NAIOP Tampa Bay presented the mayors of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater on January 29, 2004. The event was co-hosted by the Building Owners & Managers Association Greater Tampa Bay, the Institute of Real Estate Management Chapter #44, and the Tampa Bay area members of the International Council of Shopping Centers. More than 250 people attended the luncheon held at the Wyndham Harbour Island Hotel in downtown Tampa.

Mayor Brian Aungst of Clearwater, Mayor Rick Baker of St. Petersburg, and Mayor Pam Iorio of Tampa participated in a "panel discussion" of an array of issues including regional cooperation, transportation, and re-development. The discussion moderator was Ms. Rhea Law of Fowler White Boggs Banker, Attorneys at Law.

(l to r) Aungst, Baker, Iorio, Law

NAIOP's Vice President - Public Affairs Keith Bricklemyer opened the program with a presentation on the Florida Hometown Democracy ballot initiative. This anti-growth measure would amend the Florida Constitution to require the voters approve any change in a comprehensive plan. Keith called on the commercial real estate industry to work together to defeat the ballot initiative.

Keith Bricklemyer

The three mayors were joined on stage by the four association leaders and panel moderator Rhea Law. (l to r) Chris Prather of CB Richard Ellis, BOMA Greater Tampa Bay President; Sandy Ballestra of Jones Lang LaSalle, IREM Chapter #44 President; Bill Martin of Hawkins Construction, NAIOP Tampa Bay President-elect; Mayor Aungst of Clearwater; Mayor Baker of St. Petersburg; Mayor Iorio of Tampa; Carey Anderson of Regency Centers, ICSC; and Rhea Law.)