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SRQ DAILY Feb 5, 2018

Monday Business Edition

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Monday Business Edition

"Though the region is largely a tourist destination and retirement haven, high-tech industry output has been growing recently, signaling some success in the area’s push to diversify its industry profile and thus improving resilience."

- Milken Institute
 

[Workforce]  Milken: Sarasota Job Growth Tops in Nation
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Economic leaders always enjoy seeing the Greater Sarasota area climb the rankings of American cities in various business categories, but it was a particular surprise when the Milken Institute’s list of Best-Performing Cities published in January. The listing ranked the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metropolitan area as No. 6 among large metros, a 20-spot leap from last year.

This particular report grades cities based on job creation and sustainability. This area was one of only two communities in the Top 10 that didn’t also hold a high spot last year; Salt Lake City in Utah climbed from No. 11 to No. 10. So why the dramatic shift? A deeper look at the numbers shows this area ranked first in the nation in terms of short-term job growth as measured by Milken. “The region tops the chart in 12-month job growth, beating out economic powerhouses around the county,” reads the report. “Though the region is largely a tourist destination and retirement haven, high-tech industry output has been growing recently, signaling some success in the area’s push to diversify its industry profile and thus improving resilience.”

Mark Huey, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, says it's always a positive when business rankings make note of Sarasota’s increasingly strong economy. The short-term job growth accolade comes as no surprise to him. “We know what that’s about. It’s our service economy that has boomed in the rebound in the last couple of years,” Huey says. The current economic boom can be seen in real-time with the rise of new hotels and condos in Downtown Sarasota, creating construction work in the short run and permanent jobs in the hospitality field. That speaks to the job growth, if not diversification, though Huey notes that it’s those jobs that will continue to provide the backbone for the economy in this region for some time.

That's not a surprose to Virginia Haley, president of Visit Sarasota County, who says a surge in hospitality jobs has led to professional opportunities for numerous workers in the field. In Sarasota County alone, 13 hotels are under construction or, like The Westin Sarasota or Homewood Suites by Hilton Sarasota, have recently opened their doors. That's the biggest surge in new hotels in the area since the 1950s, Haley believes. She also stressed that jobs in hospitality often provide work training for professionals in a number of fields, providing work for full-time college students and others who need flexible hours.

According to the Milken report, 2017 stood out in job growth not just for the 103.24 percent increase but how it performed relative to other areas compared to prior years; Provo, Utah, the top ranked city on Milken’s report overall, had job growth in 2017 of 101.96 percent. In 2015, this area ranked 90th in short-term job growth compared to its top-slot finish in 2017. 

And other strengths also contributed the Milken score as well. Sarasota ranked 13th in high-tech gross domestic product growth over a five-year period and ranked 15th in wage growth in the nation as of 2015. 

Graphic courtesy Milken Institute.

[Meet the ProjecTHINK Speakers]  Janice Francisco, FourSight Facilitator and Administrator

Operating at the intersection of learning, change, creativity and innovation, Janice brings clarity to innovation for organizations that are struggling to define and bring action to their innovation initiatives. She helps her clients build teams of “innovation champions” who understand the value innovation brings to the organization, and have the eagerness, confidence, skills and creativity to drive results. Janice speaks internationally on applied creativity, and has developed expertise on building innovation cultures within government. She works with clients in the public, private, Fortune 500 and non-profit sectors.

An invigorating morning of innovative thinking and interactive collaboration await you at SRQ MEDIA'S inaugural projecTHINK Conference hosted at the Ringling College of Art and Design's award-winning Alfred R. Goldstein Library on Saturday February 10, from 8:30am-12:00pm.

Space is limited, purchase tickets online at srqprojecthink.com

ProjecTHINK Conference

[Arts & Culture]  Sarasota Opera Announces 60th Festival Season

Sarasota Opera has announced its 60th Festival Season. The 2018 Fall Season begins with The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini on October 26, 28, 31 and November 6, 8, 11, and The Little Sweep from the Sarasota Youth Opera on November 3 and 4. The 2019 Winter Season commences with Turandot by Giacomo Puccini on February 9, 12, 14, 17, 20, 23, 28 and March 3, 8, 15, 17, 22, and The Magic Flute by W. A. Mozart on February 16, 19, 21, 24, 27 and March 1, 16, 21, 23. Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi runs on March 2, 5, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 21, and 24. Rounding out the 2019 Winter Festival Season will be the Sarasota Opera premiere of two rare one-act comedies: Rita (Two Men and a Woman) by Gaetano Donizetti and Susanna’s Secret by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari. Performed together March 9, 12, 14, 17, 20 and 23, this will be the first time these operas have been presented as a double bill. 

