Drew WilsonShaun Drinkard has been promoted to senior director of public programming and operations at Tampa Downtown Partnership, the group announced Friday.
In his new role, Drinkard will lead district operations which includes the Downtown Guides and Clean Team program as well as all public programming within the Special Services District.
“Shaun has been a critical component to activating our riverfront and interior Downtown public spaces,” said Lynda Remund, TDP’s acting president and CEO. “His passion for creating memorable experiences and ability to bring together all the players to make these events happen has put Tampa on the map as a fun and vibrant city that boomers to GenXers and millennials want to live, work, play, and learn.”
Drinkard joined TDP in 2010 as its director of placemaking, where he was responsible for bringing numerous monthly and annual programs to Downtown Tampa, including Rock the Park, a free monthly music series, and Winter Village, an eight-week holiday experience featuring waterfront dining, ice skating, and holiday shops.
“Downtown Tampa is changing and the Tampa Downtown Partnership is evolving to become a more nimble and relevant organization to address the issues facing Downtown,” TDP Chairman Mickey Jacob said. “Shaun has the experience, network, and proficiency to manage the growth of our special service district and our free public events.”
Drinkard is an alumnus of Lousiana State University and in 2017 he was selected by the International Downtown Association to participate in their prestigious Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program. In addition to his role at TDP, Drinkard is on the Board of Directors for the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts where he served as the 2013 Festival President.
