Inside Tampa’s push to bring SEC Football Media Days to Florida

SEC Football Media Days podium stands in front of a large SEC-branded backdrop featuring a blue football helmet at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street.

SEC Football Media Days began Monday in downtown Tampa, marking the first time the Southeastern Conference has held its annual football event in Florida. The four-day gathering is expected to draw roughly 1,200 to 1,400 people, including 900 to 1,000 reporters, the conference’s 16 head coaches, student-athletes, school staff and sponsors. Lanness Robinson, executive director … Read more

ConnectWise launches AI platform for managed service providers

ConnectWise headquarters in downtown Tampa, where the technology company announced a new AI platform for managed service providers.

Tampa-based ConnectWise announced the general availability of an artificial intelligence platform that combines its software for managed service providers into a single system. The ConnectWise Platform connects the company’s professional services automation, remote monitoring and management, ScreenConnect remote access, ConnectWise SIEM, cybersecurity, billing, documentation and backup products with third-party integrations. ConnectWise said AI agents built … Read more

Former Tampa strip mall converted into affordable housing

Exterior view of Mercy Oaks II affordable apartment community in Tampa, converted from a former commercial property.

Seventeen affordable apartments opened Wednesday along North Florida Avenue after a former strip commercial center was redeveloped into permanent housing for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Mercy Oaks II includes 15 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments. The City of Tampa contributed $1.25 million in State Housing Initiatives Partnership funds to … Read more