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TOMORROW, July 27th, “Play to Win: Technology Tools for Small Businesses”: The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce presents this seminar conducted by Andrew Cohen, CEO of Vertical IT Solutions (http://www.verticalit.net). Learn how to use technology to increase sales, reduce costs, maximize employee productivity, reach more customers, and access company information remotely. Cohen will also discuss how to secure your network and create a central, secure place to store your critical business information. Wednesday, July 27, 7:30 am - 9:00 am, at 615 Channelside Drive, Suite 108, Tampa. Cost is $10 per person for members; $15 non-members. For more information and registration, click here.

Morgan Beaumont prepares technology build-out: Bradenton-based Morgan Beaumont, technology leader in the Stored Value and Debit Card market, is preparing a massive expansion of its SIRE Network. The company has hired Dan Davis, founder of Switching Solutions, Inc. and former COO of Tel-Ops LLC and Galaxy Long Distance, to serve as VP of Technology. Davis is the pioneering developer of the company's proprietary Distributor Transaction Management (DTM) application, a system that will position the company at the forefront of the industry in channel management and transaction reconciliation when it launches next month. For more on this fast-moving company, go to www.morganbeaumont.com.

Startup Florida funds North Carolina company: Sarasota-based Startup Florida, a business accelerator and investment firm, has funded Clinipace, a North Carolina-based clinical research software company, in an undisclosed amount. Clinipace makes Web-based software that supports clinical research projects for biopharmaceutical and medical device companies. A couple of months ago, the North Carolina Collaborative Stroke Registry began using Clinipace products for stroke research. To learn more about Clinipace, click here: www.clinipace.com.

Local filmmaker producing real estate documentary: Sarasota filmmaker/ television producer Clint Weldon and his company, Mars Vision Productions, are currently producing a documentary entitled “Condo Nation.” Weldon says the film “will explore how unchecked development and skyrocketing real estate prices are affecting our way of life in southwest Florida.” In particular, Weldon will be interviewing area residents about the impact of our exploding real estate market on long-time residents, young people, the elderly, business owners, landmarks, and the environment. He plans to enter the film in film festivals around the country, including the 2006 Sarasota Film Festival. If you are interested in participating in the documentary in any way – time, talent, resources – contact Weldon at CondoNation1@yahoo.com.

Local extermination company acquired by Atlanta company: Sarasota-based W.T. Russo Exterminating Company has been acquired by Atlanta-based extermination company Arrow Exterminators. Russo Exterminating, which has been providing services in the Sarasota-Manatee area since 1981, will merge into Arrow’s existing Hughes Exterminators branch in Sarasota. This is Arrow’s 72nd acquisition since 1988. To read more, click here.

Manatee EDC opens Lakewood Ranch satellite: The Economic Development Council of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce has opened a temporary satellite office in Lakewood Ranch and it has hired Jay Brenchick to fill the newly-created role of senior business development manager in that office. Brenchick has worked in economic development for more than 12 years, including work at both the Charlotte County Economic Development Office, and the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development Film and Television Office. The EDC’s temporary offices are located in the Northern Trust Building in Lakewood Ranch Town Center, in office space loaned to it by law firm Porges, Hamlin, Knowles & Prouty. Along with Brenchick, EDC executive director Nancy Engel and her executive assistant Lauren Kratsch, will also move into the satellite office.

DNAPrint launches new marketing, branding campaign: Sarasota-based DNAPrint Genomics is undergoing some significant changes. Earlier this month, the company’s bulletin board stock trading symbol changed from DNAP to DNAG, but that was just the beginning. Yesterday, the company announced a new corporate marketing and branding campaign to separate its various products. The consumer products of the company will be marketed on one Web site: www.ancestrybydna.com. General corporate and investment information will still be found at www.dnaprint.com. The company intends to launch a third Web site for its forensics products in the near future. DNAPrint has retained the services of Sarasota-based Inter Ad Agency to shepherd it through the rebranding process.

Mobiant designs financial firm’s Web site: Sarasota-based Internet marketing firm Mobiant, has announced its development and completion of a Web site for Edward Kennedy Mason Financial, an independent financial planning firm based in Lakewood Ranch. To see the new Edward Kennedy Mason site, click here: www.edwardkennedymason.com. To learn more about Mobiant, go to www.mobiant.net.

Infinium continues its hype: Yesterday, Sarasota-based Infinium Labs, maker of the still-elusive Phantom Gaming Service, got plugged in a GamingIndustryStocks.com Report called “Next Generation of Game Consoles Set to Shake up Gaming Industry.” But here’s the catch – it appears that Infinium paid to be a featured “participating company” on the site, which plugs itself as an “information portal.” You decide: www.gamingindustrystocks.com/GIS.

Home prices rising even as Realtor deals dropping: Realtors in the Sarasota-Manatee market may be getting nervous these days. According to the Florida Association of Realtors, the number of Realtor-facilitated sales in our area dropped to 1,276 in June 2005, down 20% from June 2005, the biggest year-to-year drop of any metropolitan area in the state. Indeed, statewide, the number of Realtor-facilitated home sales in June 2005 decreased by 3% compared with June 2004. Meanwhile, home prices continue their relentless shoot upwards, with the June 2005 median home sales price in the Sarasota-Manatee area reaching $336,800, a 39% increase over the June 2004 median sale price of $242,900. Statewide, the median sales price in June 2005 was $248,700, a 31% increase over last June.

Self-employed Floridians get guaranteed health insurance in August: According to a press release by Florida CFO Tom Gallagher, insurance companies and health maintenance organizations in Florida are required to provide for “open enrollment” for the self-employed during the month of August. During this open enrollment period, insurers have to offer applications for coverage to self-employed Floridians on a guaranteed-issue basis, with a plan start date of October 1. This window of opportunity for the self-employed (including sole proprietors and independent contractors) only comes around once a year, every August. Caveat: you are guaranteed to get a policy, but there is no guarantee on the price you’ll pay for it.

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