Events
20th Annual Nurses Gala
Good Samaritan Health Clinic of Pasco will recognize the contribution of nurses to the health of Pasco County during National Nurses Week, May 6 – May 12, 2026. The focal point of the evening’s festivities once again is the announcement of several categories of Nurse of the Year.from local Pasco County hospitals, health facilities, medical practices and home health organizations.
One Night of Queen at The Mahaffey
For over 20 years Gary Mullen & The Works have been performing their world-renowned One Night of Queen live concert. Gary Mullen & The Works featuring Gary Mullen on vocals, David Brockett on guitar, Malcolm Gentles on keyboards, Jon Halliwell on drums and Alan McGeoch on bass guitar will have you dancing in the aisles during their show, while the band pays tribute to the stage theatrics, showmanship, and music of arguably the greatest rock band of all time: Queen. In 2000, Gary Mullen won the Granada TV program “Stars in Their Eyes” with his performance as Queen’s lead singer: Freddie Mercury. Mullen’s embodiment of Freddie Mercury resulted in him gaining 864,838 votes in the show’s Live Grand Final. The number of fans who voted for Mullen was more than double that of the runner-up, thus setting the all time record number of votes in the history of the program. For over two decades, Gary Mullen & The Works have performed to audiences around the world, playing more than 2,500 live shows to audiences in over 20 countries – performing and selling out many of the same venues that Queen have, all around the world. As of 2023, they are the most successful tribute band in France, playing to over 250,000 people! They WILL ROCK YOU and are GURANTEED TO BLOW YOUR MIND! Don’t miss your chance to celebrate One Night Of Queen with Gary Mullen & The Works!
Hall of Fame Luncheon at Armature Works
More information coming soon! For volunteer opportunities contact: eventvolunteers@bbbstampabay.org For Sponsorship opportunities contact: sponsorship@bbbstampabay.org
Tampa Bay Great Strides 2026
Welcome, We are so glad you are here! Ready to lace up and join us for our annual walk to cure cystic fibrosis? By participating, you have the power to change thousands of lives. Your support helps the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation fund the research and care needed to help advance a cure for this disease. While we’ve made significant progress, we still have a long way to go. We still lose precious lives to CF every year. You can help us accelerate progress. Now is the time to act. Get Ready to Walk Register: Join us for a day of celebration, community and fun! Let's unite to bring hope and joy to those affected by CF and work towards a future where everyone can breathe easier. Click the “Register” button. Recruit: Invite friends, family, and colleagues to join you. Together, we can make a bigger impact. Fundraise: Fundraising is easy. Use the participant center, the CFF mobile app, or fundraise on Facebook to reach your goal. You can also host a passion fundraising event and check if your employer offers a matching gift program to increase the impact of your efforts. Share your story: Your story matters! Share why you’re participating in Great Strides and inspire others to join. Use the tools in the participant center and on the mobile app to easily tell your story! Thank you for your efforts to raise awareness and funds so that we can get one step closer to curing cystic fibrosis. Your participation is critical to advance our mission, and now is the time to act. Sign up today to take steps towards a cure for cystic fibrosis!
Sharkapalooza
Sharkapalooza Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is an art-driven celebration of the oceans, showcasing the power of creativity to inspire awareness and conservation. At its core, Sharkapalooza brings together local artists who capture the beauty and complexity of sharks, marine life, and aquatic ecosystems in their work. By connecting art lovers, ocean enthusiasts, and conservation advocates, the event fosters a deeper appreciation for our blue planet. As part of our commitment to meaningful, real-world impact, Sharkapalooza is proud to partner with OCEARCH as our official Conservation Benefactor Partner. Through this partnership, event proceeds help support global shark research, tracking, and education efforts that drive science-based conservation.
