Representatives from the Tampa Bay Rowdies  filmed a television commercial segment for the team with Mayor Iorio. The Rowdies are Tampa’s professional soccer club that will compete in the re-established North American Soccer League. The Rowdies begin their season in April 2010 and will play home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field. 

The mayor delivered the annual State of the City to employees, residents, and community leaders. Hundreds of people attended the program held at the Tampa Convention Center. The presentation included a video highlighting the many accomplishments that have taken place in Tampa and City government from April 2009 to March 2010.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the grand opening of Canon Business Solutions at its new location in downtown Tampa. Canon moved its operations from Town ‘n Country to its new, 9,800-square-foot location on the ground floor of the M&I Bank building. Canon Business Solutions provides a range of office equipment and technology services to organizations of all sizes. 

The mayor joined area government leaders for the Florida Strawberry Festival Luncheon. Now in its 75th year, Plant City's Strawberry Festival dates back to the 1930s when members of the Plant City Lions Club  created an event to celebrate their annual strawberry harvest. The 2010 Festival runs from March 4 through March 14 and includes nationally known entertainment along with midway rides, exhibits and strawberry shortcake.

The Tampa Bay Lightning and the National Hockey League  commissioner held a news conference and reception at the St. Pete Times Forum to introduce the team’s new owner, Jeff Vinik. Vinik officially purchased the Lightning on March 3, 2010 through his company, Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment LLC. As owner, he now serves as Chairman of the Lightning and the team’s Governor on the NHL’s Board of Governors.

The University of Tampa Student Government organization held a leadership luncheon at the university's Vaughn Center. Student Government members, university trustees, and faculty members discussed topics and issues of interest. The University of Tampa is an accredited private university with over 6,200 students engaged in more than 120 areas of study.

A Neighborhood Presidents' Coffee was held with the leaders from North Hyde Park, Historic Hyde Park, Northview Hills, South Seminole Heights, Northeast Community, and THAN. Topics of discussion included issues and concerns facing Tampa's neighborhoods as well as suggestions for improvements.

The Honorable Alberto Fierro Garza, Consul of the United Mexican States, paid a courtesy visit to the Mayor’s Office. Consul Fierro is currently serving his first consular assignment after assuming the post in January 2010. He has been a member of the Mexican diplomatic corps since 1993, specializing in arts and cultural affairs.
 

The City of Tampa held its 14th Annual Women’s History Month Celebration and presented the 2010 Josephine Howard Stafford Award to Employee Relations Manager Sarah Lang. The award is given annually to a current or former City of Tampa female employee who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to her position and community.

March 2, 2010

The Tampa Bay Business Journal  (TBBJ) held its Community Conversation Breakfast at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. The event included a panel discussion with local officials and transit experts to discuss key transportation topics and issues impacting the Tampa Bay area. TBBJ is a local publication of American City Business Journals that covers the business news of our community and the nation.

The University of South Florida's Phi Beta Kappa Faculty Alumni honor society hosted the first installment of its Faculty Lecture Series at the Museum of Science and Industry. Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, a renowned astrophysicist, served as the inaugural speaker. The lecture series’ aim is to bring leading scholars to the university and Tampa to interact with students, faculty, staff, and members of the community.

City of Tampa employee Sid Pascua recently announced his retirement after 17 years of dedicated service. Pascua served as a Help Desk Analyst with the Technology and Innovation Department providing technical and operational support. During his career, Pascua devoted himself to providing efficient customer service and resolving technological issues for the City’s network users. 

A ribbon-cutting was held to celebrate the opening of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Florida's (BCBSF) newest Florida Blue retail center. The 5,000-square-foot center, located in the Westshore area, provides members with a new way to plan for their health.

February 23, 2010

Nancy Gray, a senior at Middleton High School, served as Junior Mayor. After graduation, Nancy plans to pursue a nursing degree specializing in neonatal care. Highlights of her day included visits to the Tampa Police Department, City Council, the City Clerk's Office, and attending a United Negro College Fund luncheon with the mayor.

