This year marks a milestone moment for the St. Pete Innovation District: ten years of ideas, partnerships, and progress that have helped shape the future of our city.

This year marks a milestone moment for the St. Pete Innovation District: ten years of ideas, partnerships, and progress that have helped shape the future of our city.

Mark your calendar! Next month - Saturday, February 18 - is the St. Pete Science Festival in conjunction with MarineQuest. Kids and adults will have opportunity to explore science and technology first hand with over 40 exhibits from NOAA, USF, Firestone Grand Prix, and more.

When I joined the Innovation District I was amazed at how many world renowned thought-leaders worked in St. Petersburg, particularly within the District boundaries. They are the keynote speakers at conferences, authors who publish reports that guide innovations in their field, and chairs of national and international committees.

St. Petersburg native Pat Mack is quick to note he is not an epidemiologist; he is a self-described computer science nerd. His company PVM, however, utilizes its data evaluation expertise to help the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reduce public health risks by improving its surveillance and outbreak response efforts.

The Tampa Bay region, led by the St. Pete Innovation District, is poised to be a leader in the growing New Blue Economy. This is a different approach than the traditional blue economy. The New Blue Economy is a knowledge-based economy - data and technology lead the way for deeper analysis of challenges and opportunities in the marine environment.