Lauren Bell has been a St. Pete Innovation District employee for three and a half years, but more than that, she's been a driving force for improvement, collaboration, and community outreach. With all of these amazing traits and diligent efforts, it's no surprise that Lauren has earned the title of Chief Operating Officer for the Innovation District. This title reflects just how important Lauren is to both the growth and day-to-day operations of the district.
Last month, the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub kicked off the school year with a lively Retro Back-to-School themed Happy Hour. Tenants brought their families, and the space was filled with throwback snacks, classic laser backdrop photo ops, and plenty of nostalgic fun.
Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay's 3DE initiative connects high school students with local and national businesses, giving them hands-on experience in problem-solving.
October always feels like conference season — a time when professionals from around the world gather to exchange ideas, explore emerging trends, and strengthen collaborations. Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending and speaking at the OCEANS 2025 Conference in Chicago, a global gathering for those advancing ocean science and maritime technology.