A fresh push to market the region as a center for companies in the health sector, The Health Economy Network continues upon efforts in the past three years to brand the region as a valuable hub of innovation and support for the medical and related fields. 

“We continue to see growth from companies in that sector,” says Mark Huey, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County. Huey says as the sector grows, it becomes easier for companies already doing business here to recruit talent to the region, and as more find success, it encourages investors in this wealth-rich area to put their money in companies in the field.

“We saw an opportunity to share knowledge and information between companies in a way that can help companies to grow faster,” Huey says. “One company may have a good depth of experience in building customer markets, and that could benefit a younger company challenged to build depth in their customer base.” Building relationships within the sector, Huey says, should help growth in the region overall, something which should benefit everyone doing business here. 

The Sarasota EDC and the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation worked hand-in-hand with partners at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation on a major rebranding effort for the Health Economy Network (previously called the Health Innovation Network). Sarasota firm Knight Marketing developed a new logo and brand message for the effort, which got unveiled at a special event at the University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee.

Sharon Hillstrom, president and CEO of the Bradenton Area EDC, said in a statement the network is a “great opportunity to tell the community and the world what our region is doing as a health innovation center.”

The network relies on such medical research companies as the Roskamp Institute and Meridien Research and such health-related tech companies as ShareCare. Huey says shifting the brand from “innovation” to the broader “economy” terminology helps show the number of reliable companies doing solid work that, while not necessarilly cutting edge, provide a foundation for the entire sector. Businesses like Aso, a globe leader in first aid products, have been employing folks in Sarasota for years, he noted, laying the groundwork for companies developing new devices and technology in the field.