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Talk of the bay: Visitors really like nature time in Florida

By Times Staff
Published April 2, 2007

Visitors really like naturE time in Florida

If you think tourists in Florida are all about lying on the beach and watching Shamu jump, think again. Nearly 60 percent of visitors report taking part in nature activities - everything from bike riding to bird watching - while in the Sunshine State. Visit Florida, the state's tourism marketing agency, is sponsoring daylong workshops to help small businesses tap into the market. The closest event for locals will be at Homosassa Springs State Park in Homosassa on April 25 and costs $65 for Visit Florida partners and $75 for nonpartners. Go to the "industry" page of the agency's Web site, www.VisitFlorida.org, for details.

Scottish ties bind our businesses

When they're woven in tartan, the ties that bind are thick. John A.K. Lowe, a native of Scotland who runs Hilltop Global Associates in Treasure Island, had never met Alec Logan when Logan came to Florida to pitch his company's storm protection systems. No matter - that's just the kind of responsibility Lowe signed up for when the Scottish Parliament made him a founding member of the globalscot networking group. Logan, CEO of Rockfield Developments in Argyll, was so grateful for Lowe's help with making business contacts that he wrote a letter to the first minister of the Scottish Executive. Hey, Mr. Logan, we're glad to welcome anyone with ideas about staying safe from hurricanes.

A little more bad news on housing

Here's yet another indication it's tough being in the housing business these days. Beazer Homes' mortgage services are being investigated by the U.S. attorney's office for the Western District of North Carolina. Concerns about high foreclosure rates in the company's subdivisions have been raised by stories in the Charlotte Observer and a lawsuit filed by homeowners. Beazer said it is cooperating with authorities. The Atlanta builder has seven developments in the Tampa Bay area.

Individuals count at Raymond James

Look for some new Raymond James ads to show up in April on CNBC, CNN, Fox News and other cable networks. One features a man playing in the surf with a little girl. The message: There might be 10,578 architects who retire in 2010, but only one will have a granddaughter named Chloe who grows up to be a marine biologist. The point: Raymond James focuses on the unique needs of individual investors. Print ads in national magazines are part of the campaign. Credits go to the Fitzgerald Agency for print and Digital Kitchen for the TV spots.

[Last modified March 30, 2007, 19:52:10]