Luxury Lifestyle Blog

TAMPA AREA BIG BUSINESS BLOG

A survey of top growth businesses in the Tampa Bay area according to Inc. Magazine

Tampa, FL is home to over 40 of this year’s  fastest growing businesses in Inc. 5000 listings for 2012. In the next few blog posts we are going to focus in on some of these companies and see what they do, who they are and how they impact the luxury real estate market locally.

Company Name:  AVI-SLP

2012 ranking in Inc. Magazine: #2880

Tampa, FL  | www.avislp.com

Company Overview

2012 STATISTICS

*Source http://www.inc.com/inc5000/profile/avi-spl

Business Model

Provides managed video and teleconferencing services, design and installation of AV systems and operation centers, support services and project management, meeting and event support, and sales, rentals, and repair of AV equipment. Customers include corporations, government organizations, hospitality and entertainment companies, educational institutions, and houses of worship.

Their mission statement on the official Facebook page:

AVI-SPL is the leader in the audio video industry. We are a team of highly trained professionals who deliver innovative communication technology to all markets globally, providing easy to use and effective solutions for our customers.

Company Overview

With a strong presence based on more than 40 years and 25,000 installations in the industry, AVI-SPL is recognized as the largest global integrator for audio video systems and services through an international delivery network. As a unified company headquartered in Tampa, AVI-SPL has 30 offices throughout the United States as well as international locations in Mexico and Dubai. These solutions include integrated systems such as videoconferencing, collaborative communication and streaming media, along with a comprehensive suite of services that provides for managed conferencing, rental, creative show and meeting planning.

Tampa, FL-based firm Audio Visual Innovations, Inc. (AVI) began operations in 1979; Signal Perfection Ltd. (SPL) formed in Columbia, MD., in 1992. Both organizations quickly became respected as the top leaders in audio, video and collaborative communication solutions. Supported by majority equity financing from Silver Lake Sumeru (Silver Lake's middle-market investment group), AVI-SPL is a result of a merger in 2008 between these two leading audio video integration firms.

With this company’s explosive growth and higher than average job creation aptitude, it appears that the local contribution to our local economy is significant. AVI_SPL also has a strong community involvement in charitable organizations.

As the fall of 2012 opens up to bustling activity and exciting events around the greater Tampa Bay area, the true beginning of cultural excellence begins on October 12 with the opening of the Florida Orchestra. To open the 2012 season, the talented orchestra, led by Stuart Malina, will perform the “Beethoven to Bernstein” concert at three locations around the bay area.

The “Beethoven to Bernstein” concert begins with the powerfully composed Ludwig von Beethoven overture, his fifth as of 1807. The overture, inspired by the play, “Coriolan,” is very dark as the strings open using the serious tones of C minor. As the overture continues, the entire orchestra joins in an agitated tone full of moody musical shifts. The overture comes to rest in a final great outburst and then fades away in silence. Once Beethoven’s masterwork has passed, Leonard Bernstein’s compositions take the stage in a variety of forms. It is with Bernstein’s composition that the individual orchestral pieces begin to shine. The clarinets begin the piece in deep thought, the piano and percussion scatter throughout with flairs of jazz, and strings tug on heavy hearts with cries of loneliness. Surely, another flawless performance by the Florida Orchestra will bring this concert to life in listener’s minds.

With an excellent concert in order, only the finest orchestra can perform to meet the high expectation. Conductor Stuart Malina will meet expectations, and perform the fine compositions of Beethoven and Bernstein as they are. Maestro Malina will perform eight concerts with the Florida Orchestra this season, including many of the popular coffee series concerts. Maestro Malina is not only a conducting master, but also an accomplished musician at the piano, performing in numerous recitals. Malina is a composer and arranger in his own right, with over a dozen compositions to his name, ranging from pops to full orchestrations. As if this were not enough, Malina has Broadway success with a TONY award for his orchestration of “Movin’ Out.” With such a talented Maestro, the rendition of “Beethoven to Bernstein” will surely be a successful venture.

Be sure to attend the official opening of the Florida Orchestra’s 2012 season with an 8:00 p.m. performance at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa on Friday, October 12. The following day, October 13, the orchestra will perform at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, Florida at 8:00 pm. The Florida Orchestra will conclude the opening concert in Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall on Sunday, October 14, at 7:30 p.m. Get your tickets now for this opportunity to hear Florida’s finest musicians perform the greatest works of renowned composers.

Traveling the world for the luxury consumer is full of difficult choices. Should the world traveler visit Africa, the South Pacific, or Asia? Some luxury vacation providers ask, “Why not visit all of these places, plus many more?” For the discriminating world traveler, leaving port this January is the Silversea World Cruise 2013 aboard the spacious Silver Whisper. As one of the best luxury cruise lines in the world, Silversea is poised to thrill voyagers on this excursion around the world.

