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SRQ DAILY Jun 12, 2017

Monday Business Edition

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Monday Business Edition

"The more informed people are, the better decisions they can make."

- Simone Peterson, Speak Up Bradenton
 

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[Travel]  Are US Airports Lagging Behind?
Dr. Faizan Ali

As a frequent traveler, I consistently observe that many large US airports lag behind their counterparts elsewhere around the world, especially in Asia where for years passengers between flights have caught the latest Hollywood blockbuster while waiting to board. Further, a recent J.D. Power and Associates survey indicates US airports trailing hotels and car rental companies in general satisfaction. Travelers with long layovers in Asian airports never had it so good, with greater restaurant choices, expanded retail areas and now, in some cases, movie theaters to help while away the hours between flights. All this diversionary activity, which may also include hotel spas, chic pubs and specialty airline clubs, is producing an upward trend on satisfaction surveys while helping re-imagine airline travel for millions of tourists and business passengers. My recent study on airport amenities and travel experience takes a wide-angle view of the evolving amenities trend, looking not only at U.S. airports but also those in trendsetting Asia where last year I surveyed 271 passengers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. Findings of this study conclude that not only are passengers reporting greater satisfaction because of the expanded amenities, but their spending has increased, too. Airports can benefit from displaying “national identity” in their design and décor by greeting guests in a traditional way and adding local colors, art and cuisine to the physical environment to enhance passengers’ travel experiences. While most terminals worldwide exhibit similar features, passengers indicate greater approval of those that reflect the local culture.

Dr. Faizan Ali is an assistant professor in the College of Hospitality and Technology Leadership at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. Ali’s research interests are in the areas of customer experience, service performance and quality, customer satisfaction and behavior. He has authored more than 60 research articles published in academic journals and has presented at numerous international conferences. 

[Government]  Speak Up Bradenton Receives Knight Cities Award
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

For the second time in three years, an initiative from Bradenton has won a Knight Cities Challenge award, rising to the top of more than 4,500 proposals from across the country and sharing $5 million in funding with the 32 other winners. Conceived and proposed by Simone Peterson, a specialist in the Manatee County Neighborhood Services Department, Speak Up Bradenton, the winning initiative, calls for an inversion of the government/citizen dynamic in hopes of stimulating public input.

Working in local government, public input is a must, says Peterson, but also a continual challenge to get. The fault, she believes, is not a disengaged populace, but a flawed method of communication. The government asks for input, but public meetings are most often at 6pm on a weeknight, when people are just getting off work and parents need to look to children and the night’s meal. Commission meetings are at 9am on Tuesdays, when most are at work. All too often, the public only becomes aware of a new project or program once the planning is complete and there’s little to offer but approval or complaint. “We want to get them more involved in the beginning,” says Peterson. “We want to involve them in the decision-making.”

Speak Up Bradenton solves this problem by sending the government to the people, instead of asking them to come to the government. Employees will go out into the community, to areas where people already congregate or have to travel through, like malls, bus stops and more locations currently being decided. Once there, these representatives will not only inform the public as to projects in development, but also seek input on the spot and facilitate offering input later through the internet or other means. “The more informed people are,” says Peterson, “the better decisions they can make to make our community a better place to live, work and play.”

Launched in 2014 by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Knight Cities Challenge annually awards funds to proposals around the country that work to make cities more successful either through talent retention and attraction, building economic opportunity or promoting civic engagement. By breaking down barriers between community and government, Peterson’s Speak Up Bradenton initiative represents an innovative step in stimulating such civic engagement, says Knight Foundation Community Foundations Program Director Lilly Weinberg. “This idea really gets to the heart of it,” she says. “It’s an experiment in many ways.”

With the proposal receiving $32,000 from the Knight Cities Challenge award, Peterson hopes to see the first Speak Up Bradenton ambassador out in the community by September or October. 

[Synergy]  Players Receive One Million Dollar Lead Gift for Complex

The Players Centre for Performing Arts has received a $1 million gift toward its new state-of-the-art complex in Lakewood Ranch. The donation is the lead gift since the theatre announced plans last year to sell its current property and move to Lakewood Ranch’s newest village, Waterside, in Sarasota County. The Muriel O’Neil Fund of the Performing Arts at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County is providing the gift to kick off the theatre’s capital campaign to raise $30 million for the complex. Approximately one-third of the funding will come from the sale of the existing property. The new Players Centre will feature a 480-seat main stage auditorium with balcony seating, a 125-seat black box theatre, a 100-seat cabaret theatre with dining and the main campus of The Arnold Simonsen Players Studio, which is the education arm of the organization. 

Players Centre for Performing Arts

[Recognition]  Florida Companies to Watch Names Five from Sarasota

Five Sarasota County companies are among 96 finalists for the GrowFL 2017 Florida Companies to Watch. The award from GrowFL, the state of Florida’s economic gardening program, is now in its seventh year and honors 50 select second-stage companies from throughout the state that are developing valuable products and services, creating quality jobs, enriching communities, and creating new industries throughout Florida. Finalists from Sarasota County include: AdRizer; Clickbooth.com; Fyzical Therapy and Balance Centers; Lightspeed Voice; and Rite Technology. The Florida Companies To Watch program consists of two rounds of selections. Finalists now advance to the second round, where they will be further evaluated based on their performance in the marketplace, innovative products, services or processes, philanthropy and empowered employees. Developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation, Florida Companies to Watch is a distinguished awards program specifically designed to seek out second-stage businesses from a wide range of industries representing all areas of the state, not just those in major metropolitan areas. In addition to evaluating past growth and projected success, applicant companies are judged on their special strengths and impact in their markets, communities and within the state. 

