On February 10, the Advanced Engineering Team took a trip to the Bay Area to appear at the Bisnow Tampa State of Market Conference. Tampa’s mayor, Jane Castor, was the highlight keynote speaker to begin the panel discussions. Our very own, Alex Hoffman moderated the Major Projects and Developments Panel, joining the stage with major developers and investors that contribute to Tampa’s growth and infrastructure.
Before the Panel (Pre-Networking):
The Advanced Engineering Team set up shop at a table during the pre-event networking breakfast. Their table featured a state-of-the-art Oculus VR System that immersed clients, and on lookers alike, in our current project, The Avalyn. The Oculus VR headset allowed a 3D, 360 view of the 4-story luxury apartment building. The people attending the event were able to view each unit floor plan in detail, from the floor to the ceiling.
Our team members also discussed current, past, and future projects with the people attending the event. In doing so, we got in touch with multiple different companies to further our growth in the business of engineering.
Meeting the Mayor
After the pre-event networking breakfast, everyone made their way to the meeting area. Mayor Jane Castor appeared on the stage and discussed Tampa’s past and present successes in the city’s growth and development. She talked about everything from economics, supply, and business growth to transportation solutions, affordable housing, and real estate costs to building codes, innovative engineering solutions, developers, their developments, and so much more. During her speech, Castor kept stressing the fact that the city of Tampa is unique in its growth, mentioning areas of Westshore and Seminole Heights, where she grew up. She even discussed how not even a decade ago, the building that the convention was being held used to be flat parking space. She discussed how diverse Tampa is in a community aspect, mentioning Miami as a single neighborhood, compared to Tampa where “everyone lives together.” Castor finished that idea by stating, “That is something we do celebrate, but something we have to ensure we protect.”
“It’s going to be an exciting time moving forward here in Tampa, the greatest city in the nation, and I am so honored to be the mayor. Just to be part of everything we are going to realize in the next few years is beyond exciting.”
-Jane Castor’s closing remarks during her Keynote Speech
After finishing her speech, Jane Castor stepped off stage and the first panel discussion commenced. During that panel, Alex met up with the mayor for a quick photo op and discussion. According to Alex, they both discussed ways Tampa could positively help the environment, while keeping infrastructure and real estate sales in mind. Since environmental sustainability was a major topic of discussion throughout the event, Alex took the time to explain to Castor some sustainable solutions and ideas engineers use for building and site plans.
Moderating the Panel:
Alex Hoffman, a partner at the office of Advanced Engineering Consultants LLC, moderated the Major Projects and Developments Panel, the final panel of the Bisnow convention. The panel participants introduced themselves and the position they hold at the company they work for. Alex asked multiple questions regarding development issues both within the area of Tampa and beyond Florida. He also inquired about infrastructure topics, including urban sprawl during the Covid-19 crisis, while also taking cost and environmental factors into account. Alex also mentioned larger companies, such as Amazon, and the threat they possess over office space and other related real-estate projects.
All this and more can be found below by listening to the entire discussion now on our YouTube channel. Here are the links below:
“It wasn’t hard to speak on stage about something that I do everyday,” Alex confidently stated. He said that he had a great time moderating the panel, discussing knowledge about Tampa and the current real estate market. He also had fun spending time with the AEC Team.
The Aftermath:
After the convention, I got to interview some of the AEC Team Members to hear what they had to say about the event. Here are their statements:
“I thought it was very interesting to hear different opinions on topics and how each panelist bounced off each other’s ideas.”
-Ava (Advanced Engineering Employee)
“I was excited to be able to listen to the opinions of the individuals who are working to make Tampa a more interesting place.”
-Stephen (Advanced Engineering Employee)
“With such a high demand for housing in the Tampa Bay Area, it was great to learn about up and coming multi-family housing developments by some of the Bay Area’s top scholars.”
-Allie (Advanced Engineering Employee)
“I loved having the opportunity to meet and talk with like minded professionals in the Tampa Bay area to discuss the future of our city. It was interesting to hear the different perspectives of the very successful individuals on the panel and it was great to see one of our own, Alex Hoffman, moderating the panelist.”
-Addie (Advanced Engineering Employee)
Overall, the AEC team had a wonderful time learning all about developments in the Tampa Bay Area. The field of engineering is becoming more critical than ever in our growing world. Our company strives to be one step ahead by providing all the services we offer. If you or someone you know is in need of an engineer, do not hesitate to contact us!
email: ahoffman@advanced-engineers.com
phone: 813-444-7037
