KHAAS BAAT BUSINESS BEAT: A PARTNERSHIP WITH INDO-US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, TAMPA Indo-US Chamber March Monthly Event Recap: April Business and Networking Event: Upcoming Indo-US Practicing Networking Etiquette at The Oxford Exchange Tod Leiweke, CEO, Chamber members were afforded the The Indo-US Chamber of named CEO of the Year by the Puget Sound Chamber Events: opportunity to walk into the time warp Commerce is honored to host Business Journal and also CEO of the Year by the that is The Oxford Exchange, with its quaint Tod Leiweke, CEO, Tampa Bay Sports Commission.” Business & Networking Event bookstore filled with antique typewriters Lightning at our April 17th and walls lined with framed photographs Business and Networking Mr. Leiweke will discuss with the Indo-US Date: Wednesday April 17, 2013 Chamber the Tampa Bay Lighting's impact of historic icons such as President Abraham meeting. Mr. Leiweke will discuss Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Lincoln and Albert Einstein. Looking as the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa in the local community, including the though it belongs somewhere along the Bay Storm and St. Pete Times Community Hero's program which distributes Speaker: Tod Lieweke, CEO & Alternate networking game in order to break the ice quaint cobbled streets of London, The Oxford Forum business model that have $10 million dollars to non-profits over a five Governor, Tampa Bay Lightning with one another and practice their networking Exchange boasts a wood paneled bar and led to successful outcomes and influenced the year period. He'll also discuss the strategy Location: HCI Building etiquette. Posited as a scavenger hunt, members that his management team uses to keep the glorious atrium, where members were given a future of the Channelside District and Tampa (5300 W. Cypress St, Tampa, FL 33607) jovially sought out others who were born in Bay. business community involved more than any a different country or had a particular career, other franchise in the area. We encourage our This is a FREE event. Dinner will be served. and the networking game provided a fun and According to his members to attend No RSVP required. informal opportunity for members to learn official biography, this event to not only On Wednesday March 20, 2013, the Indo- something about one another. “Leiweke, who is in Five Ways Professional become an insider on US Chamber of Commerce hosted its first his 30th season in the future of Tampa 2013 Banyan Ball With deep appreciation for support towards networking mixer of the year at The Oxford professional sports, Sports Impact the Bay's treasured assets, Date: Saturday June 8, 2013 Exchange in Tampa to connect members of the Indo-US Chamber, Sarah Fairbairn (pictured has led the [Tampa but to also gain insight Time: 6:30 PM onward the Chamber with the Tampa Bay business left), Special Events Coordinator of The Oxford Bay Lightning’s] Local Economy: about opportunities transformation off the that local sport community. Exchange, was presented with a custom Location: Hilton Tampa Downtown (211 North photograph of Mahatma Gandhi at his spinning ice which has resulted franchises provide to Tampa Street, Tampa, Florida, 33602) wheel, epitomizing the simplicity of his principles. in the more than 1 Front office and small businesses in the doubling of the team's part-time jobs region. For ticket and limited sponsorship season ticket base opportunities, visit www.indo-us.org museums, and the nearby residential towers are case study. The key to our success was the lesson of while vastly increasing 2 Increased traffic for hotels The Chamber On the Move… transforming Tampa into a hip urban core. To be “not missing the forest for the trees,” or not being its footprint in the and lodging facilities. continuously endeavors In this month’s spotlight piece, we highlight a part of this transformation is exciting. The vistas “pennywise and pound foolish.” We acquired this community. Under to create an inclusive Santosh Govindaraju, Portfolio Manager and CEO, from this property tantalize the eyes. The minarets 66,000 square foot waterfront property with 95 Lieweke's guidance, Parking and merchandise environment for 3 students, business Indo-US Convergent Capital Partners. The Tampa-based of the University of Tampa across the river, the parking spots for $2.3 million, or approximately the Lightning have sale opportunities. firm is in the process of developing an immaculate architectural marvel of the Riverside Tower, and the $35 per square feet. In my initial assessment, I seen a nearly 20 owners, professionals, Chamber downtown waterfront property and we bring downtown Tampa skyline create amazing views for believed I could acquire this property for $1.8 percent increase in 4 Taxable revenues for and entrepreneurs to light the narrative behind the acquisition, guests of the Aloft. The poolside, and the rooftop million, and later many people confessed that overall attendance alike, and we development, and execution of this entrepreneurial ballroom and terrace will allow guests to enjoy we could have gotten it for that price. However, from 2009-10 through municipalities. encourage you to Mission venture. the beauty of Tampa’s rich history from a single I knew that there was significant competition for 2011-12. Leiweke was reach out to one of our location.” downtown properties. I decided that I did not want 5 Reinvestment back into the Executive Committee previously CEO of “To provide an active forum in which to compete and felt that $2.3 million was a price members if you have the community. Asian American professionals and business What type of skill sets do your partners in that was above and beyond where most people and Vulcan Sports & questions about the this venture bring to the table? owners, through an exchange of ideas, trying to “get the best deal” would bid. We came Entertainment for format of our meetings “Having the willingness to partner with successful in over the top because at $2.3 million, this was with a unified voice, can communicate, seven years, also overseeing all aspects of the or to simply offer feedback