With a mere one-hundred and fifteen days to circle the globe, Silversea has created a breathtaking schedule of places to go and things to do for the luxury traveler. Escorted by the Pacific breezes, this fifty-two port adventure begins in the South Pacific on January 5, 2013 with stops in Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia - over a nearly month-long leisurely pace. After a relaxing stop in the Philippines, Silversea transitions guests to another unique month of adventures in Asia where China, Singapore, Vietnam, and India await exploration. As Asia bids farewell, say “hello” to another month of exciting adventure - African safaris in Cameroon, Ghana, and many other destinations on the Dark Continent. This glorious tour of the world returns on May 1, 2013 to Florida’s perfect weather and beaming sun.

As this 52-port adventure around the globe is a special task, an extraordinary ship is required to meet the needs of the world traveler. Silversea’s 382-guest Silver Whisper is the perfect selection for the task of circling the globe in a style that few can imagine. With one of the best space-to-guest ratios in cruising, the Silver Whisper is a smaller ship than the mega-cruisers, but this allows the ship to sail into more exotic ports where larger ships are forbidden. The manageable size also allows the ship to pull right up to the pier, saving time when disembarking and leaving more time for exploration and leisure. Upon return from enchanting ports of call, guests of the Silver Whisper live the finest lifestyle, including the always-open dining room with no assigned seating. Guests may also take advantage of the wide variety of complimentary beverages offered around the ship, including regularly-stocked beverages of guests’ choice in each private suite. As the day wraps up on an exclusive adventure, enjoy the sunset on the private veranda of each suite.

For the world traveler seeking the finest luxury lifestyle, one of the best luxury cruise lines is certainly Silversea. The destinations are unbeatable, and the lifestyle is incomparable to any other luxury cruise line. Bon Voyage!

As residents of the greater Tampa Bay area, we live in a dynamic and fast-paced city. The luxury real estate market, like everything else, changes with the rest of the city and it is important to note what those changes are and how they affect buyers and sellers in the local market. The high-end Tarpon Springs real estate market, like the rest of the Bay area, has changed dramatically recently. In the Wentworth Golf and Country Club community there have been price changes and “days on the market” changes that have occurred in the last three to six months that could change the way homeowners see the current luxury home market.

When luxury home prices change in the market, it is of vital importance for a homeowner to understand what those changes will mean. For instance, the chart to the left shows the median price for the top 25% of homes in the Wentworth Golf and Country Club community, located in the 34688 zip code area. Prices have fallen by about $50,000 in the last 180 days in Wentworth's luxury real estate market. Any homeowners who put their home on the market between February and May of 2012 should consider revising the list price of their home, as its price is most likely above the current market median price as of August of 2012. Failing to do so will lead to disappointment with a much longer wait for a sale, if the property sells at all.

A home’s time on the market is also in indication of the luxury home markets for a homeowner. The chart of the right shows the days on the market statistics for the top 25% of homes in the Wentworth Golf and Country Club community, located in the 34688 zip code area. As of August of 2012, the time that a home sits on the market without a buyer has increased in the Wentworth luxury real estate market by 65 days since February of 2012. When a home sits on the market for longer periods, homeowners must recognize that buyers’ interest has decreased in the market and home prices must follow this trend. If homeowners do not recognize this trend, they could be in for a long wait before they sell their estate.

Since the Wentworth luxury real estate market has changed dramatically in the last 6 months, the wise homeowner should consult with their realtor about these market changes. If you are a homeowner without a realtor and are unsure about the value of your home, or would like more information on listing your home, please contact the greater Tampa Bay luxury real estate experts Michael Green and Associates!

View more market data.

Before selecting just any golf course home for sale, consider among the fine attractions in Tarpon Springs the Wentworth Golf & Country Club, which ranks as one of the best places to visit for a relaxing day in the perfect Florida weather. Wentworth’s Pinellas County golf course offers the finest design with abundant wildlife and lush landscaping. The course offers a level of difficulty and enjoyment for golfers of all experience levels. Of course, no country club would be complete without fine dining, and Wentworth delivers satisfaction once more with a large reception hall and the unique Mulligan’s Irish Pub.

Designed by the legendary Steve Smeyers, Wentworth’s golf course features the finest in player satisfaction. The course as a whole requires accuracy above all, as numerous bunkers and lakes lie in wait to devour an errant golf ball. The 405 yard par 4 hole 2, in fact, is the most challenging, and according to Wentworth General Manager Steve Martin, “features a long driving distance with a crown green, a downhill dog leg right, and uphill to the green.” The rest of the course follows the theme of hole 2, and rest assured that this golf course is a test for a golfer’s skill and patience.

After completing all 18 holes at Wentworth, the famished golfer may visit Mulligan’s Irish Pub for refreshment. Holding to an Irish flavor, a favorite dish of visitors is the delicious Shepherd’s Pie. All dishes at Mulligan’s are prepared to order and with the freshest ingredients in house. The fish and chips are also an excellent choice for the discerning taste bud, especially when sipping on your favorite beverage. After a refreshing dish, head over to the dartboard for a game of darts, or just stay for a while and watch Tampa Bay’s finest sports teams on one of 11 wide screen TVs.

The Wentworth Golf & Country Club has a lot to offer for the residents of Wentworth and for the surrounding areas as well. If you are interested in joining the Wentworth community as a resident, please contact us for immediate assistance. One of our expert realtors would be glad to assist you in finding your perfect Wentworth Golf and Country Club home for sale.