NetFest on April 3
Pasco County Economic Development will host NetFest April 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Starkey Ranch, 12959 State Road 54 in Odessa.
The 12th annual event is for business and community leaders around Tampa Bay, and includes music and barbecue.
Tickets are $45 each, or $35 for Pasco EDC investors and their guests.
For information, call (888) 607-2726.
Visit Florida hires locally
Marlene Squires-Swanson is relocating from Land O’ Lakes to join Visit Florida in Tallahassee as director of advertising.
In her new role, Squires-Swanson will handle both domestic and international paid media, leading the development of television ads and media placement to the state’s official tourism marketing corporation.
Squires-Swanson most recently was director of corporate marketing for Ashley Furniture Homestores, and has worked for Advo Direct Mail, Gannett Co., and Journal Communications, among others.
Visit Florida is a public-private partnership created in 1996, and raised nearly $109 million in private sector matching funds in a recent fiscal year, according to the group’s website. It has about 115 employees, and contracts with others internationally as well, to boost tourism in the state — a $72 billion annual industry.
Ribbon cutting for Apollo Group
A grand opening and ribbon cutting for Apollo Group/Apollo Clinical will take place March 27 beginning at noon at 14141 Fifth St., in Dade City.
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event.
For information, call (352) 567-3769, or email .
Information on health insurance
The Pasco Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is hosting an information session about the health insurance marketplace March 27 at 6 p.m., at 5300 Eagleston Blvd., Wesley Chapel.
For information, call Elena McCullough at (813) 525-3417, or visit PHHChamber.com.
SmartStart open house
The SmartStart Business Incubator at Dade City Business Center will host an open house April 4 from noon to 3 p.m., at 15000 Citrus Country Drive in Dade City.
Managed by the Pasco Economic Development Council, SmartStart encourages a business environment where companies work collaboratively with other small businesses. That includes round-the-clock access to office space, co-working space, conference rooms, seminars and more.
There are now five companies taking residence at SmartStart, with a second incubator planned for New Port Richey.
For information on SmartStart, visit SmartStartPasco.com. To RSVP, email Krista Covey at .