GrowFL



[TODAY]  GALLERY: Jeffery A. Cornwell , June 12 – September 22

Featuring paintings by Ringling College Fine Arts alumnus Jeffery Cornwell. Showing across the United States in galleries and alternative spaces, Cornwell draws inspiration from the natural environment and the relationship of sky to land.

Patricia Thompson Gallery , 2700 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota

[TODAY]  GRAB BAG: Museum of Art Mondays , June 12 – July 24, 11am-2pm

Join The Ringling on Mondays to receive free admission to the Museum of Art as well as a special art-making program tied to works of art you can find in the galleries. You can also pick up a Museum of Art Family Guide for a new way to enjoy the art museum as a family. For more information please visit www.ringling.org

The Ringling, 5401 Bayshore Rd., Sarasota

[TODAY]  GRAB BAG: Art Making , July 13, 5-8pm

Drop by the Children’s Welcome Center in the Visitors Pavilion which has been transformed into an art studio for the evening. Instructors will teach you how to become comfortable will many different materials that artists use. This event is free and all ages are encouraged to participate. For more information please visit www.ringling.org

The Ringling, 5401 Bayshore Rd., Sarasota

[TODAY]  GALLERY: Claudia Ryan – drawings , June 12 – August 11

Abstract drawings and prints by Claudia Ryan will be featured in the college’s new gallery at the Basch Visual Arts Center.  Ryan’s works on paper are densely layered and threaded with color, creating a map for a journey that becomes the viewer's own.

Lois & David Stulberg Gallery, 2700 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Community Volunteer Fair , June 13, 10am-2pm

More than 20 local nonprofit organizations will be present to recruit volunteers. Residents can come learn about the organizations and their volunteer opportunities, which include one-day events, family events and ongoing positions. Organizations that will be in attendance include All Faiths Food Bank, Safe Place Rape and Crisis Center (SPARCC), Ringling Museum, Selby Gardens, Senior Friendship Center and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast.

Selby Library , 1331 1st St., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: IncrediBello! , June 13 – July 29

This summer promises to be a hair-raising event when Feld Entertainment brings Bello Nock back to the Sarasota stage. Bello, the world-renowned, gravity-defying comedic daredevil with the unmistakable foot-high hair, returns to his hometown to engage audiences with his lovable personality, trademark humor and playful antics.

Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: The Jersey Tenors , June 13 – July 16

A combination of Opera and Rock creates a mash-up sensation of a explosive blend of iconic music. From the opera classics to artists such as Queen, ABBA, Frankie Valli, The Four Seasons, Frank Sinatra, Springsteen, and more – The Jersey Tenors will have you singing along as they raise the roof with their powerful voices. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.floridastudiotheatre.org

Florida Studio Theatre , 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Beau Jest , June 14 – June 25, 7:30pm and 2pm

Directed by James Sherman, Beau Jest is about a Jewish girl named Sarah and her parents wanting her to marry a nice Jewish boy. Sarah hires an aspiring actor to meet her parents but eventually ends up falling in love with him. Single tickets are $18.

The Players Centre for Performing Arts, 838 N Tamiami Tr., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALA: Sail Into Freedom , June 15, 6:00- 8:00 pm

Join Selah Freedom and bring light to the darkness of sex trafficking at the Sarasota Yacht Club with Sail Into Freedom from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Take in nature’s beauty with a brilliant sunset and the tranquil sound of the gulf all while enjoying heavy hors’ d'oeuvres and libations. Dr. Jason Quintal will be the honored guest of the evening who works with survivors, donors, and volunteers. All proceeds benefit Selah Freedom and their mission to effectively bring solutions to survivors of sex trafficking & exploitation.

Sarasota Yacht Club , 1100 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Gallery Walk & Talk , June 15, 11am-6pm

Learn more about the beliefs and social practices of the culture that created these exquisite Eternal Offerings. Join Museum staff and guests for these “bite size” programs that focus on issues and ideas. Free with admission, ticket required. Space is limited. Members may reserve tickets. For more information please visit www.ringling.org

The Ringling, 5401 Bayshore Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  BUSINESS: SkillSHARE June 22 Mentoring Summit , June 15, 5-7:30pm

Made for speed, SkillSHARE is the basics of mentorship concentrated into mini-sessions that encourage honest interactions and allow for spontaneous connection. This event is a way to meet like-minded professionals, make valuable connections and get straight to your most burning questions about career and personal development. Each participant will be paired with several mentors for mini-sessions. Lasting from 10-12 minutes, each mini-session is unstructured, allowing for conversation, guidance and direction from each mentor.

SRQ Studios, 331 S. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota

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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