I spent a few days recently in Dallas at a round table discussion with technology leaders from cities throughout the country. I was there to share how the St. Pete Innovation District has become a testbed for smart city projects. Listening to the discussions I learned a lot. Unsurprising the challenges are similar. However, each community is using data in different ways to better understand the issues and assess potential solutions. From accurate maps to understand the availability of high speed internet fiber to dashboards that display environmental and lighting sensors, communities are looking to data to answer questions they couldn't before and to validate their investments.
As you will read in the November 2022 newsletter, data is helping make sense of what happened during Hurricane Ian, being used by CDC to mitigate health risks, and can drive future economic opportunities from the ocean. I suspect you are using data in your life and/or work more than you ever have before.
-Alison Barlow
Executive Director, St. Petersburg Innovation District
Last month, the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub kicked off the school year with a lively Retro Back-to-School themed Happy Hour. Tenants brought their families, and the space was filled with throwback snacks, classic laser backdrop photo ops, and plenty of nostalgic fun.
Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay's 3DE initiative connects high school students with local and national businesses, giving them hands-on experience in problem-solving.
October always feels like conference season — a time when professionals from around the world gather to exchange ideas, explore emerging trends, and strengthen collaborations. Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending and speaking at the OCEANS 2025 Conference in Chicago, a global gathering for those advancing ocean science and maritime technology.