As officials develop a plan for Sarasota’s waterfront cultural district, they want young people working in the region to help shape the final vision. The Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization will host an event today at The Francis and have invited young professionals to voice their own thoughts on what should happen with 42 acres of publicly owned land overlooking Sarasota Bay.

“Our objective is to reach out to as many people as we possible can to get input,” says Bill Waddill, managing director for the SBPO. “This project, if the master plan is approved and we move forward toward implementing it, this ultimately is a legacy project for Sarasota. It’s for everyone of all ages and every demographic. We want to reach out and get everyone’s input.”

The Young Professionals Group spread word of the meeting last week. Mimi Cirbusova, The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s YPG coordinator, says it’s critical for this demographic to stay involved in the planning process. “This is not just being developed for this generation but the next generation and the next,” she said. “Having young professionals as a voice in this initiative is critical, because we will enjoy it for a really long time.” The engagement in this civic process will also get a generation of professionals invested in the future of the area, she says, making it more likely they continue to develop their careers on the Gulf Coast.

And while YPG remains among the list of stakeholder groups that worked with the Bayfront 20:20 effort to develop guiding principled for the waterfront, Waddill says young professionals often remain underrepresented in civic planning efforts like that for The Bay. “There are certainly groups that are not typically as engaged in this type of process, and one of them is young professionals,” he says. “They are in a stage of life where they are busy, they have a lot going on.” The event today from 6-7:30pm, shortly after most professionals wrap-up their work day. While there will be a short presentation at the event, it’s planned as “Happy Hour”-style meet-and-greet mostly intended to make attendees feel conformable with the major players in the process, Waddill says.

The meeting has also been billed as a chance to meet with A.G. Lafley, a former Proctor & Gamble CEO now chairing the SBPO. And it’s an opportunity for people to meet with Waddill, who last week started as managing director, and with representatives of Sasaki, a Boston-based firm which will translate inout and data gathered on the site into a draft master plan to be considered by Sarasota City Commissioners.

The meeting will be one of several held over the next couple months with a variety of stakeholders, says Waddill, who previously worked at Kimley-Horn on such public assets as the Bradenton Riverwalk and recent improvements to Siesta Key Beach Park. And while he knows people are anxious to start seeing designs for the long-anticipated revisiting of The Bay, it’s still critically important to continue gathering input. 

Photo courtesy SBPO

Ask Jarvis, a series of workshops geared towards helping women-owned small businesses with digital marketing, is launching on February 8, 2018 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. The workshops are hosted by Web Jarvis and are geared towards women who own small businesses. The classes will take place at the Web Jarvis offices located at 1970 Barber Road in Sarasota. The cost is $25 per class, which includes refreshments provided by Green Apple Catering. The first workshop will be an easy-to-understand overview of SEO (search engine optimization). Participants will gain a solid knowledge of the different components that affect where their business ranks on a search engine. They will also learn how to make sure their audience can find them online through basic SEO practices. During the classes, participants will have time to get the answers to individual questions and learn from other business owners in a small group setting. Web Jarvis is a full-service website design, development, and digital marketing company located in Sarasota, specializing in designing and developing custom websites, applications and search engine optimization (SEO) with a key focus of helping companies to grow their businesses. 

Web Jarvis

Executive Director Jim Shirley of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County has announced the soon departure of Arts and Cultural Alliance Communications Manager Rachel Denton. Effective Jan. 10, Denton will leave her role with the Arts and Cultural Alliance and take up her new position as Communications and Voter Outreach Manager for the Sarasota Supervisor of Elections. “Rachel has been an outstanding member of the Alliance team for the past couple years and has done a wonderful job of managing our communications, social media platforms and more,” said Shirley in a statement. “While we will miss her genuine talent and warm personality, we are excited for her to expand her experiences and skill sets.” The Alliance is currently searching for Denton’s successor. 

Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County

Ricky Perrone, vice president of Sarasota luxury home builder Nautilus Homes, has created a consumer guide, "Choosing the Right Contractor." The concise and informative guide is designed to offer advice and tools for researching and selecting qualified, ethical and professional building contractors. The guide also looks to gives tips on how to spot red flags that might indicate inexperienced or unscrupulous builders, and to provide a detailed questionnaire form that can be used as a basis to start the interview process with contractors.  The free guide is available for download at the website below. 

Nautilus Homes

Our region is known for it’s high caliber performing arts and theatre productions but there can only be one Best Local Theatre Company. Come center stage, take a bow and vote for your favorite in SRQ’s 2018 Best of SRQ Local Competition.  

Vote Here!