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) held its fourth annual Governor's Luncheon at the University Club of Tampa to celebrate Black History Month. The luncheon also helped raise money for UNCF to continue providing minority students with opportunities for education. Since 1944, UNCF has raised over $3.5 billion to help over 350,000 students attend and graduate college. 

February 22, 2010

The Tampa Bay Partnership held a reception and discussion with Mayor Pat McCrory of Charlotte, N.C. Mayor McCrory visited both Tampa and Lakeland to discuss regional transportation. The Tampa Bay Partnership is a non-profit organization that markets the region to influence business and government issues that impact economic growth and development.

February 20, 2010

The mayor made a special guest appearance on The Motown Maurice Show and presented him with a key to the city. The Motown Maurice Show is a local 60-minute, late-night talk show filmed at the Cuban Club in Ybor City. The show, which debuted in January 2010, offers viewers a retro theme and experience.

February 19, 2010

The Tampa Bay for Haiti Coalition held a memorial service at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in remembrance of the victims of Haiti’s earthquake. The memorial included the releasing of doves and recitation of poetry. In attendance were the Ambassador to Haiti and Haitian Consul General, along with many members of the Haitian and Tampa communities.

February 18, 2010

The Make-A-Wish Foundation  held its second annual Tampa Riverwalk for Wishes “Happy Hour Hike” at the Channelside Bay Plaza. More than 300 participants walked along the Tampa Riverwalk to help raise over $35,000 for the foundation. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has made the dreams of over 189,000 children with life-altering health issues come true.

February 18, 2010

The Honorable Antonios Sgouropoulos, Consul General of Greece in Tampa, paid the mayor a courtesy visit. Consul General Sgouropoulos is the highest ranking consular representative in Tampa and served as Deputy Head of Mission at the Greek Embassy in Bucharest, Romania before arriving in Tampa in 2009. 

February 18, 2010

A ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony was held for the new San Lorenzo II senior housing facility. Designed to provide housing for low-income elderly, the facility is a 68-unit, non-denominational, rental community. It is owned and operated by St. Lawrence Housing II, Inc., a non-profit corporation operating under U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations.

February 17, 2010

Members of the Girl Scouts of the USA visited the mayor’s office as part of a troop project to meet with and learn about female leaders throughout the Tampa Bay area. Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA has over 3.4 million members and helps girls build character, leadership skills, and strong values to live successful lives.

February 17, 2010

Barbara Kendrick with the City of Tampa Public Works Department recently announced her retirement after more than 44 years of dedicated service. Kendrick, an Office Support Specialist, committed herself to providing outstanding service to Tampa's residents.

February 17, 2010

City of Tampa employee Kay Glenn recently announced her retirement after 33 years with the City of Tampa. Glenn served as a Recreation Leader with the Parks and Recreation Department developing youth and senior programs. During her career, she served as a role model, providing both direction and guidance to young people.

Tampa Bay & Company  held its monthly Lunch with a Leader series to discuss Tampa’s current events and initiatives. Tampa Bay & Company is an independent non-for-profit organization that represents more than 700 businesses throughout Tampa Bay to help expand economic development through tourism. 

February 17, 2010

The 22nd Annual City of Tampa Black History Month Celebration was held at the Tampa Convention Center. Hosted by the City of Tampa Black History Committee, this year’s program, "With Open Arms: Reconnecting the Family," honored the importance of family. The event featured performances by employees, students from Eisenhower Middle School, and the Rampello Downtown Partnership School Jazz Ensemble.

February 16, 2010

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce  held its 12th annual Military Appreciation Banquet at the Marriott Waterside. General Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, delivered the keynote address to more than 500 attendees. The event recognizes local military personnel for outstanding professional service and their contributions to the Tampa Bay community.

February 16, 2010

The Mayor’s Youth Corps  (MYC) Class of 2009 held its closing luncheon at the Tampa Convention Center. The event celebrates the accomplishments and achievements of the class. Students in MYC serve for one year and participate in community service and leadership development projects, including a monthly television show on CTTV.