APA Florida Recognized for Community Engagement at FPC24
Receives ‘Meeting the Moment’ Recognition from Visit Tampa Bay
APA Florida is proud to announce that we have been recognized by Visit Tampa Bay’s “Meeting the Moment” program, which honors exceptional meetings and conventions that make a positive impact in Tampa Bay. APA Florida is the inaugural recipient of the award. This prestigious accolade celebrates our commitment to sustainability, and community engagement, recognizing our efforts to lead by example throughout the planning field.
To give back to our host city during its annual Florida Planning Conference at the Tampa Convention Center in September, APA Florida invited the Tampa Bay Humane Society to bring dogs available for adoption to share with the more than 1,100 attendees. Three of the seven dogs were adopted. Additionally, the chapter teamed with OASIS Opportunities to pack hygiene kits for Tampa area students. Dozens of attendees packed more than 200 kits in just one day.
APA Florida Executive Director Stefanie Svisco (middle) with representatives from Visit Tampa Bay
“As champions of excellence in community planning, we are thrilled to be recognized for our community engagement efforts during our conference,” APA Florida President Whit Blanton, FAICP, said. “Our team is committed to creating events that benefit not only our members but also the community, environment, and the diverse fabric of our host cities.”
Visit Tampa Bay’s “Meeting the Moment” program annually highlights organizations that go beyond traditional event planning, prioritizing sustainable practices, community engagement, and inclusivity. APA Florida was honored in the categories of Sustainability Champion and Community Engagement Excellence for our commitment to impactful, community-focused initiatives that set new standards in our industry.