on how we can parties who complement your skills are critical undoubtedly a great deal. Rather than trying to get interact, and secure a position within the and Seattle Sounders FC. make the experience more meaningful for you. in long term business success. No firm can be all the best price, I wanted the certainty of acquiring business industry and become a source of He was also president of First & Goal Inc., which As is customary at all our Monthly Business and things to all people. We partnered with the Liberty the property. Whether you buy it for $1.8 million inspiration by promoting professionalism operates Qwest Field and Qwest Field Event Networking events, there is no cost to attend Group to develop and manage this hotel. We have or $2.3 million does not change the overall level of and excellence through education and Center for the state of Washington. Leiweke and dinner will be served. been impressed with their attention to detail in the profitability in this deal. You are buying it cheap community involvement.” construction design of the building. The attention and the profit potential is significant.” was recognized for his efforts in 2009 being Source: to detail has a direct correlation with managing the named a finalist by Street & Smith's Sports "Lightning Ownership, Executive & Front Office hotel efficiently. Liberty has impressed us with their What economic impact do you hope the hotel Business Journal as the 2009 Sports Executive Team." Tampa Bay Lightning. http://lightning.nhl. ability to manage hotels with a strong emphasis on will bring? of Year. Along with that nomination, he was com/club/page.htm?id=50500 efficiency and with their ability to bring operating “We have conducted an econometric study and we Banyan Ball 2013 Tell us about your project… profits to the bottom line.” expect the hotel to create about 200 jobs. We also “We are planning on developing an Aloft hotel in believe that it will help increase overall traffic and (June 8th, 2013) downtown Tampa. Aloft is a Starwood brand and What are your long-term plans for the site? occupancy in downtown Tampa.” it is a boutique hotel that is expected to capture “We hope to own and operate this hotel as one of Call for Nominations: business and leisure travelers who seek a high- Tampa’s premier properties and hope that it will What factors should budding real estate We are excited to energy boutique hotel experience.” become a treasured part of the downtown Tampa developers consider? Annual Indo-US Chamber of Commerce Business Awards core.” “I think that first location and sources of demand announce that our Sa How and why did you decide on the location? are the most important factors that should be annual gala and ve the “In real estate, the first and foremost rule is How did you go about securing the deal? considered. Second, is finding ways to develop at BE RECOGNIZED! Criteria: awards banquet, Date location, location, location. This particular location “This property was in foreclosure and the FDIC was a competitive cost. In this case we are developing The businessperson and/or principal owners The Banyan Ball, has a great deal going for it. First, it sits at the in charge since they had taken over the failed bank the Aloft for 66% of what it would cost for a brand of the business should be a resident of will be held on The Indo-US Chamber will recognize entrance to downtown Tampa at the corner of that made the original loan. We contacted lawyers new hotel to be built from the ground up. There the Greater Tampa Bay area, including Saturday, June 8th, Kennedy Boulevard and Ashley. Second, it sits on and bankers to help us get in touch with both, the is a lot of opportunity to buy existing properties at businesspersons that are emerging as dynamic Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, 2013 at the Hilton Tampa the Hillsborough River. Waterfront locations are contact at the FDIC and the owner of the property cheap prices and find ways to modify them. Keep forces in today’s economic environment, Sarasota, Polk, and Hernando Counties Downtown (formerly the Hyatt Regency). always desirable, and there are so many things you to find a way to cut a deal. We built the trust an eye out for good values on vacant properties whether you are growing or changing strategy. (neighboring counties will be considered). can do when a property is located on the water. of both the FDIC and the owner and gave them with great locations.” This black tie affair is the signature event It attracts office users, residential users, hotel confidence that we would close quickly and with We are currently accepting nominations from guests, etc. Third and most importantly however, certainty on this property.” For more information on this project, visit the community for the following categories to Submission: of the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce, Please submit the following information via and will feature a keynote speaker, it captures all of the beauty of the 21st century www.convergentcap.com be presented during the Banyan Ball on June era of Tampa: it will be a part of the river walk What are some of the lessons from previous email to [email protected] by May 18th, 2013: entertainment, and include 8, 2013 at the Hilton Tampa Downtown: which is extending past this property to Curtis transactions that helped you close this deal? • Nomination category business leaders Hixon Park. The river walk, Curtis Hixon Park, the “The story of acquiring this property is a great • Businessman of the Year • Name of individual and dignitaries. • Brief description of individual’s background Stay tuned for • Businesswoman of the Year • Reason for award more details and • Young Businessperson of the Year information on OUR SPONSORS All information provided will go directly how to reserve • Community Service Person to the Board of Directors of the Indo-US your tables! of the Year Chamber of Commerce Homeowners Choice

P.O. Box 20232, Tampa, FL 33622 Phone: (813) 358-8384 Email: [email protected]

Sponsorship Inquiries: Aakash Patel (850) 591-0208 • [email protected] www.indo-us.org

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