Heads up

A conference for more than just bigwigs

After more than a decade of limiting attendance to directors and other bigwigs, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce is opening its annual leadership conference to rank-and-file members.

The two-day event opens today at the Tampa Convention Center with presentations on the chambers areas of "strategic focus," including biotech/life sciences, education and workforce, development and transportation.

It's also a chance for chamber members to sound off on issues facing Hillsborough County, said Gloria Anthony, the group's vice president of work force and community development.

"We're very much about trying to build consensus," she said. "This gives us an opportunity to hear from them and dialogue at a different level."

Opening the event to a bigger audience also might mean more cash for the chamber. The cost is $295 for members, $395 for nonmembers and $450 for walk-ups.

Previous conferences were held outside Hillsborough County at resorts including Saddlebrook, Innisbrook and Mission Inn. Chamber leaders decided it was a better idea to keep money spent on the event closer to home this year, Anthony said.

One likely topic of conversation: Where to go with the chamber's high-profile push for better roads and mass transit. Once again, a proposal to increase the local sales and fees on new construction crashed and burned at the Hillsborough County Commission last week.

Speakers at the conference will include USF president Judy Genshaft, Hillsborough schools superintendent Earl Leonard, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and Mark Vitner, an economist for Wachovia who follows Florida's economy.