June 4, 2025, London: U.S. Commercial Attaché Christina Kelly welcomed nearly 100 business leaders representing the United Kingdom and the Tampa Bay Region to an elegant reception at the U.S. Embassy. The event concluded a week-long Foreign Direct Investment mission led by Global Tampa Bay, during which a 20-member Tampa Bay delegation strengthened ties with UK-based companies and reinforced Tampa Bay’s position as a premier destination for international investment. PCED Director Dr. Cynthia Johnson says of the successful visit, “We engaged in direct and promising discussions with a diverse range of international companies, strategically presenting the Tampa Bay Region as an ideal destination for future investment and solidifying the area’s role as a primary gateway for transatlantic growth. We are confident that we have planted the seeds, which will undoubtedly grow into new foreign direct investment and the creation of high-value jobs for our communities."

At Goodman Technologies, Dr. Bill Goodman combines decades of engineering experience with advanced additive and robotic manufacturing, pushing the limits of what’s possible on and off the planet. With expert assistance from the Florida APEX Accelerator at Pinellas County Economic Development, Goodman has steadily grown the aerospace company since relocating it to Pinellas County. As Goodman Technologies continues to grow, Goodman plans to stay connected to the Florida APEX Accelerator at PCED. “As a business owner, my number one purpose is to grow the business and I intend to use Florida APEX with me on this,” he said.

Find the Numbers You Need on Our Economic Data Dashboard

The Economic Dashboard is a free service that provides hundreds of data charts, graphs, and tables on local industries, employment trends, wages & incomes, workforce counts, and local demographics. You can also find direct links to Visit St. Petersburg-Clearwater tourism data and Florida Department of Commerce employer databases. Need help? Reach out to David Chawk, our Market Intelligence Specialist, at dchawk@pinellas.gov or (727) 464-7332 for personalized assistance.

With hurricane season underway, Pinellas County and the City of St. Pete Beach will host a free Storm Mitigation Expo to provide residents with information and resources to protect their homes and businesses from storm impacts.

• Talk with vendors to learn how to best protect property from storm impacts
• Explore the latest home mitigation products and discover strategies to better prepare for severe weather
• Pre-register with restoration professionals to ensure quick recovery after storms
• View live demos of products designed to protect property

Location: St. Pete Beach Community Center Ballroom, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, St. Pete Beach.

Join guest speaker Dr. Cynthia Johnson, PCED Director, to explore the unstoppable success of women business owners and leaders across Tampa Bay. Tap insider expertise straight from top industry voices, unrivaled networking opportunities, and collaborative experiences that fuel innovation. 

EaseAlert CEO and co-founder Blake Richardson will lead an engaging Bay Area Manufacturers Consortium presentation on the development journey of the EaseAlert Firefighter Alerting System (FFAS). This event will cover the full arc of bringing FFAS from concept to production, sharing insights on fundraising, manufacturing, and achieving product-market fit. 

This annual event connects Pinellas County’s top talent with employment opportunities and vital community services.

Aug. 7, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at The Coliseum

535 4th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701