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SRQ DAILY Jun 22, 2015

Monday Business Edition

Monday Business Edition

"Hands-on play is never going to go away, even with robots to do work for us. "

- Tim Holliday, Children's World
 

[Population]  Birth Place of Residents
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SCOPE’s recent report, based on data supplied by the U.S. Census Bureau, demonstrates that of the people residing in Sarasota during 2010, 2011 and 2012, more people were born out of the state than in Florida. The data shows that in 2012, almost three times more people in Sarasota were born outside of Florida than in Florida.  

[Sports]  Rissler to Boost Support At Benderson Park
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

After flying around the globe to help secure sporting events taking place in Nathan Benderson Park, Nicole Rissler already has a good understanding of the assets managed by the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center. Last week, it was announced she would help run the organization and the world-class sporting venue. Rissler by mid-June will leave her current post as director of sports at Visit Sarasota County and take on the new role of chief operating officer for SANCA.

Rissler said her top priority will be making sure there will be an increase in programming at the county-owned park. “I want to look at developing and having additional events, from international down to local community events,” she said. That means more than just rowing events. She sees potential for growth with dragonboat races, as well as some land-focused events like marathons and triathlons. She notes the facilities accommodate bicycle and running events as well as water-based ones, even though accomplishments like landing the 2017 World Rowing Championship events remain the highest profile achievements with the venue thus far. 

But development of revenue will also be an important part of the job. While the amount of public funding for SANCA has drawn scrutiny, Rissler wants to boost private sector partnerships, sponsorships and other ways of drawing money. “The biggest focus will be on business development and marketing and communications,” she said. 

The facility itself, though, will remain a publicly enjoyed resource. Rissler stressed it remains a public park, and said residents will have plenty of opportunity to utilize the facility without buying a ticket to a championship. “One of the coolest things about the facility is how you can go at 5 at night and see tons of people biking and running and walking around the lake,” she said. 

As far as her old job, Rissler said she wants to see a replacement in the sports director position at Visit Sarasota County in place before she leaves. “From our perspective, sports is in a really good space,” she said. 

[Retail]  Tim Holliday, Children's World
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Where does he get those beautiful toys? Tim Holliday, co-owner of Children’s World, for years has brought the best children's toys into the homes of families in Southwest Florida. Now he will serve as treasurer for the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association and ensure store owners across the country are well-equipped for the task of keeping children smiling and happy when they play.

What is the role of ASTRA in the retail world? It’s really the only association in the country specifically designed to help specialty toy stores. We have a big convention and trade show with specialty toy manufacturers. For all toy retailers, it’s a major buying trip for the year. We also do launch and education programs, helping certify members in good ways to run a business. I’ve had a nice hand in that. And we work and do advocacy on protection laws to help prevent issues with kids but also not be ridiculous to the point where it’s impossible to enforce or for a small manufacturer to be able to work.

What are the most important things for the association in the immediate future? We’ve spent the last couple years working on a strategic plan. The education initiative has been a piece. Another piece is working on there being interest in opening new specialty toy stores. We are also working on the technology initiative on how to help stores, and we’ve got a member relations position we’ve created and filled. We are looking to utilize that to bring a three-legged stool all together so we can help each other and help grow the industry.

What is the role for specialty toy stores in today’s economy, especially with so many online outlets? Technology is great, and we are embracing technology, but want to make sure it’s the right technology. Some of the things kids can play online are not the best. Some have no educational value. But at our last meeting, we saw a product coming out in the fall that opens up like a board game, but you set it up and it basically lets a child make their own video game. It’s a connection between open-ended play and technology. Hands-on play is never going to go away, even with robots to do work for us. We still will want to pull out and touch a toy or a puzzle. In fact, we’ve seen a resurgence in families saying, let’s sit down, turn everything off and play games. We want to be a part of that. 

[Recognition]  SCF Foundation Names Two New Directors
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State College of Florida Foundation approved two new board members, Chris Romine and Pamela Swain, at a recent meeting. Romine, a senior vice president and managing director of Northern Trust Bank in Bradenton, is an SCF alumnus and has served on the SCF audit committee. Swain, a co-owner of Saramar, Swain Properties, Swain SEV Properties and Swain Enterprises in Sarasota, has served on the SCF Foundation Scholarship committee for the past two years and was on the inaugural Avenues des Artistes committee earlier this year. 

SCF Foundation

[Recognition]  Elected Officials Win Home Rule HERO Award
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The Florida League of Cities selected five elected officials from The Manasota League of Cities’ area to receive the Home Rule HERO Award in recognition of their outstanding advocacy for the protection of home rule rights for their constituents and municipal citizens throughout the State of Florida.  The recipients are City of Sarasota Mayor Willie Charles Shaw, North Port Mayor Rhonda DiFranco, North Port Commissioner Linda Yates, Holmes Beach Commissioner Jean Peelen and Bradenton Councilman Patrick Roff. Greg Steube, R-Bradenton, was also recognized as a Home Rule HERO as a legislator from the ManaSota delegation. 

Florida League of Cities

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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