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Mitch PerryFebruary 13, 2016

A seven-member bipartisan group of Congress, led by Tampa Democrat Kathy Castor, departed from Tampa to Cuba on Saturday. “We intend to meet with small business owners and entrepreneurs to gain a better understanding of how the changes in the Cuban economy are working,” Castor said in a brief news conference held at Tampa International […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 4, 2015

It was famed actor, celebrity and humanitarian George Clooney who once said that he doesn’t tweet. “Just because, I like to have a drink at night. I could easily say something stupid, and I also don’t think you need to be that available.” But there are lots of folks who just can’t help expressing themselves via the tools of […]

Mitch PerryMay 18, 2015

Last week, a delegation of Tampa area officials visited Cuba in a trip organized by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. It was the third excursion to the communist island led by the Chamber in the past few years. It was “certainly the most productive and most historic,” Ronald Christaldi, a partner with the Tampa law firm of Shumaker, Loop […]

Mitch PerryMarch 30, 2015

Ron Christaldi, chairman of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, said Monday that in 2013, a half-dozen members of the chamber visited Vice President Joe Biden and other White House officials to discuss the potential for business with Cuba. “They asked me about what the business community wanted and were we ready to take advantage […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 25, 2015

Hopping on a plane anytime soon? It might be a good idea to catch a flight out of Tampa International Airport. The airport was naimed North America’s second best airport by Airports Council International. TIA also nabbed the number five spot in the world for customer satisfaction among airports serving 15-25 million passengers. Airport Service […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 16, 2015

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Speaking at a chilly Tampa International Airport, Gov. Rick Scott and Tampa Bay tourism officials hailed the record-breaking number of visitors to Florida this past year, but the governor also acknowledged it will take more than just tourism to drive the Florida economy. There were 97 million tourists who visited the Sunshine State in 2014, exceeding […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 21, 2015

I will never, ever underestimate Sally Harris again. Harris is one of the two freshly minted members on the Hillsborough County School Board who was fated with deciding the fate of Superintendent MaryEllen Elia at last night’s board meeting. Last week I predicted that with the collective establishment in Tampa (including the editorial boards of both of the dailies, […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 21, 2015

I will never, ever underestimate Sally Harris again. Harris is one of the two freshly minted members on the Hillsborough County School Board who was fated with deciding the fate of Superintendent MaryEllen Elia at last night’s board meeting. Last week I predicted that with the collective establishment in Tampa (including the editorial boards of both of the dailies, […]

Mitch PerryDecember 15, 2014

Business and political leaders in Tampa Bay have been putting an intense focus on establishing trade relations in Central and South America in recent years, making excursions to Columbia, Panama and most recently, Chile. Now they’re targeting Brazil. On Monday morning, the Florida Chamber of Commerce presented a two-hour discussion on creating business opportunities with the largest country […]

Mitch PerryNovember 24, 2014

A ceremony heralding the groundbreaking for the $943 million master plan for Tampa International Airport took place Thursday morning, and it was a major production indeed. Held on the roof of the airport’s economy parking garage under a large tent equipped with heaters, wide screen television monitors, and 60’s style flight attendants, the event was […]

Tag: Joe Lopano

Kathy Castor leads 7-member congressional delegation to Cuba

Mitch Perry Report for 9.4.15 – Sam Rashid is not backing down

Tampa Chamber of Commerce positioning area to prosper with post-sanctions Cuba

Tampa officials host conference on Cuba

Tampa International Airport nabs another best of award

In Tampa, Gov. Rick Scott touts new tourism numbers, lobbies for manufacturer tax cut

Mitch Perry Report for 1.21.15 — Hillsborough County will survive MaryEllen Elia’s exit

Mitch Perry Report for 1.21.15 — Hillsborough County will survive MaryEllen Elia's exit

Tampa Bay business officials target Brazil for more trade opportunities

Groundbreaking begins on Tampa airport’s $943 million master plan