Ideas can take months, even years to move from a nascent concept into a tangible outcome. Some ideas die in this forming stage. Others make it through after hours spent designing the solution, securing funding, soliciting partners, and otherwise proving that the concept is worthy of moving forward. In the Innovation District, where ideas are our currency, this is a typical scenario that we go through daily. It takes patience – and then more patience!!!
Eventually an idea takes shape and the outcome we had hoped for becomes real. For those that have been working behind the sciences to mold and refine the idea, it is a relief. For those that see the result for the first time, it is a chance to marvel at the magic that makes St. Pete special.
The Innovation District has had many celebrations over the first few months of 2022. Its been a whirlwind. Kudos to the teams behind the scenes and their enthusiastic supporters that made the following possible:
There are more projects coming. They are in the forming stage. We hope they will be successful, but we will have to wait and see. In the meantime, I am working on being more patient.
Thanks!
Alison Barlow
Executive Director
[from the Innovation District May 2022 Newsletter]
There are many quotes about innovation and how it is fostered. I have several hanging in my office. We recently looked to these as we were deciding the name for our new breakfast series. Our brainstorming kept coming back to the concept that ideas are the beginning - they create the "spark" that fuels innovation.
Congratulations to Sarah Gilbert, Chief Operating Officer of Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital for being named a 2024 BusinessWoman of the Year honoree. We are also thrilled that Sarah has recently joined the Board of Directors for the Innovation District.
Even with an extra day in the month, I am running late with the February newsletter. Its been a busy and exciting time. Last Tuesday we announced a new project - Catching the Blue Wave: Accelerating America’s Ocean Economy.