St. Pete Italian Fest
Come for Lunch… Stay for Dinner! Festival Hours:11:00 AM – 7:00 PM What to Expect: Experience a full day of Italian culture, flavor, and entertainment: Authentic Italian food Wine tastings Local vendors Bocce ball tournament Cannoli eating contest Live pasta-making demonstrations Italian language classes Italian music throughout the day Showcase of Italian cars
St. Pete Gala “Rainbow Disco”
Wishmaker’s Ball
The 2026 Wishmaker’s Ball Tampa promises to be an unforgettable evening of elegance, inspiration, and generosity, held on May 16, 2026, at the stunning JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. This signature gala brings together community leaders, philanthropists, and supporters of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida to celebrate the life-changing impact of granting wishes to children with critical illnesses. Guests will enjoy a glamorous night featuring a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, live entertainment, and a spirited auction—all in support of bringing hope and joy to local wish families. As one of the most anticipated fundraising events of the year, the Wishmaker’s Ball offers a unique opportunity to witness the power of wishes firsthand. Attendees will hear inspiring stories from wish recipients and learn how their support helps transform lives across the Tampa Bay region. With breathtaking views, heartfelt moments, and a shared mission to make dreams come true, the 2026 Wishmaker’s Ball is more than a celebration—it’s a movement of kindness and community coming together to create magic for children who need it most.
Storybook Ball:” Princess and the Frog”
This years Storybook Ball will take place on Saturday, May 16th with the theme of "Princess & the Frog" and will take place at the Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel. The event promises to be a magical evening with a New Orleans twist, featuring cocktails, interactive stations, a delicious selection of food and live music. The funds raised from the event will support Ronald McDonald House Tampa Bay which is a home away from home that provides comfort, support, and resources to families who are receiving life changing medical treatment. The Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel room block is now open! Book your group rate for Ronald McDonald House Gaby Caceres will reach out to you regarding your ad. For any inquiries about your sponsorship ad listing, you can contact her via email (gcaceres@ronaldmcdonaldhousetb.org). Click the link to watch the trailer for Princess & The Frog: The Princess and the Frog - Official Trailer 2009 The event is formal, with black tie optional; however, due to this year's New Orleans French theme, lighter-colored formal suits are encouraged for men, and beautiful colors are recommended for ladies. Click to view our for ideas. Registration and Cocktail Reception begin at 6 pm, followed by dinner, live auction, and dancing till 11:30 p.m. The funds raised from the event will support Ronald McDonald House Tampa Bay which is a home away from home that provides comfort, support, and resources to families who are receiving life changing medical treatment. If you're interested in becoming a sponsor for the 2026 Storybook Ball, please complete the registration form on the next page.
2026 Q2 Power Breakfast: Cathie Wood, Founder and CEO, ARK Invest
Cathie Wood is the founder, CEO and chief investment officer of ARK Invest, an investment management firm known for its focus on disruptive innovation and emerging technologies. She launched ARK Invest in 2014 with a mission to provide investors access to companies driving transformative change across sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, genomics, fintech and energy storage. Wood is widely recognized for her forward-looking investment strategies and research-driven approach, gaining global attention for early, high-conviction investments in innovative growth companies. Prior to founding ARK, she held senior investment leadership roles at several major financial firms, building decades of experience in portfolio management and economic research. Network with: 67% of attendees are decision-makers (CEO, President, Owner, Exec. Director, VP) 26% companies with $10-$100M annual revenue 21% companies with $100M-$1B annual revenue 16% companies with $1B+ annual revenue Attendee Industry Mix: Broad range including, Financial and Professional Services, Construction, Real Estate, Manufacturing, Healthcare and Education. Event agenda: 7:30am - networking/breakfast buffet 8:00am - opening remarks/program begins 9:00am - closing remarks/post event networking 9:15am - event concludes Attire: Business professional/Business casual Tickets are non-refundable, however we are happy to transfer your ticket. Please contact Michelle Loucks at mloucks@bizjournals.com to inquire about a ticket transfer if needed.
Tampa Bay BBQ Festival
What could be better than sitting waterside, enjoying some smokey barbeque, sipping on a cold beer, playing cornhole and listening to some great live bands? The annual Tampa Bay Barbecue Festival at Vinoy Park is a festival full of rich & smoky brisket, juicy chicken,, fall-off-the-bone ribs and delicious craft beer & cocktails. Features Include – > Over 100+ Barbecue Dishes from Florida’s Best Competition Barbecue Teams! > Cast you’re vote for Tampa Bay’s Best Barbecue Team! > Live Mural Artists > Great Craft Beers & Cocktails > Live Music by Great Bands & DJ’s | See Schedule > Games, Prizes & Tons of Fun Bands List Coming Soon!