Thursday's Daily Pulse
The race for increased port productivity
As cargo ships get bigger, shipping lines unite and world trade grows only slowly, seaports are facing growing pressure to offer faster service at lower rates to lure major customers to their docks. Some 140 port experts from around the nation met in Fort Lauderdale this week to discuss ways to boost port productivity . [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
» Snapshot: Ships and Ports in Florida
» Chart: Florida Ports
» More stories about Florida's international trade business
Hotels revamp restaurants to compete for dining dollar
South Florida hotels are revamping their restaurants or adding new food and beverage outlets in an effort to boost their appeal to guests and also to attract more locals year-round. Industry specialists say hotels must compete with neighborhood eateries for diners' dollars and attention. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Weather's impact clouds Friday's jobs report
Predicting Friday's Labor Department tally of U.S. job growth in January is turning out to be as tricky as forecasting winter weather in Florida. Many economists believe bad weather severely crimped employment totals in December as some workers stayed home, leading the analysts to expect a big pickup in January. [Source: USA Today]
See also:
» Why Sun Belters Should Resist the Winter Weather Gloat
Sports Industry 101: Breaking Into The Business Of Sports
Over the past 30 years, there has been a significant amount of growth in sports management education programs. From undergraduate and master’s-level courses to MBAs with a sports management concentration, they are continuing to gain ground in colleges and universities. [Source: Forbes]
Pérez Art Museum Miami proves to be a work of art
The 200,000-sq.-ft., $131-million building in Miami, designed by Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, is a stunning structure of clear glass and thick cement that rises over Biscayne Bay’s blue waters. Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows flow throughout many of the exhibition spaces; the views of Miami, Miami Beach and the bay are a form of art themselves. More...
 Pérez Art Museum, Miami [Photo: Joe Skipper/Reuters] |
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Seriously delinquent mortgages persist across South Florida [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
South Florida's seriously delinquent mortgage rate has declined over the past four years but still remains the highest of the nation's 100 largest metro areas, a new report shows.
› Exclusive island living, but first a legal fight [Miami Herald]
As an exclusive island condo complex in Aventura rolls out its sales campaign, owners in a ritzy neighborhood next door continue to wage their legal battle against construction.
› Business turns charge-fees into charity [Seminole Voice]
Traditionally, business pay banks a fee to process credit and debit card transactions, and the banks keep that fee for themselves. When a business chooses Swipe4TheKids as the electronic sale processor, 40 percent of the company’s profits generated by that fee go to local non-profit organizations and schools to provide money for enrichment programs.
› Research complex links animals, wind and waves [Miami Today]
University of Miami’s new Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science complex is gearing up to open in March or April, well behind schedule. The new Marine and Atmospheric Science building is one of a kind and so complex that pushing the deadline makes sense if the building requires it.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
In an open letter to readers, Publisher Andy Corty explains how the magazine's content is now available on tablets and other mobile devices. Corty also explains how FloridaTrend.com, will be changing too, as some exclusive stories will only be available by subscription.
› Port Everglades announces $24 million terminal renovation [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Starting this spring, another Port Everglades cruise terminal will be getting a makeover. It's the sixth cruise terminal in five years to undergo renovations, port officials announced this week.
› Obama to nominate four judges in Florida [AP]
President Barack Obama has nominated four people to serve as federal judges in Florida's middle and southern districts. Three of those nominated Wednesday are currently circuit judges and one is an attorney in private practice. All four must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
› Aerospace business, including plant in Manatee, sold to French firm [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Eaton Corp. is selling its aerospace power distribution management business, including a south Manatee County plant, to a French company for $270 million.
› Miami cash buyers squeeze out mortgages [Miami Today]
Unless you’re a buyer with a lot of money, mortgaging a home in Greater Miami should continue to be a challenge this year. Opportunities for conventional 30-year mortgages will be limited due to the abundance of cash buyers.