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SRQ DAILY Oct 4, 2016

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"To really make a convention center viable for the community, you need an adjacent hotel or hotels. The only way to do that is when private hotel developers work with private sector development to make it happen."

- Elliott Falcione, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
 

[Tourism]  Hotel to Bolster Palmetto Tourism
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

When a Sheraton hotel opens adjacent to the Bradenton Area Convention Center, it could turn a public resource into corporate tourism magnet in Palmetto. “When we are able to get that headquarters hotel built, that will drive conferences and corporate meetings we can’t win right now,” says Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. A decision last week by Manatee County Commissioners to move ahead with a deal with Improvement Network Development Partners will bring that key piece of the tourism puzzle into place.

“The goal is to make this a destination hotel,” says Tony DeRusso, director of project development for INDevelopment Partners. “Obviously that means it’s a full-service hotel with all the amenities full-service would provide, but we also want to make sure we are providing things for convention-goers, business travelers and their families as well.” That will include a connector area between the hotel space and convention center that serves as an entertainment zone, complete with stores and restaurants open to people attending events at the center whether or not they stay at the hotel. 

A breezeway will physically connect the properties, something Falcione says is essential considering Florida’s frequent rain storms. The plan is for Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide to manage the Sheraton property once it is complete. 

A ballroom with 8,000 square feet effectively increases the available space for conferences and conventions by offering public space at the Sheraton. While the 250 hotel rooms included in plans show the level of convention the hotel can handle on its own, DeRusso says, the center will certainly be able to handle events that fill the Sheraton and every other major hotel in the market now. A 10,000-square-foot plus outdoor event space will make the hotel capable of hosting private events, and DeRusso envisions the locale hosting everything from weddings to Super Bowl parties.

DeRusso declines to compare the facility to any other conference-adjacent hotel. Falcione, though, notes the relationship between government and private sector player in planning this kind of facility has plenty of precedent. Perhaps most notably in the region, Charlotte County worked hand-in-hand with hotel developers to open a Sheraton Four Points on site with the Charlotte Harbor Event Center. Similar public-private partnerships proved successful for Fort Myers, Tampa and Lakeland. “Traditionally, stand-alone convention centers don’t make money,” DeRusso says. “They are built to drive new dollars into the community to generate an economic impact. To really make a convention center viable for the community, you need an adjacent hotel or hotels. The only way to do that is when private hotel developers work with private sector development to make it happen.” 

Rendering by Sandvick Architects.

[Event]  CFAS Kicks Off Architecture Month
Aviel Kanter, aviel.kanter@srqme.com

In conjunction with The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Florida Gulf Coast chapter, the Center for Architecture Sarasota (CFAS) hosts a month-long celebration of Florida's architectural heritage, with a calendar full of events dedicated to the best design the state has to offer. To kick off the third annual October Design Month, CFAS threw an opening night party last Friday, where Board Chair Cynthia Peterson and Vice Board Chair Sandra Timpson Motto awarded scholarships to the UF CityLab graduate students housed within the CFAS McCulloch Pavilion, as well as unveiled plans for both the October and the 2016–2017 program lineup.

The first announcement came in the form of Building a Day—an e-newsletter written by Peterson delivered to each subscriber's inbox every morning with details on a significant piece of architecture around the state. While Peterson didn't give any tips about this year's roster, last year's buildings and structures included such iconic pillars as the Skyway Bridge. “It’s the best, the unusual and the unknown in Florida,” says Peterson. “It’s both historical and what’s happening in architecture now. The last day is always about the future of architecture in Sarasota.” Another exciting reveal came with Peterson's disclosure of a permanent exhibition that will be hung in the CFAS building year-round, as well as the addition of the McCulloch Pavilion to the National Register for Historic Places. “To be recognized nationally as a resource for historic preservation is a huge feather in our cap,” says Peterson.

The October events will begin on October 7, with the opening of the Bayfront Sketches Exhibit, showcasing UF CityLab students' visions for the Sarasota Cultural Bayfront. “There’s no preconceived notions,” says Peterson. “The six graduate students have presented this wonderful vision, each with a specific building on the Cultural Bayfront. They’re looking at it with fresh eyes.” The next day (October 8) will open with an exclusive members-only tour of the newly-constructed Eide Center, a 17,000-square-foot building that houses the Eide Asian and American art collection, archives and the Elling O. Eide Library, believed to be the largest private collection of Asian literature in the US including an important collection of rare books and maps. Guests will tour the interior of three-story building with short talks by project architect Guy Peterson, FAIA, interior designer David K. Lowe and landscape architect Michael Gilkey, while a driving tour will allow guests to see some of the historic 72 acres of unique bio-diverse landscape. The Eide Center officially opens on October 19 but will not be open to the general public.

On October 22, John McCarthy will host a historical walking tour—the season kicks off with his "Citrus Tour" of downtown citrus-centric streets (think Orange, Lemon, Pineapple). Distinguished American architect Marlon Blackwell, FAIA, on October 27 will discuss public architecture, CFAS' focus for the 2016–2017 season. “He does architecture where you least expect it with the most lovely of articulation and minimal budgets,” says Peterson. “He really shows how architecture can happen anywhere.”

For more information on CFAS' upcoming season, visit cfasrq.org. 

Photo courtesy of CFAS.

[Daily Shop ]  Lively Leggings
Taylor Young

Live out loud and add a splash of color to your activewear wardrobe. These speckled ankle-length leggings by leisurewear designer Lole can be found at locally-owned Fleet Feet Sports and allow you to channel your inner yogi—and look flawless doing so. Quick-drying and comfortable, the leggings are ideal for a relaxed yoga session or hard-core Crossfit circuit. Add spirit to boring, everyday athletic wear—or even make them your go-to for the lazy days in life (no judgement if you don’t actually make that class). Regardless of your workout of choice, there’s no denying these fun pants—pull them on and be a beacon of gym envy. 

Fleet Feet Sports, 711 South Osprey Ave., Sarasota, 941-894-3338.

[Recognition]  Children First Named National Program of Excellence

Children First, a provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services, has been recognized as a Program of Excellence by the National Head Start Association (NHSA). This puts Children First in the top 1 percent of more than 1,800 Head Start programs nationwide. This is the fourth consecutive time that Children First has been honored by the NHSA. 

Children First

[Groundbreaking]  North Port Campus, Library Break Ground

Officials from the School Board of Sarasota County, the Sarasota County Commission and the North Port City Commission celebrated the groundbreaking for the new Suncoast Technical College North Port Campus and Shannon Staub public library in North Port this past Thursday. Created with the help of collaborative efforts from Sarasota County School District, Sarasota County, the city of North Port and the state of Florida, the new school includes career, technical and adult education spaces, a full-service public library and a conference center. The new school will be located near Toledo Blade and I-75 interchange and is expected to open in Fall 2017. 

Sarasota County School District

[Opening]  Jennifer Matteo Event Planning Celebrates Opening

Jennifer Matteo, professional wedding and event planner, has launched her latest venture, Jennifer Matteo Event Planning. Recently, Jennifer Matteo Event Planning opened the doors of a signature showroom alongside fellow local planner, Lori Davis. Located at 6534 Gateway Ave. in central Sarasota, the showroom offers visitors the chance to meet privately with Matteo or browse her portfolio while choosing their own finishes and detail. Website and company launch will be celebrated on October 4 at Diamond Vault in Sarasota. 

Jennifer Matteo Event Planning

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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