Industry Insights

Next Level Brands is reshaping its leadership team, doubling down on internal talent to fuel its next stage of growth. The hospitality group announced Chef Jacob Rios, the creative force behind Union New American, has been named Director of Culinary and will join the executive leadership team. Stepping into Rios’ former role, Chef Casey Alfonso

Tampa General Hospital has been named one of Florida’s best places to work by Forbes for the fifth consecutive year, cementing its reputation as both the region’s leading healthcare provider and a top employer.  The recognition places the academic health system as the No. 1 health care employer in Tampa Bay and among the top five

A decades-long burden on Florida’s commercial tenants and landlords ends this month, and the Tampa Bay business community is ready to raise a glass. On Sept. 30, the state’s sales tax on commercial leases will officially expire, closing the chapter on Florida’s status as the only state in the nation to impose such a levy.

The Bank of Tampa has announced two senior leadership appointments in its Pinellas County offices. Barclay R. Harless has been named senior vice president and market director of the downtown St. Petersburg office. Harless brings more than a decade of experience delivering financial solutions in the local market. He most recently served as senior vice

The University of South Florida has selected Rob Higgins, longtime executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, as its first chief executive officer of Athletics. Higgins, a USF graduate and former athletics staff member, will return to his alma mater after leading the sports commission since 2004, where he helped bring two Super Bowls,

Manatee and Venice closed $35.3M in property deals to expand services and meet growth.

Landmark Properties has acquired a 4.3-acre site near the University of South Florida and plans to build an 807-bed student housing community called The Mark Tampa, the company announced. Developed in partnership with Canyon Partners Real Estate and Peninsula Investments, the six-story project will rise at 2700 University Square Drive, near the USF campus. Construction

Coppertail Brewing has launched its first THC-infused seltzer, marking a new product move for the Ybor City brewery.

The Schemmel Soda Group, a leading luxury real estate team formerly with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, has joined Douglas Elliman’s Sarasota office, at 1350 Main St. Led by Joel Schemmel and Donna Soda, the team was ranked Premier Sotheby’s No. 1 team, in Sarasota and Manatee counties, since 2019, and the No. 1 small team

The PGA of America has named Bruce Cassidy Sr., president of The Concession Golf Club, as general chair of the 2026 Senior PGA Championship, scheduled for April 16–19 at the Bradenton course. Cassidy will lead a host committee of more than 50 division and committee chairs and more than 1,000 volunteers, while also assisting with

Buligo Capital has purchased the Sarasota Industrial Business Center, a 187,000-square-foot industrial portfolio, for $27.4 million. The complex, located about two miles east of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, consists of five shallow-bay industrial buildings totaling more than 186,650 square feet, along with 1.12 acres of outdoor storage and laydown yard space. The properties, at 2387,

Bentley Denver and Sarasota local, luxury handbag designer BSWANKY, based in Sarasota, hosted an exclusive two-day event that brought together collectors and connoisseurs from across the country to celebrate luxury, design and innovation. Held at the newly renovated Bentley Denver showroom, the event featured a curated display of BSWANKY’s handcrafted handbags, including limited-edition pieces made