There are shared spaces... and then there are shared communities. Spaces, while important, are will not yield results such as innovative products/services, new grant funding, or joint ventures unless you spend dedicated time building a community within the space. Connecting those in the space to each other and to those in other organizations is not a small feat. Our community is the most important part of the HUB. We talk about it a lot and reference it as if it is a living, breathing entity.
Over the last two months, the HUB hosted four events that illustrate the idea of community. The first was a tour with the International Marine Mineral Society. As part of their annual conference at the Vinoy, attendees learned about the technology being developed at the HUB and discussed future opportunities with HUB tenants.
The second event was a social as part of the annual program review for USF's Center for Ocean Mapping and Innovative Technology (COMIT). Members of the COMIT team, NOAA, and their partners had a chance to informally come together and continue to explore the future of ocean mapping.
The third was a Coastal Community Happy Hour. Sponsored by Integral Consulting Inc, it brought together 100+ individuals from the Tampa Bay Area Marine Science Networking Happy Hour, St. Pete Ocean Team, HUB, Innovation District, and entrepreneurial community. Over beverages at the beer bus and in the food truck lines, they were able to meet people they didn't know, talk about projects they were working on, and imagine collaborations.
The most recent event was held last evening as part of the Florida Coastal Mapping Program Summit. Sponsored by Woolpert, this social brought together private industry, academia, and government representatives. This informal time created connections, allowed for informal discussions about the day's meetings and set the stage for today's workshops.
We are a little more than a month away from an exciting Morning Sparks where we will explore our role as one of the largest innovation districts globally! Expect to learn new information on how we plan to drive greater regional economic growth and competition, act as catalysts for economic opportunities in neighboring communities, and strategically position our district for growth in competitive and sustainable ways. This will be the first SPID event held at ARK Innovation Center, so mark your calendar for Friday, August 1st.
What's next for launching rockets into space? Launching rockets from the sea. With limited land availability and significant costs, companies like Seagate Space see a game-changing solution in developing offshore launchpads. There is also a sense of urgency as other countries have included offshore infrastructure as part of their space strategy. Seagate Space and The Spaceport Company are positioned to lead the way for Florida in this new frontier.
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is more than just helicopters or planes; it’s the future of transportation. St. Petersburg is looking ahead into electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft that can perform tasks beyond the capabilities of traditional aviation. Think faster disaster relief response, private air taxis, and much more.