Sarasota Opera

[Development]  Bayfront Planning Open Houses Scheduled This Week

The board of directors of The Bay and design and planning firm Sasaki are seeking public input for opportunities to improve the environmental and economic sustainability of the 53 acres along US 41 between Boulevard of the Arts and 10th Street. Three open houses will take place this week that will include interactive stations introducing the Master Planning team and process, exploring the history of the Bayfront, providing a summary of existing site conditions and imagining the future. The community is invited to participate in any one of the three open houses to address what activities, destinations, and open spaces they would like to experience on the site. Open houses are scheduled for Tuesday, February 6, at 5pm at the Robert L. Taylor Center; Wednesday, February 7, at 11am at the Van Wezel; and Thursday, February 8, 8:30am at the Van Wezel. An online survey will also be launched this week to gather community input. 

The Bay Sarasota

[Business]  Gates Welcomes Allen as Superintendent

Gates Construction has announced the addition of Matt Allen as superintendent. Allen will be responsible for daily onsite supervision of Gates projects, including quality control, safety and security, project close out and transition planning. Allen has more than 18 years of construction experience with a wide variety of project types and particular expertise in multi-family, retail and commercial construction. Allen will be based out of Gates Construction’s Sarasota office. 

Gates Construction



[Best Of SRQ Local]  Cast Your Vote For Best Local Contractor!


“People should trust Westin Hills because Jeremy is an extremely decent, honest person,” shares Hal McCombs. In a region flush with contractors, Westin Hills continues to stand out, winning Best Local Contractor for the second year in a row.  Will Westin Hills Corp go for a three-peat or will another contractor take the lead? Vote now in SRQ Magazine’s 2018 Best of SRQ Local Reader’s Competition.
 

Vote Here!

[TODAY]  FESTIVAL: The Theatre Odyssey 6th Annual Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival , February 3 – May 5

View eight ten-minute plays selected for full production from the many submitted each year to this annual contest. Adjudicated by theater professionals, cash prizes will be awarded for the first place winner and runner-up.

Cook Theater, 5555 N Tamiami Tr., Sarasota

[TODAY]  GALLERY: Tommy May: Emerging Spaces , January 12 – February 5

Tommy May's one man show features his abstracted landscape paintings. His current body of work combines shape, rich color and movement found within the landscapes from which he takes his inspiration. His mastery of analog photography techniques influence his paintings through a keen eye for light and process.

530 Burns Gallery, 530 Burns Ct., Sarasota.

[SOON]  SEMINAR: SWAC Speaker Series , February 6, 6:30PM

Join the Sarasota World Affairs Council for a series of high–profile foreign affairs lectures covering current international issues ranging from foreign intelligence to peace negotiations to immigration and trade. This month, President and CEO of the Rachel Carson Foundation, Doctor Robert Musil will discuss the social responsibility of sustaining the planet for future generations and global climate change. Each lecture is followed by a wine and cheese reception for members. 

Mildred Sainer Pavillion, 5313 Bay Shore Rd Sarasota, FL 34243

[SOON]  GALLERY: Art Uptown at Bird Key Yacht Club , February 6 – March 5

You are invited to come experience the beautiful exhibits while you enjoy live piano music, cocktails and a stunning waterfront view. The next upcoming show is the Jill Krasner exhibit. Krasner is a Sarasota based painter who creates a wide variety of works such as whimisical portraits of women of a certain age and collage reminiscent of old ruins or secret passages. 

Bird Key Yacht Club, 301 Bird Key Dr., Sarasota.

[SOON]  THEATER: Rhinoceros , February 7 – April 14

A biting absurdist satire from Eugene Ionesco, a seemingly normal man wakes up, goes to work, drinks too much and flirts with his coworker, when normalcy is shattered by the thundering arrival of a full-grown rhinoceros. As the townsfolk transform into horned beasts around him, this man must contemplate the temptation and tragedy of following the herd. Directed by the Tony Award-winning Frank Galati.

Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Shakespeare's Greatest Hits , February 7 – June 10, Varies by day

"Brush Up Your Shakespeare" with the best of the Bard. This tongue-in-cheek musical revue is a collection of songs inspired by the world's greatest playwright. From relevant to irreverent, from soulful to sinful, from "Get Thee To A Nunnery" and "Othello's Rap" to "What A Pieve of Work is Man" and "Tonight." 

Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Shirley Valentine , February 8 – February 18, 8pm

Shirley Valentine is a one-character play by Willy Russell. Taking the form of a monologue by a middle-aged, working-class Liverpool housewife, it focuses on her life before and after a transforming holiday abroad. 

The Players Centre of Performing Arts, 838 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota.

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Shivoo Havana Fashion Show , February 9, 11am-2:30pm

Get your SHIVOO on and come enjoy a boisterous celebration at the Shivoo Havana Fashion Show hosted by the Sarasota Garden Club at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom. This energetic occasion features a raffle silent auction, live Cuban music and a photo flower wall. The raffle prize includes a gardening tour for two in sunny Cuba.

Hyatt Regency Sarasota , 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  GALLERY: Expanse: Linda Richichi , February 9 – February 20

Expanse is an in-depth look into the newest oil paintings of Richichi's. The exhibition will feature her plein air paintings of Sarasota's most awe inspiring spaces. Richichi's works draw from the energy, color and spirit of the landscape. While remaining representative, these works are abstracted and the focuses shifts to her brilliant eye for color, playful brushstrokes and texture from the palette knife.

530 Burns Gallery, 530 Burns Ct., Sarasota.

[SOON]  SEMINAR: SRQ ProjecTHINK Conference , February 10, 8:45am-12:00pm

PROJECTHINK is the ultimate exploration into the world of innovation and creativity in learning. Designed for educators, professionals and anyone interested in thinking outside of the box, PROJECTHINK will challenge perceptions and jumpstart creative sparks, from early education to lifetime learning. How is learning adaptive? What are the new perspectives on engaging minds creatively at every age? How can organizations cultivate innovation and creativity to solve challenges? These questions and more will be explored along with cutting edge concepts and research at this year's PROJECTHINK Conference.  

Ringling College's Alfred R. Goldstein Library, 2700 Bradenton Rd, Sarasota, FL 34234

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: SRQ KidsFest , February 10, 12:00pm- 4:00pm

Launched as the brainchild of SRQ MEDIA President and CEO Lisl Liang as an experiential mosh-up of learning pathways, SRQ KidsFest deconstructs the whole mind ecosystem of creativity by curating an afternoon where curiosity, open-ended play, arts and design reign supreme. SRQ KidsFest is an experience designed to connect parents and kids with hands-on learning experiences, local engagement resources and opportunities in our region with a day teeming with exploration designed to deliver fun “a-ha” moments for the whole family.

In one afternoon program, SRQKidsFest will capture the power of imagination with interactive experiences with workshop such as letterpress, musical instruments, glass blowing, storytelling, architecture, arts and crafts and a variety of magical experiences designed to stir creativity.

Parents will be able to peruse booths showcasing the thoughtful programming, education and  family services available in our area from educational organizations to parenting resources, camps to sports and creative theatre to engineering.

Alfred R. Goldstein Library at Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 Bradenton Rd, Sarasota, FL 34234

[SOON]  MUSIC: From Dallas with Love , February 11, 3pm

Audrey Lander’s accolades are numerous enough to fill an anthology, with prominent roles in “Dallas,” “Love Boat,” “Fantasy Island,” “The Dukes of Hazard,” “MacGyver,” “Hollywood Squares,” “$100,000 Pyramid” and “Password.” Lander will be joining The Pops Orchestra to perform her favorite songs from the Great American Songbook. Witness a bonafide star and Lifetime Achievement Award winner in her element.

Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota

[SOON]  FOOD: Eight Over Eighty , February 11, 10:30 AM

Eight Over 80 brings another highly anticipated and sold-out audience to Michael’s On East. Guests will enjoy a delightful brunch (not to mention mimosas), while hearing inspiring stories from this year’s eight worthy nominees. Join the Jewish Housing Council Foundation for a positive and emotionally charged event to begin the New Year with a fresh perspective. 

The Westin Sarasota, 1175 N Gulfstream Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236.

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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