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- Issue #583: Big Week in Tampa Bay: Investment Leaders at USF, Port Milestone, World Cup Prep, & Tampa Pro Action
Issue #583: Big Week in Tampa Bay: Investment Leaders at USF, Port Milestone, World Cup Prep, & Tampa Pro Action
4/10/2026
Ted Grellner
10 Apr
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar
Please post events of interest to our NT|WC Live Events Calendar; its easy to do.
Local News
— Global Investment Leaders Converge at USF as Tampa Bay Gains Momentum
— Record-Breaking Cargo Ship Makes History at Port Tampa Bay
Sports
— Tampa, Orlando to Host England’s Final World Cup Warm-Ups
— Tampa Pro Weekend Brings Tricks, Concrete Jam, and a BLP Kosher Show
Global Investment Leaders Converge at USF as Tampa Bay Gains Momentum
Global engagement took the spotlight at the University of South Florida’s Third Annual International Business Forum, drawing more than 300 attendees to the Marshall Student Center and featuring an expo with 30+ Tampa Bay organizations.
USF President Moez Limayem framed the message plainly: global engagement is intentional, built through partnerships, talent development, and long-term vision.
Speakers from SelectFlorida, Port Tampa Bay, and the Florida Council of 100 pointed to recent momentum. SelectFlorida CEO Matt Swanson cited 20 international investment projects this fiscal year, creating 2,300 jobs and totaling $1.2 billion in capital investment. Port Tampa Bay executive Raul Alfonso underscored the port’s $34.6 billion annual economic impact.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor noted nearly 500 foreign-owned businesses from 40 nations, calling them key ambassadors for future growth.
Record-Breaking Cargo Ship Makes History at Port Tampa Bay
Port Tampa Bay made history Thursday with the arrival of the Zim Canada, now the heaviest ship ever to visit the port.
The massive container vessel weighs 114,643 gross tons and stretches nearly 1,100 feet long and 158 feet wide — roughly the size of three and a half football fields placed end to end.
Before the ship passed under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, a harbor pilot from the Tampa Bay Pilots Association boarded and guided it safely through the channel and into port.
That job is anything but routine. Harbor pilots help direct more than 5,000 ships each year in and out of Port Tampa Bay, and one of the most dangerous moments comes during the transfer itself.
Video from the arrival showed a pilot climbing a rope ladder between the pilot boat and the towering ship, highlighting the skill and risk involved in bringing vessels of this size safely ashore.
Tampa, Orlando to Host England’s Final World Cup Warm-Ups
England will use Florida as a final World Cup proving ground, with warm-up matches set for Tampa and Orlando in June.
The Football Association said Thomas Tuchel’s squad will face New Zealand at Raymond James Stadium on June 6 before meeting Costa Rica at Inter&Co Stadium on June 10.
England plans to base itself in South Florida during preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico through June and July. Its tournament basecamp, however, will be in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Three Lions were drawn into Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama, with group-stage matches scheduled for Dallas, Boston and New York/New Jersey.
The Florida sendoff gives England two high-profile tests in major venues before its World Cup campaign begins.
Tampa Pro Weekend Brings Tricks, Concrete Jam, and a BLP Kosher Show
Skateboarding’s 32nd annual Tampa Pro takes over the Skatepark of Tampa this weekend, drawing top pros and a full slate of off-board events.
Beyond the competition—featuring standout names like Felipe Gustavo, Jamie Foy, and Zion Wright—the festival atmosphere starts Thursday with a comedy show at the park.
Saturday’s schedule centers on the concrete jam and high-energy best-trick contests, followed by late-night afterhours in Ybor City. Organizers have booked The Bricks for afterparties Saturday and Sunday, extending the weekend well past the final runs.
A headline concert adds to the chaos: BLP Kosher, the Florida-raised Jewish rapper and skateboarder born Benjamin Landy Pavlon, is set to perform as part of the festivities. His lyrics frequently reference his faith, including a 2022 album titled “BLP Kosher and the Magic Dreidel.”
Tampa Bay’s Best Live Music
Apr 2 - Apr 9
Source: cltampa.com
Gasparilla Music Fest (Water St, Tpa) | Tampa Bay Blues Festival (Vinoy Park) |
Top Events in Tampa Bay for week of | |
|
Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links
The Arts
- The Exhibiting Society of Artists (new)
- USF College of the Arts
- USF Steinway Piano Concert Series
Theater
- NTPAC - New Tampa Performing Arts Center
- New Tampa Players
- USF School of Theatre & Dance
- Wesley Chapel Theater Group
- Carrollwood Players Theatre
Misc
- Carrollwood Center Events
- Craft Festivals (new)
- Fall (Farmer’s) Market Guide for Tampa Bay (new)
- The Krate, WC
- The Shops at Wiregrass, WC
- visitflorida.com
For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids
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