TAMPA -- Ernst & Young LLP is calling for nominations for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012 Awards. The deadline for applications is March 9 with the Florida Awards ceremony scheduled for June 14 in Orlando.

Now in its 26th year, the program has honored entrepreneurs such as Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com, Michael Dell of Dell Inc., Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines, Fred Smith of FedEx, Larry Page and Sergey Brin of Google. Florida award recipients have included Wayne Huizenga of Huizenga Holdings and Mindy Grossman of HSN, Inc.

Award recipients are selected in a number of industry categories by a panel of independent judges including previous award recipients, leading CEOs, private capital investors and other Florida business leaders. Entrepreneurs may nominate themselves or be nominated by peers and other business leaders.

Nautical expo set for March 31, April 1

PALMETTO -- The Regatta Pointe Marina Nautical Association is hosting its Spring Nautical Expo-March 31 and April 1. The expo will feature free boating seminars, free boat demo rides, a free power and sailboat show with more than 50 in water boats and a wide variety of marine outfitters, suppliers and services.

Palmetto High School’s Rowing Team will display a four-person rowing shell and answer questions about the sport of competitive rowing. There also will be live entertainment.

The seminars are held in the Eagle’s Nest banquet room of Riverhouse Reef & Grill Restaurant building.

For additional information, contact Dan McClanahan, the marina harbor master, at 941-705-9565 or Ed Massey at 941-725-2350.

-- Herald reports