An updated Financial Outlook from Florida’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research projects $30.77 billion in available funds for the 2015-16 Fiscal Year for the state budget. That amount includes a $1.96-billion expected surplus from this fiscal year. 

Ringling College, Pearl Brands and Miles Media led the list of winners at the 2015 Adfed Suncoast ADDY Awards this year, where a Seminole Pride Noble marketing campaign by Digital Observer Media took the evening’s Best of Show prize.

The Ringling College Design Center earned 12 awards total, including one Judge’s Choice, one AMY, six Gold and four Silver awards. Pearl had 12 awards as well, including a Judge’s Choice, three AMY, four Gold and four Silver awards. The other company getting 12 awards was Miles Media, who earned two AMY, five Gold and five Silver awards. A full list of winners is available at the Adfed Suncoast website. 

The awards serve as the most prominent recognition in the region for marketing and advertising agencies. “Our judges every year when they spend time in Sarasota always comment that the work they see is comparable to work you would expect in New York, Chicago or San Francisco,” said Lindsey Nickel, AdFed Suncoast president. “The work in this market is that strong.” AdFed Suncoast covers a region that stretched from Manatee to Collier counties. 

The competition is important to professionals in the region in large part because of the possibility for future recognition, Nickel said. A single entry can pick up an award at the local, district or national level, she said. The awards consequently have become among the most important builders of reputation within a competitive field. 

AdFed Suncoat: Full List of Awards

Leland Management has opened up a Sarasota Division. The company has been in business in Florida for almost 20 years. With over 450 communities that they currently manage throughout the state, the Sarasota Division is now adding communities in this area, including Harmony at Lakewood Ranch. Leland Management is a full service community association management firm that offers financial and management services to Florida homeowner and condominium associations. 

Leland Management

Goodwill Manasota’s Veterans Services Program has recently launched the Special Emergency Resources for Veterans initiative. When a veteran is in need, the Goodwill Veterans Services team assigns each individual a case manager who works with the veteran and his or her family to create an individual plan, assessing need and identifying community resources to meet those needs. If the veteran and his or her family have emergency needs, the Goodwill team attempts to identify community resources through community partners and collaborative organizations that can assist. The SERV initiative began through the generous participation and contributions of attorney Bill Robertson, CEO of Kirk-Pinkerton, and Steve Hall, market president of Alltrust Insurance. 

Goodwill Manasota

Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island has been named one of the world’s top island beaches for perfect sand, by Conde Nast Traveler Readers, the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau announced. The travel magazine recently released the winners of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, which ranks top cities, hotels, resorts, spas and cruise lines in the world based on readers’ votes. The only U.S. islands beach on the list, Coquina clinched the No. 5 spot. 

Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

Southeastern Guide Dogs broke ground Saturday on the new $8.5-million Barpal – Hirst Student Center. The 30,000 square-foot facility is named for lead donors and Sarasota residents Margaret and Isaac Barpal and Keith G. Hirst, and is being funded entirely by private donations. The nonprofit has secured $8.5 million in gifts and commitments for this project and continue to raise funds for furnishings and fixtures, equipment, contingencies and incidentals.  

Southeastern Guide Dogs

The votes are in! Come discuss the results of the March 10 election for Sarasota City Commission at SRQ Studios on March 24, 2015 at 7:45 AM. As campaigns brace for a runoff in May, SRQ Media Group will conduct an in-depth analysis of the first election results, carefully examining data based on geography, demographics and other voter behaviors. As part of our ongoing Where The Votes Are, SRQ political guru Jacob Ogles will present findings to gathered community and political leaders, then lead a discussion of the results and what they mean for the city’s future. Breakfast and coffee provided. Please RSVP to wtva@srqme.com.