware.  What changes have most affected independent restaurants? There has been change with the arrival of the Flemings, Ruth's Chris Steak Houses, Red Lobsters, Chili's. We cover fast casual to fine dining, all independently and locally owned, and independents have some advantages over chains. We adapt more quickly to changes in the market. We are more personal and make decisions in our own stores.  What are the most important things you'd like to see launched as new initiatives for the Originals? As far as our marketing and branding image, we need to make people are aware of who the Originals restaurants are, and that is what we strive to do. A part of what we do is educate members on the constantly changing and evolving tech world. We meet quarterly, talk social media and we talk about the preponderance of electronic reviews and how to deal with them. We are adaptable and a network that wants to share knowledge with one another, and that is our strength. Of course, our showcase event is at the end of January, Forks and Corks, and we're excited about that. Tickets are on sale in early November, and I think this is a premiere food and wine event in Sarasota and Manatee counties and a chance to show off our talents and wares. 

Alex and Ani’s newest location off Main Street in Sarasota is nestled alongside numerous other local businesses, including high-end boutiques, jewelers, spas, salons and restaurants. The new store location coincides with Alex and Ani’s “Main Street Strategy,” which aims to purposely place stores on small-town streets as opposed to inside shopping malls. This strategy aligns with Alex and Ani’s dedication to revitalizing the local economy with products produced and manufactured in the United States. 

Alex and Ani

Cavanaugh and Company,  a full service accounting firm, announced two of their staff auditors, Erika Lisch and Mary Lifland, obtained their CPA licenses.  Both Lifland and Lisch work full time in the firm’s Audit division. 

Cavanaugh and Co.

Join SRQ | The Magazine and panelists Carlos Buquera, Executive Director of Port Manatee and Mark W. Stuckey, Vice President of Special Projects and Development for the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, to look ahead at how the growth of these two regional assets will impact economic development, business opportunities, demographics and tourism. This SB2 symposium is hosted on Wednesday, October 22, 2014, from 11:30am-1pm at the IMG Academy Golf Club in Bradenton; 4350 El Conquistador Pkwy, Bradenton. Symposium tickets are $35/person and include a plated lunch. 

4350 El Conquistador Pkwy, Bradenton

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