OUR ITINERARY
Friday, October 16, 2026 | Hotel Flor Tampa
VIP EXPERIENCE | 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
9:10 AM – 9:30 AM
Official welcome to the Tampa Bay Business Expo 2026 and introduction to the day’s experience.
The Future of Media & Business Growth
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Presented by NBCUniversal Local, including WRMD Telemundo 49 and Peacock
A featured 30-minute presentation exploring how Tampa Bay businesses can leverage television, streaming, and digital media to expand visibility, reach new audiences, and drive growth.
Where Is Your Next Customer?
Finding Growth Through Changing Consumer Behaviors & Media Habits
Presented by NBCUniversal Local, including WRMD Telemundo 49 and Peacock
Discover how changing consumer behaviors are reshaping the way customers find and engage with brands—and how Tampa Bay businesses can leverage television, streaming, and digital media to build trust, increase visibility, reach new audiences, and drive growth.
Access to Capital: Funding the Next Stage of Growth
10:05 AM – 10:35 AM
A high-level funding panel bringing together leaders from banking, lending, and the SBA ecosystem to discuss how businesses can access the capital they need to grow.
The conversation will explore traditional business lending, SBA-backed financing, lines of credit, expansion capital, what lenders look for when evaluating a business, and how entrepreneurs can better position themselves to become funding-ready.
The Social Capital Advantage: Mindset, Relationships & the Right Room
10:40 AM – 11:15 AM
A high-level CEO and executive panel exploring the relationship between mindset, discipline, ego, relationships, and success.
Four accomplished leaders discuss what it takes to build genuine relationship equity, develop a powerful circle, create the right tribe, and understand why the rooms you enter—and the value you bring into them—can change the trajectory of your business and life.
VIP LUNCHEON
Beyond the Ordinary: Leadership, Creativity & Global Impact
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Description: An exclusive luncheon featuring three extraordinary keynote perspectives from leaders whose work has created impact across business, community, entertainment, and culture.
Featured Keynote Speakers:
VIP Session - FIRESIDE CHAT
Attorney & Economic Development Incentives Specialist
1:05 PM - 1:20 PM
$1.5 Billion+ in economic-development Incentives secured across 20+ states.
Area of Expertise:
Special Keynote Presentation
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
A featured one-hour keynote experience with a special guest speaker.
EXPO EXPERIENCE | 3:00 PM
Expo Doors Open to the Public
Women in Leadership
3:20 PM – 4:00 PM
A dynamic conversation with accomplished women leaders on leadership, influence, growth, resilience, and creating meaningful impact in business and community.
AI Tools Shaping the Future — Today
4:10 PM – 4:50 PM
A practical look at what is already possible with artificial intelligence.
Discover how today’s AI tools can help entrepreneurs and professionals build an app, create a complete marketing system, develop content, automate workflows, accelerate ideas, and accomplish in hours what once required entire teams.
Headshots + Live Media Experience
3:00PM – 7:00PM
$25 Professional Headshots
Plus: Live Podcast Interviews with the Tampa Bay Connects Team
Attendees can update their professional image, step in front of the camera, share their story, and experience the media side of the Tampa Bay Business Expo.
6:30 PM | Expo Programming Concludes
