I spent a few days recently in Dallas at a round table discussion with technology leaders from cities throughout the country. I was there to share how the St. Pete Innovation District has become a testbed for smart city projects. Listening to the discussions I learned a lot. Unsurprising the challenges are similar. However, each community is using data in different ways to better understand the issues and assess potential solutions. From accurate maps to understand the availability of high speed internet fiber to dashboards that display environmental and lighting sensors, communities are looking to data to answer questions they couldn't before and to validate their investments.
As you will read in the November 2022 newsletter, data is helping make sense of what happened during Hurricane Ian, being used by CDC to mitigate health risks, and can drive future economic opportunities from the ocean. I suspect you are using data in your life and/or work more than you ever have before.
-Alison Barlow
Executive Director, St. Petersburg Innovation District
We will host another Trolley Tour and Happy Hour on Friday, June 13th. You will board a trolley with other Innovation District partners and learn about the history and future plans for the area. This tour will feature stops at Albert Whitted Airport, Florida Institute of Oceanography, and The Dalí Museum. The tour will conclude back at the Hub with a networking happy hour.
April’s Tech X-change was a hit, thanks to an engaging presentation from Digital Twin Marine. Shoutout to all the Eckerd College students who joined us! The audience was curious and interactive, asking great questions and eager to try out the virtual reality headset.
April’s event, Morning Sparks: Innovation X-change (GIS...Beyond Mapping) was postponed, but we're still buzzing with ideas. Whether you're a mapping enthusiast or not quite sure what GIS even stands for, we’d love to know: is there a topic you'd like us to explore next? What kind of innovation in this space sparks your curiosity?