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Pensacola International Airport Goes Intergalactic for Pensacon

From the City of Pensacola


Pensacola International Airport has partnered with Pensacon for its annual transformation into Pensacola Intergalactic Airport, assuming the temporary name and stellar decor to commemorate the 2024 Pensacon convention scheduled for Feb. 23-25.


Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves announced the temporary change renaming the airport Pensacola Intergalactic Airport on Friday, Feb. 9. The signage throughout the terminal highlights iconic comic and science fiction characters and welcome messages.


"Our relationship with the Pensacola Intergalactic Airport has been such a wonderful way to not only promote Pensacon, but also show travelers how great our city is in supporting events like ours. Each year, our celebrity guests are impressed when they come off the plane and feel like they are already immersed in Pensacon," Pensacon CEO Mike Ensley said.


Pensacon attracts tens of thousands of fans to downtown Pensacola each year. Pensacon had a more than $3.8 million in economic impact in 2023. Now entering its 11th year, Pensacon has had a cumulative economic impact of more than $28 million since its first convention in 2014. Economic impact numbers are provided by Visit Pensacola research.


To learn more about Pensacon, the many guests, and to purchase passes, visit pensacon.com.


To learn more about Pensacola Intergalactic Airport and the flights coming to PNS, visit flypensacola.com.


 

See the full article here.

SwiftWorks is newest Resident Entrepreneur at CO:LAB


Launched by FloridaWest in 2008, CO:LAB is Pensacola's business incubator program helping startup companies in the greater Pensacola area.


Henry Pardo was working for large consulting firms whose clients were Fortune 500 organizations. And Scott Harvey was honing his skills in team leadership and working in business development specializing in processes and procedures. 


The two met and immediately they knew they had something special — a better way to support enterprise companies. Six months later, Henry and his wife Gianna formed SwiftWorks Technology and soon after Scott joined.


Their aim? Take a holistic view to technology and offer superior delivery thus making it a better experience for their clients and their clients’ end users.


“We help companies protect their reputations, their data, and their trade secrets by leveraging technology," said Harvey. "We make sure it’s a great experience for everyone.”


Both lifelong problem solvers, they offer much more than simple IT services. They develop solutions by deeply studying an organization and helping them structure their network. SwiftWorks strategically plans, implements, and maintains enterprise networks for all business sizes.


“Businesses are experiencing 1 attack every 39 seconds. 2023 was a record year resulting in 867 million victims," said Pardo. "Businesses must be proactive in protecting their intellectual properties.”

More about SwiftWorks
More about CO:LAB

New Bay Breakwater

Longtime Pensacola engineering firm, Baskerville Donovan, partnered with the city of Pensacola to craft the stunning Maritime Park Breakwater. In bustling downtown areas, marinas crave protection from strong winds and waves, and that's exactly what this breakwater brings to Pensacola Bay.


"During storms, this structure steps up to shield against powerful wave action,” said Freddy Donovan, Principal at Baskerville Donovan. "Picture a steel crib – two walls of steel sheet piles joined with hefty threaded rods, filled with sand for added strength."


Topped with a massive concrete cap, it even boasts handrails by Brownsville Welding for a touch of style and easy pedestrian access. To combat the salty elements, cathodic protection was installed to keep those steel sheet piles standing strong.


"Here's the real beauty,” said president and CEO Keith Hill, "the Breakwater perfectly complements the existing Maritime Park bulkhead, featuring dual steel sheet piles and a spacious 15-foot-wide concrete cap. It’s ideal for a little sightseeing."


Extending a whopping 412 feet into the Bay, it's not just a showstopper – it's also the guardian of the 48-slip day-use marina on the west side of the Maritime Park. 

Find out more about Baskerville Donovan

A note from FloridaWest


Community Leaders & Friends of FloridaWest,


Recently FloridaWest asked 80 community leaders about their economic development expectations, and the response was a resounding “yes,” we have higher expectations, and we’re willing to fund a well-executed growth strategy.


That’s exactly what we expected and wanted to hear, and now the stage is set for a new phase of economic development in Pensacola/Escambia County. 


FloridaWest’s initiatives will focus on key performance metrics such as announced jobs, capital investment, income levels, and net workforce and employment. Industry growth sectors and job/career opportunities that support economic diversity are an integral part of the process, as is accountability to our community stakeholders.


Our community has so much to offer to growing businesses, including a prepared workforce. I am especially excited about opportunities to accelerate growth in a wide range of technology-based businesses—companies that not only find advantages in Pensacola, but also want to be here.


We are in the planning stages of a yet-to-be-named initiative that will sustain a higher level of economic development for years to come.


Stay tuned…


Sincerely,

Brian Hilson

CEO

FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance

EVENTS

FPL Economic Symposium March 5-6


The annual FPL Northwest Florida Economic Symposium will be held on March 5-6, 2024, at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Click here for more information.



Taco Thursday at CO:LAB Pensacola


CO:LAB hosts Taco Thursday 🌮 for its Resident Entrepreneurs the 4th Thursday of every month! 


Taco Thursday is all about enjoying scrumptious tacos, learning, sharing best practices and encouraging each other. 


The last Thursday of every month, noon at CO:LAB.


Guests are welcome, just email us for reservations as seating is limited. 


Tacos sponsored by FPL.



1 Million Cups at CO:LAB Pensacola


1 Million Cups ☕ is your monthly opportunity to get together with other entrepreneurs and talk shop. 


You'll hear local entrepreneurs introduce their businesses and discuss your own small business with other like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators over coffee and conversation. 


We'll have the coffee ready, you bring the ideas!


The first Wednesday of every month, 9:00 a.m. at CO:LAB.


Ideas?



If you have an idea for an article or would like to have an event included in this newsletter, please email us!

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FloridaWest EDA | 3 West Garden Street #618| 850-898-2201 | floridawesteda.com