Last weeks program was provided by Rotarian Jim Scott. Jim’s guest speaker was Karl Strauch, Vice President of Brand Development and Strategic Alliances for Port Tampa Bay. Port Tampa Bay is by far Florida’s largest port, handling over 37 million tons of cargo per year. For the first half of this fiscal year, they experienced a 10% increase in total cargo tonnage. Port Tampa Bay is also Florida’s largest port in terms of physical size (and one of the largest in the country) encompassing over 5,000 acres. Perhaps even more important than the size is the diversity of their portfolio. While most ports around the country only handle one or two types of cargo, Port Tampa Bay is the most diversified port in Florida (and one of the most diversified in the nation) handling ALL major cargo categories, including: Liquid bulk (incl. petroleum, sulfur, ammonia, orange juice, etc.), Dry bulk (incl. fertilizer, limestone, granite, cement, coal, etc.), Break-bulk (they are Florida’s largest steel handling port with a cluster of related activities involving manufacturing, fabrication, processing and distribution with a focus on exports), Containers (imports and exports of food and beverage products, consumer goods such as furniture, lubricants, agricultural products, etc.), Automobiles (a target growth area for short sea given plant expansion in Mexico and Southeast US), Cruise (Nearly 1 million passengers/year), Shipbuilding & Repair (while not core to cargo, one of the largest shipbuilding and repair ports in the southeast is seen as adding to diversity and comprehensive full service status as a seaport), Exports: In addition to being one of the world’s premier fertilizer export ports, Tampa is home to several globally successful exporters, such as Amalie Oil (manufacturer of specialty engine oils exporting to over 100 countries) and Tampa Tank/Florida Structural Steel (manufacturer of bridges, petroleum storage tanks and specialized steel structures with a focus on Latin American exports, as well as domestic markets). Strategic Location Serving Huge/Growing Local Market & Exports: With a huge local market in excess of 8 million people and welcoming over 60 million tourists/visitors per year, the Tampa Bay/Orlando I-4 Corridor region is a huge local market and the fastest growing region of the state (currently outpacing the growth of South Florida by more than 2 to 1 and projected to do so for several years) and the major driver behind Florida recently overtaking NY as the 3rd largest state. The I-4 corridor is home to the largest concentration of distribution centers in Florida as companies seek to minimize time and their inland delivery cost of serving the entire state. Florida is the leading state for merchandise exports to Latin America and the Caribbean (responsible for 36% of all US exports to the region). Port Tampa Bay is the closest full-service US port to the expanded Panama Canal, and is strategically positioned for emerging opportunities in Cuba (formerly Port Tampa Bay’s largest trading partner). Attract Manufacturing through Real Estate. Land is the key asset for attracting manufacturing with export intentions and Port Tampa Bay is Florida's only port with large tracts of property zoned and available for manufacturing and industrial development adjacent to deep water with excellent highway access, rail access and competitive energy costs. With a $17.2 Billion economic impact and over 85,000 jobs associated with the Port it is the largest economic driver in the state behind Disney World. With Central Florida being one of the largest growth areas in the state, and in the country, the Port is projecting growth into the future that will make the Port even larger. -submitted by Mike Arndt
Club News
Save The Date!
The Rotary Christmas Party is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16th at the 1916 Pub. Cocktails at 6:30 and Dinner at 7 pm. Bring an unwrapped Christmas gift for 1 boy and 1 girl. Plan now to attend!
Kayla Drawdy is the new Program Chair! Please notify Kayla of you upcoming speakers at 763-1821 or kayla@htitle.com
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From Our Members
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NUMBER ONE OR NUMBER TWO?
Norman Cousins was a political journalist, author, university professor and an influential advocate for world peace. He also inspired legions of readers with his 1979 book, Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient. Despite a grim prognosis, he detailed how by surrounding himself with humorous videos and books, he was able to beat the odds and overcome Ankylosing Spondylitis, a disease of the body’s connective tissue.
He became convinced it was laughter that sent his illness into a state of remission, a belief which subsequently spawned numerous books proclaiming laughter is often the best medicine.
I had the opportunity to work closely with Mr. Cousins during the 1980’s after he became a strong advocate of Psychoneuroimmunology, my field of study for the better part of three decades. He was a strong advocate of the research I and others were
conducting, which he generously supported with both time and money. In the early 1990’s, I arranged for him to meet with a group of cancer patients who had volunteered for a study to assess the efficacy of guided imagery as a therapeutic intervention. When
the study ended and I published the results, one of several conclusions supported by the data was that his words of support and encouragement were instrumental in turning the tide for many patients. Norman’s humor-laced description of how he used laughter to manage his own illness proved to be highly beneficial for those who followed his
advice.
Humor has helped me as well. In 2015 during my first End Polio cross-country bicycle ride, I had a mishap on a remote stretch of highway in Texas. A 6-inch bolt somehow lodged into the front wheel of my 10-speed bike ripping out half the spokes and bending the fork. When I came to, there were unsightly abrasions on my face, arms and legs, courtesy of an abrupt face-plant on the shoulder of I-10. It was a downer in more than one way as I pondered how and even whether I would be able to get the bike repaired. I even contemplated ending the ride, especially when I reflected upon what else could go wrong. My imagination conjured several nasty scenarios. But a humorous question asked by a child put an end to those pessimistic thoughts. After reporting to my family what had happened my daughter, Rachele, explained to my then 5 year old grandson that I’d had an accident. Chase
pondered this then turned to her and innocently asked, “Was it a number one or a number two?”
Hearing about that put a smile on my face and erased any thoughts of giving up. I located a replacement fork, had it overnighted to San Antonio and with thanks to a very competent bike mechanic was headed east within about 48 hours of the incident.
Inspiration can come from wisely chosen words, heroic deeds, or even a child’s smile inducing
utterance. Let’s give thanks to all those who brighten our lives, even when it was not their intent. And not just on the fourth Thursday of November, but each and every day!
You can start the holiday season on a charitable note by donating on Giving Tuesday, 27 November.Why should Rotary be your charity of choice? Because our 1.2 million members see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our
